Home Guard (Sweden)
The Home Guard – National Security Forces (Swedish: Hemvärnet – Nationella skyddsstyrkorna) is a military reserve force of the Swedish Armed Forces. It was formally established on May 29, 1940, during World War II upon popular demand. While originally composed of former militia groups, today it comprises half of the Swedish Army, thus constituting the basis of the territorial defence of Sweden.
| Home Guard – National Security Forces | |
|---|---|
| Hemvärnet – Nationella skyddsstyrkorna | |
Coat of arms of the Home Guard – National Security Forces. | |
| Founded | May 29, 1940 |
| Country | Sweden |
| Allegiance | King of Sweden |
| Branch | Swedish Armed Forces |
| Type | Motorised light infantry |
| Role | Support of Mobilisation Rapid countermeasure Surveillance Disaster relief Search and rescue |
| Size | 21,200 (40 battalions) |
| Garrison/HQ | Stockholm |
| March | "Hemvärnets marsch" (Home Guard March) - Helge Damberg |
| Anniversaries | May 29th |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of Home Guard | Major general Laura Swaan Wrede |
| Notable commanders | Major general Gustaf Petri |
The Home Guard consists mainly of local rapid response units, numbering 17,000 of the 22,000 total Home Guard strength, organised in 40 battalions, with 23 associated auxiliary defence organisations. Most soldiers maintain a civilian job while serving the army part-time. Rapid response units were formed in the early 2000s in parallel to the Swedish government's abolishment of conscription to the Swedish Armed Forces; small-scale conscription has since been reintroduced.
The Chief of Home Guard is the commanding officer of the Home Guard, representing 40,000 present and veteran soldiers, reporting directly to the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces.