Oberschütze is a German military rank which was first used in the Bavarian Army of the late 19th century. Translated as “Senior Private”, the rank of Oberschütze was created to give recognition to those common soldiers who had displayed leadership and military abilities but were not deemed eligible for promotion to the rank of Gefreiter. In the militaries of other nations, Oberschütze was cosnidered the equivalent of a Private First Class.

The use of Oberschütze reached its height in World War II when the German Wehrmacht maintained the rank as both an Army and Air Force position. The rank was also used in the Waffen-SS where it was known as SS- Oberschütze.

Unlike its earlier counterparts, the World War II rank of Oberschütze was not bestwoed based on leadership and ability but rather simply as recognition of time served in the military. Typically, a Schütze would be promoted to the position after six months to one year of military service.

The modern German military no longer maintains the rank of Oberschütze but instead has a greater number of Corporal positions to which a Private may advance.