The Board of Military traditions

The Army Museum has been involved in questions of tradition, principally relating to the army, since the 1930s. Questions concerning colours, standards, heraldry and emblems, etc. have been answered based on the professional knowledge of the museum. The Army Commission of Tradition was created at the start of the 1980s as a consultative body for the army. The name was changed to The Board of Military traditions in 1985, and the field of activity extended to include the Navy and yhe Air Force. The National Swedish Museums of Military History (SFHM) has also taken over from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) the responsibility for procuring of standards, banners, command symbols and similar items.

The superintendent at SFHM is the chairperson of the Board, which became an separate unit within SFHM in 1992. Instructions from the government state that the Board is to include two representatives appointed by SFHM, three representatives appointed by the Swedish armed forces, one representative appointed by the National Maritime museums (SMM), and the State Herald at the National Archives. The chairperson may co-opt with other experts to serve in the Board.

The Board normally deals solely with issues of principle, while individual cases are dealt with according to the guidelines laid down by the Board. The Board does not itself have the right to determine principles: this lies with he Headquarters of the Swedish armed forces or with the superintendent. The opinion of the Board is the basis for such decisions.

The topics treated by the Board are the naming of the units within the Swedish armed forces, traditional heritage in connection with restructuring and disbandment, the design of standards and banners, the heraldry of the armed forces, and badges of merit and service. Questions relating to uniforms and ceremonies may also be discussed.

The Commission meets 5-7 times a year. Its permanent secretary is Lieutenant Colonel Urban Schwalbe, telephone: +46 8 5195 6348, or (mobile) +46 70 810 1965.