TABLE OF RANKS
Wehrmacht - Heer

The term Soldat was generic; most soldiers had a rank title based on the type of unit they were assigned to, or the trade in which they were employed.

In 1939, a private of infantry was called Schütze.   In 1942, Hitler personally replaced the term Schütze with the title Grenadier, as an homage to the armies of Frederick the Great.

Infantrymen in panzer divisions were originally also called Schützen, but were renamed Panzergrenadier at about the same time.

Other honorifics for infantrymen included Füsilier (Fusilier in English) and Musketier (Musketeer).

The "ober" prefix was added to all the titles listed above to indicate this rank.

The term Oberjäger was not used for this rank; a man holding this grade serving in Jäger and Gebirgsjäger units was instead referred to as Oberschütze, as were, of course, men in infantry units before use of the word Grenadier, and Schützen regiments before being renamed Panzergrenadiere.

It is possible this grade was not part of the normal rank progression.  This grade was automatic upon one year's service.  However,  most soldiers in the German Army could be expected to reach Gefreiter in less than a year's time - the conclusion to draw is that anyone being made an Oberschütze (etc.) probably was not considered a promising soldier.

The rank of Gefreiter did not denote a non-commissioned officer in any sense of the word; he had no command authority and the rank he wore represented a raise in pay and little else.

Up until 1942/43, an Obergefreiter with more than 6 years service wore a single chevron with a pip added. 

After 1942/43 this insignia identified an Obergefreiter with more than six years service.

Trade/Branch Specific Titles - Mannschaften

A Portepee is a decorative sword knot; in many militaries (including the German Army) senior NCOs were distinguished from other ranks by carrying a sword.  Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee means "NCO without Portepee", or in other words, those that did not carry swords or wear sword knots.

A Portepee is a decorative sword knot; in many militaries (including the German Army) senior NCOs were distinguished from other ranks by carrying a sword.  Unteroffiziere mit Portepee means "NCO with Portepee", or in other words, those that did  carry swords  and wear sword knots.

The Stabsfeldwebel rank was generally reserved for those soldiers who had signed on for full enlistments in the Reichsheer (interwar German Army), which required a man to sign on for 12 years.

Trade/Branch Specific Titles - Unteroffiziere

While the American, British and Canadian militaries didn't/don't draw much of a distinction in everyday conversation between a Second Lieutenant and a Lieutenant, the German Army was very conscious of the distinction and the full rank title "Oberleutnant" was always used.

The plural of "Hauptmann" in German is "Hauptleute", literally "Main People."  The pluralization of this word by replacement with another is unusual even for German.

Branch Specific Titles - Kompanieoffiziere

Branch Specific Titles - Stabsoffiziere

Branch Specific Titles - Stabsoffiziere