General (Sweden)

History

In Sweden, the rank of general was a three-star rank until 1972 when it became a four-star rank. Historically, during the 20th century, lieutenant generals were promoted one grade upon retirement to full general. According to current practice only royals and the chief of defence, if he were to come from the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force or the Swedish Amphibious Corps can hold the rank of a full, four-star, general in Sweden.

In the King in Council meeting on 30 April 1954, Bengt Nordenskiöld was appointed the first non-royal general in the Swedish Air Force, two months before his retirement. On 1 January 2004, Håkan Syrén became the first, and so far only, general in the Swedish Amphibious Corps (formerly the Coastal Artillery).

In 2009, the Swedish Armed Forces reported that General Håkan Syrén would retain his rank during his time as Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (2009–2012), which for the first time gave Sweden three active four-star generals; former Supreme Commander, General Håkan Syrén (2004–2012), then current Supreme Commander, General Sverker Göranson (2009–2015), and King Carl XVI Gustaf (1973–present). This is correct since the rank of general since 1972 is a four-star rank. However, before 1972, the rank of general was a three-star rank, and between 1940 and 1941 Sweden had five active three-star generals; the Supreme Commander, General Olof Thörnell (1940–1944), General Oscar Nygren (1939–1941), King Gustaf V (1898–1950), Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf (1932–1973), and Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland (1908–1951).

Following a proposal from the Swedish Armed Forces, the Government of Sweden decides on employment as a general.

In everyday speech, generals of all ranks are addressed as generals.

Rank insignia

Collar patches

File:OF-9_General.jpg|Collar patch m/58 (black m/02) on field uniform M90 (2002–present) File:Kragspegel general svart.jpg|Collar patch m/58 (black m/02) on field uniform M90 (2002–present) File:OF-9_General_G.jpg|Collar patch m/58 (gold) on uniform m/58-m/59 and field uniform M90 (1983–2002) File:Kragspegel general guld.jpg|Collar patch m/58 (gold) on uniform m/58-m/59 and field uniform M90 (–2002) File:General_kragspegel_m58_stjärna_m39_efter_1972.jpg|Collar patch m/58 (bronze) on uniform m/58-m/59 (1972–1983) File:General_kragspegel_m58_stjärna_m39.jpg|Collar patch m/58 (bronze) on uniform m/58-m/59 (1958–1972) File:15_General_krage_1923.jpg|Collar patch on uniform m/1923 (1923–1939)

Shoulder marks

File:OF-9_General_M87.png|Shoulder mark on uniform m/87 (Army and Air Force) (1987–present) File:OF-9 General FV hylsa.jpg|Shoulder mark m/87 on white shirt (Army and Air Force) (1987–present) File:OF-9_Amiral_FL_hylsa.jpg|Shoulder mark m/87 on white shirt (Navy) (1987–present) File:16_General_1939.jpg|Shoulder mark on uniform m/1939 (1939–1958) File:15_General_axelklaff_m1923.jpg|Shoulder mark on uniform m/1923 (1923–1939) File:OF-9_General_1910.png|Shoulder mark on uniform m/1910 (1910–1923)

Sleeve insignias

Amphibious Corps and Coastal Artillery

File:OF-9_General_AMF_arm.jpg|Sleeve insignia for a general in the Amphibious Corps (2003–present) File:OF-9_General_AMF_ärm_pre-2003.jpg|Sleeve insignia for a general in the Amphibious Corps (2000–2003) and Coastal Artillery (1972–2000) File:OF-9 General KA ärm pre-1972.jpg|Sleeve insignia for a general in the Coastal Artillery (1901–1972)

Air Force

File:OF-9 General FV mäss.jpg|Sleeve insignia for a general (1972–present) (today only on mess dress uniform) File:OF-8_Generallöjtnant_FV_mäss.jpg|Sleeve insignia for a general (?–1972) File:OF-9 General FV2.jpg|Flight suit sleeve insignia (Ärmmatta m/02) for a general (1972–present) File:OF-8 Generallöjtnant FV2.jpg|Flight suit sleeve insignia for a general (?–1972)

Army

File:1_General_armén_ärm_1906.jpg|Sleeve insignia for a general on (1906–1923)

Hats

File:OF-9 General lägermössa 1865-99.png|Hat for general of any rank on (1865–?) File:Skärmmössa , mörkblå m30 FVM.123122.jpg|Peaked cap (dark blue) for air force general () (1930–) File:Skärmmössa , vit m30 FVM.138067.jpg|Peaked cap (white) for air force general () (1930–) File:Skärmmössa m1952.jpg|Peaked cap for army general () (1952–)

Personal flags

The command flag of a general (and an admiral) is a double swallowtailed Swedish flag. In the first blue field 4 five-pointed white stars placed two over two.

File:Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Amiralsflagga.svg|Admiral/General (1972–present) File:Naval_Rank_Flag_of_Sweden_-_Viceamiralsflagga.svg|Admiral/General (1905–1972)

List of generals

The following have been promoted to the rank of general in the Swedish Armed Forces between 1900 and .

Footnotes

References

Notes

Sources

References

1. (2019-12-02). "Försvarsmaktens föreskrifter om personaltjänst (FFS 2019:6)". [[Swedish Armed Forces]].
2. (2013-09-16). "Försvarsmaktens gemensamma identitet – direktiv för användandet av Försvarsmaktens namn, profil och bild". [[Swedish Armed Forces]].
3. {{harvnb. Haglund. 2009
4. (1940). "Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1940". Fritzes offentliga publikationer.
5. (20 June 2005). "Förordning om ändring i förordningen (2000:555) med instruktion för Försvarsmakten". [[Swedish Code of Statutes]].
6. (1932). "Etikett och god ton: Praktisk handbok i sättet att uppföra sig. 1". Åhlén & Åkerlund.
7. (2017). "Handbok: parad 6: traditionsvård : H PARAD 6 2016". Försvarsmakten.
8. (2015). "Reglemente: uniformsbestämmelser 2015 : Unibest FM 2015". Försvarsmakten.
9. {{harvnb. Braunstein. 2004
10. (2017). "Handbok: parad 4: marinen : R PARAD 4 2017". Försvarsmakten.
11. {{harvnb. Lybeck. 1945
12. (1909). "Sveriges statskalender för år 1909". P.A. Nordstedt & Söner.
13. {{harvnb. Cronenberg. 1990–1991
14. "Hugo Montgomery Cederschiöld".
15. {{harvnb. Spiegelberg. 1984
16. "Officiella fotografier". [[Royal Court of Sweden]].