A Career in the Swedish Armed Forces

Swedish Armed Forces’ current doctrine focuses on the application of abilities and their availability to serve. This has helped to create an organization based on operational capabilities, with strong demand for highly educated individuals within all areas of the service.

Försvarsmakten genomförde under 2015 en förevisningsturné på fyra orter i Norrland. Fredag och lördag den 11 och 12 september var det Sundsvall som stod på tur.
Försvarsmakten genomförde under 2015 en förevisningsturné på fyra orter i Norrland. Fredag och lördag den 11 och 12 september var det Sundsvall som stod på tur.
Recruitment event in Sundsvall. Photo: Mats Carlsson/Swedish Armed Forces

The Swedish Armed Forces recruits 4,000–5,000 people a year, which makes it one of the largest recruiters in Sweden. Given the scope of our activities, we offer a wide variety of interesting and challenging career opportunities.

Joining the Swedish Armed Forces

Swedish citizenship is a requirement for joining the Swedish Armed Forces. At present this applies to both military and civilian service. A check of public records is carried out prior to any appointment.

Volunteer basic training of military personnel

To serve in the Swedish Armed Forces, you must have completed four to eleven months of military basic training, depending on the position for which you apply. During basic training, participants take career and vocational training courses with specific occupational and skill sets in mind. As squad leaders, soldiers and sailors, service in the Armed Forces' units, or in the Home Guard, can be performed either continuously, (full-time), or periodically, (part-time).

Training for officers and specialist officers

To become an officer or specialist officer, military basic training is followed by a preparatory officer course conducted over a period of nine to eleven months. Those who have previously completed a nine- to eleven-month course of basic military training, and meet other requirements for officer training, may also apply.

Training activities for officers and specialist officers include a coherent system of training, courses and unit service, with professional development as a common theme. The most important aspect for officer and specialist officer candidates is training within core competencies, such as personal combat effectiveness, ability to command in armed combat, the ability to instruct and to lead.

The clearest differences between an officer and a specialist officer is that specialist officers tend to specialize within certain areas or functions, with greater focus on becoming an instructor. In contrast, an officer is a more general discipline, with an emphasis on being a leader. As officer and specialist officer, service can be performed either continuously or periodically.