As Honor and Passion comes to an close in a few hours from now, I will close the chapter on SAF ranks with the list of Officer Ranks, from 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant General.
OFFICER RANKS
SECOND LIEUTENANT
Second Lieutenant (2LT) is usually the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. In most cases, newly commissioned officers do not remain at the rank for long before being promoted. Officers commissioned from the ranks may miss out the rank altogether.
Second Lieutenant (2LT) is usually the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. In most cases, newly commissioned officers do not remain at the rank for long before being promoted. Officers commissioned from the ranks may miss out the rank altogether.
(FIRST) LIEUTENANT
The senior grade of Lieutenant (LTA) is known as First Lieutenant in the United States, and as Lieutenant in the United Kingdom and the rest of the English-speaking world.
The Lieutenant was once the second officer in an infantry company or cavalry troop. The Captain was the company or troop commander and the third officer had a variety of titles, hence the difference in modern day rank titles. Some countries used First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant for the two junior officers; some used Lieutenant and Senior Lieutenant; some used Lieutenant and Sub-Lieutenant; some (such as Britain) used Lieutenant and Ensign (infantry) or Cornet (cavalry). When the latter ranks were changed to Second Lieutenant, the senior rank remained as Lieutenant.
The senior grade of Lieutenant (LTA) is known as First Lieutenant in the United States, and as Lieutenant in the United Kingdom and the rest of the English-speaking world.
The Lieutenant was once the second officer in an infantry company or cavalry troop. The Captain was the company or troop commander and the third officer had a variety of titles, hence the difference in modern day rank titles. Some countries used First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant for the two junior officers; some used Lieutenant and Senior Lieutenant; some used Lieutenant and Sub-Lieutenant; some (such as Britain) used Lieutenant and Ensign (infantry) or Cornet (cavalry). When the latter ranks were changed to Second Lieutenant, the senior rank remained as Lieutenant.
Lieutenant may also appear as part of a title used in various other organizations with a codified command structure. It often designates someone who is "second-in-command," and as such, may precede the name of the rank directly above it.
CAPTAIN
In military circles, the rank of Captain (CPT) has two different meanings:
Captain (naval)- a naval rank with a NATO rank code of OF-5.
Captain (army/air force)- an army or air force rank with a NATO rank code of OF-2.
Captain, as an army rank, has existed since as early as the Roman Empire, and perhaps even before. Translated as "Head Man", a Captain was most often in charge of a company or column of soldiers.
In military circles, the rank of Captain (CPT) has two different meanings:
Captain (naval)- a naval rank with a NATO rank code of OF-5.
Captain (army/air force)- an army or air force rank with a NATO rank code of OF-2.
Captain, as an army rank, has existed since as early as the Roman Empire, and perhaps even before. Translated as "Head Man", a Captain was most often in charge of a company or column of soldiers.
MAJOR
Major (MAJ) is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. Moreover, Major frequently denotes a mid-level command status officer (immediately superior to the rank of Captain and immediately subordinate to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel), however in some armies major is essentially a senior NCO (non-commissioned officer), a usage derived from "sergeant-major".
In most comparative military scales a Major is ranked as a "Level 4" (O-4) officer although some systems (among them the NATO rank codes) list a Major as a Level 3.
Major (MAJ) is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. Moreover, Major frequently denotes a mid-level command status officer (immediately superior to the rank of Captain and immediately subordinate to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel), however in some armies major is essentially a senior NCO (non-commissioned officer), a usage derived from "sergeant-major".
In most comparative military scales a Major is ranked as a "Level 4" (O-4) officer although some systems (among them the NATO rank codes) list a Major as a Level 3.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL
Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine corps and air forces of the world, typically ranking above a Major and below a Colonel.
Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine corps and air forces of the world, typically ranking above a Major and below a Colonel.
COLONEL
Colonel (COL) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. The rank of Colonel is one of the oldest in existence, dating as far back as the time of the Roman Empire, and it is also used in some police departments.
Colonel (COL) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. The rank of Colonel is one of the oldest in existence, dating as far back as the time of the Roman Empire, and it is also used in some police departments.
BRIGADIER GENERAL/ REAR ADMIRAL (ONE STAR)
Brigadier General (BG) is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually just above colonel and just below major general. The naval equivalent is often commodore or rear admiral, but this depends on the rank system of the navy in question.
MAJOR GENERAL/ REAR ADMIRAL (TWO STAR)
Major General (MG) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of Sergeant Major General. A Major General is a high-ranking officer normally subordinate to a Lieutenant General and senior to a Brigadier General.
Major General (MG) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of Sergeant Major General. A Major General is a high-ranking officer normally subordinate to a Lieutenant General and senior to a Brigadier General.
REAR ADMIRAL
Rear admiral (RADM) is a naval commissioned officer rank that is usually two-star rank ranking below Vice Admiral. It originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons and can trace its origins to the Royal Navy. Each Naval Squadron would be assigned an admiral as its head, who would command from the centre vessel and direct the activities of the squadron. The admiral would in turn be assisted by a vice, or vice admiral, who commanded the lead ships which would bear the brunt of a naval assault.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL/ VICE ADMIRAL
Lieutenant General (LG) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.
A Lieutenant General normally ranks immediately below a General and above a Major General. The term Major General is a shortened version of the previous term Sergeant Major General, which was in turn subordinate to Lieutenant General, which is why a Lieutenant General outranks a Major General whereas a Major is senior to a Lieutenant.
In many countries, a rank of Corps General has replaced the earlier rank of Lieutenant-General (e.g. France). However, for convenience, this is often translated into English as Lieutenant General.
Vice Admiral (VADM) is a naval commissioned officer rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. A Vice Admiral is typically senior to a Rear admiral and junior to an Admiral.
Lieutenant General (LG) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.
A Lieutenant General normally ranks immediately below a General and above a Major General. The term Major General is a shortened version of the previous term Sergeant Major General, which was in turn subordinate to Lieutenant General, which is why a Lieutenant General outranks a Major General whereas a Major is senior to a Lieutenant.
In many countries, a rank of Corps General has replaced the earlier rank of Lieutenant-General (e.g. France). However, for convenience, this is often translated into English as Lieutenant General.
Vice Admiral (VADM) is a naval commissioned officer rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. A Vice Admiral is typically senior to a Rear admiral and junior to an Admiral.
