Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces

Template:Short description 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 a new rank system was introduced in the Swedish Armed Forces. The system is unique and does not follow the conventional system used by most of the World's armed forces. The ranks are grouped as officers (OF1 - OF9), specialist officers (OR6 - OR9), and as section commanders, soldiers and sailors (GSS in Swedish) (OR1 - OR5). Specialist officers are more like warrant officers in the US ranking systems as they mostly hold technical positions. The rank insignia below are worn on the field uniform. Army, navy and air force rank titles are shown below.

From 2023, the rank of has been introduced in the Swedish Armed Forces.

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/BlankTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/SwedenTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/SwedenTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Sweden (Amphibious Corps)Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Sweden

Field uniform			File:Sweden-Field-OF-9 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-8 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-7 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-6 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-5 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-4 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-3 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-2 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OF-1b (2019).svg			File:Sweden-Field-OF-1a (2019).svg
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
Field uniform	File:Sweden-Field-OF-(D) (2019).svg
Template:Army	File:Sweden-Army-OF-(D) (M1987).svg
Template:Navy/core	File:Sweden-Navy-OF-(D) (2019).svg
Template:Flagicon Swedish Amphibious Corps	File:Kadett AMF hylsa 2019.jpg
Swedish Air Force	File:OF-(D) Kadett FV hylsa.svg
Name

Other ranks

The rank insignia of specialist officers (OR6 - OR9) and enlisted personnel (OR1 - OR5).

Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/SwedenTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/SwedenTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Sweden (Amphibious Corps)Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Sweden

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Field uniform	File:Sweden-Field-OR-9 (2019).svg						File:Sweden-Field-OR-8 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OR-7b (2019).png	File:Sweden-Field-OR-7 (2019).svg	File:Sweden-Field-OR-6b (2019).svg			File:Sweden-Field-OR-6a (2019).svg			File:Sweden-Field-OR-5b (2019).svg			File:Sweden-Field-OR-5a (2019).svg			File:Sweden-Field-OR-4 (2019).svg				File:Sweden-Field-OR-3 (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OR-2b (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OR-2a (2019).svg		File:Sweden-Field-OR-1c (2019).svg	File:Sweden-Field-OR-1b (2019).svg	File:Sweden-Field-OR-1a (2019).svg
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, , and

(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 . Cadets with no prior service must complete a 6-9 months preparatory course before they start at the academy.

(Senior NCOs, lit. Specialist Officers)

are educated at specialist schools and centres for 1,5 years and graduate as . 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.

(junior NCOs, soldiers and seamen, lit. Squad leaders, soldiers and seamen)

The two highest ranks in this category, and , form their own sub-category, . They command squads of approx. 8 men. Ordinary soldiers are given the rank 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 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 ()
OF-9 ()
OF-8 ()
OF-7 ()
OF-6 ()
OF-5 ()
OF-4 ()
	OR-9 ()
OF-3 ()
OF-2 ()
	OR-8 ()
OF-1 ()
	OR-7 ()
OF-1 ()
	OR-6 ()
GSS - Squad leaders, soldiers and seamen
OR-5 ()
OR-4 ()
OR-3 ()
OR-2 ()
OR-1 ()

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. Military ranks of (primarily) Great Britain have been used as a basis for harmonization with NATO.

Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/BlankTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Sweden (2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Sweden (2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Sweden (Amphibious Corps 2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Sweden (2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Sweden (Home Guard 2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Blank Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Sweden (2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Sweden (2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Sweden (Amphibious Corps 2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Sweden (2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Sweden (Home Guard 2009-2019)Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Blank

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)
File:Kragspegel infanteri.jpg	File:Kragspegel kavalleri.jpg	File:Kragspegel artilleri.jpg	File:Kragspegel pansar.jpg	File:Kragspegel luftvärn.jpg	File:Kragspegel ingenjör.jpg	File:Kragspegel signal.jpg	File:Kragspegel trängen.jpg	File:Kragspegel armén.jpg

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 (). The three messes were also merged to one.

Officers

Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank

																	National Service Officers
			Professional Officers (one-track officer system)

Others

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
									National Servicemen

Ranks 1972–1983

In 1972 the personnel structure changed, reflecting increased responsibilities of warrant and non-commissioned officers, renaming the as , giving them the same ranks as company grade officers (, , ). was renamed and given the rank titles of and , although their relative ranks were now placed below . The commissioned officers were renamed , beginning with . The three-track career system was maintained, as well as three separate messes.

National Servicemen ()						National Service Officers ()
			Platoon Officers ( NCO)			Company Officers ( Limited Duty Officers)
							Regimental Officers ( Officers)
Regular ranks		File:SWE-Furir.svg	File:SWE-Överfurir.svg	File:SWE-Sergeant.svg	File:SWE-Fanjunkare.svg	File:SWE-Fänrik.svg	File:SWE-Löjtnant.svg	File:SWE-Kapten.svg	File:SWE-major.svg	File:SWE-överstelöjtnant.svg	File:SWE-överste.svg	File:SWE-överste1.svg	File:SWE-Generalmajor.svg	File:SWE-Generallöjtnant.svg	File:SWE-General.svg
Trainee ranks	File:SWE-Korpral.svg		File:SWE-Kadett1.svg	File:SWE-Kadett2.svgFile:SWE-Kadett3.svg

Ranks 1957–1972

National Servicemen ()						National Service W.O. ()			National Service Officers ()
		(NCO)				(Warrant Officers)			(Commissioned Officers)
Regular ranks		File:SWE-Korpral.svg	File:SWE-Furir.svg	File:SWE-Överfurir.svg	File:SWE-Rustmastare.svg	File:SWE-Sergeant.svg	File:SWE-Fanjunkare.svg	File:SWE-Förvaltare.svg	File:SWE-Fänrik.svg	File:SWE-Löjtnant.svg	File:SWE-Kapten.svg	File:SWE-major.svg	File:SWE-överstelöjtnant.svg	File:SWE-överste.svg	File:SWE-Brigadgeneral.svg	File:SWE-Generalmajor.svg	File:SWE-Generallöjtnant.svg
Trainee ranks	File:SWE-Vicekorpral.svg					File:SWE-Kadett2.svgFile:SWE-Kadett3.svg

Note that the rank of (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	File:General kragspegel m58 stjärna m39.jpg	File:Generallöjtnant kragspegel m58 stjärna m39.jpg	File:Generalmajor kragspegel m58 stjärna m39.jpg	File:OF-5 Överste.jpg	File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant.jpg	File:OF-3 Major.jpg	File:OF-2 Kapten.jpg	File:OF-1 Löjtnant.jpg	File:OF-1 Fänrik.jpg
Rank

											Meniga
Rank insignia on collar patch	File:OR-8 Förvaltare.jpg	File:OR-7 Fanjunkare.jpg	File:OR-6 Förste sergeant.jpg	File:OR-5 Sergeant 2.jpg	File:OR-4 Korpral 2.jpg	File:OR Rustmästare.jpg	File:OR-2 Menig 1kl. år 7.jpg	File:OR-2 Menig 1kl. år 5.jpg	File:OR-2 Menig 1kl. år 3.jpg	File:OR-2 Menig 1kl. år 1.jpg	File:Kragspegel infanteri.jpg
Rank				Senior Year at Karlberg	Junior Year at Karlberg						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, , had relative rank just below the lowest officer rank, .
2. The second warrant officer rank, , had relative rank between and .
3. The highest warrant officer rank, , had relative rank between first lieutenant and captain.

	Officerare
Badge m/46 to field cap	File:11 General armén mössmärke 1946.jpg			File:10 Överste armén mössmärke 1946.jpg	File:9 Överstelöjtnant armén mössmärke 1946.jpg	File:8 Major armén mössmärke 1946.jpg	File:7 Kapten Ryttmästare armén mössmärke 1946.jpg	File:6 Löjtnant armén mössmärke 1946.jpg	File:5 Fänrik armén mössmärke 1946.jpg
Rank insignia	File:16 General 1939.jpg	File:17 Generallöjtnant 1939.jpg	File:18 Generalmajor 1939.jpg	File:1 Överste 1939.jpg	File:2 Överstelöjtnant 1939.jpg	File:3 Major 1939.jpg	File:4 Kapten Ryttmästare 1939.jpg	File:5 Löjtnant 1939.jpg	File:6 Fänrik 1939.jpg
Rank

Badge to field cap	File:4 Förvaltare armén mössmärke 1946.jpg m/46	File:3 Fanjunkare armén mössmärke 1946.jpg m/46	File:2 Sergeant armén mössmärke 1946.jpg m/46		File:16 Rustmästare armén mössmärke 1946-52-57.jpg m/46-57	File:15 Överfurir armén mössmärke 1946-52.jpg m/46-52	File:14 Furir armén mössmärke 1946-52.jpg m/46-52	File:13 Korpral armén mössmärke 1946-52.jpg m/46-52	File:12 Vicekorpral armén mössmärke 1946-52.jpg m/46-52	File:1 Manskap armén mössmärke 1940.jpg
Rank insignia	File:7 Förvaltare 1946.jpg	File:8 Fanjunkare 1946.jpg	File:9 Sergeant 1946.jpg	File:9 Sergeant 1939.jpg	File:10 Rustmästare.jpg	File:11 Överfurir 1942.jpg	File:12 Furir 1939.jpg	File:13 Korpral Konstapel 1939.jpg	File:14 Vicekorpral 1939.jpg	File:15 Menig 1939.jpg
Rank		Styckjunkare		Junior Year at Karlberg	1957

Uniform model 1939

	Officerare
Badge m/40 to field cap	File:11 General armén mössmärke 1940.jpg			File:10 Överste armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:9 Överstelöjtnant armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:8 Major armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:7 Kapten Ryttmästare armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:6 Löjtnant armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:5 Fänrik armén mössmärke 1940.jpg
Rank insignia m/39	File:16 General 1939.jpg	File:17 Generallöjtnant 1939.jpg	File:18 Generalmajor 1939.jpg	File:1 Överste 1939.jpg	File:2 Överstelöjtnant 1939.jpg	File:3 Major 1939.jpg	File:4 Kapten Ryttmästare 1939.jpg	File:5 Löjtnant 1939.jpg	File:6 Fänrik 1939.jpg
Rank

Badge m/40 to field cap	File:6 Löjtnant armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:5 Fänrik armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:2 Sergeant armén mössmärke 1940.jpg	File:1 Manskap armén mössmärke 1940.jpg
Rank insignia m/39	File:7 Förvaltare 1939.jpg	File:8 Fanjunkare 1939.jpg	File:9 Sergeant 1939.jpg	File:11 Överfurir 1942.jpg	File:12 Furir 1939.jpg	File:13 Korpral Konstapel 1939.jpg	File:14 Vicekorpral 1939.jpg	File:15 Menig 1939.jpg
Rank				created 1942

Uniform model 1923

In a reform 1926 the relative rank of the then senior warrant officer, , was increased to be equal with the junior officer rank and above the most junior officer rank .

	Officerare
Cap m/23	File:13 General mössa m1923.jpg			File:12 Överste mössa m1923.jpg	File:11 Överstelöjtnant mössa m1923.jpg	File:10 Major mössa m1923.jpg	File:9 Kapten Ryttmästare mössa m1923.jpg	File:8 Löjtnant mössa m1923.jpg	File:7 Underlöjtnant Fänrik mössa m1923.jpg	File:7 Underlöjtnant Fänrik mössa m1923.jpg
Rank insignia	File:15 General krage 1923.jpg	File:14 Generallöjtnant krage 1923.jpg	File:13 Generalmajor krage 1923.jpg	File:12 Överste krage 1923.jpg	File:11 Överstelöjtnant krage 1923.jpg	File:10 Major krage 1923.jpg	File:9 Kapten Ryttmästare krage 1923.jpg	File:8 Löjtnant krage 1923.jpg	File:7 Underlöjtnant Fänrik krage 1923.jpg	File:7 Underlöjtnant Fänrik krage 1923.jpg
Rank insignia on greatcoat	File:15 General axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:14 Generallöjtnant axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:13 Generalmajor axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:12 Överste axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:11 Överstelöjtnant axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:10 Major axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:9 Kapten axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:8 Löjtnant axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:7 Underlöjtnant Fänrik axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:7 Underlöjtnant Fänrik axelklaff m1923.jpg
Rank									Abolished 1937	File:Kadettkrona AM 088431.jpg Also a crown in silver on each lower sleeve until 1937.

	Underofficerare			Manskap
Cap m/23	File:6 Fanjunkare mössa m1923 efter 1926.jpg	File:6 Fanjunkare mössa m1923.jpg	File:5 Sergeant mössa m1923.jpg	File:1 Manskap mössa m1923.jpg
Rank insignia	File:6 Fanjunkare krage 1923-1925.jpg	File:6 Fanjunkare krage 1923.jpg	File:5 Sergeant krage 1923.jpg	File:4 Furir krage 1923.jpg	File:3 Korpral Konstapel krage 1923.jpg	File:2 Vicekorpral Vicekonstapel krage 1923.jpg	File:1 Manskap krage 1923.jpg
Rank insignia on greatcoat	File:6 Fanjunkare axelklaff m1923 efter 1925.jpg	File:6 Fanjunkare axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:5 Sergeant axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:4 Furir axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:3 Korpral axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:2 Vicekorpral axelklaff m1923.jpg	File:1 Manskap axelklaff m1923.jpg
Rank	with relative rank as

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 () and non-commissioned officers ().

	Officerare
Badge m/14 for fur cap	File:9 General armén mössmärke 1914.jpg			File:8 Överste armén mössmärke 1914.jpg	File:7 Överstelöjtnant armén mössmärke 1914.jpg	File:6 Major armén mössmärke 1914.jpg	File:5 Kapten Ryttmästare armén mössmärke 1914.jpg	File:4 Löjtnant armén mössmärke 1914.jpg	File:3 Underlöjtnant Fänrik armén mössmärke 1914.jpg
Badge m/10-14 for hat	File:9 General armén hatt m1910-14.jpg			File:8 Överste armén hatt m1910-14.jpg	File:7 Överstelöjtnant armén hatt m1910-14.jpg	File:6 Major armén hatt m1910-14.jpg	File:5 Kapten Ryttmästare armén hatt m1910-14.jpg	File:4 Löjtnant armén hatt m1910-14.jpg	File:3 Underlöjtnant armén hatt m1910-14.jpg
Rank insignia m/10	File:OF-9 General 1910.png	File:OF-8 Generallöjtnant 1910.png	File:OF-7 Generalmajor 1910.png	File:12 Överste axelträns m1910.jpg	File:11 Överstelöjtnant axelträns m1910.jpg	File:10 Major axelträns m1910.jpg	File:9 Kapten Ryttmästare axelträns m1910.jpg	File:8 Löjtnant axelträns m1910.jpg	File:7 Underlöjtnant Fänrik axelträns m1910.jpg
Rank									1915

	Underofficerare		Manskap
Badge m/14 for fur cap	File:2 Fanjunkare armén mössmärke 1914.jpg	File:1 Sergeant armén mössmärke 1914.jpg	-
Badge m/10-14 for hat	File:2 Fanjunkare armén hatt m1910-14.jpg	File:1 Sergeant armén hatt m1910-14.jpg	File:0 Manskap armén hatt m1910.jpg
Rank insignia m/10	File:6 Fanjunkare Styckjunkare axelträns m1910.jpg	File:5 Sergeant axelträns m1910.jpg	File:4 Furir axelklaff m1910.jpg	File:3 Korpral axelklaff m1910.jpg	File:2 Vicekorpral axelklaff m1910.jpg	File:1 Manskap axelklaff m1910.jpg
Rank			1915

References

• Template:Cite thesis

External links

• Military Ranks of Kingdom of Sweden