The Penguin with Military Status

There's a penguin in Norway who holds the title of Brigadier. Yes, you read that right. Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III is the most highly ranked military penguin in the world. He serves as both the mascot and colonel in chief of the Norwegian King's Guard.

How a Penguin Joined the Military

The unusual story of a penguin serving in the military dates back to 1960. Members of the Norwegian King's Guard visited Edinburgh for a drill display. During this visit, one lieutenant became very interested in the penguin colony at the zoo.

When the King's Guard returned to Edinburgh in 1972, that same lieutenant made special plans. He arranged for the regiment to adopt one of the zoo's king penguins. They named the penguin Nils Olav, combining the lieutenant's first name (Nils Egelien) with the name of Norway's King Olav V.

Rising Through the Ranks

The current Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III is actually the third penguin to serve since this tradition began. Each penguin has carried on the name and rank of the one before.

This penguin has moved up the ranks quickly. In 2008, he received a special honor - knighthood. This came with the king's approval, who stated that Nils was fully qualified to receive "the honor and dignity of knighthood."

The honors didn't stop there. In 2016, Nils was promoted to brigadier. This happened during a formal ceremony with 50 members of the King's Guard in attendance.

A Symbol of Friendship

Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III lives at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. The Norwegian guardsmen make special trips to visit him every few years.

This unique tradition means more than just having a cute mascot. It stands as a symbol of the friendly relationship between Norway and Scotland.

The story of Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III shows how sometimes the most unusual traditions can create lasting bonds between nations. And it proves that even a penguin can rise to great heights in the military - with the right connections.