Alikersantti

Alikersantti is the lowest Finnish non-commissioned officer military rank. Alikersantti is one rank above a Korpraali and one below a Kersantti. A holder of this rank is typically a section leader, assistant section leader, gun section leader or a fighting vehicle commander.

Obtaining the rank

Conscripts are first given basic military training for six weeks. About 30% are selected for NCO training, which lasts 12 weeks. Most alikersanttis are posted to companies for section leader duty. This is the most common conscript leader rank. Additionally, in many specialist branches with a 12-month service the rank is given automatically and the alikersantti is not given a command, e.g. assistant mechanic in the Air Force.
As all NCO's, alikersantti is addressed as herra alikersantti, which translates as Sir.