Ranks, Royal Norwegian Armed Forces

•	Army	US Army equivalent	Navy	US Navy equivalent
Officers
G3	General	Lieutenant General	Admiral	Admiral
G2	Generalløytnant	Major General	Viseadmiral	Vice-Admiral
G1	Generalmajor	Brigadier General	Kontreadmiral	Rear-Admiral
O6	Oberst	Colonel	Kommandør	Captain
O5	Oberstløytnant	Lieutenant Colonel	Kommandørkaptein	Commander
O4	Major	Major	Orlogskaptein	Lieutenant-Commander
O3	Kaptein [1]	Captain	Kapteinløytnant	Lieutenant
O2	Løytnant	2nd Lieutenant	Løytnant	Lieutenant junior grade
O1	Fenrik	1st Lieutenant	Utskrevet fenrik	Ensign
Enlisted Men
III	Sersjant	Sergeant	Kvartermester
II	Korporal	Corporal	Utskrevet kvartermester
I	Menig [2]	Private	Utskrevet menig
Notes: [1] Normally Kaptein, but for Cavalry — Rittmester [2] Normally Menig, but for: Army Air Force — Flysoldat Cavalry — Dragon

Until the 1930's, Norway had a NCO corps with the ranks of: korporal, sersjant, oversersjant, furer and fanejunker. However, as NCO's felt they did the same work as officers, (but were merely regarded as second class soldiers), and Norway, (as the cradle of democratic socialism) — agreeing that it was unfair that some soldiers spend their life as officers, and others not — abolished the NCO system in the late 1930’s. Enlisted men in special positions were promoted to corporal. Soldiers could attend a Befalsskole (sergeant school), which lasted two years. During the first year pupils were promoted to corporal; in the second year they were promoted to sergeant, and sent to a unit. Hence, the maximum time spent as a sergeant was one year. After that, most became fenrik (reserve) or proceeded to attend an officer academy (2–3 years). With a short exception in the 60's, this is still the Norwegian system!
Insignia:
Generals: One to three five-pointed silver stars and wide gold lace on the tunic collar, and one narrow and from one to three gold lace stripes on the kepi.
Field grade officers: One to three five-pointed silver stars and a row of lace on the tunic collar and greatcoat shoulder straps, and one wide lace, and from one to three narrow braid, stripes on the kepi
Company grade officers: One to three five-pointed silver stars on the tunic collar and greatcoat shoulder straps, and one wide lace, and from one to three narrow braid, stripes on the kepi.
NCO's: One vertical or two horizontal red lace stripes on the cuffs, and one or two vertical lace stripes on the kepi.
Arms-of-service Identified by the color and design of the buttons as follows:
Arm	Color	Design
Generals	Gold	Crossed batons
General staff	Gold	Crossed batons
Infantry	Silver	Norwegian Lion
Cavalry	Silver	Horn
Artillery	Gold	Rosette
Engineers	Silver	Helmet and breast plate
Train	Gold	Wagon wheel
Information supplied by Bjørn Jervås