Överstelöjtnant

All you want to know about Överstelöjtnant

Överste Eversti
Sweden	Finland
Major Majuri

Överstelöjtnant (Everstiluutnantti in Finnish) is an officers rank in Sweden and Finland, immediately above Major (Majuri) and just below Överste (Eversti). It litteraly means the deputy (lieutenant) of the highest and has traditinoally been a rank for deputy commanders of a regiment.

In Sweden, the rank corresponds to Major in the USMC .

Obtaining the rank in Sweden

Two years as Major followed by 2 to 2 1/2 years training at National Defence College at the Advanced Command Programme (AC) and a score higher than the upper half of the studends at the AC Programme.

History and related ranks

1600 - 1700

The holder of the rank was typically the deputy head of a regiment of 1200 troops as well as the commander of a battalion during battle.

Swedish reform 1972

All holders of the rank Major were promoted to Överstelöjtnant.

Current Sweden

The rank is translated officially to Lieutenant Colonel. However, almost all officers in this rank do not command battalions or companies, but take up similar duties that are typically delegated to senior NCO equivalents in the US Army or more non-military type desk work. The reason for this is the current huge surplus of officers consisting of some 3,500 Överstelojtnants and Majors with no standing battalions to command (Military units).

Some very few holders of the rank may act as a commander or deputy commander of conscript training battalion at training centers. Those commanders are usually also assigned as commander or deputies commanders of the corresponding war-time battalion.