Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Army

The ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Army follows the NATO system of ranks and insignia, as does the rest of the Danish Defence. The ranks are based around German and French military terms.[1]

Current ranks

The current insignia for the Royal Danish Army was introduced along with the introduction of the MultiCam uniform. This sand coloured insignia replaced the older standard green slip-on and all other special slip-ons.[2]

Officers

The officers can be split into two groups: the leadership level (OF-9–OF-4) and the management level (OF-3–OF-1).[3]

The highest rank is General which is reserved for the Monarch and Chief of Defence (only when this seat is occupied by an army/air force officer). Lieutenant general is reserved for the Chief of the Defense Staff and the Chief of Acquisition, previously the Chief of the Royal Danish Army, which is now a Major general. Other major generals include Commander, Joint Arctic Command, Commander, Special Operations Command and Chief of Defence Estate Agency. Brigade general is usually the chief of a brigade as well as keepers of high-office positions.

NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
Group[3] Leadership level (Chefniveau) Management level (Lederniveau)
 Royal Danish Army[4]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Brigadegeneral Oberst Oberstløjtnant Major Kaptajn Premierløjtnant Løjtnant Sekondløjtnant
Medical[5] Generallæge Stabslæge I
Stabstandlæge I
Stabsdyrlæge I 		Stabslæge II
Stabstandlæge II
Stabsdyrlæge II 		Overlæge
Overtandlæge
Overdyrlæge
Afdelingslæge
Afdelingstandlæge
Afdelingsdyrlæge 		Reservelæge I
Reservetandlæge I
Reservedyrlæge I 		Reservelæge II
Reservetandlæge II
Reservedyrlæge II 		Reservelæge III
Reservetandlæge III
Reservedyrlæge III
Danish Pay Grade[6] M406 M405 M404 M403 M402 M401 M332
M331
M322		 M321 M312 M311 M310

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Group[3] Middle management level (Mellemlederniveau) Manual level (Manuelt niveau)
Service uniform
 Royal Danish Army[4]
Chefsergent Seniorsergent Oversergent Sergent Sergent
(Officerselev) 		Korporal Overkonstabel af 1. grad Overkonstabel Konstabel
Danish Pay Grade[6] M232 M231 M221 M212 M211 M113 M112

Additional ranks

NATO Code OR-9 OR-8 OR-5 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Service uniform
Shoulder board[4]
Danish Hærchefsergenten Regiments-, brigade- og skole chefsergent Regiments- og brigade-, seniorsergent Sergentelev Overkonstabel 1. grad, meniggruppefører Overkonstabel, meniggruppefører Konstabel, meniggruppefører Konstabelelev Meniggruppefører
English[7] Sergeant Major of the Army Command sergeant major Command sergeant major Sergeant trainee Lance corporal, section commander Private first class, section commander Private, section commander Private recruit Conscript, section commander


Clerical personnel

  • Clerical personnel
  • Army Dean
    Army Dean
  • Army Chaplain
    Army Chaplain
  • Army Conscript Chaplain
    Army Conscript Chaplain

Types of rank insignia

Rank
(example) 		TAN499[8] MTS[8] M/69 Galla
Shoulder Shirt Sleeve Red Blue
Chefsergent None[a]
Kaptajn None

Historical ranks

Officer ranks

In 1801, new uniforms were introduced for the whole army. Along with the new uniforms, epaulette ranks were introduced for officers.[10][11] Following the defeat in the English Wars in 1812, Denmark was on the brink of financial bankruptcy, resulting in drastic reductions in the military.[12] Therefore, only generals were allowed to wear epaulettes, with other ranks reverting to cuff insignia.[12] In 1822, epaulettes were introduced to all ranks.[13]

Timeline

Order of precedence
See also: Danish order of precedence
Rank group First class Third class Fourth class Fifth class Sixth class Seventh class Eight class Ninth class
1671–1680[14] Ober-Feldt-Marskalk Feldt-Marschalks General Feldt-Tøymester Feldtmarskal Lieutenant Generaler til Hest eller Fods General-Lieutenant til Hest eller til Foeds General-Major Obersten over Liv-Guarden Oberster til Hest og til Foeds Oberstlieutenant over Vores Liv-Guarde General-Qvarteermester Oberstlieutenant Major
1680–1693
1693–1699[15] General-Feldtmarskalk Feldtmarskalk General-Feldt-Tøygmester Feldtmarskalk-Lieutenant General til Hest eller Fods General-Lieutenant til Hest eller Fods General-Major Oberst af Garderne eller Artolleriet Brigadier Oberst over Lif-Regimenterne Oberst til Hest eller Fods Oberst-Lieutenant af Garderne Oberst-Lieutenant af Lif-Regimenterne og Artolleriet Oberst-Lieutenant Major af Garderne General-Qvarteer-Mester Major over Lif-Regimenterne og Artolleriet Major Ritmester og Capitain af Garderne Ritmester og Capitain ved Lif-Regimenterne og Artolleriet Ritmester/ Capitain-Lieutenanter ved Garderne, Capitainer til Lands Premier-Lieutenanter ved Garderne
1699–1717
1717–1730[16] General Feltmarskalk Feltmarskalk Feltmarskalk-Lieutenant General-Feldt-Tøygmester General til Hest eller Fods General-Lieutenant til Hest eller Fods General-Major Oberst af Garderne eller Artolleriet Brigadier Oberst over Lif-Regimenterne Oberst til Hest eller Fods Oberst-Lieutenant af Garderne Oberst-Lieutenant af Lif-Regimenterne og Artolleriet Oberst-Lieutenant Major af Garderne General-Qvarteer-Mester Major over Lif-Regimenterne og Artolleriet Major Ritmester og Capitain af Garderne General-Qvarteer-Mester-Lieutenant Ritmester og Capitain Premier-Lieutenant ved Garderne Premier-Lieutenant Second Lieutenant ved Garderne Second Lieutenant Cornet og Fendrich ved Garderne Cornet og Fendrich
Rank group First class Third class Fourth class Fifth class Sixth class Seventh class Eight class Ninth class
Modern ranks
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
1801–1812
[10]
Feltmarskal General General-Lieutenant General-Major Oberst Oberst-Lieutenant Major Capitain Stabs-Capitain Premier-Lieutenant Second-Lieutenant Fendrich
1812–1816
[17]
Feltmarskal General Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Oberst-Lieutenant Major Capitain Stabs-Capitain Premier-Lieutenant Second-Lieutenant
1816–1821
[18] 		No insignia
Feltmarskal General Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstlieutenant Major Captain Premierlieutenant Secondlieutenant
1821–1842
[19] 		No insignia
Feltmarskal General Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstlieutenant Major Captain Premierlieutenant Secondlieutenant
1842–1848
[20][21] 		No insignia
Feltmarskal General Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstlieutenant Major Captain Premierlieutenant Secondlieutenant
1849–1858
[22]
General Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstlieutenant Major Captain Premierlieutenant Secondlieutenant
1858–1869
[23][24]
General Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstlieutenant Major Captain Premierlieutenant Secondlieutenant
1869–1889
[25][23][26]
General[b] Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Captain Premierlieutenant Lieutenant af Forstærkningen Sekondlieutenant
1889–1903
[23][27]
General Generallieutenant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstlieutenant Captain Premierlieutenant Lieutenant af Forstærkningen Sekondlieutenant
1903–1910
[28]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløjtnant Kaptajn Premierløjtnant Løjtnant Sekondløjtnant
1910–1915
[29][30]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløjtnant Kaptajn Intendant Premierløjtnant Løjtnant Sekondløjtnant
1915–1923
[31][32]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløjtnant Kaptajn Premierløjtnant Løjtnant af Reserven Sekondløjtnant
1923–1962
[33][34][35]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløjtnant Kaptajn Kaptajnløjtnant Premierløjtnant Løjtnant af Reserven Sekondløjtnant
1962–1983
[36]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløjtnant Major Kaptajn Premierløjtnant Løjtnant af Reserven Sekondløjtnant
1983–1986
[11]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Brigadegeneral Oberst Oberstløjtnant Major Kaptajn Premierløjtnant Løjtnant af Reserven Sekondløjtnant
1986–1989
[37][38]
1989–2009
2009–2018
2018–present
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Brigadegeneral Oberst Oberstløjtnant Major Kaptajn Premierløjtnant Løjtnant Sekondløjtnant
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1

Other ranks

From 1789 up to 1812, ncos were typically told apart from rank & file by a short epaulette, worn on the right shoulder, and by gold lace on their hats. Most of them also carried a cane, and up to 1805, a polearm. Sergeants were typically told apart by wearing metallic lace edging on their shoulder straps.

During the 1801 - 1803 period, lance-corporals of most branches of the army but the line infantry adopted lighter distinctions, such as silver cords on their hats, sword knots, metallic shoulder straps, NCO belt buckles (in the cavalry) and prickers (in the light infantry).

In 1806, corporals were allowed to wear short epaulettes on both shoulders, in those corps where lance-corporals wore a single epaulette themselves.

Around 1808, the sergeant's epaulette became much wider, and they were also allowed to wear double cords on their new shakos.

As of 1806, the sergeant-major was told apart by a metallic sword knot and tassel. It should be noted, however, that the ranks of "commandeer-sergeant" and "sergeant" were pretty much the same in most branches of the army during this time period, with the exception of the artillery. There was typically a single sergeant or commandeer-sergeant per company, both paid at the same rate. The distinction was typically in the company itself. While grenadier and centre companies had sergeants, light and rifle companies had sergeant-majors.[39]

In 1812, with the adoption of cuff insignia, standardized distinctions were finally introduced. Lance-corporals were allowed to wear a single chevron and a yellow and red sword knot, corporals were allowed 2 and the same sword knot, sergeants were allowed 3 and had silver thread mixed into the sword knot. Additional grades were told apart by a rosette, worn in the middle of the cuff. These distinctions were sewn on the cuffs themselves, not right above them like those of field officers.

Timeline

Rank group NCO Enlisted
1812–1843
[40][41]

Commandeer-Sergeant

Fyrværker (Artillery)

Over-Vagtmester (Cavalry)

Vagtmester (Guides)

Sergeant

Commandeer-Sergeant (Light Infantry & Artillery)

Vagtmester (Cavalry)

Corporal (Guides)

Foureer

Sergeant (Artillery)

Qvarteermester (Cavalry)

Corporal

Over-Jæger (Light Infantry)

Bombardeer (Artillery)

Guide (Guides)

 Over-Constabel (Artillery)

Gefreider

Jæger (Light Infantry)

Constabel (Artillery)

Vice-Corporal (Cavalry)

Mand

Under-Jæger (Light Infantry)

Under-Constabel (Artillery)

1843–1848
[42]
Overkommandersergent Kommandersergent Sergeant Korporal Underkorporal Menig
1848–1867
[43]
Overkommandersergent Kommandersergent Sergeant Korporal Underkorporal Menig
1867–1903
[42]
Stabssergent Oversergent Sergent Korporal Underkorporal Menig
1903–1910
[44]
Stabssergent Oversergent Sergent Korporal Underkorporal Menig
1910–1915
[45]
Stabssergent Oversergent Sergent Kornet Korporal Underkorporal Menig
1915–1923
Stabssergent Oversergent Sergent Kornet Korporal Underkorporal Menig
1923–1951[34]
Oversergent Sergent Kornet Korporal Underkorporal Menig
1951–1962
[46][47]
Oversergent Sergent Korporal Befalingsmandselev Math Mathelev
1962–?
[48]
Oversergent Sergent Korporal Overkonstabel Konstable Konstabelelev
1965–1970
[49]
Seniorsergent af 1. grad Seniorsergent af 2. grad Oversergent Sergent Korporal Overkonstabel Konstable Konstabelelev
1970–1982
[50]
Seniorsergent af 1. grad Seniorsergent af 2. grad Oversergent Sergent Korporal Overkonstabel af 1. grad Overkonstabel af 2. grad Konstable Konstabelelev
1982–2008
Chefsergent Seniorsergent Oversergent Sergent Korporal Overkonstabel af 1. grad Overkonstabel Konstable Konstabelelev
2008–2018
Chefsergent Seniorsergent Oversergent Sergent Korporal Overkonstabel af 1. grad Overkonstabel Konstable Konstabelelev
NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1

Warrant officers

In 1922, a new reform of the Army was adopted. Here Underofficer af Linien (Non-commissioned officers of the line) were replaced with Officiantgruppen.[51]

Kaptajn (Ritmester) af Reserven — Premierløjtnant Løjtnant af Reserven Sekondløjtnant
— Korpsofficiant af 1. Grad Korpsofficiant af 2. Grad Stabsofficiant Overofficiant Officiant
Rank group Warrant officers
1923–1951[34]
Korpsofficiant Stabsofficiant Overofficiant Officiant
1951–1970
[46][47]
Overfenrik Fenrik

Notes

  1. ^ NCOs of the Guard Hussar Regiment, Royal Life Guards wear the Queen's monogram, NCOs in the Jutland Dragoon Regiment wear Prince Henrik's monogram.[9]
  2. ^ Between 1867 and 1880, only a single "general" rank existed. Generals wore one–star. However, the King still wore three–stars, while former Generallieutenants were allowed to keep their two–stars.[24]

References

Citations
  1. ^ Danske Soldater 1935, p. 3.
  2. ^ Hærchefsergent 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Bekendtgørelse om militære grader mv. for personel i det militære forsvar". retsinformation.dk (in Danish). 24 March 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Hærens Gradstegn" (PDF). forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  5. ^ Hærchefsergent 2018, p. 17.
  6. ^ a b "Historik". forpers.dk (in Danish). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Badges and Insignia of the Royal Danish Army" (PDF). forsvaret.dk. November 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  8. ^ a b Hærchefsergent 2021, p. 29.
  9. ^ Hærchefsergent 2021, pp. 51–52.
  10. ^ a b Petersen 2014, p. 42.
  11. ^ a b Hedegaard 1986.
  12. ^ a b Petersen 2014, p. 47.
  13. ^ Borg 1974, p. 41.
  14. ^ danmarkshistorien.dk (17 May 2017). "Rangforordningen, 25. maj 1671" (in Danish). danmarkshistorien.dk. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  15. ^ danmarkshistorien.dk (21 June 2016). "Rangforordningen, 11. februar 1693" (in Danish). danmarkshistorien.dk. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  16. ^ Ilsøe, Lars. "Holberg og rangvæsenet". holbergsskrifter.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  17. ^ Petersen 2014, p. 113.
  18. ^ Petersen 2021, p. 874.
  19. ^ Petersen 2021, p. 875.
  20. ^ Borg 1974, pp. 51–52.
  21. ^ Petersen 2021, pp. 877–878.
  22. ^ Petersen 2021, pp. 881–882.
  23. ^ a b c Hansen, Løvschall & Nilsson 1997, p. 196.
  24. ^ a b Petersen 2021, p. 883.
  25. ^ Klint 1965, p. 8.
  26. ^ Petersen 2021, p. 886.
  27. ^ Petersen 2021, p. 887.
  28. ^ Hansen & Løvschall 2006, pp. 122–124.
  29. ^ Hansen 2010, pp. 124, 133–134.
  30. ^ "Hærens Gradstegn 1914 — 1923". chakoten.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  31. ^ Finsted.
  32. ^ "Royal Danish Army - 1915 field uniform". Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  33. ^ Hillmos.
  34. ^ a b c Historisk forening ved Hærens Sergentskole 2020.
  35. ^ "Kaptajn". Den Danske Ordbog (in Danish). Det Danske Sprog- og Litteraturselskab. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  36. ^ L132 1962, §30.
  37. ^ Davis 1988, pp. 68–69.
  38. ^ "Sekondløjtnant". Den Danske Ordbog. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  39. ^ "Rescripter, Resolutioner og Collegialbreve den danske Krigsmagt til Lands angaaende. Vol. 1; 1801-1804" (PDF). 1805. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  40. ^ Petersen 2014, p. 106.
  41. ^ 1812
  42. ^ a b Hansen, Løvschall & Nilsson 1997, pp. 201–202.
  43. ^ Kannik 1964, pp. 167–168.
  44. ^ Hansen & Løvschall 2006, p. 123-124.
  45. ^ Hansen 2010, pp. 124, 135.
  46. ^ a b Ministry of Defence 1954, p. 249.
  47. ^ a b Nørholtz 2019.
  48. ^ Hærkommandoen 1962, p. 281.
  49. ^ Hærkommandoen 1965, p. 297.
  50. ^ Hærkommandoen 1970, p. 254.
  51. ^ "Lov om Hærens Ordning". Krigsvidenskab (in Danish). 18 February 1922. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
References
  • Borg, E. (1974). Den danske Marines uniformer gennem tre århundre [The Danish Navy's uniforms through three centuries] (in Danish). Strubes Forlag. ISBN 87-7508-164-4.
  • Davis, Brian L. (1988). NATO Forces: An Illustrated Reference to Their Organization and Insignia. Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-1737-8. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  • "Grads-Betegnelserne i Hæren" [The rank designations in the Army]. Danske Soldater (in Danish). 2 (2). 12 February 1935.
  • Finsted, Per. "Supplement til Danske Uniformer for Hær og Flaade, 1916" [Supplement to Danish Uniforms for Army and Navy, 1916]. chakoten.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  • Hansen, Bert; Løvschall, Frans; Nilsson, Birger (1997). Skøtt, Ole (ed.). "Den Danske Hær og Flådes Uniformer 1886" [Uniforms of the Danish Army and Navy 1886]. Vaabenhistoriske Aarsbøger (in Danish). 42. Devantier. ISSN 0108-707X.
  • Hansen, Bert; Løvschall, Frans (2006). Skøtt, Ole (ed.). "Den danske enhedsuniform M 1903 og dens videre skæbne i det danske forsvar" [The Danish unit uniform M 1903 and its further fate in the Danish defense]. Vaabenhistoriske Aarsbøger (in Danish). 51: 99–167. ISSN 0108-707X.
  • Hansen, Bert (2010). Skøtt, Ole (ed.). "Danske Uniformer 1910–1920 del 1" [Danish Uniforms 1910–1920 part 1]. Vaabenhistoriske Aarsbøger (in Danish). 55. Devantier. ISSN 0108-707X.
  • Hedegaard, Ole A. (1 January 1986). "Nyt militært gradstegn - en ny/gammel tradition!" [New military insignia - a new/old tradition!]. Krigsvidenskab.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  • Hillmos, Finn. "Hærens gradstegn 1923" [Army insignia 1923] (PDF). chakoten.dk. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  • Historisk forening ved Hærens Sergentskole (2020). "Grader gennem tiden" [Degrees over time]. Historisk forening ved Hærens Sergentskole (in Danish).
  • Hærchefsergent (July 2018). "Gradstegn og anden distinktionering" [Degrees and other distinctions]. Uniformsbestemmelser for hæren (UBH) Jul 2018 [Uniform regulations for the army (UBH) Jul 2018] (in Danish).
  • Hærchefsergent (March 2021). FKOBST H. 628-1 Uniformsbestemmelser for Hæren (UBH) [Uniform Regulations for the Army] (PDF) (in Danish). Retrieved 11 November 2023.
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  • Hærkommandoen (March 1965). Lærebog for hærens menige [Textbook for Army privates] (in Danish). Copenhagen: N. Olaf Møller.
  • Hærkommandoen (1970). Lærebog for hærens menige [Textbook for Army privates] (in Danish). Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri.
  • Kannik, Preben (1964). "Uniformer og udrusting" [Uniforms and equipment]. In Askgaard, Finn; Hoff, Arne; Kannik, Preben (eds.). Tøjhusmuseets bog om 1864: Våben og uniformer [Tøjhusmuseet's book about 1864: Weapons and uniforms] (in Danish). Copenhagen: Nordlundes bogtrykkeri. pp. 159–215.
  • Klint, Helge (1965). "Træk af Hærstabens historie" [Features of Army Staff History]. Hærkommandoens Årsskrift (in Danish). Nyt Nordisk Forlag: 5–11.
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  • Petersen, Karsten Skjold (2021). Kongens klæder 2 – Uniformer og udrustning i den danske hær 1816-1903 [The King's Clothes 2 - Uniforms and equipment in the Danish army 1816-1903] (in Danish). Syddansk Universitetsforlag. ISBN 978-87-408-3338-6.
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