Finnish Ranks

[Zipuli]

Hello! Was messing around with WW2 for a change and noticed that Finnish ranks were a bit funny...

If the "norm" is:

Pvt.
PFC
Cpl.
Sgt.
2nd Lt.
Lt.
Cpt.
Maj.
Lt. Col.
Col.
Brigadier

then Finnish ranks need a bit tweaking:

Sotamies
Korpr.
Kers. -> Alik.
Ylik. -> Kers.
Ltn. -> Vanrikki
Yliltn. -> Ltn.
Kapteeni
Majuri
Evrltn.
Eversti
Kenrmaj

This because Alikersantti (corporal) is a squad/section leader and Kersantti (sergeant) has received a promotion and usually is platoon second in command etc. and not your normal squad/section leader. Ylikersantti (and Vaapeli, Ylivaapeli and Sotilasmestari) is more rare than kersantti.

What comes to the officer ranks, 2nd Lt. is Vanrikki. 1st Lt. is Luutnantti. During WW2 Finnish army did not have a rank called Yliluutnantti (senior Lt.), that one was introduced later (and is in process of being removed again as we speak). So officer ranks went Vanrikki, Luutnantti, Kapteeni, Majuri etc...

Zip