Zugsführer
Field and service uniform insignia
Country	Austria
Service branch	Austrian Armed Forces
Abbreviation	Zgf
Rank group	Enlisted rank
Non-NATO rank	OR-4[1]
Formation	1857
Next higher rank	Wachtmeister
Next lower rank	Korporal

Zugsführer (Zgf or ZF; lit. 'Platoon leader') is a rank of the enlisted men rank group (EN group) in the Austrian Bundesheer. In comparison to the German Bundeswehr it is equivalent to the EN-rank “Oberstabsgefreiter”. A Zugsführer might be tasked to lead a sub-subunit of 8 to 13 soldiers.

During United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank Zugsführer will be designated in English with Master Corporal (MCpl) and is equivalent to NATO-Rang code OR-4.

Austria-Hungary (until 1918)

The Zugsführer rank was derived from the former platoon corporal (de: Zugskorporal) in 1857 and introduced to the Austro-Hungarian armed forces (hu: „Szakaszvezetö“). The rank was equivalent to the German NCO-grade Sergeant. The Zugsführer was authorized to wear yellow-black NCO port epée.

Depending on the armed forces branch, service, or assignment the Zugsführer rank (with the appropriate rank I insignia) was equivalent to:

• Stabführer (en: Tambour major)
• Kurschmied (en: Health smith, cavalry shoeing)
• Rechnungs-Unteroffizier 2. Klasse (en: Fiscal NCO 2nd class; hu: Számvivö altiszt)
• Waffenmeister 2. Klasse (en: Weapon master 2nd class)

Designation	Sergeants / Zugsführer ranks
Paroli
Rank description	Zugsführer			Kurschmied	Rechnungs- Unteroffizier 2. Klasse	Waffenmeister 2. Klasse
Branch	Infantry	Mountain infantry	Motor transport regiment	Cavalry	Fiscal matters	Artillery
(English)	(Zugsführer)			(Farrier)	(Viscal NCO 2nd class)	(Weapon master 2nd class)

See also

• Ranks of the Austrian Bundesheer
• Rank insignias of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces

References

• Die Streitkräfte der Republik Österreich, 1918-1968, Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Militärwissenschaftliches Institut, 1968.