While Sweden remained neutral during the Second World War, it maintain credible military forces capable of mounting an in-depth defense of its varied and rugged terrain. Following the war, Sweden recognized the value of parachute forces and in 1952 established a military parachute training course.
The airborne rangers of Sweden are exceptionally trained in conducting long-range reconnaissance and sabotage missions and in various forms of combat skills essential to operation and survival deep behind enemy lines. At the lowest level of combat organization, a squad of five rangers can operate independently behind enemy lines for as long as a month.
At Sweden's fifteen month long Ranger Training School, soldiers are taught not only parachuting, but ski and sled training. They also become skilled in land navigation and survival skills in mountain and arctic terrain and under extreme weather conditions, and long-range patrolling techniques. Other skilled in which they are cross-trained include, weaponry, explosives and demolitions. After completion of the rigorous training program the maroon beret is awarded to the ranger. Only rangers wear the maroon beret in the Swedish Army.
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