Is a lieutenant higher than a captain?
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more
40more

Isabella Hall
Studied at the University of Seoul, Lives in Seoul, South Korea.
As an expert in military ranks and hierarchies, I can provide a detailed explanation of the ranking system and how it varies between different military organizations around the world. The question of whether a lieutenant is higher than a captain is not as straightforward as it might seem because military ranks can differ significantly from one country or service branch to another. However, I will provide a general overview and then delve into the specifics of the ranking structure that includes the mentioned ranks.
Step 1: English Answer
In the context of the United States military, which is often used as a reference point for military ranks, the rank of lieutenant is indeed lower than that of a captain. The progression of ranks from lower to higher typically goes as follows: second lieutenant (in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps), ensign (in the Navy), first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, brigadier general, and so on, with the highest ranks being the various grades of general or admiral.
The term lieutenant itself can refer to different ranks depending on the context. In the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, the rank structure is slightly different, with the ranks of ensign, lieutenant junior grade, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, and then captain. Here, a lieutenant is still below a captain, but the rank of lieutenant junior grade is below a full lieutenant.
The statement provided, "The next higher ranks include lieutenant junior-grade, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander and captain," is accurate within the context of the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard. However, it's important to note that these ranks are not directly comparable to those in the Army or Air Force, where the progression does not include the rank of "lieutenant commander."
Regarding the admiral ranks, "Above the rank of captain are admirals: the rear admiral rank comes in two forms. The rear admiral, lower half, wears one star and is the equivalent of a brigadier general in the land services." This is also correct within the context of the U.S. Navy. Rear admiral (lower half) is a one-star rank, equivalent to brigadier general in the Army or Air Force, and it is indeed below the rank of a full captain, which is a three-star rank.
It's also worth mentioning that the term "captain" can have different meanings in different military contexts. In the U.S. Army, "captain" is a rank that is significantly lower than a general. However, in the context of a ship's commanding officer in the Navy, "captain" refers to an individual who holds the rank of an O-6 (which is the pay grade for a captain), and this is a higher rank than a lieutenant.
In summary, while the rank of lieutenant is generally lower than that of a captain, the specific hierarchy can vary by country and service branch. It's crucial to understand the context in which these ranks are being used to accurately determine their relative positions within a military structure.
**
Step 1: English Answer
In the context of the United States military, which is often used as a reference point for military ranks, the rank of lieutenant is indeed lower than that of a captain. The progression of ranks from lower to higher typically goes as follows: second lieutenant (in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps), ensign (in the Navy), first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, brigadier general, and so on, with the highest ranks being the various grades of general or admiral.
The term lieutenant itself can refer to different ranks depending on the context. In the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, the rank structure is slightly different, with the ranks of ensign, lieutenant junior grade, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, and then captain. Here, a lieutenant is still below a captain, but the rank of lieutenant junior grade is below a full lieutenant.
The statement provided, "The next higher ranks include lieutenant junior-grade, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander and captain," is accurate within the context of the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard. However, it's important to note that these ranks are not directly comparable to those in the Army or Air Force, where the progression does not include the rank of "lieutenant commander."
Regarding the admiral ranks, "Above the rank of captain are admirals: the rear admiral rank comes in two forms. The rear admiral, lower half, wears one star and is the equivalent of a brigadier general in the land services." This is also correct within the context of the U.S. Navy. Rear admiral (lower half) is a one-star rank, equivalent to brigadier general in the Army or Air Force, and it is indeed below the rank of a full captain, which is a three-star rank.
It's also worth mentioning that the term "captain" can have different meanings in different military contexts. In the U.S. Army, "captain" is a rank that is significantly lower than a general. However, in the context of a ship's commanding officer in the Navy, "captain" refers to an individual who holds the rank of an O-6 (which is the pay grade for a captain), and this is a higher rank than a lieutenant.
In summary, while the rank of lieutenant is generally lower than that of a captain, the specific hierarchy can vary by country and service branch. It's crucial to understand the context in which these ranks are being used to accurately determine their relative positions within a military structure.
**
2024-05-08 06:36:26
reply(1)
Helpful(1122)
Helpful
Helpful(2)
Works at the International Telecommunication Union, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
The next higher ranks include lieutenant junior-grade, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander and captain. Above the rank of captain are admirals: the rear admiral rank comes in two forms. The rear admiral, lower half, wears one star and is the equivalent of a brigadier general in the land services.
2023-06-15 11:44:22

Charlotte Young
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
The next higher ranks include lieutenant junior-grade, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander and captain. Above the rank of captain are admirals: the rear admiral rank comes in two forms. The rear admiral, lower half, wears one star and is the equivalent of a brigadier general in the land services.