Fänrik

Fänrik (from German Fähnrich) is the lowest Swedish officer rank, immediately above Sergeant and just below Löjtnant. It translates as Second Lieutenant in English.

[edit] Categories

[edit] Officers

Currently, the Swedish army has reserve or active duty officers, as well as the previously trained conscript officers who received the rank of fänrik. A new category of active duty military personnel is being introduced, and the reintroduction of non-commissioned officer ranks for this category is being considered.

[edit] National Defense Forces

Platoon commanders and deputy platoon commanders in the Home Guard are generally of this rank.

[edit] History

[edit] Origin

The rank literally means holder of the company flag. The flag was usually maintained by a soldier förare and handed over to the Fänrik just before the inception of a battle. His role was to align the company and the flag was an important tool to achieve that.

[edit] Change

• The role has changed from being the third officer of a company to a squadleader (for conscripts doing 15 months of military service up until 2007). Cadets who complete the Military Academy are promoted "fänrik".

[edit] MHS Military Academy

[edit] First year at MHS (40 weeks) [edit] subjects political science information technology foreign languages military history psychology [edit] management studies administration leadership [edit] military subjects general military matters tactical planning
[edit] Second year at MHS (40 weeks) [edit] subjects political science foreign languages social science [edit] management studies methodology and problem solving systems study and management structures [edit] military subjects military theory [edit] one semester (20 weeks) of one elected course in foreign languages history information technology economics

[edit] See also

• Swedish Army Rank Insignia
• http://www.mhsk.mil.se/attachments/school_system_2006--.pdf