168/73, Fähnrich was introduced as new autonomous career group, and rank to the Army, Volksmarine, and the GDR Border troops in 1973.

The Fähnrichkorps, was supposed to provide highly specialized "long service members" below the officer level and close a skills gap in the technical careers.

Later, only Fähnrichschüler could be appointed Fähnrich if they had successfully completed a two-year training course at a military technical school or an Offiziershochschulen of the GDR.

On recommendation of the Soviet Union this new rank group was introduced to the so-called brotherly armed forces in most Warsaw Pact countries.

However, slight deviations in comparison to the Russian rank designation praporshchik and michman were welcomed, in order to underline national traditions.