Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
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 of Överfanjunkare has been introduced in the Swedish Armed Forces.[2]
Commissioned officer ranks
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 | ||||||||||||||
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 Swedish Army[3] |
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| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||
| Swedish Navy[3] |
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| Amiral | Viceamiral | Konteramiral | Flottiljamiral | Kommendör | Kommendörkapten | Örlogskapten | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||
| Swedish Amphibious Corps[3] |
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| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||
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| 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
| NATO code | OR-5 |
|---|---|
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| Swedish Army[3] |
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| Swedish Navy[3] |
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 Swedish Amphibious Corps[3] |
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| Swedish Air Force[3] |
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| Name | Kadett |
Other ranks
The rank insignia of specialist officers (OR6 - OR9) and enlisted personnel (OR1 - OR5).
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Swedish Army[3] |
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| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Navy[3] |
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| Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Överfanjunkare | Fanjunkare | Översergeant | Sergeant | Överfurir | Furir | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig 4 | Menig 3 | Menig 2 | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Air Force[3] |
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| 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
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Swedish Army (2009–2019) |
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| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett 3rd year[note 1] |
Kadett 2nd year[note 2] |
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Kadett Officer Candidate[note 4] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Navy (2009–2019) |
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| Amiral | Viceamiral | Konteramiral | Flottiljamiral | Kommendör | Kommendörkapten | Örlogskapten | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Amphibious Corps (2009–2019) |
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| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Air Force (2009–2019) |
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| General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Brigadgeneral | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | Kadett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Home Guard (2009–2019) |
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| Major | Kapten | Löjtnant | Fänrik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Swedish Army (2009–2019) |
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| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Navy (2009–2019) |
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| Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Sjoman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Amphibious Corps (2009–2019) |
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| Regementsförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Air Force (2009–2019) |
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| Flottiljförvaltare | Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Vicekorpral | Menig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Home Guard (2009–2019) |
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| Förvaltare | Fanjunkare | Förste Sergeant | Sergeant | Korpral | Menig 1 | Menig | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| National Service Officers Värnpliktsofficerare | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional Officers (one-track officer system) Yrkesofficerare (enhetsbefäl) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Army (1983–2009) |
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| 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
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.
| Regimental Officers (Regementsofficerare Officers) | ||||||||||||||||
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| National Service Officers (Värnpliktsofficerare) | National Servicemen (Värnpliktiga) | |||||||||||||||
| Company Officers (Kompaniofficerare Limited Duty Officers) |
Platoon Officers (Plutonsofficerare NCO) | |||||||||||||||
| Regular ranks |
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| 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 | ||
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| Kadett 3 | Kadett 2 | Kadett 1 | Korpral | |||||||||||||
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 |
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| 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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| Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare |
Löjtnant | Fänrik |
| Underofficerare | Kadetter | Underbefäl | Meniga | ||||||||
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| 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:
- The lowest warrant officer, sergeant, had relative rank just below the lowest officer rank, fänrik.
- The second warrant officer rank, fanjunkare, had relative rank between fänrik and löjtnant.
- The highest warrant officer rank, förvaltare, had relative rank between first lieutenant and captain.
| Officerare | |||||||||
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| Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare |
Löjtnant | Fänrik |
| Underofficerare | Kadetter | Underbefäl | Meniga | |||||||
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| Badge to field cap | 
m/46 |
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m/46-57 |
m/46-52 |
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| 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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| Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare |
Löjtnant | Fänrik |
| Underofficerare | Manskap | |||||||
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| 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.
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| Rank insignia |  |
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| Rank insignia on greatcoat |  |
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| 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. |
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| 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).
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| Rank | General | Generallöjtnant | Generalmajor | Överste | Överstelöjtnant | Major | Kapten Ryttmästare |
Löjtnant | Underlöjtnant
Fänrik 1915 |
| Underofficerare | Manskap | |||||
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| Rank insignia m/10 |  |
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| Rank | Fanjunkare Styckjunkare |
Sergeant | Distinktionskorpral Förste konstapel Furir 1915 |
Korpral Konstapel |
Vicekorpral | Menig |
Notes
- Equivalent to OR-5
- Equivalent to OR-4
- Equivalent to OR-3
- Equivalent to OR-2
- Equivalent to OR-5
- Equivalent to OR-4
- Specialist school where aspirants graduate as Sergeant (Specialist Officer) (introduced 2008).
- No new permanent appointments to these ranks after 1990.
- Rank used whilst training for promotion to Furir.
- Privates wear insignia of branch. In this case the infantry.