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Captain Törni in the Finnish Army in 1944. The army rank of captain (from the French capitaine) is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to the command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces, but usually refers to a more senior officer.
In the United States Navy, captain was the highest rank from 1775 until 1857, when the United States Congress created the rank of flag officer. [1] The modern rank of captain (abbreviated CAPT) is a senior officer rank, with the pay grade of O-6. It ranks above commander and below rear admiral (lower half).
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. [1] [2] [3] The rank is equal to the army rank of colonel and air force rank of group captain.
In the medical group, captains usually have limited administrative and command responsibility as captain is frequently the entry-level rank for most medical officers and dental officers. [1] In the Space Force, a captain typically has authority over a flight, and is referred to as a flight commander. [2]
In the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, commanding officer is the official title of the commander of a ship, but they are usually referred to as "the Captain" regardless of their actual rank: "Any naval officer who commands a ship, submarine or other vessel is addressed by naval custom as 'captain' while aboard in command ...
The concept of chain of command also implies that higher rank alone does not entitle a higher-ranking service member to give commands to anyone of lower rank. For example, an officer of unit "A" does not directly command lower-ranking members of unit "B", and is generally expected to approach an officer of unit "B" if he requires action by ...
Captain was the highest naval rank from 1775 until 1857, when the United States Congress created the rank of flag officer. [3] With the addition of the ranks of commander and lieutenant commander between lieutenant and captain, a Navy captain became equivalent in rank to an Army colonel .
The rank of captain in the Royal Navy is considerably more senior (equivalent to the Army/RM rank of colonel) and the two ranks should not be confused. In the 21st-century British Army, captains are often appointed to be second-in-command (2IC) [1] of a company or equivalent sized unit of up to 120 soldiers. [2]