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Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces shows the rank system used in the Swedish Armed Forces today, as well as changes during the 20th century due to changes in the personnel structure.
On 1 October 2019 a new rank system was introduced in the Swedish Armed Forces. The rank insignia below are as worn on the field uniform. Army, navy and air force rank titles are shown below. [1]
From 2023, the rank of Överfanjunkare has been introduced in the Swedish Armed Forces. [2]
The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) | Student officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Field uniform [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Army [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Navy [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amiral | Viceamiral | Konteramiral | Flottiljamiral | Kommendör | Kommendörkapten | Örlogskapten | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Amphibious Corps [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Air Force [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) | Student officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NATO code | OR-5 |
---|---|
Field uniform [3] | |
Swedish Army [3] | |
Swedish Navy [3] | |
Swedish Amphibious Corps [3] | |
Swedish Air Force [3] | |
Name | Kadett |
The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Field uniform [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Army [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Navy [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Amphibious Corps [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Air Force [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Since 2009, there are three categories of ranks, Officerare, Specialistofficerare and GSS- Gruppbefäl, soldater och sjömän
Officers lead units from platoon and up. They are trained at the Military Academy Karlberg in a three-year academic program(180 ECTS credits) and graduate as fänrik. Cadets with no prior service must complete a 6-9 months preparatory course before they start at the academy.
Specialistofficerare are educated at specialist schools and centres for 1,5 years and graduate as Förste Sergeant. Experienced soldiers who have served as corporals and sergeants may take a shortened course. Civilians must complete a preparatory course before the 1.5 year specialist training starts.
The two highest ranks in this category, korpral and sergeant, form their own sub-category, gruppbefäl. They command squads of approx. 8 men. Ordinary soldiers are given the rank menig 1 klass with different insignia depending on how long they have served.
When the professional NCO corps was reintroduced in 2009 it was decided that some ranks in this category should, like the old underofficerare ranks in 1960–1972, have a relative rank higher than the most junior officers. The current relative ranks are shown in the table below.
OF (Officer Ranks) | Other Ranks (Specialistofficerare) |
---|---|
OF-9 (General, Amiral) | |
OF-8 (Generallöjtnant, Viceamiral) | |
OF-7 (Generalmajor, Konteramiral) | |
OF-6 (Brigadgeneral, Flottiljamiral) | |
OF-5 (Överste, Kommendör) | |
OF-4 (Överstelöjtnant, Kommendörkapten) | |
OR-9 (Regements-/Flottiljförvaltare) | |
OF-3 (Major, Örlogskapten) | |
OF-2 (Kapten) | |
OR-8 (Förvaltare) | |
OF-1 (Löjtnant) | |
OR-7 (Fanjunkare) | |
OF-1 (Fänrik) | |
OR-6 (Förste Sergeant) | |
GSS - Squad leaders, soldiers and seamen | |
OR-5 (Sergeant) | |
OR-4 (Korpral) | |
OR-3 (Vice korpral) | |
OR-2 (Menig 1kl) | |
OR-1 (Menig) |
The table below shows ranks according to seniority, with the most senior to the left. OF denotes officers, OR other ranks (as per STANAG 2116). Those ranks were ratified by the supreme commander on October 24, 2008, and became effective as of January 1, 2009. [4] Military ranks of (primarily) Great Britain have been used as a basis for harmonization with NATO.
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Officer cadet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swedish Army (2009-2019) | | | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett 3rd year [note 1] | Kadett 2nd year [note 2] | Kadett 1st year [note 3] | Kadett Officer Candidate [note 4] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Navy (2009-2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amiral | Viceamiral | Konteramiral | Flottiljamiral | Kommendör | Kommendörkapten | Örlogskapten | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Amphibious Corps (2009-2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Air Force (2009-2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Home Guard (2009-2019) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank group | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Officer cadet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swedish Army (2009-2019) | | | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Navy (2009-2019) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Sjoman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Amphibious Corps (2009-2019) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Air Force (2009-2019) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Home Guard (2009-2019) | | | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted |
Branch insignia worn by OR-1 in the Army | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infantry | Cavalry | Artillery | Armour | Air-Defense | Engineer | Signal | Supply | Army (generic) | |
A major change in the personnel structure in 1983 (NBO 1983), merged the three professional corps of platoon officers, company officers, and regimental officers into a one-track career system within a single corps called professional officers (yrkesofficerare). The three messes were also merged to one.
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Officer cadet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Service Officers Värnpliktsofficerare | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Professional Officers (one-track officer system) Yrkesofficerare (enhetsbefäl) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Army (1983-2009) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste av 1. graden | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett 2nd year [note 5] | Kadett 1st year [note 6] |
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Servicemen Värnpliktiga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swedish Army (1983-2009) | | | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fanjunkare | Sergeant | Kadett [note 7] | Överfurir [note 8] | Furir | Korpral [note 9] | Menig [note 10] |
In 1972 the personnel structure changed, reflecting increased responsibilities of warrant and non-commissioned officers, renaming the underofficerare as kompaniofficerare, giving them the same ranks as company grade officers (fänrik, löjtnant, kapten). Underbefäl was renamed plutonsofficerare and given the rank titles of sergeant and fanjunkare, although their relative ranks were now placed below fänrik. The commissioned officers were renamed regementsofficerare, beginning with löjtnant. The three-track career system was maintained, as well as three separate messes.
National Servicemen (Värnpliktiga) | National Service Officers (Värnpliktsofficerare) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Platoon Officers (Plutonsofficerare NCO) | Company Officers (Kompaniofficerare Limited Duty Officers) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Regimental Officers (Regementsofficerare Officers) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regular ranks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trainee ranks | Menig Korpral | Furir | Överfurir Kadett 1 | Sergeant Kadett 2-3 | Fanjunkare | Fänrik | Löjtnant | Kapten | Major Örlogs- kapten | Överste- löjtnant Kommendör- kapten | Överste Kommendör | Överste 1gr Kommendör 1gr | General- major Konter- amiral | General- löjtnant Viceamiral | General Amiral |
National Servicemen (Värnpliktiga) | National Service W.O. (Värnpliktiga underofficerare) | National Service Officers (Värnpliktiga officerare) | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Underbefäl (NCO) | Underofficerare (Warrant Officers) | Officerare (Commissioned Officers) | ||||||||||||||||||
Regular ranks | ||||||||||||||||||||
Trainee ranks | Menig Vicekorpral | Korpral | Furir | Överfurir | Rustmästare | Sergeant Kadett1-2 | Fanjunkare | Förvaltare | Fänrik | Löjtnant | Kapten | Major Örlogs- kapten | Överste- löjtnant Komendör- kapten | Överste Komendör | General- major Konter- amiral | General- löjtnant Viceamiral | General Amiral |
Note that the rank of Fältmarskalk (Field Marshal) was a de jure rank before the reform of 1972, even though it has not been used since 1824.[ citation needed ]
Officerare | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank insignia on collar patch | |||||||||
Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare | Löjtnant | Fänrik |
Underofficerare | Kadetter | Underbefäl | Meniga | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank insignia on collar patch | |||||||||||
Rank | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare Styckjunkare | Sergeant | Sergeant Senior Year at Karlberg | Sergeant Junior Year at Karlberg | Rustmästare | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral Konstapel | Vicekorpral Vicekonstapel | Menig Infantry |
In 1949 the relative rank of the warrant officers were elevated further so that to the following effect:
Officerare | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Badge m/46 to field cap | |||||||||
Rank insignia | |||||||||
Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare | Löjtnant | Fänrik |
Underofficerare | Kadetter | Underbefäl | Meniga | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Badge to field cap | m/46 | m/46 | m/46 | m/46-57 | m/46-52 | m/46-52 | m/46-52 | m/46-52 | ||
Rank insignia | ||||||||||
Rank | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare Styckjunkare | Sergeant | Sergeant Junior Year at Karlberg | Rustmästare 1957 | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral Konstapel | Vicekorpral Vicekonstapel | Menig |
Officerare | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Badge m/40 to field cap | |||||||||
Rank insignia m/39 | |||||||||
Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare | Löjtnant | Fänrik |
Underofficerare | Manskap | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Badge m/40 to field cap | ||||||||
Rank insignia m/39 | ||||||||
Rank | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare Styckjunkare | Sergeant | Överfurir created 1942 | Furir | Korpral Konstapel | Vicekorpral Vicekonstapel | Menig |
In a reform 1926 the relative rank of the then senior warrant officer, fanjunkare, was increased to be equal with the junior officer rank underlöjtnant and above the most junior officer rank fänrik.
Officerare | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cap m/23 | ||||||||||
Rank insignia | ||||||||||
Rank insignia on greatcoat | ||||||||||
Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare | Löjtnant | Underlöjtnant Abolished 1937 | Fänrik Also a crown in silver on each lower sleeve until 1937. |
Underofficerare | Manskap | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cap m/23 | |||||||
Rank insignia | |||||||
Rank insignia on greatcoat | |||||||
Rank | Fanjunkare Styckjunkare with relative rank as Underlöjtnant | Fanjunkare Styckjunkare | Sergeant | Furir | Korpral Konstapel | Vicekorpral | Menig |
When an army based on national service (conscription) was introduced in 1901 all commissioned officers had ranks that were senior to the warrant officers (underofficerare) and non-commissioned officers (underbefäl).
Officerare | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Badge m/14 for fur cap | |||||||||
Badge m/10-14 for hat | |||||||||
Rank insignia m/10 | |||||||||
Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare | Löjtnant | Underlöjtnant Fänrik 1915 |
Underofficerare | Manskap | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Badge m/14 for fur cap | - | |||||
Badge m/10-14 for hat | ||||||
Rank insignia m/10 | ||||||
Rank | Fanjunkare Styckjunkare | Sergeant | Distinktionskorpral Förste konstapel Furir 1915 | Korpral Konstapel | Vicekorpral | Menig |
The Swedish Armed Forces are the armed forces of the Kingdom of Sweden, tasked with the defence of the country as well as with promoting Sweden's wider interests, supporting international peacekeeping, and providing humanitarian aid. It consists of four service branches: the Swedish Army, the Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Navy, as well as a military reserve force, the Home Guard. Since 1994, all Swedish military branches are organised within a single unified government agency, the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters, which is headed by the Supreme Commander, even though the individual services maintain their distinct identities.
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who does not hold a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. In contrast, commissioned officers usually enter directly from a military academy, officer training corps (OTC) or reserve officer training corps (ROTC), or officer candidate school (OCS) or officer training school (OTS), after receiving a post-secondary degree.
Sergeant (Sgt) is a rank in use by the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. The alternative spelling, serjeant, is used in The Rifles and other units that draw their heritage from the British light infantry. Its origin is the Latin serviens, 'one who serves', through the Old French term serjant.
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services.
Chief Warrant officer is a senior warrant officer rank, used in many countries.
Each officer rank in the navy of a NATO country may be compared with the ranks used by any military service in other NATO countries, under a standardized NATO rank scale. This is useful, for instance, in establishing seniority amongst officers serving alongside each other within multinational command structures.
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.
Fähnrich is an officer candidate rank in the Austrian Bundesheer and German Bundeswehr. The word Fähnrich comes from an older German military title, Fahnenträger, and first became a distinct military rank in Germany on 1 January 1899. However, Fähnrich ranks are often incorrectly compared with the rank of ensign, which shares a similar etymology but is a full-fledged commissioned officer rank.
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.
Sergeant is a Swedish (OR6) and Finnish (OR5) military rank above överfurir in Sweden and alikersantti in Finland; and below översergeant in Sweden and ylikersantti in Finland.
Fanjunkare (OR-7) is a Swedish military rank above Översergeant and below Överfanjunkare. The word 'Fanjunkare' is derived from German 'Fahnenjunker', and denotes a standard-bearer, hence 'Colour Sergeant'.
Ylikersantti is a Finnish military rank above kersantti and below vääpeli. The rank was introduced in the Swedish Armed Forces in 2019. It is above sergeant and below fanjunkare. Both sergeant and översergeant are OR6.
Rustmästare is a former Swedish rank that literally means the one responsible for the armory.
Förvaltare is a Swedish military rank (OR-8) for specialist officers above Överfanjunkare and below Regementsförvaltare in the army and Flottiljförvaltare in the air force and is translated to sergeant major. The original military meaning of the word 'Förvaltare' was the same as 'conductor', as in a warrant officer conductor of ordnance stores or quartermaster stores.
The following article lists the historical military ranks used by personnel of the Swedish Armed Forces.
Underlöjtnant was the lowest officer rank in the Swedish Army from 1835 to 1937 instead of the previous ranks of fänrik and cornet. Fänrik was reintroduced in 1914 with the same position as underlöjtnant, from 1926 with lower position.
Regementsförvaltare in the Swedish Army and the Swedish Amphibious Corps, and Flottiljförvaltare in the Swedish Navy and the Swedish Air Force is the senior specialist officer rank in the Swedish Armed Forces. The official translation to English of the rank of Regementsförvaltare is "Regimental Sergeant Major"; of Flottiljförvaltare in the Nayv, "Chief Warrant Officer", and in the Air Force, "Wing Sergeant Major."
Commissioned officers' and enlisted rank comparison chart of all marine forces.
Överfanjunkare (OR-7) is a Swedish military rank above Översergeant and below Förvaltare. The word 'Överfanjunkare' is derived from German 'Fahnenjunker', and denotes a standard-bearer, the rank loosely transaltes to 'Senior Colour Sergeant'. The rank was introduced to the Swedish Armed Forces in late 2023, and implemented in March 2024.