Rekrut

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Rekrut (German for 'recruit') is a military designation in German-speaking countries. It was also used historically in the 18th- and 19th-century Russian Empire (see Conscription in the Russian Empire). In Germany, it characterizes newly recruited or sought personnel during an initial period of basic military training. However, in Austria, Switzerland, and some other countries, Rekrut is the lowest rank of enlisted soldier, comparable to NATO OR-1.

Rekrut was derived from the French recruter (to seek new soldiers), and recrue (recruit). The noun entered the German language in the 17th century.^[1]

In the German Bundeswehr, Rekrut is the generic term for military personnel during basic training. In most cases it refers to the lowest rank of enlisted men, e.g. a Soldat of the German Army, Flieger of the German Air Force, or Matrose of the German Navy.

Rekrut in Austria
Rank insignia	Austrian Bundesheer
Introduction	1998
Rank group	Personnel without charges
Army / Air Force	Rekrut
Lower: Higher:	Not established
	Gefreiter
NATO equivalent	OR-1

In the Austrian Bundesheer, Rekrut (known as Wehrmann, 'soldier', until 1998) is the lowest rank in the Heer and Luftwaffe. It belongs to the so-called Rekruten rank group and is comparable to NATO OR-1.

During United Nations missions and in NATO's Partnership for Peace, the rank Rekrut is designated in English as Private and is equivalent to NATO OR-1b.

Rekrut in Switzerland
No rank insignia
Rank insignia	Swiss army
Rank group	Enlisted men (de: Mannschaften)
Army / Air Force	Rekrut
Salary bracket	CHF 4.-/Day
Lower: Higher:	Not established
	Soldat
NATO equivalent	OR-1b

In the Swiss Armed Forces, Rekrut (abbreviated Rek) is the lowest rank in the Heer and Luftwaffe, comparable to NATO OR-1b. However, it is also the generic term for newly recruited military personnel during basic training.

• BROCKHAUS, The encyclopedia in 24 volumes (1796–2001), Volume 18: 3-7653-3678-5, page 231; definition «Rerkrut».