Lieutenant colonel (LtCol) ( sv, Överstelöjtnant, Övlt) is a
field grade officer rank in the
Swedish Armed Forces
The Swedish Armed Forces ( sv, Försvarsmakten, "the Defense Force") is the government agency that forms the armed forces of Sweden, tasked with the defense of the country as well as with promoting Sweden's wider interests, supporting internati ...
, just above the rank of
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 indicato ...
and just below the rank of
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...
. It is equivalent to the naval rank of
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. ...
in the
Swedish Navy.
History
Lieutenant colonel denotes the closest below the
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...
's regimental officer rank. The term is almost as old as colonel and initially referred to his closest aides. Nowadays, the lieutenant colonel in a regiment in most armies has become the colonel's closest assistant. In Sweden, in peacetime he is sometimes battalion commander; in war as well as during major troop exercises he often commands regiments.
Lieutenant colonels serves as
commanding officer of a
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions a ...
or
second-in-command of a
brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division.
B ...
. As staff officers, lieutenant colonels serves as section heads, heads of function or qualified staff officer. Lieutenant colonels belong to skill levels C (Advanced) or D (Expert).
Rank insignia
Collar patches
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant.jpg, Collar patch m/58 for a lieutenant colonel
File:2_Överstelöjtnant_1939.jpg, Collar patch
File:11_Överstelöjtnant_krage_1923.jpg, Collar patch
Shoulder marks
Air Force
File:OF-4_Överstelöjtnant_FV_hylsa.jpg,
(2003–present)
File:OF-5 Överste FV hylsa.jpg,
(–2003)
Army
File:11_Överstelöjtnant_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:11_Överstelöjtnant_axelträns_m1910.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/1910
(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 ...
)
Navy (Amphibious Corps)
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant 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-5_Överste_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)
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant AMF hylsa02.jpg, Wowen 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 ...
(2003–present)
Sleeve insignias
Air Force
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant 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 colonel
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant 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 colonel
(2003–present)
Army
File:5_Överstelöjtnant_armén_ärm_1906.jpg, Sleeve insignia on uniform m/1906 for a lieutenant colonel.
Navy (Amphibious Corps)
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant AMF arm.jpg, Sleeve insignia on ''innerkavaj m/48'' ("inner jacket m/48") for a lieutenant colonel.
(2003–present)
File:OF-5 Överste AMF arm.jpg, Sleeve insignia on ''innerkavaj m/48'' ("inner jacket m/48") for a lieutenant colonel.
(–2003)
Hats
File:11_Överstelöjtnant_mössa_m1923.jpg, Hat (''Mössa m/1923'') for a lieutenant colonel.
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant lägermössa m1865-99.png, Camp hat (''Lägermössa m/1865-99'') for a lieutenant colonel.
File:OF-4 Överstelöjtnant lägermössa m1865-99 LG.png, Hat (''Mössa m/1865-99'') for a lieutenant colonel in Life Guards infantry.
File:Mössa m1865-99 för överstelöjtnant.jpg, Hat (''Mössa m/Mössa m/1865-99'') for a lieutenant colonel in Royal Engineers (''Fortifikationen'')
File:7_Överstelöjtnant_armén_hatt_m1910-14.jpg, Rank insignia for a lieutenant colonel on hat (''Hatt m/1910-14'') in the army.
File:9 Överstelöjtnant armén mössmärke 1946.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1946'') for a lieutenant colonel in the army.
File:9 Överstelöjtnant armén mössmärke 1940.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1940'') for a lieutenant colonel in the army.
File:7 Överstelöjtnant armén mössmärke 1914.jpg, Hat badge (''Mössmärke m/1914'') for a lieutenant colonel in the army on fur hat (''pälsmössa m/1909-14'').
Epaulette
File:AM.006674.jpg, Epaulette for a lieutenant colonel in the General Staff
File:AM.016826.jpg, Epaulette for a lieutenant colonel in the Army Quartermaster Corps
References
Notes
Print
*{{cite book , url=http://runeberg.org/nfcn/0037.html , editor-last=Westrin , editor-first=Theodor , title=Nordisk familjebok: konversationslexikon och realencyklopedi , edition=New, rev. and rich ill. , year=1922 , publisher=Nordisk familjeboks förl. , location=Stockholm , volume=34 , language=sv , id={{SELIBR, 8072220
Military ranks of the Swedish Army
Military ranks of the Swedish Air Force
sv:Överstelöjtnant