Bootsmann

Bootsmann (lit. 'Boatswain') is a naval rank used in some navies.

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (February 2024)

Quick Facts Boatswain, Country ...

Boatswain Bootsmann (German)
Shoulder and sleeve insignia
Country	Germany
Service branch	German Navy
Abbreviation	Btsm
Rank group	Non-commissioned officer
Next higher rank	Oberbootsmann
Next lower rank	Obermaat
Equivalent ranks	Feldwebel

Close

The German term Bootsmann translates to Boatswain, i.e. the senior crewman of the deck department.

In a military context, Bootsmann (Btsm or B) is the lowest Portepeeunteroffizier (NCO with portepeé) rank in the German Navy. It belongs to the particular rank group Senior NCOs with port épée. It is grouped as OR6 in NATO, equivalent to Petty Officer First Class in the US Navy, and to Petty Officer in the British Royal Navy.

In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr Bootsmann also informally / short Bootsmann.

The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
Unteroffiziere mit Portepee

• OR-9: Oberstabsbootsmann / Oberstabsfeldwebel
• OR-8: Stabsbootsmann / Stabsfeldwebel
• OR-7: Hauptbootsmann / Hauptfeldwebel
• OR-6a: Oberbootsmann / Oberfeldwebel
• OR-6b: Bootsmann / Feldwebel

These names were adopted for the Russian Navy as botsman (боцман) botsmanmat (боцманмат) by Peter the Great, among many other Prussian and Holland military ranks; they were initially treated as positions rather than ranks.

While the rank is used in a number of NATO countries, it is ranked differently depending on the country.

• Ranks of the German Bundeswehr
• Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr
• Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted