Korpral

MilitaryRankBox


imageFinland = Korpraali kauluslaatta.svg
junior = Menig
junior2 = Sotamies
senior = Furir
senior2 = Alikersantti
usmc = private first class
ba =private
official = Lance Corporal
comparison =
text = Korpral (Korpraali in Finnish) means chief and is a Swedish and Finnish military rank. In, Sweden, it is a pure trainee rank awarded after about 5 months of conscript training two months prior the promotion to Furir. In Finland, those who were selected for reserve officers training are promoted to Korpral and the rank is held for about 3 1/5 months prior the promotion to Cadet. Also, those who were selected for reserve underofficers training are promoted to Korpral at the later half of their training period. About 10% of the conscripts are promoted to Korpraali(Korpral) upon discharge. Moreover, outstanding privates may be promoted to the rank during their service in the reserve corps.

Korpral in Sweden is, thus, a very short lived rank with no holder of this rank in regular military units. In Finlad, however, Korpraali(Korpral) is used as a rank to denote senior soliders in regular units.

History and related ranks

1600 - 1700

A korpral held the position as platoon (korpralskap) leader of 24 men during the Swedish allotment system. The korpralskap consisted of four rote (teams) of 6 men each. Each rote was led by a rote master.

Sweden:Reform 1833/37

Korporals were considerred underofficers in the Cavalry before the reorganization 1833/37, when Korprals were elevated to Sergeants and the rank was moved down in status.

Konstapel

Establised 1500.A corresponding artillery and air-defense rank.Removed 1972 as a rank.

Sweden: Distinktionskorpral

Establised 1858 as a rank above Korpral.1912: Holders of the rank were elevated to Furir and the ranks was removed.

Sweden: Vicekorpral Vicekonstapel

Ranks existed until 1972 for deputy squad leaders. The corresponding English rank was Lance Corporal.

Sweden: Reform 1972

*Holders of the rank Korpral were elevated to Furir.
*Holders of the rank Vicekorpral were elevated to Korpral.
*Vicekopral was removed as a rank

See also

* Finnish military ranks
* Military ranks of the Swedish armed forces
* Swedish allotment system
* Swedish Armed Forces

[http://www.mil.se/article.php?id=432 The Swedish Armed Forces official website - military ranks] (accessed on July 13, 2007) (in Swedish)] http://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks_and_insignia.jsp USA enlisted ranks ] : [http://soldf.e.kth.se/docs/fmpub/Hemv%E4rnet/hvh_2.pdf] ]

References