Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Navy

Last updated January 27, 2025

The Royal Danish Navy ranks follows the NATO system of ranks and insignia, as does the rest of the Danish Defence. Outside this ranking system there are physicians (who may wear the same insignia in the Army/Air Force but with a slight variation in the Navy), nurses and veterinarians, while priests and judicial personnel wear completely different insignia and are without rank.

Current ranks

Besides the NATO-system, the Danish defence utilizes its own system, which for the navy is as follows:

Military personnel, level 400 (M400, chef-gruppen^[1]) Executive level: OF-4 through OF-9^[2]
Military personnel, level 300 (M300, officers-gruppen) Operational level: OF-1 through OF-3
Military personnel, level 200 (M200, sergent-gruppen) NCO level: OR-5 through OR-9
Military personnel, level 100 (M100, konstabel-gruppen) Seamen level: OR-1 through OR-4

Officers

The highest officer's rank is OF-9 (Admiral) which is reserved for the Chief of Defence (only when this seat is occupied by a naval officer). The Prince Consort of Denmark held the rank of Admiral (à la suite). Similarly, OF-8 (Vice-admiral) is reserved for the Vice Chief of Defence). OF-7 (Kontreadmiral) is used by the Chief of the Royal Danish Navy and OF-6 (Flotilleadmiral) by the chief of Danish Task Group as well as keepers of high-office positions. OF-4 and OF-5 are mainly chiefs of squadrons, schools and larger vessels. OF-1 through OF-3 are used in a variety of positions.

NATO code	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Royal Danish Navy ^[3] v t e
Royal Danish Navy ^[3] v t e	Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral	Flotilleadmiral	Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Premierløjtnant	Løjtnant
Medical^[3]
Medical^[3]				Generallæge	Stabslæge I Stabstandlæge I Stabsdyrlæge I	Stabslæge II Stabstandlæge II Stabsdyrlæge II	Overlæge Overtandlæge Overdyrlæge Afdelingslæge Afdelingstandlæge Afdelingsdyrlæge	Reservelæge I Reservetandlæge I Reservedyrlæge I	Reservelæge II Reservetandlæge II Reservedyrlæge II	Reservelæge III Reservetandlæge III Reservedyrlæge III
Danish Pay Grade^[2]	M406	M405	M404	M403	M402	M401	M332 M331 M322	M321	M312	M311

Rank flags

Rank	Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral	Flotilleadmiral	Eskadrechef
1858–1882				—
1882–?
?–1979
1979–present^[4]

Enlisted

The Danish OR's also follow the NATO system, though there are no OR-6's. OR-4 (Korporal) is the highest of the M100-level ranks is and not considered a NCO-rank.

NATO code	OR-9	OR-8	OR-7	OR-5		OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Service uniform
Royal Danish Navy ^[3] v t e
Royal Danish Navy ^[3] v t e	Chefsergent	Seniorsergent	Oversergent	Sergent	Sergent SØ	Korporal	Marinespecialist	Marineoverkonstabel	Marinekonstabel
Danish Pay Grade^[2]	M232	M231	M221	M212	M211	M113	M112

Branch of service

The branch of service emblems are worn by all NCOs and enlisted, except for Chefsergent who wears a crown.


Våben, artilleri	Våben, torpedo	Militærpoliti	Våben, mine

Kampinformation	Elektronik	DATA (Informatik)	Automatik

Kommunikation	Maskin	Administration (Intendantur)	Sanitet

Proviant/forplejning	Tamburkorps	Chefsergent	Sergentelev

Additional ranks

NATO Code	OR-9		OR-8	OR-1
Rank^[3]
Danish	Søværnschefsergent	Myndighedschefsergent	Myndighedsseniorsergent	Stampersonel SØ	Værnepligtig SØ

English	Master chief petty officer of the Navy	Command master chief petty officer	Command senior chief petty officer	Junior rating/Trainee	Conscript

Mechanics

Rank group	Mechanics
Shoulder insignia^[3]
Sleeve insignia
	Seniormekaniker	Overmekaniker af 1. grad	Overmekaniker af 2. grad	Mekaniker

Clerical personnel

Rank group	Clerical personnel
Shoulder insignia^[3]
Sleeve insignia
	Orlogsprovst	Orlogspræst

Types of rank insignia

Rank^[5] (example)	Shoulder	Sleeve	INTOPS	Epaulette
Chefsergent				None
Orlogskaptajn

Historical ranks

The sleeve insignia was first introduced in the Royal Navy in 1871 and was based around the British Royal Navy.^[6] In order to become more standard, the admiral ranks were changed in 1951.^[7]

Timeline of changes

Order of precedence 1671-1730

Rank group	First class			Second class	Third class	Fourth class	Fifth class	Sixth class	Seventh class	Eighth class
1671–1680^[8]	Rigs-Admiral	General-Admiral			Admiral	Vice-Admiral
1680–1693
1693–1699^[9]		General-Admiral	General-Admiral-Lieutenant		Admiral	Vice-Admiral	Schout by Nacht	Commandeur-Capitain til Søes
1699–1717
1717–1730^[10]		General-Admiral	General-Admiral-Lieutenant	Admiral	Vice-Admiral	Schout by Nacht	Commandeur til Søes	Commandeur-Capitain til Søes	Capitain	Premier Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
Rank group	First class			Second class	Third class	Fourth class	Fifth class	Sixth class	Seventh class	Eighth class

Modern ranks 1858-present

Rank group	General / flag officers					Senior officers			Junior officers
1801–1812^[11]
1801–1812^[11]		Admiral	Vice-Admiral	Contre-Admiral		Commandeur	Commandeur-Capitain	Capitain	Capitain-Lieutenant	Premier-Lieutenant	Second-Lieutenant		Maaneds-Lieutenant
1812–1822^[12]
1812–1822^[12]		Admiral	Vice-Admiral	Contre-Admiral		Commandeur	Commandeur-Capitain	Capitain	Capitain-Lieutenant	Premier-Lieutenant	Second-Lieutenant		Maaneds-Lieutenant
1841–1856^[13]
1841–1856^[13]		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral		Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Kaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Premierløjtnant		Sekondløjtnant
1858–1868^[14]
1858–1868^[14]		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral				Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Løjtnant
1868–1871^[15]
1868–1871^[15]		Admiral				Kommandør			Kaptajn	Premierløjtnant		Sekondløjtnant
1871–1880^[16]
1871–1880^[16]		Admiral				Kommandør			Kaptajn	Premierløjtnant		Sekondløjtnant
1909–1922^[17]
1909–1922^[17]		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral		Kommandør			Kaptajn	Premierløjtnant	Løjtnant		Sekondløjtnant
1922–1937^[18]
1922–1937^[18]		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral		Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Søløjtnant af 1. grad		Søløjtnant af 2. grad
1937–1951
1937–1951		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral		Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Premierløjtnant	Løjtnant		Søløjtnant II
1951–1970
1951–1970		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral		Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Premierløjtnant	Løjtnant		Søløjtnant II
1970–2000
1970–2000		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral	Flotilleadmiral	Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Premierløjtnant	Løjtnant		Søløjtnant II
2000–2011
2000–2011		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral	Flotilleadmiral	Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Premierløjtnant		Løjtnant
2011–present
2011–present		Admiral	Viceadmiral	Kontreadmiral	Flotilleadmiral	Kommandør	Kommandørkaptajn	Orlogskaptajn	Kaptajnløjtnant	Premierløjtnant		Løjtnant
NATO code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1

Other ranks

Rank group	NCOs					Enlisted
1959–1962^[19]
1959–1962^[19]	Overfenrik	Fenrik	Oversergent	Sergent	Korporal	Sergentelev		Math	Mathelev
1962–?
1962–?	Seniorsergent af 1. grad	Seniorsergent af 2. grad	Oversergent	Sergent	Korporal		Marineoverkonstabel	Marinekonstable	Marinekonstabelelev
1982–2008
1982–2008	Chefsergent	Seniorsergent	Oversergent	Sergent	Korporal	Marinespecialist	Marineoverkonstabel	Marinekonstable	Marinekonstabelelev

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References

↑ Danish Ministry of Defence Personnel Agency (23 March 2022). "Selvvalgt afsked og TUL". forpers.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
1 2 3 "Historik" [History]. forpers.dk (in Danish). Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
1 2 3 4 5 6 "Søværnets Gradstegn" (PDF). forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
↑ "FKOBST L.202 - 4: Ceremoniel i Forsvaret" (in Danish). Danish Defence. October 2019. p. Bilag 2 til Tillæg A. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
↑ "Uniformsbestemmelse for Søværnet (FKOBST SV.628-501)" (PDF). Forsvaret (in Danish). September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
↑ Balsved, Johnny (25 March 2006). "Uniformshistorie" [Uniform History]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.
↑ Balsved, Johnny (22 March 2008). "Distinktioner og gradstegn" [Rank Insignia]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.
↑ danmarkshistorien.dk (17 May 2017). "Rangforordningen, 25. maj 1671" (in Danish). danmarkshistorien.dk. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
↑ danmarkshistorien.dk (21 June 2016). "Rangforordningen, 11. februar 1693" (in Danish). danmarkshistorien.dk. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
↑ Ilsøe, Lars. "Holberg og rangvæsenet". holbergsskrifter.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 4 November 2023.
↑ Borg 1974, p. 31.
↑ Borg 1974, p. 39.
↑ Borg 1974, pp. 52, 57.
↑ Borg 1974, pp. 57–60.
↑ Borg 1974, p. 61.
↑ Borg 1974, pp. 61–64.
↑ Borg 1974, pp. 75, 180.
↑ Borg 1974, p. 76.
↑ United States Department of the Army (1962). "Military Uniforms - DA Pam 355-120 - 1959 to 1962 - Part 2". Archive.org. Retrieved 9 October 2021.

Borg, Erik (1974). Den Danske Marines Uniformer Gennem Tre Århundreder[Uniforms of the Danish Navy Through Three Centuries] (in Danish). Strubes Forlag. ISBN 87 7508 1644.
Badges of Rank for the Royal Danish Navy, 2016
Badges of Rank for the Royal Danish Navy, 2016 (in Danish)
Heraldry of the RDN (in Danish)

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[1] Danish Ministry of Defence Personnel Agency (23 March 2022). "Selvvalgt afsked og TUL". forpers.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2023.

[forpers-2] 1 2 3 "Historik" [History]. forpers.dk (in Danish). Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2018.

[Denmark_Navy-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Søværnets Gradstegn" (PDF). forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.

[4] "FKOBST L.202 - 4: Ceremoniel i Forsvaret" (in Danish). Danish Defence. October 2019. p. Bilag 2 til Tillæg A. Retrieved 13 October 2024.

[5] "Uniformsbestemmelse for Søværnet (FKOBST SV.628-501)" (PDF). Forsvaret (in Danish). September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2024.

[6] Balsved, Johnny (25 March 2006). "Uniformshistorie" [Uniform History]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.

[7] Balsved, Johnny (22 March 2008). "Distinktioner og gradstegn" [Rank Insignia]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.

[8] rkshistorien.dk (17 May 2017). "Rangforordningen, 25. maj 1671" (in Danish). danmarkshistorien.dk. Retrieved 15 March 2021.

[9] rkshistorien.dk (21 June 2016). "Rangforordningen, 11. februar 1693" (in Danish). danmarkshistorien.dk. Retrieved 29 July 2023.

[10] Ilsøe, Lars. "Holberg og rangvæsenet". holbergsskrifter.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 4 November 2023.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197431-11] Borg 1974, p. 31.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197439-12] Borg 1974, p. 39.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197452,_57-13] Borg 1974, pp. 52, 57.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197457–60-14] Borg 1974, pp. 57–60.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197461-15] Borg 1974, p. 61.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197461–64-16] Borg 1974, pp. 61–64.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197475,_180-17] Borg 1974, pp. 75, 180.

[FOOTNOTEBorg197476-18] Borg 1974, p. 76.

[US_Department_of_the_Army-19] United States Department of the Army (1962). "Military Uniforms - DA Pam 355-120 - 1959 to 1962 - Part 2". Archive.org. Retrieved 9 October 2021.

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