Kapten

Kapten (captain) is a rank in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and in the Swedish Navy (Coastal Artillery 1902–2000, Amphibious Corps 2000–present).

History

A kapten (captain) usually commanded an infantry company or an artillery battery. The name appeared quite early in the Middle Ages and then applied to the highest commander in an area, a city etc. With the standing armies, which began to be established in the latter half of the 15th century, it was the name of the commander of a unit in both the infantry and the cavalry, which unit was first called company, then fana and from the latter half of the 16th century company again, whose strength was then still far less than before.^[4] The captains of the Swedish Coastal Artillery corresponded to the kapten (captain) of the army and kapten (lieutenant) of the navy.^[5]

Duties

A captain in the army serves in three areas, as a commanding officer, as a staff officer and as an instruction officer, at skill levels B (Intermediate), C (Advanced) and D (Expert). Captain in the Amphibious Corps works as a commander, for example as platoon leader for advanced platoon or as deputy company commander and in exceptional cases company commander. In addition to the army requiring a completed tactical course Army (TakA) for a future captain, the focus is on creating an officer who is skilled in, for example, leading combat training with his own company (within the battalion) and competent to work as a company commander or staff officer. Common is that the individual should be able to work as a teacher in officer training. The requirement for service is at least two (2) years as a lieutenant.^[6]

Promotion

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).^[7] For promotion from lieutenant to captain, it is only required that the lieutenant is promotable according to Chapter 2, Section 1. For a lieutenant who has completed the Swedish Armed Forces' pilot training, promotion may only take place if the lieutenant has an academic degree at the undergraduate level.^[8]

Promotion of captain to major may take place when the captain has completed applicable promotion training with approved results. After completing a tactical staff course at the Swedish Defence University, a captain who is OFSK may only be promoted to major with a passing grade if the position is within the functional area where the captain's special competence is located, and if the position's rank code is OF 3. Responsible head of promotion to captain is the unit commander.^[9]

In the case of reserve officers, promotion of lieutenant to captain may take place if the lieutenant holds an academic degree at the undergraduate level, or at least 180 credits if the program includes more than 180 credits. Promotion of captain to major may take place when the captain has completed applicable promotion training with approved results.^[8]

Rank insignia

Collar patches

• 

  Collar patch m/58 for a captain

• 

  Collar patch

• 

  Collar patch

Shoulder marks

Air Force

• 

  (2003–present)

• 

  (–2003)

Army

• 

  Shoulder mark m/1923
  (13 = Dalarna Regiment)

• 

  Shoulder mark m/1910
  (13 = Dalarna Regiment)

Navy (Amphibious Corps)

• 

  Embroidered shoulder mark (Navy)
  (2003–present)

• 

  Embroidered shoulder mark (Navy)
  (–2003)

• 

  Wowen shoulder mark (2003–present)

Sleeve insignias

Air Force

• 

  Mess jacket sleeve insignia for a captain

• 

  Flight suit sleeve insignia for a captain
  (2003–present)

Army

• 

  Sleeve insignia on uniform m/1906 for a captain.

Navy (Amphibious Corps)

• 

  Sleeve insignia on innerkavaj m/48 ("inner jacket m/48") for a captain.
  (2003–present)

• 

  Sleeve insignia on innerkavaj m/48 ("inner jacket m/48") for a captain.
  (–2003)

Hats

• 

  Hat (Mössa m/1923) for a captain

• 

  Camp hat (Lägermössa m/1865-99) for a captain

• 

  Hat (Mössa m/1865-99) for a captain in the Life Guards infantry

• 

  Hat (Mössa m/1865-99) for a captain in the Life Regiment of Foot

• 

  Hat (Mössa m/1865-99) for a captain in the Royal Engineers (Fortifikationen)

• 

  Rank insignia for a captain on hat (Hatt m/1910-14) in the army

• 

  Hat badge (Mössmärke m/1946) for a captain in the army

• 

  Hat badge (Mössmärke m/1940) for a captain in the army

• 

  Hat badge (Mössmärke m/1914) for a captain in the army on fur hat (pälsmössa m/1909-14)

Discover more about Army/Air Force/Navy related topics

Swedish Army

Swedish Army

The Swedish Army is the land force of the Swedish Armed Forces.

Swedish Air Force

Swedish Air Force

The Swedish Air Force is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces.

Swedish Amphibious Corps

Swedish Amphibious Corps

The Amphibious Corps is the maritime land force arm of the Swedish Navy, with an emphasis on coastal defence. Until 2000 it was known as the Coastal Artillery, but the name was changed to reflect its different role in a post-Cold War world, where its amphibious special operations arm, Kustjägarna, has grown in significance while its coastal batteries have been decommissioned.

Company (military unit)

Company (military unit)

A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–250 soldiers and usually commanded by a major or a captain. Most companies are formed of three to seven platoons, although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure.

Artillery battery

Artillery battery

In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit or multiple systems of artillery, mortar systems, rocket artillery, multiple rocket launchers, surface-to-surface missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, etc., so grouped to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems. The term is also used in a naval context to describe groups of guns on warships.

Middle Ages

Middle Ages

In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and transitioned into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is the middle period of the three traditional divisions of Western history: classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period. The medieval period is itself subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages.

Standing army

Standing army

A standing army is a permanent, often professional, army. It is composed of full-time soldiers who may be either career soldiers or conscripts. It differs from army reserves, who are enrolled for the long term, but activated only during wars or natural disasters, and temporary armies, which are raised from the civilian population only during a war or threat of war, and disbanded once the war or threat is over. Standing armies tend to be better equipped, better trained, and better prepared for emergencies, defensive deterrence, and particularly, wars. The term dates from approximately 1600 AD, although the phenomenon it describes is much older.

Platoon leader

Platoon leader

A platoon leader (NATO) or platoon commander is the officer in charge of a platoon. This person is usually a junior officer – a second or first lieutenant or an equivalent rank. The officer is usually assisted by a platoon sergeant. Some special units, such as specific aviation platoons and special forces, require a captain as platoon leader, due to the nature and increased responsibility of such assignments. Platoons normally consist of three or four sections (Commonwealth) or squads (US).

Company commander

Company commander

A company commander is the commanding officer of a company, a military unit which typically consists of 100 to 250 soldiers, often organized into three or four smaller units called platoons. The exact organization of a company varies by country, service, and unit type. Aviation companies can have as few as 40 personnel, while some specialized companies such as maintenance or training units are considerably larger and may number as many as 500 personnel. In some forces, the second-in-command of a company is called the executive officer (XO).

Gorget patches

Gorget patches

Gorget patches are an insignia in the form of paired patches of cloth or metal on the collar of a uniform (gorget), used in the military and civil service in some countries. Collar tabs sign the military rank, the rank of civil service, the military unit, the office (department) or the branch of the armed forces and the arm of service.

Shoulder mark

Shoulder mark

A shoulder mark, also called rank slide, or slip-on, is a flat cloth sleeve worn on the shoulder strap of a uniform. It may bear rank or other insignia. A shoulder mark should not be confused with a shoulder board, shoulder knot or epaulette, although these terms are often used interchangeably.

Dalarna Regiment

Dalarna Regiment

The Dalarna Regiment, designation I 13, is a Swedish Army infantry unit that traced its origins back to the 16th century. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited from the province of Dalarna, where it was later garrisoned. The unit was disbanded as a result of the disarmament policies set forward in the Defence Act of 2000. The regiment was re-raised as Dalarna Regiment in 2021. The unit is based in Falun.

Kapten (lieutenant) is a rank in the Swedish Navy.

History

A kapten (lieutenant) in the Swedish Navy was until 1972 a rank above sub-lieutenant (löjtnant) and below lieutenant commander (kommendörkapten av 2:a graden/klassen). Since 1972, the rank is below lieutenant commander (örlogskapten).

The commander of a warship was always called kapten (captain), as is still the case on merchant ships. The kapten's duties on land were company commander, adjutant, teacher, instruction officer, etc. and on board commander of smaller ships, such as torpedo cruisers, destroyers, torpedo boats and submarines as well as gunboats, 2nd and 3rd class armored ships, or the second-in-command (sekond) on 1st class armored ships and armored cruisers, as well as flag lieutenant (flaggadjutant), squadrons, department or division, and – as far as younger kapten's are concerned – also artillery officer, navigation officer and officer on duty on larger ships.^[5]

Before 1866, the lieutenants of the navy had a higher rank and then corresponded to the army majors. What is now called kapten was then called kaptenslöjtnant.^[5]

On 1 July 2003, the Swedish Navy received new rank insignias. The new rank insignia system was inspired from Royal Navy. The idea was that the British system was more internationally viable and thus would facilitate contact between officers. However, this drew some criticism as a commander with four galloons now got three galloons, which in the old rank insignia system was the rank insignia for lieutenant (kapten).^[10] Since the same date, a lieutenant has two instead of three galloons.

Duties

A naval officer with shoulder marks of a lieutenant.

The lieutenant of a naval unit works as a commander, for example, a battle command officer, a second-in-command (sekond) or as a commander of a smaller ship. As a staff officer, the lieutenant has more advanced positions than the sub-lieutenant. The lieutenant is also suitable to serve both at the Swedish Armed Forces' schools or at the Swedish Defence University as a teacher or other position. The individual must be able to work as a teacher in officer training. The navy specifies a total period of service of six (6) years before it is time to become a lieutenant.^[6]

Promotion

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).^[7] For promotion from sub-lieutenant to lieutenant, it is only required that the sub-lieutenant is promotable according to Chapter 2, Section 1.^[8]

Promotion of lieutenant to lieutenant commander may take place when the lieutenant has completed applicable promotion training with approved results. After completing a tactical staff course at the Swedish Defence University, a lieutenant who is OFSK may only be promoted to lieutenant commander with a passing grade if the position is within the functional area where the lieutenant's special competence is located, and if the position's rank code is OF 3. Responsible head of promotion to lieutenant is the unit commander.^[9]

In the case of reserve officers, promotion of sub-lieutenant to lieutenant may take place if the sub-lieutenant holds an academic degree at the undergraduate level, or at least 180 credits if the program includes more than 180 credits. Promotion of lieutenant to lieutenant commander may take place when the lieutenant has completed applicable promotion training with approved results.^[8]

Uniform

Shoulder marks

The top galloon is shaped like a "loop" for an officer in the Swedish Navy (the loop is shaped like a "grenade" for an officer in the Swedish Amphibious Corps).^[11] 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).^[12] Rank insignia on shoulder mark (axelklaffshylsa 02B) is worn on all garments with shoulder straps.^[13]

1. The shoulder mark (Axelklaffshylsa m/02B) is designed as galloons sewn directly to another shoulder mark (axelklaffshylsa m/87 blå).^[13] Since 2003 it consists of two gold galloons. Before 2003, this type of shoulder mark with two galloons was worn by a sub-lieutenant (löjtnant).

2. Before 2003, a lieutenant wore three gold galloons. Since 2003, this shoulder mark is used by a commander.

3. The wowen shoulder mark (AXELKLAFFSHYLSA M/02 INVÄVD KAPTEN FLOTTAN) is worn on the naval combat dress (sjöstridsdräkt m/93), duty uniform (arbetsdräkt m/87 (blå)) and combat uniform (Fältuniform m/90 lätt, m/90 lätt blå, m/90 tropik (green, beige and blue)).^[14]

• 

  1. Embroidered shoulder mark (2003–present)

• 

  2. Embroidered shoulder mark (–2003)

• 

  3. Wowen shoulder mark (2003–present)

• 

  3. Wowen shoulder mark (2003–present)

Sleeve insignias

Rank insignia is worn on both sleeves for inner suit jacket (innerkavaj m/48) and mess jacket (mässjacka m/1878).^[12]

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.^[15] This type of sleeve insignia with two galloons was worn by a sub-lieutenant (löjtnant) until 2003.

2. Before 2003, lieutenants wore three gold galloons and a loop of gold galloon. Since 2003, this type of sleeve insignia is used by a commander.

• 

  1. Sleeve insignia for a lieutenant (2003–present)

• 

  2. Sleeve insignia for a lieutenant (–2003)

Hats

Peaked cap

A lieutenant wears a peaked 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).^[16][17]

• 

  Hat badge

Side cap and winter hat

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).^[18]

Epaulette

A lieutenant wears epaulette's (epålett m/1878) to white tie (frack m/1878) and to coat (rock m/1878). On the epaulette, a lieutenant wears 2 mm fringes in two rows.^[19]

Discover more about Navy related topics

Swedish Navy

Swedish Navy

The Swedish Navy is the naval branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. It is composed of surface and submarine naval units – the Fleet – as well as marine units, the Amphibious Corps.

Kommendörkapten

Kommendörkapten

Commander (Cdr) is a senior-grade officer rank in the Swedish Navy, ranking below captain and above lieutenant commander. The rank is equivalent to lieutenant colonel in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Amphibious Corps. Before 1972, the rank of commander was divided into two ranks: commander and lieutenant commander.

Major (Sweden)

Major (Sweden)

Major (Maj) is a field grade military officer rank in the Swedish Armed Forces, above the rank of captain and below the rank of lieutenant colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of lieutenant commander in the Swedish Navy.

Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the early 16th century; the oldest of the UK's armed services, it is consequently known as the Senior Service.

Battle command

Battle command

Battle command (BC) is the discipline of visualizing, describing, directing, and leading forces in operations against a hostile, thinking, and adaptive enemy. Battle command applies leadership to translate decision into actions, by synchronizing forces and warfighting functions in time, space, and purpose, to accomplish missions. Battle command refers both to processes triggered by commanders and executed by soldiers and to the system of systems (SoS) that directly enables those processes.

Second-in-command

Second-in-command

Second-in-command is a title denoting that the holder of the title is the second-highest authority within a certain organisation.

Swedish Defence University

Swedish Defence University

The Swedish Defence University is situated on Drottning Kristinas väg 37 in Östermalm, Stockholm City Centre, next to the campus of the Royal Institute of Technology.

Galloon

Galloon

Galloon is a heavily-decorated woven or braided trim, typically made of, or featuring, gold or silver thread, which may be woven or embroidered. Galloon trim is used in the trim of military and police uniforms, ecclesiastical dress, and as trim on textiles, drapery, and upholstery. Galloon trim may also come in the form of lace, and is typically wide.

Swedish Amphibious Corps

Swedish Amphibious Corps

The Amphibious Corps is the maritime land force arm of the Swedish Navy, with an emphasis on coastal defence. Until 2000 it was known as the Coastal Artillery, but the name was changed to reflect its different role in a post-Cold War world, where its amphibious special operations arm, Kustjägarna, has grown in significance while its coastal batteries have been decommissioned.

Löjtnant

Löjtnant

Löjtnant is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above second lieutenant and below captain. In the navy, it ranks above acting sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of förvaltare. The rank has been used in Sweden since the Middle Ages.

Woven fabric

Woven fabric

Woven fabric is any textile formed by weaving. Woven fabrics are often created on a loom, and made of many threads woven on a warp and a weft. Technically, a woven fabric is any fabric made by interlacing two or more threads at right angles to one another. Woven fabrics can be made of both natural and synthetic fibres, and are often made from a mixture of both. E.g. 100% Cotton or 80% Cotton & 20% polyester. 60% spandex and 40% cotton could also be woven together. Woven fabric is typically used in clothing, garments, for decoration, furniture or covering purposes such as carpets. In the Midwest, it is popular to have woven wicker furniture in sitting areas such as a patio or a dining room.

Combat uniform

Combat uniform

A combat uniform, also called field uniform, battledress or military fatigues, is a casual type of uniform used by military, police, fire and other public uniformed services for everyday fieldwork and combat duty purposes, as opposed to dress uniforms worn in functions and parades. It generally consists of a jacket, trousers and shirt or T-shirt, all cut more loose and comfortable than more formal uniforms. Design may depend on regiment or service branch, e.g. army, navy, air force, marines, etc. In the army branches, fabrics tend to come in camouflage, disruptive pattern or else green, brown or khaki monochrome, in order to approximate the background and make the soldier less visible in nature. In Western dress codes, field uniform is considered equivalent to civilian casual wear. As such, field uniform is considered less formal than service dress uniform, generally aimed at office or staff use, as well as mess dress uniform, and full dress uniform.