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.

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.

Officers

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

Other ranks

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

Additional ranks

Clerical personnel

Types of rank insignia

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. Following the defeat in the English Wars in 1812, Denmark was on the brink of financial bankruptcy, resulting in drastic reductions in the military. Therefore, only generals were allowed to wear epaulettes, with other ranks reverting to cuff insignia. In 1822, epaulettes were introduced to all ranks.

Timeline

Order of precedence

Modern ranks

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. As of 1801 - 1803, lance-corporals of the artillery and light infantry adopted lighter distinctions, such as silver cords on their hats, sword knots and prickers. Around 1806, most corporals were allowed to wear short epaulettes on both shoulders in order to be better told apart from lance-corporals, while the sergeant's epaulette became wider, and they were also allowed to wear laced shoulder straps and double cords on their shakos. The commandeer-sergeant was told apart by a metallic sword knot and tassel. In 1812, with the adoption of cuff insignia, standardised distinctions were finally introduced.

Timeline

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.