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Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces

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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.

Current ranks

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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]

Commissioned officer ranks

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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
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
Sweden 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

Student officer ranks

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NATO code OR-5
Field uniform[3]
 Swedish Army[3]
 Swedish Navy[3]
Sweden Swedish Amphibious Corps[3]
 Swedish Air Force[3]
Name Kadett

Other ranks

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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
Sweden 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

Former ranks

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Ranks 2009–2019

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Since 2009, there are three categories of ranks, Officerare, Specialistofficerare and GSS- Gruppbefäl, soldater och sjömän

Officerare (Officers)

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 (Senior NCOs, lit. Specialist Officers)

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.

GSS - Gruppbefäl, soldater och sjömän (junior NCOs, soldiers and seamen, lit. Squad leaders, soldiers and seamen)

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)
Rank insignia

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
 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


Sweden 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
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Swedish Army
(2009-2019)


No insignia
Menig 4 Menig 3 Menig 2 Menig 1
Regementsförvaltare Förvaltare Fanjunkare Förste Sergeant Sergeant Korpral Vicekorpral Menig


 Swedish Navy
(2009-2019)
Sjoman 4 Sjoman 3 Sjoman 2 Sjoman 1
Flottiljförvaltare Förvaltare Fanjunkare Förste Sergeant Sergeant Korpral Vicekorpral Sjoman


Sweden Swedish Amphibious Corps
(2009-2019)
Menig 4 Menig 3 Menig 2 Menig 1
Regementsförvaltare Förvaltare Fanjunkare Förste Sergeant Sergeant Korpral Vicekorpral Menig


 Swedish Air Force
(2009-2019)
Menig 4 Menig 3 Menig 2 Menig 1
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)

Ranks 1983–2009

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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.

Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
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]
Others
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]

Ranks 1972–1983

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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

Ranks 1957–1972

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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]

Field uniform model 1958/1959 - rank structure of 1960

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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

Uniform model 1939 - rank structure of 1949

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In 1949 the relative rank of the warrant officers were elevated further so that to the following effect:

  1. The lowest warrant officer, sergeant, had relative rank just below the lowest officer rank, fänrik.
  2. The second warrant officer rank, fanjunkare, had relative rank between fänrik and löjtnant.
  3. The highest warrant officer rank, förvaltare, had relative rank between first lieutenant and captain.
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

Uniform model 1939

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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

Uniform model 1923

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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

Uniform model 1910

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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

Notes

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  1. ^ Equivalent to OR-5
  2. ^ Equivalent to OR-4
  3. ^ Equivalent to OR-3
  4. ^ Equivalent to OR-2
  5. ^ Equivalent to OR-5
  6. ^ Equivalent to OR-4
  7. ^ Specialist school where aspirants graduate as Sergeant (Specialist Officer) (introduced 2008).
  8. ^ No new permanent appointments to these ranks after 1990.
  9. ^ Rank used whilst training for promotion to Furir.
  10. ^ Privates wear insignia of branch. In this case the infantry.

References

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  1. ^ "Nya gradbeteckningar införs". Försvarsmakten (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  2. ^ Myrlander, Viktor (5 March 2024). "Ny grad - Överfanjunkare". Försvarsmarkten (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Försvarsmaktens Gradbeteckningar" (PDF). Försvarsmakten (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  4. ^ Landström, Matthias (April 2008), Utveckling av tvåbefälssystemet i Försvarsmakten 16100:66576 [Development of the two-command system in the Armed Forces 16100:66576] (in Swedish), p. 5
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