NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Commanders

Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. It is below Captain and above Lieutenant-Commander. The rank evolved in the 18th and early 19th centuries and was originally known as Master and Commander. The Royal Navy shortened Master and Commander to Commander in 1814. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Military rank, or simply rank, is a system of grading seniority and command within military organizations. ... A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. ... Army (from French armÃ©e) can, in some countries, refer to any armed force. ... An air force is a military organization that primarily operates in air-based war. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... In the Royal Navy, United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, Canadian Forces Maritime Command (formerly the Royal Canadian Navy), United States Coast Guard, and many other navies and coast guards, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN and abbreviated LCDR in the...

A commander in the Royal Navy and the United States Navy is equivalent in rank to a lieutenant-colonel in the army. A commander may command a frigate, destroyer, submarine, aviation squadron or shore installation, or may serve on a staff. A commander who commands a unit may be referred to as "Captain" as a courtesy title. A unit commander may also be informally referred to as "skipper." The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... Insignia of a United States Lieutenant Colonel Insignia of a British Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel (usually Lieutenant-Colonel in Britain) is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and marine corps (and some air forces) of Commonwealth countries and the United States superior to Major and subordinate to... Frigate is a name which has been used for several distinct types of warships at different times. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... HMS Vanguard, a Vanguard class nuclear ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine HMCS Windsor, a Victoria class diesel-electric hunter-killer (SSK) submarine HMAS Rankin, a Collins class diesel-electric guided missile (SSG) submarine USS Virginia, a Virginia class nuclear attack (SSN) submarine A submarine is a specialized watercraft that can operate...

In the highest levels of U.S. military command structure, "commander" refers to what used to be called commander-in-chief, or CINC, until October 24, 2002 (CINC is still used in casual speech). This is usually referred to with the area of which the officer is commander. For instance, General Tommy Franks was CENTCOM commander until July 7, 2003. The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... Commander-in-Chief (in NATO-lingo often C-in-C or CINC pronounced sink) is the commander of all the military forces within a particular region or of all the military forces of a state. ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... 2002 (MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... General Tommy R. Franks (USCENTCOM photo) Tommy Ray Franks (born June 17, 1945) is a retired General in the United States Army, previously serving as the Commander-in-Chief of United States Central Command, overseeing United States Armed Forces operations in a 25-country region, including the Middle East. ... Emblem of the United States Central Command. ... July 7 is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 177 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In the British Army, the term "commander" is officially applied to the non-commissioned officer in charge of a section (section commander), vehicle (vehicle commander) or gun (gun commander), to the subaltern or captain commanding a platoon (platoon commander), or to the brigadier commanding a brigade (brigade commander). Other officers commanding units are usually referred to as the Officer Commanding (OC), Commanding Officer (CO) or General Officer Commanding (GOC), depending on rank and position, although the term "commander" may be applied to them informally. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer), also known as an NCO or noncom, is a non-commissioned member of an armed force who has been given authority by a commissioned officer. ... A section is an infantry unit in the British Army consisting of eight soldiers, including a Corporal as section commander, a Lance-Corporal as second-in-command, and six privates. ... A subaltern is a military term for a junior officer. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Platoon is a term from military science. ... Brigadier is a rank in the British Army, Royal Marines, Australian Army, New Zealand Army, and several other armies, ranking above Colonel and immediately below Major-General. ... Brigade is a term from military science which refers to a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). ... The Officer Commanding (OC) is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit (smaller than battalion size) in British and Commonwealth military usage. ... In military organizations, the commanding officer (CO) is the officer in charge of a military unit. ... General Officer Commanding (GOC) is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth (and some other) nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. ...

Royal Air Force rank

Since the Royal Air Force's middle-ranking officers' designations are modelled after the Royal Navy's, the rank equivalent to Lieutenant-Colonel (Army) or Commander (Navy) is called Wing Commander (ranking between Squadron Leader and Group Captain). The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... Wing Commander (rank) is a rank in the Royal Air Force, equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel in most Armies, the Royal Marines and the United States Marine Corps. ... A Squadron Leaders sleeve/shoulder insignia Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in some air forces. ... A Group Captains sleeve/shoulder insignia A Group Captains command flag Group Captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...

Royal Naval Air Service

In the Royal Naval Air Service, which amalgamated with the Royal Flying Corps to form the RAF in 1918, pilots held apointments as well as their normal Royal Navy ranks, and wore insignia appropriate to the appointment instead of the rank. Flight Commander wore a star above a Lieutenant's two rank stripes, Squadron Commander wore two stars above two rank stripes (less than eight years' seniority) or two-and-a-half rank stripes (over eight years seniority), and Wing Commander wore three rank stripes. The rank stripes had the usual Royal Navy curl, and were surmounted by an eagle. The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of World War I. When the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was founded on April 13, 1912 it was intended to encompass all military flying. ... The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. Origin and Early History Formed by Royal Warrant on May 13, 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

US Air Force duty titles

Duty titles of many commanding officers in the United States Air Force are similar to ranks in the RAF. These duty titles are not ranks, but these titles convey relative power and importance nonetheless. The RAF ranks should not be confused with the titles of the following USAF duty positions: Squadron Commander, Group Commander, and Wing Commander - listed in ascending order. A Squadron Commander is typically a Major or Lieutenant Colonel, a Group Commander is typically a Colonel, and a Wing Commander is typically a senior Colonel or a Brigadier General. The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. ... Major is a military rank. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... It has been suggested that polkovnik be merged into this article or section. ... Wing is a term used by different air forces for a unit of command. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ...

British police rank

Commander is also a senior police rank in the two London police forces, the City of London Police, and the Metropolitan Police Service. It is senior to Chief Superintendent in both forces and junior to Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police and Assistant Commissioner in the City of London Police. It equates to Assistant Chief Constable in other forces. The Metropolitan Police introduced the rank in 1946, when they split the rank of Deputy Assistant Commissioner (with senior DACs keeping that rank title and junior DACs being regraded as Commanders). The Metropolitan Police also had a rank of Deputy Commander, ranking just below Commander, between 1946 and 1968. Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7,421,328 and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. ... City Police Mounted Section officer The City of London Police is the police force responsible for the City of London. ... Metropolitan Police redirects here. ... Chief Superintendent (Ch Supt/CSP; colloquially Chief Super) is a senior rank in the Police Forces. ... Commissioner may be used for a variety of official positions, especially that of a high-ranking official, or that of a senior police officer. ... Commissioner may be used for a variety of official positions, especially that of a high-ranking official, or that of a senior police officer. ... There are normally between one and four assistant chief constables in British police forces, depending upon force size and whether or not civilians have been appointed at chief officer level. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Deputy Commander was a rank in the London Metropolitan Police which existed between 1946 and 1968. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ...

American police rank

The San Francisco police department is one of the few American police departments which use this rank. A Commander in the SFPD is equivalent to an Inspector in other US departments (such as the NYPD); the SFPD rank was originally called Inspector as well, but was changed to Commander after senior officers voiced a preference for the more military-sounding rank. This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Inspector is a rank in many police forces. ... The New York City Police Department (NYPD) , the largest police department in the United States, has primary responsibility for law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City. ...

Commander is also used as a title in certain circumstances, such as the Commander of a squad of Detectives, who would usually be of the rank of Lieutenant.

Military and Chivalric Orders

The title of Commander is used in the Military Orders, such as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, for a member senior to a Knight. The title of Knight Commander is often used to denote an even higher rank. These conventions are also used by most of the continental orders of chivalry. The United Kingdom uses different classifications. The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, & Order of St John of Jerusalem) is a tradition which began as a Benedictine nursing Order founded in Jerusalem, following the First Crusade, ca. ... The silver Anglia knight, commissioned as a trophy in 1850, intended to represent the Black Prince. ...

In most of the British Orders of Knighthood, the grade of Knight (or Dame) Commander is the lowest grade of knighthood, but is above the grade of Companion (which does not carry a knighthood). In the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the British Empire, the grade of Commander is senior to the grade of Lieutenant or Officer respectively, but junior to that of Knight or Dame Commander. In the British Order of St. John, a Commander ranks below a Knight. (However, Knights of the Order of St. John are not called "Sir.") Victoria founded the Royal Victorian Order. ... Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in decreasing order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand... This page deals with the order after its revival in the 19th century. ...

In fiction

... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... Horatio Hornblower is a fictional officer in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, originally the protagonist of a series of novels by C. S. Forester, and later the subject of films and television programs. ... http://www. ... Ambassador Spock, commonly called Mr. ... For the political scientist, see William H. Riker. ... Commander Deanna Troi is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe, played by the actress Marina Sirtis in the series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise (the latter two only in guest appearances), and in several Star Trek films. ... Beverly Crusher, a character in the Star Trek fictional universe, was the Chief Medical Officer onboard the USS Enterprise-D and held the rank of commander; upon the destruction of that ship, she has continued in that post and rank on the USS Enterprise-E. This character first appeared in... Starfleet Command In the Star Trek fictional universe, Starfleet is the defense, research, diplomacy, and exploration force of the United Federation of Planets. ... LeVar Burton as Geordi LaForge Geordi La Forge, a character in the Star Trek fictional universe, holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and is the Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise-D and later the USS Enterprise-E, both under captain Jean-Luc Picard. ... Data, played by Brent Spiner, is a character in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... Worf (worIv in the Klingon language) is a Klingon in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... Chakotay (born 2326) is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe, played by Robert Beltran, and was the second-in-command of the USS Voyager, to Kathryn Janeway in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. ... The Aubreyâ€“Maturin series, also known as the Aubreyad, is a sequence of 20 historical novels by Patrick OBrian, set during the Napoleonic Wars and centring on the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey of the Royal Navy and his ships surgeon Stephen Maturin, who is also a physician... Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a 2003 film directed by Peter Weir and starring Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey, with Paul Bettany as Stephen Maturin. ... Star Wars began with a 13-page treatment for a space adventure movie which George Lucas drafted in 1973, inspired from multiple myths and classic stories. ... Executor and several escorting star destroyers In the fictional Star Wars galaxy, the Imperial Navy, or more properly, the Imperial Starfleet, was the military arm of the Galactic Empire charged with maintaining security in Imperial space. ... Honor Harrington is a fictional character, the eponymous heroine of a series of science fiction books set in the Honorverse, written by David Weber and published by Baen Books. ... David Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author, born in Cleveland, Ohio. ... Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction film, produced in 1978 by Glen Larson and starring Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict. ... Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction miniseries which was first broadcast on the Sci Fi Channel on December 8, 2003. ... The Twelve Colonies of Man was the main human civilization in the original 1978 science fiction movie and television series Battlestar Galactica and the 2003 miniseries and 2004 remake Battlestar Galactica. ... The military rank of Commodore is used in some navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a Captain, but is less than that of a flag officer. ...

See also

Categories: Military ranks | Law enforcement The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... For the fishes called midshipman, see Midshipman fish In the navies of English-speaking countries, a midshipman is a subordinate officer, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. ... USN Officer Candidate insignia Officer Candidate is a rank in some militaries of the world that is an appointed position while a person is in training to become an officer. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Ensign In the military of various countries, ensign is a junior rank of commissioned officer. ... LTJG insignia. ... A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... In the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN) is a commissioned officer superior to a lieutenant and inferior to a commander. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... Admiral is a senior naval rank of the United States Navy which is also commonly known as a Four Star Admiral. It is the equivalent of a General in the United States Army and outranked by a Fleet Admiral. ... A Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy is an Admiral considered the equivalent of the United States Armys General of the Army. ... In the United States Navy, Admiral of the Navy is traditionally considered the equivalent of a six-star Admiral. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... For the fishes called midshipman, see Midshipman fish In the navies of English-speaking countries, a midshipman is a subordinate officer, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Major is a military rank. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Insignia of a United States Colonel Colonel is a rank of the US military. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... This article refers to the general definition of cadet. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Major is a military rank. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Insignia of a United States Colonel Colonel is a rank of the US military. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... General of the Army is historically the second most senior rank in the United States Army, equivalent to a Field Marshal in other militaries. ... In the United States Army military hierarchy, General of the Armies is traditionally considered a rank superior to a five-star general, also known as General of the Army (note the difference between the two ranks). ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. ... This article refers to the general definition of cadet. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Major is a military rank. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Insignia of a United States Colonel Colonel is a rank of the US military. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Coast Guard shield The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the coast guard of the United States. ... This article refers to the general definition of cadet. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Ensign In the military of various countries, ensign is a junior rank of commissioned officer. ... LTJG insignia. ... A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... In the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN) is a commissioned officer superior to a lieutenant and inferior to a commander. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... Admiral is a senior naval rank of the United States Navy which is also commonly known as a Four Star Admiral. It is the equivalent of a General in the United States Army and outranked by a Fleet Admiral. ...

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