Why are the non-German trained units in WW2 KMT ranked with Superior Private insignia?

I've asked a few people and they all seem to say that China KMT soldiers which were German trained have red background collar insignia with two yellow triangles(Private 1st class) while the non-German trained ones have three yellow triangles(Superior Private). Action figures figures and drawings confirm this although they may not be very reliable sources. How come the elite(German trained) are lower rank than non-German trained units when they are supposed to be the crack/elite units?