vaandrig

Vaandrig is a historical military rank from Dutch-speaking armed forces, most notably in the Dutch Republic and later in the Netherlands and Belgium. The word derives from vaandel, meaning banner or standard, with the suffix indicating a person associated with the role. The rank indicated a junior officer who carried the regiment’s flag and who typically held responsibilities appropriate to a low-ranking commissioned officer.

Historically, vaandrig appeared in both infantry and cavalry regiments. In cavalry, the vaandrig was often the standard-bearer and carried duties similar to a first step in command for a troop, while in infantry the position aligned more with that of a junior commissioned officer, comparable to a second lieutenant in some contexts. The exact status and duties varied by era and by service branch, reflecting the evolving organization of regimental leadership in Dutch-speaking forces.

Insignia and formal recognition of the rank changed over time and differed between the Dutch and Belgian armed forces, as well as across periods. Descriptions of the rank often cite a single stripe or other simple insignia, but the specific markings were not uniform across all regiments or epochs. By the late 19th or early 20th century, vaandrig increasingly faded from regular use and was replaced by standard lieutenant ranks in most Dutch-speaking militaries.

Today, vaandrig is considered a historical rank. It appears chiefly in historical records, literature, and reenactment contexts. Modern equivalents for a junior officer in Dutch-speaking forces are generally designated as second lieutenant or cornet, depending on branch and period.