Logo: to the web site of the Swedish Defence University

Sweden recently reinstated a system with two types of officers after almost 25 years of using a single type only. This has been done while the Swedish Armed Forces are in their biggest downsizing phase for a long time. The importance of recruiting the right individuals and giving them the best possible education has never been greater. One of the best ways to avoid mistakes is to look at another nation with a solid tradition of having a two officer system.

In this thesis the Author conducts a qualitative study of official documents and expert interviews and compares the recruiting process, education system and competences needed in Sweden and Austria.

The research shows that the Swedish system, with quite small and easy changes, could be greatly improved by embracing some of the more positive element of the Austrian system. This would be achieved by:

• Giving platoon leaders and company commanders more input in the recruiting process.
• Structuring the education in a step-by-step frame with three parts of six months.
• Creating a more structured document that regulates what military skills, and under what circumstances, a graduate should have.

Implementing these changes would greatly increase the usefulness of newly graduated Specialist Officers. Both in terms of their actual increase in military skills but also because units will have greater input and knowledge of the graduates’ skills.