the Shutzstaffel was hitlers private lifeguards during pre-ww2, when ww2 startet it became a more or less normal fighting group of nazis. The german army was not nazies, they where normal germans stationed in war.

The Schutzstaffel is 2 german words; Schutz and staffel. Shutz means to shoot or someone shooting ( wierd translation options here ) staffel means group.
The Schutzstaffel was divided into 2 groups; Algemeine Schutzstaffel ( nazi group ) and Waffen Schutzstaffek ( special forces nazi group )
Shutzstaffel is shorten down to SS.