Sturmhauptführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank used by both the Sturmabteilung (SA) and the SS. It was the equivalent of a Hauptmann in the German army. This is the equivalent of captain (O-3) in western militaries. The rank was first created in 1928 as an SA rank and was bestowed upon those SA officers who were company commanders of SA units. The rank translates as “storm head leader” and can trace its origins to the German shock troops of the First World War, who were typically organized into storm trooper companies under an officer ranked lieutenant or captain.