Commander

common naval and air force officer rank
(Redirected from Commander (United States))

Commander is a naval rank. It may also be used as a general term for a leader. Numerous law enforcement agencies in the United States have personnel who are in charge of running their entire operations. Commander is a rank used in many navies and some air forces. It is rarely used as a rank in armies, except in special forces for a team leader.

Naval rank change

The title (originally "Master and Commander") originated in the 18th century Royal Navy for 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.[1]

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 use for many years.[2] 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.


 
Insignia of a Royal Navy Commander

A Commander in the Royal Navy is above the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, below the rank of Captain. It is equivalent in rank to a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army and Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force. A Commander may command a frigate, destroyer, submarine, aviation squadron or shore installation, or may serve on a staff.

Related pages change

References change

  1. Post-captains were formally appointed as Captains, whereas anyone commanding a naval vessel was addressed by the courtesy title of 'captain'.
  2. Naval Historical Center: Why is the Colonel called a 'Kernal?'|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/triv4-5h.htm%7Cyear=1998[permanent dead link]