Löjtnant

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

History

The rank of löjtnant (lieutenant) appears for the first time during the latter part of the Middle Ages. Originally, it designated the (commander's) deputy, of which the compositions were lieutenant general, lieutenant colonel and captain lieutenant, and sometimes also the lowest commander's deputy. Eventually the word changed to refer exclusively to the company commander's deputy, and even later the rank fänrik (or cornet) for the lowest officer rank was replaced by lieutenant, after which the rank of lieutenant in Sweden was divided into two, löjtnant and underlöjtnant.^[4] The fänrik rank was reintroduced in 1914 with the same status as underlöjtnant, but it was subsequently moved one level below underlöjtnant in 1926. Underlöjtnant was removed from the Swedish Armed Forces rank structure in 1937.

Duties

A lieutenant in the army serves in two areas, as commander and as a staff officer in a battalion (or brigade). As a commander, a lieutenant mainly serves as a platoon leader both in the war organization and in basic training of units. A lieutenant can also be developed by serving as a teacher at a school. A lieutenant should be able to work as a “first-line commander”, to be able to lead education, practice and training and to be able to supervise colleagues within one's own area of competence. The army emphasizes that the lieutenant must be competent in supervising younger colleagues and lead platoon combat training.^[5]

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).^[6] For promotion from second lieutenant to lieutenant 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.^[7] Promotion of 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.^[7]

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. Promotion of lieutenant to captain may take place if the lieutenant holds an academic degree at the undergraduate level, or at least 180 higher education credits if the program comprises more higher education credits than 180.^[7]

Rank insignia

Collar patches

• 

  Collar patch m/58 for a lieutenant

• 

  Collar patch
  (13 = Dalarna Regiment)

• 

  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 lieutenant
  (2003–present)

• 

  Mess jacket sleeve insignia for a lieutenant
  (–2003)

• 

  An air force officer with sleeve insignias for a lieutenant.

• 

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

Army

• 

  Sleeve insignia on uniform m/1906 for a lieutenant.

Navy (Amphibious Corps)

• 

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

• 

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

Hats

• 

  Hat (Mössa m/1923) for a lieutenant

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  Hat badge (Mössmärke m/1914) for a lieutenant 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.

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.

Lieutenant general

Lieutenant general

Lieutenant general is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a captain general.

Lieutenant colonel

Lieutenant colonel

Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence. Sometimes, the term 'half-colonel' is used in casual conversation in the British Army. In the United States Air Force, the term 'light bird' or 'light bird colonel' is an acceptable casual reference to the rank but is never used directly towards the rank holder. A lieutenant colonel is typically in charge of a battalion or regiment in the army.

Captain lieutenant

Captain lieutenant

Captain lieutenant or captain-lieutenant is a military rank, used in a number of navies worldwide and formerly in the British Army.

Fänrik

Fänrik

Fänrik is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above sergeant and below lieutenant. In the navy, it ranks above sergeant and below sub-lieutenant. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of översergeant. Fänrik means standard-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.

Cornet (rank)

Cornet (rank)

Cornet was originally the lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, the modern equivalent being a second lieutenant. The rank was abolished by the 1871 Cardwell Reforms, which replaced it with sub-lieutenant. Although obsolete, the term is still used as an internal title of address when referring to a second lieutenant within the British Army regiments of the Blues and Royals and Queen's Royal Hussars.

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.

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.

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.

Löjtnant (sub-lieutenant) is a rank in the Swedish Navy.

History

The rank of löjtnant (sub-lieutenant) appears for the first time during the latter part of the Middle Ages. Originally, it designated the (commander's) deputy, of which the compositions were lieutenant general, lieutenant colonel and captain lieutenant, and sometimes also the lowest commander's deputy. Eventually the word changed to refer exclusively to the company commander's deputy, and even later the rank fänrik (or cornet) for the lowest officer rank was replaced by lieutenant, after which the rank of lieutenant in Sweden was divided into two, löjtnant and underlöjtnant.^[4] The fänrik rank was reintroduced in 1914 with the same status as underlöjtnant, but it was subsequently moved one level below underlöjtnant in 1926. Underlöjtnant was removed from the Swedish Armed Forces rank structure in 1937.^[4]

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).^[6] For promotion from acting sub-lieutenant to sub-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.^[7] Promotion of sub-lieutenant to lieutenant, it is only required that the sub-lieutenant is promotable according to Chapter 2, Section 1. For a sub-lieutenant who has completed the Swedish Armed Forces' pilot training, promotion may only take place if the sub-lieutenant has an academic degree at the undergraduate level.^[7]

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. 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 higher education credits if the program comprises more higher education credits than 180.^[7]

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).^[8] 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).^[9] Rank insignia on shoulder mark (axelklaffshylsa 02B) is worn on all garments with shoulder straps.^[10]

1. The shoulder mark (Axelklaffshylsa m/02B) is designed as galloons sewn directly to another shoulder mark (axelklaffshylsa m/87 blå).^[10] Since 2003 it consists of two gold galloons, one wider and one narrower. Before 2003, it consisted of two equally wide gold galloons.

2. Before 2003, a sub-lieutenant wore two equally wide gold galloons. Since 2003, this shoulder mark is used by a lieutenant.

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)).^[11]

• 

  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).^[9]

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.^[12]

2. Before 2003, sub-lieutenants wore two gold galloons and a loop of gold galloon. Since 2003, this type of sleeve insignia is used by a lieutenant.

• 

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

• 

  2. Sleeve insignia for a sub-lieutenant (1987–2003)

• 

  A naval officer with sleeve insignias for a sub-lieutenant.

Hats

Peaked cap

A sub-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).^[13][14]

• 

  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).^[15]

Epaulette

A sub-lieutenant wears epaulette's (epålett m/1878) to white tie (frack m/1878) and to coat (rock m/1878). On the epaulette, a sub-lieutenant wears 2 mm fringes in two rows.^[16]

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.

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.

Lieutenant general

Lieutenant general

Lieutenant general is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a captain general.

Lieutenant colonel

Lieutenant colonel

Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence. Sometimes, the term 'half-colonel' is used in casual conversation in the British Army. In the United States Air Force, the term 'light bird' or 'light bird colonel' is an acceptable casual reference to the rank but is never used directly towards the rank holder. A lieutenant colonel is typically in charge of a battalion or regiment in the army.

Captain lieutenant

Captain lieutenant

Captain lieutenant or captain-lieutenant is a military rank, used in a number of navies worldwide and formerly in the British Army.

Fänrik

Fänrik

Fänrik is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above sergeant and below lieutenant. In the navy, it ranks above sergeant and below sub-lieutenant. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of översergeant. Fänrik means standard-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.

Cornet (rank)

Cornet (rank)

Cornet was originally the lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, the modern equivalent being a second lieutenant. The rank was abolished by the 1871 Cardwell Reforms, which replaced it with sub-lieutenant. Although obsolete, the term is still used as an internal title of address when referring to a second lieutenant within the British Army regiments of the Blues and Royals and Queen's Royal Hussars.

Underlöjtnant

Underlöjtnant

Underlöjtnant was the lowest officer rank in the Swedish Army from 1835 to 1937 instead of the previous ranks of fänrik and cornet. Fänrik was reintroduced in 1914 with the same position as underlöjtnant, from 1926 with lower position.

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.

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.

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.