Fältväbel
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Ylivääpeli
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Vääpeli is a Finnish and former Swedish military rank above Ylikersantti and below Ylivääpeli. The rank is derived from the German rank Feldwebel and was used as a rank in the Landsknecht (15th and 16th century) for the one who was responsible for aligning troops during battle.
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1600 - 1700 (Finland and Sweden)[]
The rank was established as the highest non-commissioned officers rank.
1833 (Sweden)[]
Holders of the rank Fältväbel were promoted to Fanjunkare and the rank was removed.
Finland[]
Vääpelis were traditionally responsible for much of the practical tasks in training conscripts and keeping them in line (often literally), in a manner similar to drill sergeant. They were the lowest rank of permanent salaried NCO and thus to a conscript, they were the first and most often encountered of career personnel. (In regular units, lower ranks were either conscripts or temporarily employed.) Obtaining the rank of vääpeli required completion of a degree from Päällystöopisto, a military junior college. Vääpelis were career NCOs and could be promoted to ylivääpeli and sotilasmestari, but not to commissioned officers; this would require attending the Finnish National Defence University.
See also[]
References[]
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