Feldwebel (Fw or F, lit. ´field usher') is a non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in several countries. The rank originated in Germany, and is also used in Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia. The rank has also been used in Russia, Austria-Hungary, occupied Serbia and Bulgaria.
Feldwebel is a contraction of feld meaning ´field´ and weibel, an archaic word meaning ´usher´. Weibel comes from the Old High German weibôn, meaning to go back and forth (as in ´wobble´).
There are variations on Feldwebel, such as Oberstabsfeldwebel (´Superior Staff Field Usher´), which is the highest non-commissioned rank in the German army and air force.
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