Finnish Frontier Guard

[sketor7558]

Land Element


Coast Element

[Luke]

Some additional information:

a) There are no matruusi in the Border Guard
b) A conscript sotamies is called rajajääkäri
c) A conscript korpraali is called ylirajajääkäri
d) A regular sotilasmestari in the land element is called rajavartiomestari
e) A regular sotilasmestari in the coast element is called merivartiomestari
f) In theory, at least, there is a four star rank for both elements: kenraali, amiraali

SOURCE:
HTTP://WWW.FINLEX.FI/FI/LAKI/ALKUP/2004/20040073

[Canet]

I would like to know the scource for the picture Sketor posted (only one is open, others are not opening).
Since spring 2003 the has been ranks of junior, senior and leading frontier/coastal guard - they are enlisted ranks (professionals). The only warrant rank I know about is Master Frontier/Coastal Guard. Enlisted ranks have 1..3 horizontal thin (and short) lines on their shoulder boards or upper sleeves - orange for boarder guard and blue for coastal guard.

The Master rank has four short horizontal golden stripes ( 6 x 35 mm) on green or dark blue. Under the gold stripes there is one long, thin horizontal orange line - the piping color for frontier guards in Finland.

I have never seen the use of Frontier Guards emblem (bear's head, sword and spruce brances) on collar batches. It normally worn on right breast and also on beret.

Because Finnish Frontier Guard also trains conscripts (compulsory military service for all able males of 20 years of age - 6, 9 or 12 months), they most likely have lance-corprals and corprals (in Finnish korpraali and alikersantti). I do not believe the rank title "ylirajajääkäri" (leading boarder guard) is used by conscripts.

I am going to check the facts from local Coastal Guard Station - will inform in this string.

[sketor7558]

fixed now
i guess the rank insignia i have is the former insignia.............your suggestions for modifications are welcomed

[Canet]

I think the Coastal Guard badges are ok - thou there are only the enlisted and wo ranks I mentioned. I do not think thouse Boarder Guard badges has even ben in use - but I check and return to the subject - but do not hold your breath while you wait me to post something new about this..

[Luke]

My Finnish is not the best - to put it mildly; so what does this mean:

"Sotamiehen sotilasarvona rajavartiolaitoksessa on kuitenkin rajajääkäri ja korpraalin sotilasarvona ylirajajääkäri"

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2004/20040073

[Finn_Ltn]

My Finnish is not the best - to put it mildly; so what does this mean:

"Sotamiehen sotilasarvona rajavartiolaitoksessa on kuitenkin rajajääkäri ja korpraalin sotilasarvona ylirajajääkäri"

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2004/20040073

"Sotamies" is "rajajääkäri" (=frontier jaeger) and "korpraali" is "ylirajajääkäri" in Finnish Frontier Guard. Just like General is Admiral in the navy :)

[Luke]

Finn_Ltn !

Canet wrote:

I do not believe the rank title "ylirajajääkäri" (leading boarder guard) is used by conscripts.

That's why I wondered if I had misunderstod the Finnish legal text. Obviously you don't agree with Canet.

This by the way is the new rank insignia Canet is talking about:


Rajavartiomestari Source: http://www.rajavartioliitto.fi/Tiedotus ... merkit.htm

Luke

[Canet]

Yup! That's the badge - the WO-rank of Boarder Guards - the same with navy blue back ground is used by the Coastal Guards.

And now I must say I am sorry. I have mixed the enlisted and conscript ranks in the Finnish Frontier Guards. So it is really true as Fin-Ltn said - the conscript soldier (he is a young boy or girl of some 20 years of age doing his compulsory or hers voluntary military service - most do it in the defence forces, but some goes to the frontier guards) is called "rajajääkäri" - " frontier (or boarder) jaeger (or rifleman or ranger)" so the following rank up is then leading frontier jaeger (ylirajajääkäri). And we must not mix these ranks with the enlisted (professional) ranks frontier (or boarder) guards (junior, "normal" and leading).

btw. I am still working on those rank badges..

[Luke]

I am looking forward to see them.

Luke