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Brigadegeneral

Brigadegeneral is a rank (NATO code OF-6) used in the armed forces of , , and . In the (Heer) and () of the , it is the lowest rank, positioned immediately above (Colonel, OF-5) and below (, OF-7) in the hierarchy of commissioned officers. Brigadegenerals typically command brigades or hold senior staff positions, reflecting their role in operational leadership and strategic planning within the armed forces. It carries the pay grade B6 under the Federal Ministry of Defence's regulations for the , equivalent to Flottillenadmiral in the Navy () and Generalarzt or Generalapotheker in the medical and pharmaceutical services (OF-6). Promotion to this rank generally requires extensive experience, often after serving as an , and is limited in number to maintain a balanced command structure. In the Bundeswehr's integrated system, this rank underscores Germany's commitment to interoperability, as OF-6 aligns with equivalents in allied forces. Holders of the rank often contribute to international missions, operations, and advisory roles, embodying the professional and apolitical ethos of the modern German military.

Overview

Definition and Role

The is the lowest in the armed forces following Germanic military traditions, such as those in , , and . It corresponds to NATO code OF-6 and is equivalent to the in English-speaking militaries. In the hierarchical structure, the sits above (, OF-5) and below (, OF-7). Brigadegenerals typically command brigades, which comprise 3,000 to 5,000 troops, or serve as deputies to higher-ranking generals in divisional commands. They may also hold staff positions at the division level or higher, contributing to broader operational oversight within forces. Key responsibilities include operational planning for brigade-level maneuvers, oversight of training programs for subordinate units, and coordination in joint operations with allies. These duties emphasize leadership in tactical execution, personnel development, and within multinational frameworks.

NATO Code and Equivalents

The of Brigadegeneral is classified under the NATO officer code OF-6, which designates it as a senior field-grade officer position equivalent to a one-star general. In NATO member states, this rank has direct equivalents such as Brigadier General in the United States Army, Brigadier in the British Army, Général de brigade in the French Army, Brigadegeneraal in the Dutch-speaking Belgian Armed Forces, and Brigadegeneral in the Danish Defence. The term "Brigadegeneral" derives linguistically from the French word "brigade," originally denoting a troop unit or subdivision of an army, combined with "general," from the Latin generalis meaning pertaining to the whole or a leader of broad authority, to signify command over such a unit. Functionally, outside structures, the Brigadegeneral parallels ranks like General de Brigada in various Latin American armies, which also denote one-star general officers focused on -level land or air command, while its naval counterpart is often .

Historical Development

Origins in European Militaries

The concept of a dedicated rank for command, later embodied in the Brigadegeneral, emerged from the tactical of formations in early European armies during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the British and allied forces under the Duke of Marlborough during the (1701–1714), brigades were tactical units consisting of multiple battalions drawn from various national contingents, designed for coordinated assaults on narrow frontages to maximize firepower and shock. These formations, such as the 20 allied battalions led at the in 1704, were typically commanded by senior colonels or equivalent officers rather than a specialized general rank, reflecting an approach to integrating forces under Marlborough's overarching Captain-General authority. In the under (r. 1740–1786), brigade-like groupings of regiments were employed in battles such as those of the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), where command responsibilities fell to experienced senior officers, often colonels or major generals of , without a distinct rank solely for brigade leadership. This structure emphasized rigid discipline and linear tactics, with s forming temporarily for specific maneuvers, evolving from Frederick's reforms that prioritized regimental cohesion over permanent larger units. The absence of a dedicated brigade general rank underscored the era's focus on versatile field commands by established officers. Prussian influence persisted into the across German states, where the rank of initially assumed brigade command roles through ad hoc appointments, particularly during the and subsequent reforms. In the reorganized post-1806, Generalmajors led mixed formations including brigades, with titles like Brigade-Commandeur for subordinate roles and Brigade-Chef for overall oversight, marking a gradual shift from improvised leadership to more structured assignments amid the need for rapid against French forces. This evolution highlighted the Generalmajor's versatility in commanding tactical units of 2–4 regiments, bridging regimental and divisional levels without a separate intermediary rank. The (1792–1802) significantly impacted this development by standardizing the as a core tactical unit and introducing the rank of général de brigade in 1793 as part of broader reforms to address mass levies and decentralized command. This rank, often a temporary promotion for capable colonels under 40, enabled flexible operations within larger divisions or , integrating , , and for independent actions lasting up to 24 hours, such as enveloping maneuvers to outflank enemies. The French model influenced Germanic adaptations, as Prussian and other German states observed its effectiveness in campaigns like Valmy and Jemappes, prompting refinements in organization to counter revolutionary tactics while retaining Generalmajor oversight. Prior to , the continued this tradition by assigning to brigade-equivalent duties, as the rank served as the lowest level without a distinct Brigadegeneral designation, reflecting continuity from 19th-century Prussian structures in units like or panzer brigades. This approach prioritized in mechanized warfare, with Generalmajors directing tactical formations until Allied reforms introduced the specialized Brigadegeneral in Western European armies.

Post-World War II Introduction

Following , the rank of Brigadegeneral emerged as a standardized position in several European militaries, particularly those integrating into the . This development was driven by the need to harmonize command structures for enhanced interoperability during joint exercises and operations amid tensions. In , the rank was formally introduced in 1956 by the Anordnung des Bundespräsidenten über die Dienstgradbezeichnungen und die Uniform der Soldaten, positioning it as the OF-6 grade below to facilitate seamless collaboration within NATO's allied forces and address promotion bottlenecks from to , while adhering to Allied restrictions on . The overarching rationale for these introductions centered on creating a specialized one-star to promote tactical flexibility, reduce career stagnation at the level, and foster alliance-wide , as evidenced by 's push for comparable structures across member states.

Usage by Country

Germany

In the modern German , the rank of Brigadegeneral represents the lowest position within the and (Air Force), abbreviated as BrigGen and equivalent to code OF-6. This rank was introduced in 1956 alongside the establishment of the , aligning the German armed forces with structures while adapting traditional European military traditions. Promotion to Brigadegeneral generally requires extensive service and proven , with candidates typically advancing from the rank of after demonstrating in brigade-level command roles. The appointment is made by the Federal Ministry of Defence, emphasizing strategic evaluation of operational experience, staff qualifications, and overall performance within the officer corps. Brigadegenerals in the primarily command brigades, such as those integrated into major formations like the 1st Panzer Division, overseeing tactical operations, training, and readiness for national and alliance defense tasks. They also hold key positions in international deployments, for instance leading contingents in NATO's (ISAF) mission in , where they coordinated multinational efforts in stabilization and operations. A prominent example is Brigadegeneral Carsten Breuer, who received the promotion in 2013 while assuming command of the 37th Panzer Brigade; he later advanced through higher ranks to become the 17th in 2023, highlighting the rank's role as a pivotal step in senior leadership trajectories.

Belgium

In the , the rank of is known bilingually as Brigadegeneraal in (Flemish) and Général de brigade in (Walloon), reflecting the country's linguistic divisions. This rank was established during post-World War II reforms in the late 1940s and 1950s as part of 's integration into structures, standardizing officer grades to align with alliance protocols. The rank corresponds to NATO code OF-6 within the Land Component, positioning it above (OF-5) and below (OF-7). Brigadier generals typically command , such as the Motorized Brigade based in Leopoldsburg, or lead multinational task forces in EU Battlegroups, ensuring operational readiness for rapid deployment. In 's compact, professional military—totaling around 25,000 personnel across all components—this rank is pivotal for maintaining a high-readiness force tailored to commitments. Promotion to occurs from the rank of kolonel () or colonel (), following extensive command experience and staff assignments, often requiring demonstrated expertise in joint operations. These officers are essential in Belgium's "small but professional" force model, leading contributions to NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroups, such as the multinational unit in where Belgian elements provide infantry and support capabilities. Similarly, in Balkan stabilization efforts like the (KFOR), brigadier generals have directed Belgian contingents to support regional security. A distinctive feature of the rank in is the bilingual protocol observed in mixed-language units or headquarters, where officers must be proficient in both and to facilitate command across linguistic communities; unilingual units predominate, but higher echelons enforce dual-language capabilities for . For instance, Gert Van Goethem, an officer, applied this protocol during multiple Balkan missions in frameworks, including leadership roles in stabilization operations.

Denmark

In the Royal Danish Army and Royal Danish Air Force, the rank of Brigadegeneral serves as the lowest rank, classified as OF-6 under standards, positioned above (OF-5) and below (OF-7). This structure aligns with NATO's STANAG 2116 for rank equivalence, facilitating among alliance members. Brigadegenerals in the Army command , such as the 1st Brigade led by Brigadegeneral Michael Thøgersen since February 2025 or the 2nd Brigade under Brigadegeneral Susanne Lund since November 2024. In the , they oversee air wings and operational commands, exemplified by Brigadegeneral Karsten Jensen, who served as Deputy Commander of . These roles are central to 's total defense model, which integrates land, air, and maritime capabilities to protect the Kingdom's territories, including sovereignty operations in through the . Promotion to Brigadegeneral emphasizes operational merit, leadership in joint exercises, and experience from international deployments, such as missions in the or patrols. Given the Danish armed forces' compact scale of about 21,000 active personnel (as of 2024), the number of serving Brigadegenerals remains limited to match organizational needs. The rank supports Denmark's integration with Nordic allies via NORDEFCO, enabling joint exercises and shared security efforts. As of 2025, Denmark's defense spending has reached 3.2% of GDP, enhancing brigade readiness under Brigadegenerals. A prominent example is Brigadegeneral Susanne Bach Lausten, who assumed the role of in the Medical Command in April 2023, overseeing health services across expeditionary and homeland operations.

Insignia and Uniforms

German Bundeswehr Design

The rank insignia for Brigadegeneral in the German features a positioned on the boards, signifying its as a one-star general rank within the OF-6 category. In dress uniforms, the is rendered in for formal occasions, while field uniforms employ a subdued version in black or olive emblems to maintain effectiveness during operations. These insignia are integrated into the epaulettes of the , which adopts a stone-grey color for the and a blue shade for the (), ensuring branch-specific identification. General officers wear collar patches with golden embroidery on a bright red background for status recognition. The design was adopted in 1956 as part of the initial uniform regulations, drawing inspiration from pre-World War II insignia but simplified to align with standardization efforts following West Germany's alliance entry. No substantive modifications to the Brigadegeneral insignia occurred after in 1990, preserving continuity in rank symbolism across the unified forces. In protocol, personnel salute the Brigadegeneral as "Herr Brigadegeneral" or "Frau Brigadegeneral," reflecting formal observed during parades, official photographs, and ceremonial duties.

Belgian and Danish Variations

In Belgium, the rank insignia for Brigadegeneraal in the Land Component features a single on the board, reflecting a design aligned with standards and influences. Shoulder boards and rank slides are bilingual, displaying both ("Brigadegeneraal") and ("Général de Brigade") designations to accommodate Belgium's linguistic diversity. The service uniform is predominantly green, aligning with the Land Component's standard attire, while operational variants incorporate Velcro-attached and patches for multinational exercises. Denmark's Brigadegeneral consists of a single star, akin to the but positioned on shoulder boards with red trim for the and blue for the , emphasizing branch-specific colors. Field uniforms, such as the M/11 Multiterrænsløring pattern (a variant) as part of the Nordic system rolling out from 2025, utilize patches for rank display during operations, facilitating quick attachment and removal in combat environments. Both nations adapt their designs with national elements: integrates lion motifs from its on ceremonial items, while incorporates subtle Nordic cross references in unit patches. Post-2000s reforms introduced subdued, low-visibility colors across both countries to enhance . All variations conform to STANAG 2116 standards for grade coding, ensuring equivalence as OF-6 ranks across alliance forces, though local adaptations preserve distinct identities.

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