Allgemeine-SS

The Allgemeine-SS was the name for the "General SS" which consisted of part-time mustering SS formations created under the Nazi Party between 1925 and 1945. The term Allgemeine-SS came into being to separate the Waffen-SS (Armed SS) from the General SS. Both the Allgemeine and Waffen-SS used the same SS ranks, but maintained different criteria for promotion. Thus, it was common for an SS member to hold two SS ranks, one in the General-SS and the other in the Armed-SS.

In 1944, all Allgemeine-SS Generals were granted equivalent Waffen-SS General rank in the event that they were captured by the Allies and would therefore be granted status as POWs instead of police officials.