Maat (rank) explained

German: Maat (pronounced as /de/,) is a naval rank, of German origin, used by a number of countries. The term is derived from the low German German: māt (comrade).[1] Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century German: Maate were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship.

Denmark

See also: Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Army. In 1951, it was decided to end the conscription–based military in Denmark and transition to a professional military. As such, the Danish: math rank was introduced, replacing the rank of Danish: menig given to all conscripted soldiers. With the Danish: math rank, soldiers were signed on to a contract following completion of basic training. By 1960, the Danish: math rank was replaced by the constable rank system.[2]

Estonia

NATO codeOR-5OR-4
EstonianSpanish; Castilian: VanemmaatSpanish; Castilian: MaatSpanish; Castilian: Nooremmaat
[3]
Senior mateMateJunior mate
Official translationPetty officer 1st classPetty officer 2nd classPetty officer 3rd class

Germany

Maat
Country:
Service Branch: German Navy
Abbreviation:MT
Nato Rank:OR-5
Formation:1955
Higher Rank:Obermaat
Lower Rank:Oberstabsgefreiter
Equivalents:Unteroffizier (Army & Air force)

However, Maate is also the collective name to all junior NCO-ranks (ranks: Maat, Seekadett, and Obermaat) in the modern day's German Navy.

In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr/ Frau Maat also informally / short Maat. The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
Unteroffizier ohne Portepee

History

In the Prussian Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine Maate were Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee. According to their specialization, Maate would be known as e.g. Steuermannsmaat (Coxswain's Mate), Feuerwerksmaat (Ordnance Mate), Bootsmannsmaat (Boatswain's Mate) or Maschinistenmaat (Machinist's Mate).[4] Maate were recruited among conscripts who volunteered to serve for a minimum of six years. After approximately four years they could expect to become Maat. Re-enlistment was common but in most specialities the career options would end with achieving the rank of Obermaat; only after 18 years in service was a promotion as supernumary Vizefeldwebel possible, and only if there was a billet open. The 1914/15 naval budget included 7857 billets for Maate and 5237 for Obermaate.[5]

Kriegsmarine

German: Maate (German: [[Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee]])
TitleGerman: Maat
Epaulette
Collar tab
Sleeve insignia
German: SteuermannmaatGerman: Bootsmannmaat
German Army equivalentGerman: [[Unteroffizier]]
US EquivalentPetty officer, third class
Source:[6]

Poland

NATO codeOR-4 OR-3
PolishPolish: BosmanmatPolish: Starszy matPolish: Mat
[7]
Boatswain mateSenior mateMate

See also

Notes and References

  1. Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Deutschen. sv Maat
  2. Nørholtz . Tine . HKKF: 60 år . HKKF: 60 years . Fagligt Forsvar . 2019 . 3 . 19–22 . Hærens Konstabel- og Korporalforening . da . https://web.archive.org/web/20220326144514/https://www.hkkf.dk/files/inline-files/FF0319_web.pdf . 26 March 2022.
  3. Web site: Sümboolika: Mereväe Auastmed . mil.ee . Estonian Defence Forces . 26 May 2021 . et.
  4. Wörterbuch zur deutschen Militärgeschichte, sv Maat.
  5. Deutsche Militärgeschichte 1648-1939. Vol. VIII, p.283,285,292.
  6. Handbook on German Military Forces 1945. TM-E 30-451. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, plate XVI, XVII.
  7. Web site: Sposób noszenia odznak stopni wojskowych na umundurowaniu Marynarki Wojennej . https://web.archive.org/web/20210607074956/https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/iwsp/u/27/96/27964313-a4b1-4c28-9ea2-08de33e7aa58/08c_oznaki_stopni_wojskowych_na_umundurowaniu_mw_ok.pdf . 2021-06-07 . live . wojsko-polskie.pl . Armed Forces Support Inspectorate . 7 June 2021 . pl.