''Kapten'' ( en, Captain in the

Swedish Army The Swedish Army ( sv, svenska armén) is the land force of the Swedish Armed Forces. History Svea Life Guards dates back to the year 1521, when the men of Dalarna chose 16 young able men as body guards for the insurgent nobleman Gustav Vas ...

Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...

, ''Lieutenant'' in the

Navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and ...

) is a

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...

grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

and below

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

. In the navy, it ranks above

sub-lieutenant Sub-lieutenant is usually a junior officer rank, used in armies, navies and air forces. In most armies, sub-lieutenant is the lowest officer rank. However, in Brazil, it is the highest non-commissioned rank, and in Spain, it is the second high ...

and below

lieutenant commander Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding rank i ...

. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of ''

förvaltare Förvaltare is a Swedish military rank (OR-8) for Specialist Officers above Fanjunkare and below Regementsförvaltare in the army and Flottiljförvaltare in the Air force and is translated to Sergeant Major. The original military meaning of the ...

''. The rank has been used in Sweden since the

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 a ...

Army/Air Force/Navy

''Kapten'' (captain) is a rank in the

Swedish Air Force The Swedish Air Force ( sv, Svenska flygvapnet or just ) is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. History The Swedish Air Force was created on 1 July, 1926 when the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were merged. Because of the es ...

and in the

Swedish Navy The Swedish Navy ( sv, Svenska marinen) 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 (). In Swedish, vessels o ...

(

Coastal Artillery Coastal artillery is the branch of the armed forces concerned with operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications. From the Middle Ages until World War II, coastal artillery and naval artillery in the form of c ...

1902–2000, Amphibious Corps 2000–present).

History

A ''kapten'' (captain) usually commanded an infantry

or an

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 fac ...

. The name appeared quite early in the

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. The captains of the Swedish Coastal Artillery corresponded to the ''kapten'' (captain) of the army and ''kapten'' (lieutenant) of the navy.

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 {{unreferenced, date=February 2013 A platoon leader (NATO) or platoon commander (more common in Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth militaries and the United States Marine Corps, US Marine Corps) is the officer in charge of a platoon. This pers ...

for advanced platoon or as deputy

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 countr ...

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.

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). 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. 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. 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.

Rank insignia

Collar patches

File:OF-2 Kapten.jpg, Collar patch m/58 for a captain File:4 Kapten Ryttmästare 1939.jpg, Collar patch File:9_Kapten_Ryttmästare_krage_1923.jpg, Collar patch

Shoulder marks

=Air Force

= File:OF-2_Kapten_FV_hylsa.jpg, (2003–present) File:OF-4_Överstelöjtnant_FV_hylsa.jpg, (–2003)

=Army

= File:9_Kapten_axelklaff_m1923.jpg,

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'' (which is an elaborate sh ...

m/1923
(13 =

Dalarna Regiment The Dalarna Regiment ( sv, Dalregementet), 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 gar ...

) File:9_Kapten_Ryttmästare_axelträns_m1910.jpg,

m/1910
(13 =

)

=Navy (Amphibious Corps)

= File:OF-2 Kapten AMF hylsa.jpg, Embroidered

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'' (which is an elaborate sh ...

(Navy)
(2003–present) File:OF-4_Överstelöjtnant_AMF_hylsa.jpg, Embroidered

(Navy)
(–2003) File:OF-2 Kapten AMF hylsa02.jpg, Wowen

(2003–present)

Sleeve insignias

Air Force

File:OF-2 Kapten FV mäss.jpg,

Mess jacket The mess jacket is a type of formal jacket that ends at the waist. It features either a non-fastening double breast cut or a single-breasted version that fastens.

sleeve insignia for a captain File:OF-2 Kapten FV ärmmatta.jpg,

Flight suit A flight suit is a full-body garment, worn while flying aircraft such as military airplanes, gliders and helicopters. These suits are generally made to keep the wearer warm, as well as being practical (plenty of pockets), and durable (includi ...

sleeve insignia for a captain
(2003–present)

=Army

= File:7_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_ärm_1906.jpg, Sleeve insignia on uniform m/1906 for a captain.

=Navy (Amphibious Corps)

= File:OF-2 Kapten AMF arm.jpg, Sleeve insignia on ''innerkavaj m/48'' ("inner jacket m/48") for a captain.
(2003–present) File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant AMF arm.jpg, Sleeve insignia on ''innerkavaj m/48'' ("inner jacket m/48") for a captain.
(–2003)

Hats

File:9_Kapten_Ryttmästare_mössa_m1923.jpg, Hat (''Mössa m/1923'') for a captain File:OF-2 Kapten lägermössa m1865-99.png, Camp hat (''Lägermössa m/1865-99'') for a captain File:OF-2_Kapten_lägermössa_m1865-99_LG.png, Hat (''Mössa m/1865-99'') for a captain in the Life Guards infantry File:Mössa m1865 för kapten vid Livregementet till fots.jpg, Hat (''Mössa m/1865-99'') for a captain in the Life Regiment of Foot File:Mössa m1865 för kapten.jpg, Hat (''Mössa m/1865-99'') for a captain in the Royal Engineers (''Fortifikationen'') File:5_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_hatt_m1910-14.jpg, Rank insignia for a captain on hat (''Hatt m/1910-14'') in the army File:7_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_mössmärke_1946.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1946'') for a captain in the army File:7_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_mössmärke_1940.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1940'') for a captain in the army File:5_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_mössmärke_1914.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1914'') for a captain in the army on fur hat (''pälsmössa m/1909-14'')

Navy

''Kapten'' (lieutenant) is a rank in the

History

A ''kapten'' (lieutenant) in the

was until 1972 a rank above

(''löjtnant'') and below

(''kommendörkapten av 2:a graden/klassen''). Since 1972, the rank is below

(''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. 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''. On 1 July 2003, the Swedish Navy received new rank insignias. The new rank insignia system was inspired from

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 F ...

. 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''). Since the same date, a lieutenant has two instead of three galloons.

Duties

Swedish Navy Officer during BALTOPS 2003

The lieutenant of a naval unit works as a commander, for example, a

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 ...

officer, a

second-in-command Second-in-command (2i/c or 2IC) is a title denoting that the holder of the title is the second-highest authority within a certain organisation. Usage In the British Army or Royal Marines, the second-in-command is the deputy commander of a unit, ...

(''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.

Promotion

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. 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.

Uniform

Shoulder marks

The top

galloon Galloon (sometimes spelled galon in British English) 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 polic ...

is shaped like a "loop" for an officer in the

(the loop is shaped like a "grenade" for an officer in the Swedish Amphibious Corps). 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''). Rank insignia on shoulder mark (''axelklaffshylsa 02B'') is worn on all garments with shoulder straps. 1. The shoulder mark (''Axelklaffshylsa m/02B'') is designed as galloons sewn directly to another shoulder mark (''axelklaffshylsa m/87 blå''). Since 2003 it consists of two gold galloons. Before 2003, this type of shoulder mark with two galloons was worn by a

(''löjtnant''). 2. Before 2003, a lieutenant wore three gold galloons. Since 2003, this shoulder mark is used by a

commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain. ...

. 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 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 ...

(''Fältuniform m/90 lätt'', ''m/90 lätt blå'', ''m/90 tropik'' (green, beige and blue)). File:OF-2_Kapten_FL_hylsa.jpg, 1. Embroidered

(2003–present) File:OF-4_Kommendörkapten_FL_hylsa.jpg, 2. Embroidered

(–2003) File:OF-2_Kapten_FL.jpg, 3. Wowen

(2003–present) File:OF-2 Kapten FL hylsa02.jpg, 3. Wowen

(2003–present)

Sleeve insignias

Rank insignia is worn on both sleeves for inner

suit jacket A suit jacket, also called a lounge jacket, lounge coat or suit coat, is a jacket in classic menswear that is part of a suit. Single and double-breasted Most single-breasted suit jackets have two or three buttons, and one or four buttons are unu ...

(''innerkavaj m/48'') and

mess jacket The mess jacket is a type of formal jacket that ends at the waist. It features either a non-fastening double breast cut or a single-breasted version that fastens.

(''mässjacka m/1878''). 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. This type of sleeve insignia with two galloons was worn by a

(''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

. File:OF-2_Kapten_FL_arm.jpg, 1. Sleeve insignia for a lieutenant (2003–present) File:OF-4_Kommendörkapten_FL_arm.jpg, 2. Sleeve insignia for a lieutenant (–2003)

Hats

=Peaked cap

= A lieutenant wears a

peaked cap The peaked cap, peaked hat, service cap, barracks cover or combination cap is a form of headgear worn by the armed forces of many nations, as well as many uniformed civilian organisations such as law enforcement agencies and fire departments. It ...

(''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''). File:Mössmärke m78 FL Officer.png, 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'').

Epaulette

A lieutenant wears

epaulette Epaulette (; also spelled epaulet) is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of military rank, rank by armed forces and other organizations. Flexible metal epaulettes (usually made from brass) are referred to as ''sh ...

's (''epålett m/1878'') to

white tie White tie, also called full evening dress or a dress suit, is the most formal in traditional evening western dress codes. For men, it consists of a black tail coat (alternatively referred to as a dress coat, usually by tailors) worn over a whit ...

(''frack m/1878'') and to coat (''rock m/1878''). On the epaulette, a lieutenant wears 2 mm

fringe Fringe may refer to: Arts * Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, known as "the Fringe" * Adelaide Fringe, the world's second-largest annual arts festival * Fringe theatre, a name for alternative theatre * The Fringe, the ...

s in two rows.

References

Notes

Print

* * *

Web

* * * * * *{{cite web , url=https://www.taktisk.se/2019/10/15/karriarvagarna-for-officerare/ , website=www.taktisk.se , title=Karriärvägarna för officerare , date=15 October 2019 , access-date=24 February 2021 , language=sv , ref={{harvid, Karriärsväg, 2019 Military ranks of the Swedish Army Military ranks of the Swedish Air Force Military ranks of the Swedish Navy sv:Kapten