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Military Terms

Military Terms A - F

• Adelsfanan Cavalry Corps of the Nobility • Adjutant (mil.) Adjutant, a military position, normally held by an [commissioned] officer. Adjutant is an officer assisting a higher ranked officer. This position was introduced in the beginning of the 1700's and was then manned by non-commissioned officers, NCOs. The position of an adjutant were raised to officer rank in 1734 but then with a salary of a NCO. For example, a Lieutenant could be an adjutant to a Colonel. • Ammunition Ammunition • Amiral Admiral • Anfall Charge - attack, assault • Anfalla Engage • Arklimästare, artilleriet An arklimästare in the artillery was in charge of an artillery depot, i.e. the artillery pieces and ammunition. The word “arkli” actually means arms depot. Today the term tygförråd is used instead of arkli. There were also a national arklimästare in charge of all the arms depots. His title was Överstearklimästare (Colonel arklimästare). Later his title became Rikstygmästare. • Arklimästare, flottan A navy arklimästare was a NCO working with the sea artillery aboard the ships. It was the lowest NCO rank in the sea artillery and he was responsible for the loading and aiming of a certain number of artillery pieces. This rank was in use until 1824. • Armén The Army • Arméfördelning Army division • Arméns Flotta The Army Fleet, See the Army Fleet • Artilleri The Artillery • Artillerist A soldier in the Artillery • Auditör Judge-advocate • Avsked Discharge from the Army, Navy etc • Bajonett Bayonet • Barberare/bardskärare See fältskär below • Bataljon Battalion, Infantry unit of 600 soldiers (4 companies) • Bataljonschef Battalion Commander • Bataljonsstab Battalion headquarters • Belägring Siege • Beväringen "Beväringen" was established in 1812 and a forerunner to the National Service System. Every male between the age of 21 to 25 was required to serve in the military. The first muster for the "beväringen" was held in 1813. • Beväring A person called up for military service (drafted) within the “Beväringen” was called a “beväring”. The word “beväring” could be abbreviated to “bev”. Beväringen was an early conscription system. • Blankvapen Edged weapons • Blodbad Carnage • Brigad Brigade, a tactical unit consisting of battalions/companies from different branches of the army. A Brigade normally numbered 5,000 soldiers under the command of a Brigadier General. • Brigadgeneral Brigadier (UK) / Brigadier General (USA). An Army military rank - [commissioned] officer. • Båtsman "Båtsmän" was the Swedish name of the navy seamen provided by the Allotment System. The "båtsmän" was provided in the same manner as the soldiers in the infantry, that is through the "rote" farmers. The "båtsmän" were deck hands doing all sorts of duties plus manning the guns during battle. Generally you could say that the "båtsmän" were low in rank and duties.  It is difficult to find English translation of the title "Båtsman". They were a type of seamen serving aboard the Navy ships as explained above. The extraordinary about the "båtsmän" was the way they were provided - recruited - trained. The title seaman is not incorrect but "seaman" doesn't pin point this special type of seaman the "båtsmän" were. A literal translation would be “boatsman”, however there is no such seaman title in the English language. It is "båtsman" in singular and "båtsmän" in plural. See also:  Båtsmän • Båtsmanshåll A term used for the Navy Allotment System, a system of keeping sailors for the Navy.  This was the system of recruiting and maintaining the båtsmän (sailors) by "rote" farmers. • Båtsmanstorp Båtsman's croft (cottage), provided for the Navy seamen of the allotted Navy companies. • Distinktionskorpral Corporal, a lower military rank. The rank of Distinktionskorpral was used between 1858 and 1914 when it was replaced with the reintroduced rank of Furir (Sergeant). Between 1858 and 1914 the Distinktionskorpral was the highest rank among the lower NCO:s. normally a corporal with many service years was promoted to Distinktionskorpral (First Corporal?). • Drabantkåren Garde du Corps • Dragon Dragoon: Dragoon was formerly mounted infantry. They travelled on horseback to the battlefields but they fought as foot-soldiers. As mounted infantry they were very mobile units. It happened that dragoons fought as cavalry in battles. However, this was a type of warfare they weren't trained for and could end up in disaster. During the 18th century the dragoons were more and more used as cavalry and therefore also trained as cavalry. Finally it was only the name that separated them from other types cavalry units. During the 19th century dragoons was a term for heavy cavalry. • Eldhandvapen Firearms • Epåljett Epaulet • Fanjunkare Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Master Sergeant). A military rank introduced in 1833 when it replaced the former fältväbel. Fanjunkare was the highest NCO rank until 1945 when a new rank, Förvaltare became a rank above Fanjunkare. Fanjunkare was used för staff NCO:s until 1983. • Flaggskepp Flagship • Flintlåsmusköt Flintlock musket • Fotjägare Rifleman/Ranger (infantry). Riflemen were specially trained infantry soldiers.  • Flottan The Navy • Flotta Fleet • Flotteskader Navy squadron • Fotfolk (military term) Foot soldiers (infantry) • Fred Peace • Fredsföredrag Peace treaty • Fredsvillkor Peace terms • Fregatt Frigate (midsize man of war) • Furir Military rank ("underofficer" = non- commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army until 1875 when this rank was replaced with Fanjunkare. The rank of Furir was reintroduced in 1914 but now as a lower rank (underbefäl) corresponding to the English/American rank of sergeant. In former days the Furir’s responsibility was to choose the company camp-site. He also received the company food supplies and distributed it to the soldiers. • Fånge Prisoner • Fältartilleri Field artillery • Fältherre Commander, General • Fältjägare Rifleman/Ranger. Riflemen were specially trained infantry soldiers.  • Fältmarskalk Field Marshal • Fältpräst Army chaplain, clergy • Fältsjuka "Fältsjuka" = field disease (military) = camp fever, normally dysentery or typhus fever. This was a group name of diseases that often infected soldiers when large amount of troopers was gathered together. Lack of hygiene and sanitation in those days caused many infectious diseases. The disease spread very quickly if, for example, sewage disposal and human waste came in contact with water supplies. Throughout all wars before the 20th century field diseases have killed more soldiers than the battles. Normally the field disease was typhus fever (fläckfeber) or dysentery (rödsot).In the Navy these types of diseases were called the Navy Disease (marinsjukan) or the Ship Disease/Ship fever (skeppsjukan) • Fältskär / barberare/bardskärare Military surgeon; barber-surgeon • Fälttåg Campaign • Fältväbel Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Master Sergeant). In former days the Swedish Fältväbel’s responsibility was to line up the troops before a battle and he had the right to punish the company soldiers if they misbehaved. It was normally a fältväbel who held a position as the quartermaster-sergeant (kompanikvartermästare). The rank Fältväbel was used in the Swedish Army until 1833 when it was replaced with the rank Fanjunkare. • Fänrik Second Lieutenant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. Fänrik was used in the Swedish Army until 1835 when it was replaced with the rank Underlöjtnat. The rank of Fänrik was reintroduced in 1937. In former days the Fänrik was in charge of the company colors during combat. • Fästning Fortress, fort • Fästningsvall Rampart • Förare Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Master Sergeant). A ”förare” was in charge of the company colors. Before a battle he handed the company colors to the Second Lieutenant who was in charge of the company colors during combat. The “förare” was also in charge of the company’s wounded and sick plus the company baggage, clearing the march route etc. He was also an assistant to the Second Lieutenant. The rank Förare was used in the Swedish Army until the beginning of the 1800's. • Förlust / nederlag Defeat • Förstärkningsmanskap Reinforcement soldiers • Försvarslinje Line of defense • Förvaltare Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Sergeant Major). A military rank introduced in 1945 and was used until 1972. The NCO rank Fanjunkare had an official standing between Lieutenant and Captain.

Military Terms G - L

• Galär Galley (A type of ships in the Galley Fleet). • Galärflottan The Galley Fleet, see the Army Fleet above. • Gatlopp Gauntlet, to run the gauntlet; A military disciplinary punishment where the soldier to be disciplined was stripped to the waist and forced to run between two lines of soldiers equipped with sticks, receiving a blow from each soldier’s stick. The number of soldiers in the lines depended of the crime committed and could vary between 100 and 300. The number of times the soldier had to run the gauntlet also varied and could be repeated for several days. In Sweden the gauntlet was abolished as a military punishment in 1812. • Gehäng Sash • General General • Generalmönsterrulla General Muster Roll • Generalmönstring General Muster • Generaltygmästare / Rikstygmästare A “Generaltygmästare” was an officer with the rank of General heading the Artillery Ordnance Department. • Gradbeteckning Military rank insignia. • Grenadjär A grenadier was originally a soldier armed with hand grenades. The grenadier first fired his musket and then he would light the fuse of the grenade and throw it. The next move was to charge the enemy with the bayonet mounted on the musket. In each infantry company there were 12 grenadiers. The grenadiers were the first to be equipped with bayonets (beginning of the 18tn century). They were also equipped with a kind of grenade rifles. Later when the range of fire of the muskets increased the role of the grenadier changed. In stead the best grenadiers formed an elite unit. The grenadiers wore a special hat. At the end of the 18th century the grenadier units became ordinary infantry units. • Gradpassering A fresh officer or an NCO in the Swedish Army had to do service in lower ranks for training purposes before he could take up a position as an officer or an NCO. The system of “Gradpassering” was abolished in 1883 when the rules for admittance to the War Academy were changed. • Handelsflottan The Merchant Navy / The Mercantile Marine • Hjullåsmusköt Wheellock musket • Hovsmed/hovslagare Farrier • Husar Hussar (a type of cavalry): Hussar regiments were established in Sweden during the 1700's. They were armed with sabers and carbines (short rifles). Hussars was at first a term for The Hungarian heavy cavalry. • Här Army • Häst Horse • Hästjägare Mounted rifleman. Mounted riflemen/rangers were specially trained cavalry soldiers. • Indelningsverket The Allotment System, the system of organizing and financing the Swedish armed forces in earlier times (1682 - 1901). See, The Allotment System • Indelta regementen Allotted regiments, regiments organized within the Allotment System • Indelt soldat Allotted soldier, soldier recruited within the Allotment System • Infanteri The Infantry • Infanterist Infantryman, soldier • Inskriven Enrolled or registered for military service. The word “inskriven” could be abbreviated to “inskr”. • Jägarförband Special elite units of riflemen. The first jägar corps in Sweden was established in 1745 when Savolaks jägarkår (kår = corps) was established. The mission of the jägar units was to advance in front of the infantry in extended order to reconnaissance and fight the enemy. Fältjägare are riflemen/rangers by foot and hästjägare are mounted riflemen/rangers. A lot more jägar units were established in the beginning of the 1800’s. These units were also specialized of warfare in wasteland and in forests. Later the extended order became regular practice by the infantry and the importance of the jägare units diminished. In the 1900’s “jägare” became a term used for special elite units. So, now days “jägare” is a collective name for elite units, for example Fältjägare (riflemen/rangers) and fjälljägare (mountain riflemen or highlanders), kustjägare (soldiers in the amphibious corps – like the Marines), fallskärmsjägare (paratroopers) etc. • Kanon Gun, cannon • Kapitulation Surrender • Kapten (Armén) Army Captain, a military rank - [commissioned] officer.  The captain was the Company Commander. • Kapten (Flottan) Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a Swedish Navy "kapten" corresponds to a Navy Lieutenant in the UK and USA. • Kaptensboställe An officer's residence provided for an Army captain within the Allotment System • Kaptenlöjtnant Kaptenlöjtnant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. A army rank used until 1833 and a Kaptenlöjtnant (Lieutenant Captain) held a rank between Lieutenant and Captain. A Kaptenlöjtnant was normally the company commander of the Life Company, the company who the Colonel formally was in charge of. • Karolin A Carolean soldier. Name of the soldiers during the regime of King Karl XI and King Karl XII (1660 - 1721). • Kavalleri The Cavalry The term "cavalry" wasn't in use until around the 1650's. In Sweden the cavalry was called "rytteriet" (the riders or the horsemen) prior to that time. For example Smålands ryttare and Upplands ryttare (ryttare = horsemen). • Kavallerist Horseman in the cavalry. The same as "ryttare" • Klart skepp (mil) General quarters (naval term) • Knekt Infantry soldier • Kofferdimatros "Kofferdimatroser" were professional seamen drafted from the Mercantile Marine to serve in the Navy. They were in charge of all the work that had to do with the actual sailing (with the help of the "båtsmän"). The “kofferdimatroser” were enlisted and had a personal contract with the Navy. They were paid in cash and served in the Navy for 6 month per year. Rest of the year they served on merchant ships. • Kompani Company, an infantry unit of 150 soldiers. Cavalry companies numbered 125 horsemen. • Kompaniofficer Company officer. A generic term for the ranks of Captain (“Kapten”), First Lieutenant (“Löjtnant”) and Second Lieutenant (“Fänrik”). • Kommendör (Flottan) Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a "Kommendör" corresponds to a Navy Captain in the UK and USA. • Kommendörkapten (Flottan) Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a "Kommendörkapten" corresponds to a Navy Commander in the UK and USA. • Kornett Kornett, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. Kornett is an old military rank used in the Swedish Cavalry corresponding to Second Lieutenant in the US. The rank "Kornett" corresponds today to the rank of "Fänrik" in the infantry. • Korpral Corporal, a lower military rank. • Korpralsboställe A soldier's croft provided for a corporal within the Allotment System • Korpralskap Each company subdivided into 6 "korpralskap" of 24 soldiers under the command of a corporal, in total 25 men (Corporalship?). • Krig War • Krigsarkivet War Archive / Swedish Military Record Office • Krigsfartyg / Örlogsfartyg War ship, Man-of-war • Krigsfånge Prisoner of war • Krigsmakten The Armed forces • Krigsmannaed / krigsmans erinran / Soldaterinran Oath of allegiance • Krigsrätt Court Martial • Kungl. or kungliga Royal • Kvartermästare  (kompani-kvartermästare ) A military position (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Quartermaster Sergeant). A NCO with the responsibility to prepare a company's quarter and provision. There were both a company Quartermasters and a regimental Quartermaster. • Kvartermästare  (regements-kvartermästare) Military position (commissioned officer) in the Swedish Army (Quartermaster). An officer with the responsibility to prepare a regiment's quarter and provision. There were both a company Quartermasters and a regimental Quartermaster. • Kyrassiär Cuirassier: The Cuirassiers were the heavy cavalry. The name originates from cuirass, which was the name of the armored protection they wore. During the 17th century it became too ungainly (too awkward) to wear a full cuirass. Instead a light cuirass came into use plus a helmet instead of the older full head protection. The cuirassiers were armed with a rapier (sword) and a handgun. Fully equipped cuirassiers were quite heavy so they needed large horses to carry them. During the 19th century the cuirassier regiments didn't differ from other cavalry.  • Kölhalning To be keelhauled, a punishment in the Navy. When a seaman was to be keelhauled he was fastened to two ropes, one to his hands and one to his feet. Then he was hauled under the ship’s keel from one side to the other. When he passed the keel his arms or legs (or neck) often were broken by the keel. Keelhauling was almost the same as a sentence to death. This type of punishment was abolished in the Swedish Navy in 1755. • Linjeskepp Ship of the line (larger man-of-war) • Livbataljon The 1st battalion in each Regiment was called the Life Battalion. • Livgardet till fot Life Guards of Foot • Livgardet till häst Mounted Life Guards • Livkompani The 1st Company in each Regiment was called the Life Company. • Luntlåsmusköt Matchlock musket • Löjtnant Lieutenant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer (in the US First Lieutenant). Deputy to the Company Commander. • Läger Camp

Military Terms M - S

• Major Major, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. A rank immediately above Captain. In the middle of the 1700's the rank "Andre Major" or Sekundmajor (Second Major) was introduced. These officers had the rank of a major but received a salary of a Captain. During the 1800's a First Major were also called "Förste Major" or Premiärmajor (First Major). In the 1800's there was also a rank "Tredje Major" (Third major). • Marsch March • Manskap Private soldiers, soldiers of rank and file. • Medaljong Medallion • Menig soldat Private soldier, soldier of rank and file • Miltära grader, gradbeteckningar Military ranks, see: ranks • Miltärmusiker Regimental bandsman • Mobilisering Mobilization • Musköt Musket (rifle) • Musköterare Infantry soldiers armed with muskets • Mynningsladdare Muzzle-loader • Mönsterskrivare Military position (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Company scribe / Company clerk). A Mönsterskrivare was a NCO who was in charge of the rolls/lists (roll keeping, accounts and other desk-work). The Mönsterskrivare held a rank equal to the highest NCO rank. The number of Mönsterskrivare was reduced in the 1700's and 1800's and was abolished in 1875. • Mönstring Muster, inspection, enrollment • Niosvansad katt  Cat-o'nine-tails. A punishment tool in the Navy. A "Niosvansad katt" was a knout which consisted of a rope with a short handle. The end of the rope were separated into nine thongs or lashes, each of them equipped with 3 knots. • Officer Officer, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. A generic term for the military ranks from Second Lieutenant/Ensign and above. • Pallasch Broadsword • Pik Pike, during the Great Nordic War (1700 - 1721) a 1/3 of the soldiers in each company were armed with pikes while 2/3 were armed with muskets. • Pikenerare Infantry soldiers armed with pikes • Pipare Piper, a regimental bandsman, playing the pipe • Predikant Preacher/clergyman • Profoss (mil.) Provost Marshal, a military position (non- commissioned officer, NCO). The full title was regementsprofoss (Regimental Provost Marshal), which later changed to regementsväbel. The provost marshal supervised the order among the soldiers and executed punishments. The military punishment could be anything from death penalty to arrest, whipping/flogging or to run the gauntlet. Normally the provost marshal had three assistant provosts (gemena profosser). A higher ranked provost marshal was the Generalprofoss (General Provost Marsal). • Präst/regementspräst Military chaplain • Regemente Regiment • Regementsofficer Regimental officer (the regimental staff). A generic term for the ranks of Major (“Major”), Lieutenant Colonel (“Översteöjtnant”) and Colonel (“Överste”). • Regementsskrivare Military position (commissioned officer) in the Swedish Army (Regimental scribe). A Regementsskrivare was an officer who was in charge of the accounts and the correspondence). The Regementsskrivare was a member of the regemental staff. • Regementstaben The regimental staff • Regementsprofoss / Regementsväbel See profoss (provost marshal) above. • Reträtt Retreat • Rote (militär rote) Rote - a subdivision of the Allotment system. To maintain soldiers for the regiment of the province was costly and an extra burden for the farmers. To reduce the burden for  individual farmers, each parish (socken) of the provinces was divided into districts (allotments) called “rote” and each rote consisted of  2 - 4 farmers/freeholders. Thereby the costs was shared equally between the farmers of a rote. It was an obligation of each “rote” to provide and maintain one soldier for the regiment(s) of the province. It is rote in singular and rotar in plural. In order to avoid the risk of being involuntary recruited, the farmers / freeholders accepted a system, which  guaranteed them exemption from "utskrivning" if they permanently provided the army with soldiers See, The Allotment System. • Rotebonde "Rote" farmer. See "rote" above. (pl. rotebönder) • Rotering A term used for the infantry part of the Allotment System, i.e. the way the infantry soldiers were recruited and maintained by "rote" farmers. This system of keeping infantry soldiers for an infantry regiment was called “Det ständiga knekthållet” and the principle was called “Rotering”. • Rulla Roll, list • Rusthåll A term used for the cavalry part of the Allotment System. The horsemen for the cavalry was raised and maintained in a different manner than the foot-solders soldiers of the infantry. The cavalry system was called “Rusthåll”. To keep and maintain a horseman including a horse for the cavalry was voluntary.  The holder of the rusthåll was exempted from paying taxes (and exempted from the mandatory infantry rotering) as long as he provided a cavalryman. • Rusthållare The holder of a rusthåll. To keep and maintain a horseman including a horse for the cavalry was voluntary.  The holder of the rusthåll was exempted from paying taxes (and exempted from the mandatory infantry rotering) as long as he provided a cavalryman. • Rustkammare Armoury • Rustmästare Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army until 1835. The rank of was also used between 1957 and 1972 but now as a lower rank NCO (underbefäl). In former days the Rustmästare was in charge of the ammunition and handed the ammo to the soldiers according to the orders. He also had the responsibility to inspect the soldiers’ muskets and see to that the soldiers were clean and ready for duty. • Ryttare Horseman in the cavalry • Ryttartorp Horsman's croft (provided for the cavalry horsemen of the allotted regiments) • Rytteriet The cavalry • Ryttmästare An army Captain in the cavalry. A military rank - [commissioned] officer. • Sabel Saber • Sabelbalja Saber sheath • Schoutbynacht An older naval officer rank corresponding to Rear Admiral, originally used by the Dutch Navy (Schout-bij-nacht). At the end of the 17th century the Swedish Navy adopted the rank as schoutbynacht. In 1771 the Swedish Navy changed the name of the rank to Counter- Admiral (Konteramiral in Swedish). • Seger Victory • Sergeant Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army. A Swedish sergeant corresponded to a Staff Sergeant in the UK and USA. In former days the Swedish Sergeant was in rank just below the fältväbel (Master Sergeant). His responsibilities were very much the same as the fältväbel but he had no right to punish the soldiers. The Swedish rank Furir corresponded to the US Sergeant. Present day Swedish rank Sergeant corresponds to the US rank Sergeant while the former Swedish rank Sergeant today is First Sergeant. • Sjöman Sailor • Sjöslag Naval (sea) battle • Skvadron Squadron in the Cavalry, usally 250 men. • Skaffare (provianteringsofficer) Purveyor • Skärgårdsflottan The Archipelago Fleet, see the Army Fleet above. • Slagfält Battlefield, battle scene/site • Slaglåsgevär Percussion lock rifle • Slagordning Order of Battle • Slutstycke (i skjutvapen) Bolt (firearms) • Snapplåsgevär Snaphaunce lock rifle • Soldated Soldier creed • Soldatkontrakt • Soldier contract • Soldatnamn • Soldier name Every soldier were assigned a special soldier name when they were recruited. See also: Naming practices in Sweden • Soldattorp Soldier croft (cottage with some farmland) provided for the soldiers of the allotted regiments • Spelet The regimental (music) band • Staben The staff • Stabsofficer Staff officer • Strid, drabbning, batalj, slag Battle • Stridskolonn Combat column • Stridsgruppering Combat formation • Stridslarm Battle noice • Stridslinje Battle line • Stridsområde Battle area • Stridsskada Battle wound • Stridsvan Battle hardened, veteran • Stupad i krig: 1. slagna (slagen), 2. döda (död) Killed in war - casualties: 1. Those soldiers killed in action (the fallen) 2. Those soldiers who died of illnesses, ugly wounds or by hardship. • Styrman Coxswain/helmsman, a former Navy NCO rank. However, in the merchant navy a styrman is "first mate" in English, in other words an officer. • Ständiga knekthållet This system of keeping infantry soldiers for an infantry regiment within the Allotment System was called “Det ständiga knekthållet” and the principle was called “Rotering”. (Ständiga = permanent, Knekt = infantry soldier).

Military Terms T - Ö

• Tjänstegrad Military rank, see: ranks • Tjänstgöring Service, duty • Tjänstgöringsförteckning Roster, duty list • Tjänsteställning Military position. For example, Regimental Commander is a position normally held by an officer with the rank of colonel. • Tjänsteår Years of service • Tross Military Baggage • Trosskusk/trossdräng Baggage driver / baggage handler • Tillfångatagen Captured in action • Transport (mil) Transfer. A soldier was sometimes transferred from one "rote" to another "rote" (from one soldier number to another soldier number). A transfer could be to another rote within a company or to a rote in another company. This is noted as "transport" in the rolls. • Trumslagare • Drummer, a regimental bandsman • Truppbefäl Officer of the line • Träffen; Andra träffen Before each battle the opposing armies lined up in lines facing each other. The second line was called "Andra träffen"  • Träffen; Första träffen • Before each battle the opposing armies lined up in lines facing each other. The first line was called "första träffen"  • Tvåfrontskrig War on two fronts • Underbefäl A lower ranked Non Commissioned Officer, NCO. A generic term for the lowest NCO military ranks . • Underlöjtnant • Second Lieutenant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. Underlöjtnant replaced the former rank of Fänrik in 1835 and was used until 1937 when the rank of Fänrik was reintroduced. • Underofficer Non Commissioned Officer, NCO (warrant officers). A generic term for the military ranks below Second Lieutenant/Ensign. • Utskrivning Involuntary conscription for the Army • Uppfordran Summon, call up for military service • Vapenför, tjänsteduglig Able-bodied, fit for military service • Vargeringsman In wartime the "rote" also had to recruit replacement soldiers or reserve soldiers, called "vargeringsman". Other words are “vargeringskarl” and “vargeringssoldat”. • Vice Korpral Vice Corporal, a military rank below Corporal. • Volontär Volunteer. Volunteer was a term used for military personnel being trained to become NCOs or officers. The volunteer system was used both in the Army as well as within the Navy. A volunteer started off as a soldier/seaman but had a higher position or status than the ordinary soldier/seaman. • Värja Rapier / Smallsword • Värnplikt or rather Allmän Värnplikt  In 1901 Sweden reorganized its armed forces and adopted a National Service / Draft Service System ("Allmän Värnplikt") with a Conscript Army ("värnpliktsarmé"). This system is called Allmän Värnplikt in Swedish (Universal Conscription). Värnplikt really means “An obligation to defend your country." • Värnpliktig A person drafted to the Universal Conscription Service System of Sweden is called Värnpliktig. An English translation would be “Draftee”. Värnpliktig (draftee) is abbreviated "vpl". • Värvade regementen Enlisted regiments • Värvade sjömän (flottan) Enlisted “båtsmän”/seamen. They were a kind of “elite” seamen and together with the crew drafted from the mercantile marine they performed the more advanced sailing duties aboard the ships.  • Värvade soldater Enlisted soldiers • Örlogsbas Navy base • Örlogsflottan The Navy, see Swedish Navy • Örlogskapten (Flottan) Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a "örlogskapten" corresponds to a Navy Lieutenant Commander in the UK and USA. • Örlogsstation Naval station • Överste Colonel, an Army military rank - [commissioned] officer. The Regimental Commander. • Överstelöjtnant Lieutenant Colonel, an Army military rank - [commissioned] officer. Deputy to the Regimental Commander.

Related Links

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