Kommendör
Kommendör, abbreviated kmd is the most senior rank of commissioned officer below that of flag officer in the Swedish Navy, ranking below rear admiral (lower half) and above commander. The rank is equivalent to colonel in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Amphibious Corps.
History
A captain used to serve as commander of ships of the line. The rank was introduced in 1674 as the title of the chief of staff of a squadron commander in the fleet. In 1729, there were thirteen captains admitted to the Admiralty of Sweden. Captain in the navy was changed in 1771 to colonel. During the 1824 regulation, the rank of colonel was changed to a new rank with the name commander of the 1st class, but in 1845 the rank of captain was reintroduced.During the first half of the 20th century, the captain served on board as squadron commander, division commander and as flag captain, ashore as station commander or shipyard commander, head of the Royal Swedish Naval Materiel Administration, department head there and in the Naval Staff, corps commander, etc. There were eight captains in the Swedish Navy in 1911.
Previously, captain was a rank between rear admiral and commander of the 1st class, then between kommendör av 1. graden and commander, but today it is a rank between rear admiral (lower half) and commander.
Promotion
Responsible head of promotion for a captain is the Director of Human Resources at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters.Uniform
Shoulder mark
The top galloon is shaped like a "loop" for an officer in the Swedish Navy. The rank insignia is worn on the shoulder mark to jacket and coat, as well as to blue wool sweater, trench coat, sea coat. Rank insignia on shoulder mark is worn on all garments with shoulder straps.1. The shoulder mark is designed as galloons sewn directly to another shoulder mark.
2. Before 2003, captains wore three 8 mm gold galloons and a loop of 16 mm gold galloons m/51.
3. The wowen shoulder mark is worn on the naval combat dress, duty uniform and combat uniform.
Sleeve insignia
Rank insignia is worn on both sleeves for inner suit jacket and mess jacket.1. On the sleeve an 11 mm galloon m/51 with chevron and three 11 mm galloons m/51. Galloon 12.6 mm rank insignia . 12.6 mm galloon m/02 gradually replaces 11 mm galloon m/51. The distance between galloons should be 6 mm. The distance from the bottom edge of the sleeve to the bottom edge of the top galloon should be 100 mm. This sleeve insignia was worn by a commander until 2003.
2. Before 2003, captains wore three 11 mm gold galloons and a loop of 23 mm gold galloon m/51.