Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Navy

The Royal Danish Navy ranks follows the NATO system of ranks and insignia, as does the rest of the Danish Defence. Outside this ranking system there are physicians (who may wear the same insignia in the Army/Air Force but with a slight variation in the Navy), nurses and veterinarians, while priests and judicial personnel wear totally different insignia and are without rank.

Current ranks

Besides the NATO-system, the Danish defence utilizes its own system, which for the navy is as follows:

• Military personnel, level 400 (M400): Executive level: OF-5 though OF-9
• Military personnel, level 300 (M300): Operational level: OF-1 through OF-4
• Military personnel, level 200 (M200): NCO level: OR-5 through OR-9
• Military personnel, level 100 (M100): Seamen level: OR-1 through OR-4

Officers

The highest officer's rank is OF-9 (Admiral) which is reserved for the Chief of Defence (only when this seat is occupied by a naval officer). The Prince Consort of Denmark held the rank of Admiral (à la suite). Similarly, OF-8 (Vice-admiral) is reserved for the Vice Chief of Defence). OF-7 (Kontreadmiral) is used by the Chief of the Royal Danish Navy and OF-6 (Flotilleadmiral) by the chief of Danish Task Group as well as keepers of high-office positions. OF-4 and OF-5 are mainly chiefs of squadrons, schools and larger vessels. OF-1 through OF-3 are used in a variety of positions.

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer
Denmark (Edit)	No equivalent																								No equivalent
			Admiral		Viceadmiral		Kontreadmiral		Flotilleadmiral		Kommandør		Kommandørkaptajn		Orlogskaptajn		Kaptajnløjtnant		Premierløjtnant			Løjtnant
Danish Pay Grade[1]			M406		M405		M404		M403		M402		M401		M332 M331 M322		M321		M312			M311			M310

Furthermore, officers of between the ranks of OF-9 and OF-6, have their own standards.

• 
  Admiralsflag
• 
  Viceadmiralsflag
• 
  Kontreadmiralsflag
• 
  Flotilleadmiralsflag
• 
  Eskadrechefsstander

Enlisted

The Danish OR's also follow the NATO system, though there are no OR-6's. OR-4 (Korporal) is the highest of the M100-level ranks is and not considered a NCO-rank.

NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Denmark (Edit)											No equivalent
	Søværnschefsergent			Chefsergent			Seniorsergent		Oversergent								Sergent			Sergent SØ			Korporal				Marinespecialist		Marineoverkonstabel						Marinekonstabel
Danish Pay Grade[1]	M232						M231		M221								M212			M211			M113				M112

• Other rank insignia
• 
  Seniormekaniker
  (Senior leading Mechanic)
• 
  Overmekaniker af 1. grad
  (Leading Mechanic 1st class)
• 
  Overmekaniker af 2. grad
  (Leading Mechanic 2nd class)
• 
  Mekaniker
  (Mechanic)
• 
  Marinekonstabel uden tjenstegren
  (Marinekonstabel with no branch of service)
• 
  Marineelev
  (Seaman recruit)

The Branch of Service logos are placed in the middle of the ranks, to signify the service.

• Branch of Service
• 
  Våben, Artilleri
  (Gunner)
• 
  Våben, Mine
  (Gunner, mines)
• 
  Våben, Torpedo
  (Torpedo)
• 
  Kommunikation
  (Communication)
• 
  Kampinformation
  (Action information)
• 
  Administration
  (Supplies and secretariat)
• 
  Elektronik
  (Electronics)
• 
  Informatik
  (Informatics)
• 
  Automatik
  (Automatic)
• 
  Maskine
  (Engineering)
• 
  Sanitet
  (Medical)
• 
  Proviant/Forplejning
  (Stores)
• 
  Militærpoliti
  (Military Police)

Clerical personnel

• Clerical personnel
• 
  Naval Dean
• 
  Naval Chaplain

Historical ranks

The sleeve insignia was first introduced in the Royal Navy in 1871 and was based around the British Royal Navy.[2] In order to become more standard, the admiral ranks were changed in 1951.[3]

Timeline of changes

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer
Denmark (1937 – 1951)	No equivalent								No equivalent																						No equivalent
			Admiral		Viceadmiral		Kontreadmiral				Kommandør		Kommandørkaptajn		Orlogskaptajn		Kaptajnløjtnant		Premierløjtnant			Løjtnant			Søløjtnant II
Denmark (1951 – 1970)
			Admiral		Viceadmiral		Kontreadmiral				Kommandør		Kommandørkaptajn		Orlogskaptajn		Kaptajnløjtnant		Premierløjtnant			Løjtnant			Søløjtnant II
Denmark (1970 – 2000)
			Admiral		Viceadmiral		Kontreadmiral		Flotilleadmiral		Kommandør		Kommandørkaptajn		Orlogskaptajn		Kaptajnløjtnant		Premierløjtnant			Løjtnant			Søløjtnant II
Denmark (2000 – 2011)																									No equivalent
			Admiral		Viceadmiral		Kontreadmiral		Flotilleadmiral		Kommandør		Kommandørkaptajn		Orlogskaptajn		Kaptajnløjtnant		Premierløjtnant			Løjtnant
Denmark (2011 – present)
			Admiral		Viceadmiral		Kontreadmiral		Flotilleadmiral		Kommandør		Kommandørkaptajn		Orlogskaptajn		Kaptajnløjtnant		Premierløjtnant			Løjtnant

References

1. "Historik". forpers.dk (in Danish). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
2. Balsved, Johnny (25 March 2006). "Uniformshistorie" [Uniform History]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.
3. Balsved, Johnny (22 March 2008). "Distinktioner og gradstegn" [Rank Insignia]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.

• Badges of Rank for the Royal Danish Navy, 2016
• Badges of Rank for the Royal Danish Navy, 2016 (in Danish)
• Heraldry of the RDN (in Danish)