First Lieutenant

From Free net encyclopedia

Image:First Lieutenant insignia.png First Lieutenant is a military rank.

The rank of Lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations (see comparative military ranks), but in all cases it is common for it to be divided.

In the United States Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, First Lieutenant is the second-lowest ranking commissioned officer. It is one step above the rank of Second Lieutenant, usually promoted after 18 to 24 months service. A First Lieutenant usually leads more specialized platoons or may be the Executive Officer of a company-sized unit (110 to 140 personnel).

In the British Army and Royal Marines, the rank is only Lieutenant, with no ordinal attached.

In the Royal Navy, the rank of Lieutenant is equivalent to that of a Captain in the army. Aboard a ship, the senior lieutenant was designated as First Lieutenant (familiarly, "Number One") and was the effective second in command. This is still the case, although the First Lieutenant often now holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In smaller ships he also holds the position of Executive Officer, although in larger ships he is the XO's deputy.

In the United States Navy, First Lieutenant is a position title and is held by the officer in command of the Deck department. On smaller ships, a First Lieutenant holds the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. On larger vessels, the position is held by a Lieutenant or, in the case of extremely large warships such as aircraft carriers, a Lieutenant Commander or even full Commander. However, on US submarines, where the deck deparment may only have a few junior sailors, the First Lieutenant may be a senior enlisted member, such as a first class petty officer or chief petty officer.

In Germany the rank of First Lieutenant is known as Oberleutnant, while in Poland as porucznik.

Template:UK officer ranks Template:US officer ranksda:Premierløjtnant de:Oberleutnant fa:ستوان nl:Eerste luitenant pl:Porucznik sl:Nadporočnik