The word originated during World War I when Sturmmann was a position held by soldiers in German pioneer assault companies, also known as "shock troops".

In 1921, Sturmmann became a paramilitary title of the Nazi Party's private army, the Sturmabteilung (SA or "Assault Detachment").

The rank of Sturmmann was bestowed upon those members of the SA and SS who had served for six months in the organization and had demonstrated basic abilities and competence.

[5] The insignia for Sturmmann consisted of a bare collar patch with a single silver stripe.

[4] The field grey uniforms of the Waffen-SS also displayed the sleeve chevron of a Gefreiter.