''Löjtnant'' ( en, Lieutenant 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 ...

, Sub-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

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

and below

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

. In the navy, it ranks above acting sub-lieutenant and below

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 ...

. 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

''Löjtnant'' (lieutenant) 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

The rank of ''löjtnant'' (lieutenant) appears for the first time during the latter part of the

. Originally, it designated the (commander's) deputy, of which the compositions were

lieutenant general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) 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 ...

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 colone ...

and

captain lieutenant Captain lieutenant or captain-lieutenant is a military rank, used in a number of navies worldwide and formerly in the British Army. Northern Europe Denmark, Norway and Finland The same rank is used in the navies of Denmark (), Norway () and Finl ...

, 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 ''Fänrik'' () ( en, second lieutenant in the Swedish Army/Air Force, Acting sub-lieutenant in the Navy) 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 ...

'' (or

cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B, though there is also a sopr ...

) for the lowest officer rank was replaced by lieutenant, after which the rank of lieutenant in Sweden was divided into two, ''löjtnant'' and ''

underlöjtnant ''Underlöjtnant'' (from the German word ''Unterleutnant'') was the lowest officer rank in the Swedish Army from 1835 to 1937 instead of the previous ranks of ''fänrik'' and cornet. was reintroduced in 1914 with the same position as , from 192 ...

''. 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.

Promotion

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. 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. 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.

Rank insignia

Collar patches

File:OF-1 Löjtnant.jpg, Collar patch m/58 for a lieutenant File:5_Löjtnant_1939.jpg, Collar patch
(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:8_Löjtnant_krage_1923.jpg, Collar patch

Shoulder marks

=Air Force

= File:OF-1_Löjtnant_FV_hylsa.jpg, (2003–present) File:OF-2_Kapten_FV_hylsa.jpg, (–2003)

=Army

= File:8_Löjtnant_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 =

) File:8_Löjtnant_axelträns_m1910.jpg,

m/1910
(13 =

)

=Navy (Amphibious Corps)

= File:OF-1 Löjtnant 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-2_Kapten_AMF_hylsa.jpg, Embroidered

(Navy)
(–2003) File:OF-1 Löjtnant AMF hylsa02.jpg, Wowen

(2003–present)

Sleeve insignias

Air Force

File:OF-1 Löjtnant 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 lieutenant
(2003–present) 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 lieutenant
(–2003) File:Porträtt av löjtnant Folke Ripa.jpg, An air force officer with sleeve insignias for a lieutenant. File:OF-1 Löjtnant 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 lieutenant
(2003–present)

=Army

= File:8_Löjtnant_armén_ärm_1906.jpg, Sleeve insignia on uniform m/1906 for a lieutenant.

=Navy (Amphibious Corps)

= File:OF-1 Löjtnant AMF arm.jpg, Sleeve insignia on ''innerkavaj m/48'' ("inner jacket m/48") for a lieutenant.
(2003–present) File:OF-2_Kapten_AMF_arm.jpg, Sleeve insignia on ''innerkavaj m/48'' ("inner jacket m/48") for a lieutenant.
(–2003)

Hats

File:8_Löjtnant_mössa_m1923.jpg, Hat (''Mössa m/1923'') for a lieutenant File:OF-1 Löjtnant lägermössa m1865-99.png, Camp hat (''Lägermössa m/1865-99'') for a lieutenant File:OF-1_Löjtnant_lägermössa_m1865-99_LG.png, Hat (''Mössa m/1865-99'') for a lieutenant in the Life Guards infantry File:4_Löjtnant_armén_hatt_m1910-14.jpg, Rank insignia for a lieutenant on hat (''Hatt m/1910-14'') in the army File:6_Löjtnant_armén_mössmärke_1946.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1946'') for a lieutenant in the army File:6_Löjtnant_armén_mössmärke_1940.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1940'') for a lieutenant in the army File:4_Löjtnant_armén_mössmärke_1914.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1914'') for a lieutenant in the army on fur hat (''pälsmössa m/1909-14'')

Navy

''Löjtnant'' (sub-lieutenant) is a rank in the

History

The rank of ''löjtnant'' (sub-lieutenant) appears for the first time during the latter part of the

. Originally, it designated the (commander's) deputy, of which the compositions were

and

, 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 ''

'' (or

) for the lowest officer rank was replaced by lieutenant, after which the rank of lieutenant in Sweden was divided into two, ''löjtnant'' and ''

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 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. Promotion of sub-lieutenant to

, 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. 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.

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, 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

. 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-1_Löjtnant_FL_hylsa.jpg, 1. Embroidered

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

(–2003) File:OF-1_Löjtnant_FL.jpg, 3. Wowen

(2003–present) File:OF-1 Löjtnant 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. 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

. File:OF-1_Löjtnant_FL_arm.jpg, 1. Sleeve insignia for a sub-lieutenant (2003–present) File:OF-2_Kapten_FL_arm.jpg, 2. Sleeve insignia for a sub-lieutenant (1987–2003) File:Royal Wedding Stockholm 2010-Konserthuset-233.jpg, A naval officer with sleeve insignias for a sub-lieutenant.

Hats

=Peaked cap

= A sub-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 sub-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 sub-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.

Footnotes

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:Löjtnant