Army And Marine Corps
In the Army and , the term “commander” is officially applied to the commanding officer of a unit hence, there are company commanders, battalion commanders, brigade commanders, and so forth. At the highest levels of military command structure, “commander” also refers to what used to be called commander-in-chief, or CINC, until October 24, 2002, although the term CINC is still used in casual speech. The soldier in charge of a tank, for example the M1 Abrams, is also called its “commander”.
Commander As A Naval And Air Force Rank
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Commander is a rank used in navies but is very rarely used as a rank in armies. The title, originally “master and commander”, originated in the 18th century to describe naval officers who commanded ships of war too large to be commanded by a lieutenant but too small to warrant the assignment of a post-captain and a sailing master the commanding officer served as his own master. In practice, these were usually unrated sloops-of-war of no more than 20 guns. The Royal Navy shortened “master and commander” to “commander” in 1794 however, the term “master and commander” remained in common parlance for several years. The equivalent American rank master commandant remained in use until changed to commander in 1838.
A corresponding rank in some navies is frigate captain. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the rank has been assigned the NATO rank code of OF-4.
Royal Canadian Air Force
Canada is a unique exception. Due to the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, the air force rank titles are the same as those of the Canadian Army. However, like their Commonwealth counterparts, rank braids are pearl grey and increase from OF-1 to OF-5 in half strip increments. The decision was taken not to retain the historic rank titles for the RCAF due to it being deemed “too confusing.”
In the 1990s, the Canadian Forces Air Command altered the structure of those bases under its control, redesignating them as wings. The commander of such an establishment was re-designated as the “wing commander” . Like the United States Air Force usage, the term “wing commander” is an appointment, not a rank. A wing commander usually holds the rank of colonel.
On 16 August 2011, the Government of Canada announced that the name “Air Command” was being changed to the air force’s original historic name of Royal Canadian Air Force. Though traditional insignia for the RCAF was restored in 2015, there has been no restoration of the traditional RCAF officer rank structure that paralleled the RAF.
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How Do You Become A Lieutenant Commander
A Lieutenant Commander is most often promoted from Lieutenant , although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience.
LTJGs are all but guaranteed to promote to full LT roughly two years after their commissioning date. Exceptions include officers who have received Non-Judicial Punishment for a serious offense such as a DUI. Prior-enlisted officers are ranked O3-E, and earn higher pay than their counterparts.
Us Army And Marine Corps

In the United States Army and United States Marine Corps, the term “commander” is officially applied to the commanding officer of army units hence, there are company commanders, battalion commanders, brigade commanders, and so forth. At the highest levels of U.S. military command structure, “commander” also refers to what used to be called commander-in-chief, or CINC, until October 24, 2002, although the term CINC is still used in casual speech. The soldier in charge of a tank, for example the M1 Abrams, is also called its “commander”.
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United States Air Force
In the United States Air Force, the term “commander” is applied officially to the commanding officer of an Air Force unit hence, there are flight commanders, squadron commanders, group commanders, wing commanders, numbered air force commanders, and commanders of major commands. In rank, a flight commander is typically a lieutenant or captain, a squadron commander is typically a major or lieutenant colonel, a group commander is typically a colonel, a wing commander is typically a senior colonel or a brigadier general, a numbered air force commander is a major general or lieutenant general, and the commander of a major command is a general.
Years Of Experience And Salary
Pay for a commander depends on rank and years of service. A colonel with 20 years of service earns $10,295.70 per month, or $123,548.40 annually. A brigadier general with 20 years of service earns $12,591.90 a month, or $151,102.80 per year. The higher the rank, the fewer people there are at that rank and the fewer opportunities there are for command positions.
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How Much Does A Lieutenant Commander Earn
Basic pay for an entry-level Lieutenant Commander with 2 or less years of experience is $5,273.70 per month.
A Lieutenant Commander receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Lieutenant Commander’s final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Navy Lieutenant Commander may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including retirement benefits, hazard pay, housing allowance, clothing allowance, and more.
For full details on the Navy’s Lieutenant Commander compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2022 Navy Lieutenant Commander Pay Chart. A full table of the Navy’s current paygrades are available at the Navy Pay Chart.
Us Army Officer Ranks
Basic Pay: $5,311 per monthInsignia: 1 silver bar, 1 black break
What does a Warrant Officer 1 do?
As a warrant officer 1, youll serve as a technical expert in one of the 48 areas where warrant officers perform. You may be a helicopter pilot or serve as an advisor, operator, maintainer, or manager in fields like intelligence, engineering, supply, information systems, and missile defense.
How do I become a Warrant Officer 1?
If youre an enlisted Soldier, you can compete for a spot in Warrant Officer Candidate School by submitting an application to the confirmation board. You must be a sergeant or higher to be considered. If you want to be an Aviation Warrant Officer, there is no minimum rank requirement. You must apply for Warrant Officer Candidate School while on active duty and have at least 12 months remaining on your enlistment contract. Only Aviation Warrant Officer candidates can become a Warrant Officer without any prior service experience.
Equivalent Ranks to Army Warrant Officer 1:
- Air Force None
Chief Warrant Officer 2
Rank: Chief Warrant Officer 2Abbreviated: CW2Title: Mr./Ms. or Chief DoD Paygrade: W-2Basic Pay: $5,311 per monthInsignia: 1 silver bar, 2 black breaks
What does a Chief Warrant Officer 2 do?
How do I become a Chief Warrant Officer 2?
Promotion to chief warrant officer 2 is automatic after you demonstrated proficiency at your job, have a clean record, have two years of Time in Rank as a WO1, and completed the Warrant Officer Basic Course .
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Insignia And Command Flag
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The rank insignia is based on the three gold bands of commanders in the Royal Navy and consists of three narrow light blue bands over slightly wider black bands. This is worn on both the lower sleeves of the tunic or on the shoulder of the flight suit or the casual uniform.
The command pennant is two triangular command pennants used in the RAF. Two thin red lines differentiate this one from the other.
During 1941-45 RAF Fighter Command‘s wing leaders were also allowed to use their own initials as aircraft identification letters on their personal aircraft, e.g., Wing Commander Roland Beamont‘s personal Hawker Tempest, JN751, was coded “R-B”, Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin‘s personal Hawker Typhoon was coded “J-B”.
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An RAF wing commander’s sleeve/shoulder insignia
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An RAF wing commander’s sleeve mess insignia
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An RAF wing commander’s sleeve on No. 1 service dress uniform
United States Space Force
In the United States Space Force, the term “commander” is applied officially to the commanding officer of a Space Force unit hence, there are squadron commanders, delta commanders, and commanders of field commands. In rank, a squadron commander is a lieutenant colonel, a delta commander is a colonel, and the commander of a field command is a major general or lieutenant general.
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What Rank Is A Commander In The Army
Related
An Army commander is a senior officer who has supervisory and decision-making responsibilities. The title of commander refers to duties and does not correspond to any one pay grade. Only the Navy and Coast Guard use “commander” as an official rank.
How Much Does A Commander Earn

Basic pay for an entry-level Commander with 2 or less years of experience is $6,112.20 per month.
A Commander receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Commander’s final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Navy Commander may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including education allowance, housing allowance, clothing allowance, retirement benefits, and more.
For full details on the Navy’s Commander compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2022 Navy Commander Pay Chart. A full table of the Navy’s current paygrades are available at the Navy Pay Chart.
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Military Ranks Of Switzerland
The Military ranks of Switzerland are the military insignia used by the Swiss Armed Forces. The ranks have changed little over the centuries, except for the introduction, in 2004, of a new set of warrant officers. The ranks are worn on shoulder boards with the appropriate background colour. Designations are given in the four national languages , with an English translation which is used during overseas missions.
How Do You Become A Commander
A Commander is most often promoted from Lieutenant Commander , although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience.
To advance to Commander, a more junior-ranked officer, usually a Lieutenant-Commander, eligible for advancement, must have served at least four years as a lieutentant-commander. After the Secretary of the Coast Guard determines the number of posts vacant, a selection board is convened to recommend eligible officers for promotion.
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Us Army Enlisted Ranks
Basic Pay: $1,785 per month
What does a Private do?
Your primary role as a private is to complete basic training where youll learn all about the Army and gain the fundamental skills needed to succeed in the military. After enlisting, youll choose your job and then go into an Army Military Occupational Specialty . After basic, youll attend technical training to learn your occupation.
How do I get promoted to Private?
You dont need any prior experience to enlist in the U.S. Army. Youll have to meet basic enlistment requirements like being between 17 and 34 years of age, have a high school diploma, pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, and go through a medical exam. To get promoted to PV1, you must complete Basic Training. Upon graduation, you may be promoted to E-1, E-2, or E-3 based on factors in your enlistment contract.
Equivalent Ranks to Army Private:
- Coast Guard Seaman Recruit
Basic Pay: $1,943 per monthInsignia: 1 chevron with point up
What does a Private do?
Your primary role as a Private is to carry out your assigned duties to the best of your ability and follow all the orders of those appointed over you.
How do I get promoted to Private?
Promotion to private is pretty much automatic if you have a clean record. Youll have to have six months of Time in Service . You may enter the Army as a PV2 based on your enlistment contract or prior military experience, or a certain amount of college credits.
Equivalent Ranks to Army Private: