(German for 'recruit') is a military designation in German-speaking countries. It was also used historically in the 18th- and 19th-century Russian Empire (see Conscription in the Russian Empire). In Germany, it characterizes newly recruited or sought personnel during an initial period of basic military training. However, in Austria, Switzerland, and some other countries, is the lowest rank of enlisted soldier, comparable to NATO OR-1.
was derived from the French fr|recruter|label=none (to seek new soldiers), and (recruit). The noun entered the German language in the 17th century.[1]
In the German Bundeswehr, is the generic term for military personnel during basic training. In most cases it refers to the lowest rank of enlisted men, e.g. a Soldat of the German Army, of the German Air Force, or of the German Navy.
| Rekrut in Austria | |
| Rank insignia | Austrian Bundesheer |
| Introduction | 1998 |
| Rank group | Personnel without charges |
| Army / Air Force | Rekrut |
| Lower: Higher: | Not established |
| Gefreiter | |
| OR-1 | |
In the Austrian Bundesheer, (known as, until 1998) is the lowest rank in the Heer and Luftwaffe. It belongs to the so-called rank group and is comparable to NATO OR-1.
During United Nations missions and in NATO's Partnership for Peace, the rank is designated in English as Private and is equivalent to NATO OR-1b.
| Rekrut in Switzerland | ||
| ||
| Rank insignia | Swiss army | |
| Rank group | Enlisted men (de: Mannschaften) | |
| Army / Air Force | Rekrut | |
| Salary bracket | CHF 4.-/Day | |
| Lower: Higher: | Not established | |
| Soldat | ||
| OR-1b | ||
In the Swiss Armed Forces, (abbreviated) is the lowest rank in the Heer and Luftwaffe, comparable to NATO OR-1b. However, it is also the generic term for newly recruited military personnel during basic training.