Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee

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Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee (literally translated as "Non-commissioned officer without Swordknot") is the designation for German junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in the German army. The name is derived from earlier traditions in which German senior NCOs (Feldwebel) would carry the officer's sidearms (sword, sabre) with the officer's swordknot (made from silver or gold lace).

Ranks in this category:

and equivalents of the Waffen SS.

Generally, German NCOs were, and are still in the Bundeswehr, identified by the use of metallic lace (called Tresse) on the collar of the uniform jacket, as well as the edges of the shoulder straps.