He was the senior NCO of his subunit, but his duties were largely administrative and he was not expected to accompany his unit into an assault or a firefight.

The Hauptfeldwebel had many nicknames, including Spieß ("Spear") and Mutter der Kompanie ("mother of the company").

He wore two 10mm broad rings of NCO braid around the cuff of his sleeves, nicknamed Kolbenringe ("piston rings"), and carried a Meldetasche (reporting pouch) tucked into the tunic front, in which he carried blank report forms, rosters and other papers related to his duties.

In the National People's Army (1956-1990) Hauptfeldwebel was also an appointment, held by a senior non-commissioned officer ranks, e.g. Oberfeldwebel or Stabsfeldwebel later Fähnrich.

It was used in The appointment insignia on the uniform jacket and the overcoat, were almost identical to those used in the Wehrmacht until 1945, but constisted of one "piston ring" around each cuff only.