Alikersantti

Alikersantti (Swedish: Undersergeant) is the lowest Finnish non-commissioned officer military rank.^[1] Alikersantti is one rank above a Korpraali (Lance-Corporal) and one below a Kersantti (Sergeant). A holder of this rank is typically a section leader, assistant section leader, gun section leader or a fighting vehicle commander.

Alikersantti Undersergeant (Swedish)
Army Navy
Country	Finland (Sweden)
Service branch	Army Navy
Next higher rank	Kersantti (Sergeant)
Next lower rank	Korpraali (Korpral)

Obtaining the rank

Conscripts are first given basic military training for 2 months. About 30% are selected for NCO training (aliupseerikoulu or AUK), which lasts 4 months. Most alikersanttis are posted to companies for section leader duty. This is the most common conscript leader rank. Additionally, in many specialist branches with a 12-month service the rank is given automatically and the alikersantti is not given a command, e.g. assistant mechanic (apumekaanikko) in the Air Force. As all NCO's, alikersantti is addressed as herra alikersantti, which translates as Sir.

It is also the highest rank that can be given to a soldier that has not completed any NCO course.

See also

• Finnish military ranks