Fänrik (Swedish:[ˈfɛ̌nːrɪk]) (English:second lieutenant in theSwedish Army/Air Force, Acting sub-lieutenant in theNavy) is acompany grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks abovesergeant and belowlieutenant. In the navy, it ranks abovesergeant and belowsub-lieutenant.[1] It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank oföversergeant.[2]Fänrik meansstandard-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.[3]
| Second lieutenant Fänrik | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Sweden |
| Service branch | Army Air Force Navy (Amphibious Corps[a]) |
| Abbreviation | Fk (Swedish),[2] 2Lt (English)[4] |
| Rank | Second lieutenant |
| NATOrank code | OF-1 |
| Formation | 16th century |
| Next higher rank | Lieutenant (1937–present) Underlöjtnant (1926–1937) |
| Next lower rank | Sergeant |
| Equivalent ranks | Acting sub-lieutenant (navy) Översergeant Underlöjtnant (1914–1926) |
Fänrik (second lieutenant) is a rank in theSwedish Army,Swedish Air Force and in theSwedish Navy (Coastal Artillery 1902–2000,Amphibious Corps 2000–present).
Fänrik was already during the latter part of the Middle Ages the name of the officer at thefana orfänika, who carried thecolour. Later thefänrik was relieved of this duty, and he became the closest man of thehöfvitsman (commander) or captain. During the 17th century, the lieutenant, who had previously been the assistant of thefänrik, rose above him, and the name then came to denote the lowest officer rank in the infantry. In Sweden it was exchanged in 1835 forunderlöjtnant.[5] With the 1914 Army Order, Naval Plan and Plan for the Fixed Coastal Defence Organization (1914 års härordning, flottplan och plan för fasta kustförsvarets ordnande), the rank offänrik was reintroduced as a name for a newly commissioned officer, who completed two years of probationary service. Thefänrik would haveunderlöjtnant's position and salary benefits but be appointed byWarrant of Appointment.[6]
In Bill 1924:20, the 1st Special Committee of the Riksdag (Riksdagens 1. särskilda utskott) stated that, in the committee's opinion, a satisfactory order would be obtained if the existing rank offänrik andunderlöjtnant were divided into two ranks. After receiving written authorization,sergeants would be assigned the rank offänrik with the title retained. The question was re-examined by the 1924 Non-Commissioned Officer Expert Investigation (1924 års underofficerssakkunniga), whose proposal (SOU 1925:7) essentially corresponded with the above-mentioned committee opinion, however, that sergeants should not be given a higher rank. The staff representatives among the experts, however, insisted that sergeants by written authorization should receive the rank offänrik.[7] General Order No. 1806/1925 regulated for the army[b] the position of non-commissioned officers in accordance with guidelines issued by theMinister of Defence (Bill 1925:50). These meant that the rank offänrik andunderlöjtnant was divided into two ranks.[8] The 1930 Defense Commission (1930 års försvarskommission) proposed (SOU 1935:38) that the rank offänrik andunderlöjtnant should be merged into one rank,fänrik. The rank ofunderlöjtnant was formally abolished in 1937.[9]
According to the 1972 reform, holders of the rank offänrik were given the ranklieutenant in the regimental officers corps. Holders of the following ranks offanjunkare (with less than 3 years of service) andsergeant (with less than 3 years of service) were given the rankfänrik, in the separate company officers corps. In the 1983 reform, the meaning of the term officer broadened to include all professional and reserve military personnel.Fänrik was subsequently set to be the lowest rank for professional and reserve military personnel. To be employed as an officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, the candidate was required to complete two years of Officers College (OHS). The objective of the 2009 reform was to produce officers who are specialized at commanding troops at platoon, company and higher level as well as providing officers of academic status.
According to Chapter 2, Section 1 of FFS 2018:7, a person who is eligible for promotion has served in the Swedish Armed Forces to such an extent that assessment of suitability, knowledge and skills could be carried out, is deemed suitable for promotion, possesses the knowledge and skills required for the higher rank, and meets time requirements according to Section 2 (must have held the rank for at least two years).[10] After having passed the Career Officer Programme, the cadet will be promoted to second lieutenant and be posted to a job.[11] For promotion from second lieutenant tolieutenant may take place if the second lieutenant holds an academic degree at the undergraduate level. A second lieutenant who has completed the Swedish Armed Forces' pilot training with an approved result may be promoted to lieutenant without holding an academic degree at the undergraduate level.[12] In the case of reserve officers, promotion of second lieutenant to lieutenant may take place if the second lieutenant holds an academic degree at the undergraduate level, or at least 180 higher education credits (högskolepoäng) if the program comprises more higher education credits than 180.[12]
| Acting sub-lieutenant Fänrik | |
|---|---|
| Country | Sweden |
| Service branch | Navy |
| Abbreviation | Fk (Swedish),[2] ASLt (English)[4] |
| Rank | Acting sub-lieutenant |
| NATOrank code | OF-1 |
| Next higher rank | Sub-lieutenant |
| Next lower rank | Sergeant |
| Equivalent ranks | Second lieutenant (army/air force) Översergeant |
Fänrik (acting sub-lieutenant) is a rank in theSwedish Navy.
During the acting sub-lieutenant's first two years, his specialization – profiling will begin/continue towards the intended focus/trade/function. This specialization is determined by the unit according to the unit's specific needs for competence. The content of this period shall form a basis for developing the abilities described in order to be promoted to sub-lieutenant. The acting sub-lieutenant should be supervised during this period. Positions during this period are e.g. platoon commander, operator positions on board a ship.[13]
According to Chapter 2, Section 1 of FFS 2018:7, a person who is eligible for promotion has served in the Swedish Armed Forces to such an extent that assessment of suitability, knowledge and skills could be carried out, is deemed suitable for promotion, possesses the knowledge and skills required for the higher rank, and meets time requirements according to Section 2 (must have held the rank for at least two years).[10] After having passed the Career Officer Programme, the cadet will be promoted to acting sub-lieutenant and be posted to a job.[11] For promotion from acting sub-lieutenant tosub-lieutenant may take place if the acting sub-lieutenant holds an academic degree at the undergraduate level. An acting sub-lieutenant who has completed the Swedish Armed Forces' pilot training with an approved result may be promoted to sub-lieutenant without holding an academic degree at the undergraduate level.[12] In the case of reserve officers, promotion of acting sub-lieutenant to sub-lieutenant may take place if the acting sub-lieutenant holds an academic degree at the undergraduate level, or at least 180 higher education credits (högskolepoäng) if the program comprises more higher education credits than 180.[12]
The topgalloon is shaped like a "loop" for an officer in theSwedish Navy (the loop is shaped like a "grenade" for an officer in theSwedish Amphibious Corps).[14] The rank insignia is worn on the shoulder mark to jacket and coat (jacka m/87,kappa m/87), as well as to blue wool sweater (blå ylletröja m/87), trench coat (trenchcoat m/84), sea coat (sjörock 93, black raincoat and to white shirt (vit skjorta m/78).[15] Rank insignia on shoulder mark (axelklaffshylsa 02B) is worn on all garments with shoulder straps.[16]
1. The shoulder mark (Axelklaffshylsa m/02B) is designed as galloons sewn directly to another shoulder mark (axelklaffshylsa m/87 blå).[16]
2. Thewoven shoulder mark (AXELKLAFFSHYLSA M/02 INVÄVD KAPTEN FLOTTAN) is worn on the naval combat dress (sjöstridsdräkt m/93), duty uniform (arbetsdräkt m/87 (blå)) andcombat uniform (Fältuniform m/90 lätt,m/90 lätt blå,m/90 tropik (green, beige and blue)).[17]
Rank insignia is worn on both sleeves for innersuit jacket (innerkavaj m/48) andmess jacket (mässjacka m/1878).[15]
1. On the sleeve an 12,6 mm rank insignia (gradbeteckning m/02) and galloon (galon m/02). The distance between galloons should be 6 mm. The distance from the bottom edge of the sleeve to the bottom edge of the top galloon should be 100 mm.[18]
An acting sub-lieutenant wears apeaked cap (skärmmössa m/48) which is fitted with a hat badge (mössmärke m/78 off för flottan) and with a lacing in form of a golden thread (mössnodd m/82).[19][20]
An officer wears a hat badge (mössmärke m/78 off) for the navy and another (mössmärke m/87 off) for amphibious units on the side cap (båtmössa m/48) and on the winter hat (vintermössa m/87).[21]
An acting sub-lieutenant wearsepaulette's (epålett m/1878) towhite tie (frack m/1878) and to coat (rock m/1878). On the epaulette, an acting sub-lieutenant wears 2 mmfringes in two rows.[22]