(, ) is a naval rank, of German origin, used by a number of countries. The term is derived from the low German (comrade).Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Deutschen. sv Maat Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship.
Denmark
In 1951, it was decided to end the conscription–based military in Denmark and transition to a professional military. As such, the rank was introduced, replacing the rank of given to all conscripted soldiers. With the rank, soldiers were signed on to a contract following completion of basic training. By 1960, the rank was replaced by the constable rank system.
Estonia NATO codeOR-5 OR-4 Estonian Senior mate Mate Junior mate Official translation Petty officer 1st class Petty officer 2nd class Petty officer 3rd class
Germany
However, Maate is also the collective name to all junior NCO-ranks (ranks: Maat, Seekadett, and Obermaat) in the modern day's German Navy.
In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr/ Frau Maat also informally / short Maat. The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows: Unteroffizier ohne Portepee OR-5: Obermaat / (Heer/ Luftwaffe) Stabsunteroffizier OR-5: Seekadett / Fahnenjunker OR-5: Maat / Unteroffizier
History In the Prussian Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine Maate were Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee. According to their specialization, Maate would be known as e.g. Steuermannsmaat (Coxswain's Mate), Feuerwerksmaat (Ordnance Mate), Bootsmannsmaat (Boatswain's Mate) or Maschinistenmaat (Machinist's Mate).Wörterbuch zur deutschen Militärgeschichte, sv Maat. Maate were recruited among conscripts who volunteered to serve for a minimum of six years. After approximately four years they could expect to become Maat. Re-enlistment was common but in most specialities the career options would end with achieving the rank of Obermaat; only after 18 years in service was a promotion as supernumary Vizefeldwebel possible, and only if there was a billet open. The 1914/15 naval budget included 7857 billets for Maate and 5237 for Obermaate.Deutsche Militärgeschichte 1648-1939. Vol. VIII, p.283,285,292.
Kriegsmarine
() Title Epaulette Collar tab Sleeve insignia German Army equivalent US Equivalent Petty officer, third classSource:Handbook on German Military Forces 1945. TM-E 30-451. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, plate XVI, XVII.
Poland NATO code OR-4 OR-3 Polish Boatswain mate Senior mate Mate
See also Ranks of the German Bundeswehr Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted
References