General (Sweden)

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General
General
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Amiralsflagga.svg
Rank flag
Sweden-Field-OF-9 (2019).svg Sweden-Navy-OF-9.svg Sweden-AirForce-OF-9.svg
Rank insignia of the Army, Amphibious Corps & Air force
CountryFlag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Service branch Army
Air Force
Amphibious Corps (from 2000)
Coastal Artillery (until 2000)
AbbreviationGen (Swedish) [1] (English) [2]
Rank group General officer
Rank Four-star [lower-alpha 1]
Non-NATO rank OF-9
Next lower rank Lieutenant general
Equivalent ranks Admiral

General (Gen; Swedish : General) is a four-star commissioned officer rank in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and Swedish Amphibious Corps. General ranks immediately above lieutenant general and is equivalent to admiral in the Swedish Navy. It is held by the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces and the monarch.

Contents

History

In Sweden, the rank of general was a three-star rank until 1972 when it became a four-star rank. Historically, during the 20th century, lieutenant generals were promoted one grade upon retirement to full general. According to current practice only royals and the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, if he were to come from the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force or the Swedish Amphibious Corps can hold the rank of a full, four-star, general in Sweden.

In 2009, the Swedish Armed Forces reported that General Håkan Syrén would retain his rank during his time as Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (2009–2012), which for the first time gave Sweden three active four-star generals; former Supreme Commander, General Håkan Syrén (2004–2012), current Supreme Commander, General Sverker Göranson (2009–2015) and Carl XVI Gustaf (1973–present). [3] This is correct since the rank of general since 1972 is a four-star rank. However, before 1972, the rank of general was a three-star rank, and between 1940 and 1941 Sweden had five active three-star generals; the Supreme Commander, General Olof Thörnell (1940–1944), General Oscar Nygren (1939–1941 [lower-alpha 2] ), King Gustaf V (1898–1950), Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf (1932–1973) and Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland (1908–1951). [5]

Following a proposal from the Swedish Armed Forces, the Government of Sweden decides on employment as a general. [6]

In everyday speech, generals of all ranks are addressed as generals. [7] [8]

Rank insignia

Collar patches

Shoulder marks

Sleeve insignias

Amphibious Corps and Coastal Artillery

Air Force

Army

Hats

Personal flags

The command flag of a general (and an admiral) is a double swallowtailed Swedish flag. In the first blue field 4 five-pointed white stars placed two over two. [10]

List of generals

The following have been promoted to the rank of general in the Swedish Armed Forces between 1900 and 2024.   This colour indicates that the person was appointed honorary general in the Swedish Army.

ImageCountryBranchNameYear
promoted
BornDiedNotesRef
General Axel Emil Rappe.jpg
Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Axel Rappe 190318381918 Chief of the General Staff (1899–1905) [13]
Hemming Gadd SPA12.jpg
Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Hemming Gadd 1905 [lower-alpha 4] 18371915Commander of the 4th Army Division (1896–1905)
Commandant General in Stockholm (1905–1905)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1905–1907)
[13]
Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.jpg
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn 190618501942 Honorary General
Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1874–1942)
[13]
GrandDukeFriedrichII.jpg
Flagge Grossherzogtum Baden (1891-1918).svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Frederick II, Grand Duke of Baden 190618571928 Honorary General
Grand Duke of Baden (1907–1918)
[13]
Prins Carl, Hertig av Vastergotland (ca. 1930).jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland 190818611951 Prince of Sweden (1861–1951) [13]
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.jpg
Flag of Prussia (1892-1918).svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Wilhelm II, German Emperor 190818591941 Honorary General
German Emperor, King of Prussia (1888–1918)
[13]
King-Edward-VII (cropped).jpg
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Edward VII 190818411910 Honorary General
King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, Emperor of India (1901–1910)
[13]
Uggla, Gustaf i VJ 3 1916.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Gustaf Uggla 1913 [lower-alpha 4] 18461924Commander of the 2nd Army Division (1902–1913)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1910–1923)
Knut Gillis Bildt (1854-1927) militar.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Knut Gillis Bildt 1919 [lower-alpha 4] 18541927 Chief of the General Staff (1905–1919)
Lars Tingsten, Hagkomster.JPG
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Lars Tingsten 1922 [lower-alpha 4] 18571937 Chief of the General Staff (1919–1922)
Hammarskjold as lieutenant general (1926-1930) Carl-Gustaf Hammarskjold.JPG
Hammarskjöld as lieutenant general (1926–1930)
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Carl Gustaf Hammarskjöld 1930 [lower-alpha 4] 18651940 Chief of the General Staff (1922–1930)
King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden FVMF.003289 (cropped 2).jpg
KinggustafVIa.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army / Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Gustaf VI Adolf 193218821973Crown Prince of Sweden (1907–1950)
King of Sweden (1950–1973)
Nygren as major general (1929-1937) Oscar Eugene Nygren GMSF.002892.jpg
Nygren as major general (1929–1937)
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Oscar Nygren 1937 [lower-alpha 5] 18721960 Chief of the General Staff (1933–1937)
Olof Thornell AMA.0000902.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Olof Thörnell 194018771977 Supreme Commander (1939–1944)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1944–1950)
Helge Jung AMA.0000829 (cropped).jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Helge Jung 194418861978 Supreme Commander (1944–1951)
OB Nils Swedlund vid Orlogsvarvet i Karlskrona ar 1958 V17518 (crop).jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Nils Swedlund 195118981965 Supreme Commander (1951–1961)
FVMF.002588.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Bengt Nordenskiöld 1954 [lower-alpha 4] 18911983 Chief of the Air Force (1942–1954)
Carl August Ehrensvard (1892-1974) AMA.0000803.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Carl August Ehrensvärd 1957 [lower-alpha 4] 18921974 Chief of the Army (1948–1957)
Ljungdahl as lieutenant general (1954-1960) Generallojtnant Axel Ljungdahl.jpg
Ljungdahl as lieutenant general (1954–1960)
Flag of Sweden.svg Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Axel Ljungdahl 1960 [lower-alpha 4] 18871995 Chief of the Air Force (1954–1960)
Torsten Rapp 001.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Torsten Rapp 196119051993 Supreme Commander (1961–1970)
Cederschiold as major general (1937-1963 Hugo Montgomery Cederschiold FO-244-0234.jpg
Cederschiöld as major general (1937–1963
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Hugo Cederschiöld 1963 [lower-alpha 6] 18781968Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1950–1963)
Bonde as lieutenant general (1957-1963 Thord Cson Bonde AMA.0000790.jpg
Bonde as lieutenant general (1957–1963
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Thord Bonde 1963 [lower-alpha 4] 19001969 Chief of the Army (1957–1963)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1963–1969)
Bonde as lieutenant general (1961-1968 Portrattfotografi av Lage Thunberg, chef Flygvapnet FVMF.003267.jpg
Bonde as lieutenant general (1961–1968
Flag of Sweden.svg Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Lage Thunberg 1968 [lower-alpha 4] 19051997 Chief of the Air Force (1961–1968)
Curt Goransson.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Curt Göransson 1969 [lower-alpha 4] 19091996 Chief of the Army (1963–1969)
Prince Bertil is admiral's uniform Prince Bertil and Bengt Lundvall in 1974 V53680 (cropped).jpg
Prince Bertil is admiral's uniform
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army / Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force [lower-alpha 7] Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland 196919121997 Prince of Sweden (1912–1997) [15]
Stig Synnergren.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Stig Synnergren 197019152004 Supreme Commander (1970–1978)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1978–1986)
Carl XVI Gustaf in army uniform Carl XVI Gustaf i generalsuniform MILIF.001304.jpg
Carl XVI Gustaf in army uniform
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army / Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force [lower-alpha 8] Carl XVI Gustaf 19731946 King of Sweden (1973–present)
Noren as lieutenant general (1966-1973 FVMF.003185.jpg
Norén as lieutenant general (1966–1973
Flag of Sweden.svg Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Stig Norén 1973 [lower-alpha 4] 19081996 Chief of the Air Force (1968–1973)
Almgren as major general (1961-1966) Carl Eric Ake Almgren GMSF.002506.jpg
Almgren as major general (1961–1966)
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Carl Eric Almgren 1976 [lower-alpha 4] 19132001 Chief of the Army (1969–1976)
Kjell Nordstrom, Stig Nilsson, Lennart Ljung, Karl-Erik Norgren GMSF.021806 (cropped).jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Lennart Ljung 197819211990 Supreme Commander (1978–1986)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1986–1990)
Bengt Gustafsson MILI.030059.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Bengt Gustafsson 198619332019 Supreme Commander (1986–1994)
OB Owe Wiktorin.webp
Flag of Sweden.svg Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Owe Wiktorin 19941940 Supreme Commander (1994–2000)
Hederstedt as senior colonel (1993-1996) Johan Ivar Hederstedt GMSF.023536.jpg
Hederstedt as senior colonel (1993–1996)
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Johan Hederstedt 20001943 Supreme Commander (2000–2003)
Hakan Syren Feb 2010.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Amfibiekaren vapen.svg Navy (Amphibious Corps) Håkan Syrén 20041952 Supreme Commander (2004–2009)
Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (2009-2012)
Sverker Goranson May 26, 2013.jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Armen vapen bra.svg Army Sverker Göranson 20091954 Supreme Commander (2009–2015)
General Micael Byden EM1B1219 (34342186673).jpg
Flag of Sweden.svg Flygvapnet vapen bra.svg Air Force Micael Bydén 20151964 Supreme Commander (2015–present)

Footnotes

  1. General was a three-star rank until 1972 in the Swedish Armed Forces rank structure.
  2. Nygren left active service and was promoted to general in the army on 1 October 1937. He was recalled to active service to the post of commander of the 2nd Army Corps, where he served in Upper Norrland from December 1939 to April 1940 and in western Sweden from April to September 1940 and April to August 1941. Nygren was at the appointment in 1939 Sweden's only three-star general outside the royal family. [4]
  3. 1 2 The Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces used admiral's flag since 1942. [11]
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Upon retirement.
  5. Upon retirement on 1 October 1937. However, Nygren was called back for service as commander of the 2nd Army Corps in Upper Norrland and in Western Sweden from 1939 to 1941. [4]
  6. Transferred to reserve in 1950, where he remained as lieutenant general until 31 December 1954. After resigning as Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff in 1963, Cederschiöld was promoted to general in the army on 23 May 1963. [14]
  7. Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland was general in the Swedish Army and in the Swedish Air Force (and admiral in the Swedish Navy). [15]
  8. King Carl XVI Gustaf is general in the Swedish Army and in the Swedish Air Force (and admiral in the Swedish Navy). [16]

Related Research Articles

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The Military ranks of Finland are the military insignia used by the Finnish Defence Forces. The ranks incorporates features from Swedish, German, and Russian armed forces. In addition, the system has some typically Finnish characteristics that are mostly due to the personnel structure of the Finnish Defence Forces. The ranks have official names in Finnish and Swedish languages and official English translations. The Swedish forms are used in all Swedish-languages communications in Finland, e.g. in Swedish-speaking units of Finnish Defence Force. The system of ranks in the Swedish Armed Forces is slightly different.

Fänrik is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above sergeant and below lieutenant. In the navy, it ranks above sergeant and below sub-lieutenant. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of översergeant. Fänrik means standard-bearer and has been used as a name for the lowest officer rank in the Swedish infantry since the 16th century, with the exception of the years 1835–1914.

Löjtnant is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above second lieutenant and below captain. In the navy, it ranks above acting sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of förvaltare. The rank has been used in Sweden since the Middle Ages.

Kapten is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above lieutenant and below major. In the navy, it ranks above sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant commander. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of förvaltare. The rank has been used in Sweden since the Middle Ages.

Major (Maj) (Swedish: Major, Mj) is a field grade military officer rank in the Swedish Armed Forces, above the rank of captain and below the rank of lieutenant colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of lieutenant commander in the Swedish Navy.

Lieutenant colonel (LtCol) (Swedish: Överstelöjtnant, Övlt) is a field grade officer rank in the Swedish Armed Forces, just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the Swedish Navy.

Colonel (Col) (Swedish: överste, öv) is the most senior field grade military officer rank in the Swedish Army and the Swedish Air Force, immediately above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general. It is equivalent to the naval rank of captain in the Swedish Navy.

Brigadier General (BGen) (Swedish: Brigadgeneral, Bgen) is a one-star commissioned officer rank in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and Swedish Amphibious Corps. A Brigadier general ranks immediately above a colonel and below a major general. The rank is equivalent to rear admiral (lower half) in the Swedish Navy.

Major General (MajGen) (Swedish: generalmajor, genmj) is a two-star commissioned officer rank in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and Swedish Amphibious Corps. Major general ranks immediately above brigadier general and below a lieutenant general. The rank is equivalent to rear admiral in the Swedish Navy.

Lieutenant General (LtGen) (Swedish: generallöjtnant, genlt) is a three-star commissioned officer rank in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and Swedish Amphibious Corps. Lieutenant general ranks immediately above major general and below a general. The rank is equivalent to vice admiral in the Swedish Navy.

Vice admiral is a three-star commissioned naval officer rank in the Swedish Navy. Vice admiral ranks above rear admiral and below admiral. Vice admiral is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant general.

Rear admiral (RAdm) (Swedish: Konteramiral, Kam) is a two-star commissioned naval officer rank in the Swedish Navy. Rear admiral ranks above rear admiral (lower half) and below vice admiral. Rear admiral is equivalent to the rank of major general.

Överste av 1. graden was a senior colonel rank of the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and Swedish Amphibious Corps, ranking below major general (1972–2000) and brigadier general, and above colonel.

Rear admiral (lower half), abbreviated RAdm (Swedish: Flottiljamiral, Fljam; lit.'flotilla admiral') is a one-star flag officer in the Swedish Navy. Rear admiral (lower half) ranks above captain and below rear admiral. The rank is equivalent to brigadier general in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Amphibious Corps.

Kommendör, abbreviated kmd is the most senior rank of commissioned officer below that of flag officer in the Swedish Navy, ranking below rear admiral and above commander. The rank is equivalent to colonel in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Amphibious Corps.

Kommendör av 1. graden was a senior captain rank of the Swedish Navy, ranking below rear admiral (1972–2000) and rear admiral, and above captain.

Commander (Cdr) (Swedish: Kommendörkapten, Kk) is a senior-grade officer rank in the Swedish Navy, ranking below captain and above lieutenant commander. The rank is equivalent to lieutenant colonel in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Amphibious Corps. Before 1972, the rank of commander was divided into two ranks: commander (kommendörkapten av 1:a graden/klassen) and lieutenant commander (kommendörkapten av 2:a graden/klassen).

Lieutenant commander (LtCdr) (Swedish: Örlogskapten, Örlkn) is a mid-ranking officer rank in the Swedish Navy. Lieutenant commanders rank above lieutenants and below commanders, and rank is equivalent to a major in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Amphibious Corps. Before 1972, the rank of örlogskapten was called kommendörkapten av 2:a graden/klassen.

Ryttmästare was a military rank in the Swedish cavalry in the Swedish Army. The rank corresponded to the rank of captain in other service branches. The rank was abolished in 1972.

References

Notes

  1. "Försvarsmaktens föreskrifter om personaltjänst (FFS 2019:6)" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 2019-12-02. p. 3. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  2. "Försvarsmaktens gemensamma identitet – direktiv för användandet av Försvarsmaktens namn, profil och bild" (PDF). 1.3 (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 2013-09-16. p. 66. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  3. Haglund, Sven-Åke (5 November 2009). "Håkan Syrén general i EU" (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  4. 1 2 Cronenberg, Arvid (1990–1991). "Oscar E Nygren". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon (in Swedish). Vol. 27. National Archives of Sweden. p. 704. Retrieved 2016-07-11.
  5. Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1940 (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1940. p. 268.
  6. "Förordning om ändring i förordningen (2000:555) med instruktion för Försvarsmakten" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Code of Statutes. 20 June 2005. p. 2. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  7. Etikett och god ton: Praktisk handbok i sättet att uppföra sig. 1 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Åhlén & Åkerlund. 1932. p. 128. SELIBR   1353820.
  8. Handbok: parad 6: traditionsvård : H PARAD 6 2016 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten. 2017. p. 31. SELIBR   22459606.
  9. Reglemente: uniformsbestämmelser 2015 : Unibest FM 2015 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten. 2015. p. 343. SELIBR   19513428.
  10. Braunstein 2004 , p. 111
  11. 1 2 Lybeck 1945, p. 570
  12. Handbok: parad 4: marinen : R PARAD 4 2017 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten. 2017. p. 14. SELIBR   21485968.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sveriges statskalender för år 1909 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: P.A. Nordstedt & Söner. 1909. p. 126.
  14. "Hugo Montgomery Cederschiöld". www.nordvik.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  15. 1 2 Spiegelberg 1984, p. 404
  16. "Officiella fotografier" (in Swedish). Royal Court of Sweden . Retrieved 19 March 2021.

Sources