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Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces shows the rank system used in theSwedish Armed Forces today, as well as changes during the 20th century due to changes in the personnel structure.
On 1 October 2019, the Swedish Armed Forces introduced a new rank structure that differs from those used by most armed forces worldwide. In the Swedish system, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) cannot advance beyond the rank of OR-5 without completing a shortened version of Officer Candidate School tailored to their specific field. Upon graduation, they are commissioned as officers with the same status as regular officers. To indicate their specialization in a technical field, they are designated as Specialist Officers. The Specialist Officer corps forms a parallel pay grade structure alongside that of regular officers. Although specialist officers are sometimes compared to U.S. warrant officers due to their predominantly technical roles, the analogy is imperfect, as the highest specialist officer rank is equivalent to a lieutenant colonel.The ranks are divided into three categories: officers (OF-1 to OF-9), specialist officers (OR-6 to OR-9), and section commanders, soldiers, and sailors—collectively known in Swedish as GSS (OR-1 to OR-5). There is ongoing debate within the Swedish Armed Forces regarding the NATO designation of specialist officers.
The rank insignia shown below are those worn on the field uniform. Titles for the army, navy, and air force are also provided.[1]
From 2023, the rank ofÖverfanjunkare has been introduced in the Swedish Armed Forces.[2]
The rank insignia ofcommissioned 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] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||
| Amiral | Viceamiral | Konteramiral | Flottiljamiral | Kommendör | Kommendörkapten | Örlogskapten | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||
| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-5 |
|---|---|
| Field uniform[3] | |
| Name | Kadett |
The rank insignia of specialist officers (OR6 - OR9) andenlisted personnel (OR1 - OR5).
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field uniform[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 andGSS- 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 asfänrik. 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 asFörste 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 andsergeant, form their own sub-category,gruppbefäl. They command squads of approx. 8 men. Ordinary soldiers are given the rankmenig 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 oldunderofficerare 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(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] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(2009–2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amiral | Viceamiral | Konteramiral | Flottiljamiral | Kommendör | Kommendörkapten | Örlogskapten | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2009–2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2009–2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2009–2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2009–2019) | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2009–2019) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Sjoman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2009–2019) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2009–2019) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Service Officers Värnpliktsofficerare | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional Officers (one-track officer system) Yrkesofficerare (enhetsbefäl) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(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 theunderofficerare askompaniofficerare, giving them the same ranks as company grade officers (fänrik,löjtnant,kapten).Underbefäl was renamedplutonsofficerare and given the rank titles ofsergeant andfanjunkare, although their relative ranks were now placed belowfänrik. The commissioned officers were renamedregementsofficerare, beginning withlöjtnant. The three-track career system was maintained, as well as three separate messes.
| Regimental Officers (Regementsofficerare Officers) | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Service Officers (Värnpliktsofficerare) | National Servicemen (Värnpliktiga) | |||||||||||||||
| Company Officers (Kompaniofficerare Limited Duty Officers) | Platoon Officers (Plutonsofficerare NCO) | |||||||||||||||
| Regular ranks | ||||||||||||||||
| General Amiral | General- löjtnant Viceamiral | General- major Konter- amiral | Överste 1gr Kommendör 1gr | Överste Kommendör | Överste- löjtnant Kommendör- kapten | Major Örlogs- kapten | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Fanjunkare | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Menig | ||
| Trainee ranks | ||||||||||||||||
| Kadett 3 | Kadett 2 | Kadett 1 | Korpral | |||||||||||||
| 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 ofFältmarskalk (Field Marshal) was ade 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 atKarlberg | Sergeant Junior Year atKarlberg | 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 atKarlberg | 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 rankunderlöjtnant and above the most junior officer rankfänrik.
| 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 asUnderlöjtnant | 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 |