Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces

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

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]

Rank insignia
Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Field uniform[1]
 Swedish Army[2]
General Generallöjtnant Generalmajor Brigadgeneral Överste Överstelöjtnant Major Kapten Löjtnant Fänrik Kadett
 Swedish Navy[2]
Amiral Viceamiral Konteramiral Flottiljamiral Kommendör Kommendörkapten Örlogskapten Kapten Löjtnant Fänrik Kadett
Sweden Swedish Amphibious Corps
General Generallöjtnant Generalmajor Brigadgeneral Överste Överstelöjtnant Major Kapten Löjtnant Fänrik Kadett
 Swedish Air Force[2]
General Generallöjtnant Generalmajor Brigadgeneral Överste Överstelöjtnant Major Kapten Löjtnant Fänrik Kadett
Rank group General/flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Others
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Field uniform[1]
 Swedish Army[2]
Menig 2 Menig 1 Menig
Regementsförvaltare Förvaltare Fanjunkare Översergeant Sergeant Överfurir Furir Korpral Vicekorpral Menig 4 Menig 3
 Swedish Navy[2]
Menig 2 Menig 1 Menig
Flottiljförvaltare Förvaltare Fanjunkare Översergeant Sergeant Överfurir Furir Korpral Vicekorpral Menig 4 Menig 3
Sweden Swedish Amphibious Corps[2]
Menig 2 Menig 1 Menig
Regementsförvaltare Förvaltare Fanjunkare Översergeant Sergeant Överfurir Furir Korpral Vicekorpral Menig 4 Menig 3
 Swedish Air Force[2]
Menig 2 Menig 1 Menig
Flottiljförvaltare Förvaltare Fanjunkare Översergeant Sergeant Överfurir Furir Korpral Vicekorpral Menig 4 Menig 3
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted

Relative rank
OR- level ARMY
AMPHIBIOUS CORPS		 NAVY
AIR FORCE		 OF- level ARMY
AMPHIBIOUS CORPS
AIR FORCE		 NAVY
OR 1 Menig, Menig 1-2 Menig, Menig 1-2
OR 2 Menig 3-4 Menig 3-4
OR 3 Vicekorpral Vicekorpral
OR 4 Korpral Korpral
OR 5 Furir Furir
Överfurir Överfurir
Kadett Kadett
OR 6 Sergeant Sergeant OF 1 Fänrik Fänrik
Översergeant Översergeant Löjtnant Löjtnant
OR 7 Fanjunkare Fanjunkare OF 2 Kapten Kapten
OR 8 Förvaltare Förvaltare OF 3 Major Örlogskapten
OR 9 Regementsförvaltare Flottiljförvaltare OF 4 Överstelöjtnant Kommendörkapten
OF 5 Överste Kommendör
OF 6 Brigadgeneral Flottiljamiral
OF 7 Generalmajor Konteramiral
OF 8 Generallöjtnant Viceamiral
OF 9 General Amiral

Seniority for officers with the same relative rank are determined according to time-in-grade.[3]

Civilian employees follow the OF levels but are called CF instead (C stands for Civilian). It's the position that declares the CF level for civilian employees. The field uniform is the same as for officers with the exception that the bronze markings on the uniform is colored white (To mark that it's an Civilian).

Former ranks
See also: Historical ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces

Ranks 2009–2019

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 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
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 Officer cadet
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

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 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]
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

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

Kadett1]		 Sergeant

Kadett2-3		 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
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.

Field uniform model 1958/1959 - rank structure of 1960
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

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
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

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

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
  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
  1. "Nya gradbeteckningar införs" [New degree designations are introduced] (in Swedish). Försvarsmakten. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  2. "Nya gradbeteckningar införs". Försvarsmakten. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  3. Swedish Armed Forces (2 December 2023). "Försvarsmaktens föreskrifter om personaltjänst (FFS 2019:6)" (PDF). forsvarsmakten.se (in Swedish). The Defense Constitution Collection. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  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
  • Research: Ph.D. thesis in "War and the career system", Dagens Nyheter by Professor Mats Alvesson, researcher of military organization at Lunds University, and Karl Ydén at the University of Göteborg.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.