Posted on Dec 23, 2015
When is a Navy Captain referred to as 'Commodore'? When is a Lieutenant called 'Captain'?
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First things first, credit for this idea goes to COL Ted Mc, who posed these questions to me in another thread, as an indication of the confusion Naval ranks can cause other services. I thought it would be fun and informative to submit them to the larger RP audience. Sister service members, if you have similar vagaries in your rank structures, please feel free to post them as well. So, to wit:
1. When is a full-bird Captain referred to as 'Commodore'?
2. When is an (O-3) Captain referred to as 'Major'?
3. When is a Lieutenant referred to as 'Captain'? (Or, alternatively, a Senior Chief, or Master Chief?)
And bonus question, just for the heck of it, what the hell is a 'Boats', anyway?
Go!
1. When is a full-bird Captain referred to as 'Commodore'?
2. When is an (O-3) Captain referred to as 'Major'?
3. When is a Lieutenant referred to as 'Captain'? (Or, alternatively, a Senior Chief, or Master Chief?)
And bonus question, just for the heck of it, what the hell is a 'Boats', anyway?
Go!
Rank
Sailors
Tradition
Customs and Courtesies
Naval/Maritime History
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 45
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Thanks for tagging me SN Greg Wright. I am thankful for the US Navy veterans who provided the answers since I did not know any of them. :-)
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SN Greg Wright
SCPO (Join to see) I have, Senior. And my title meant no disrespect, and I apologize if you felt some from it. I simply did not know if these same things applied to Coasties. Please forgive me if they do.
If you look through my comments, you will find that I am a fierce defender of CG personnel, both because of their service as a combat branch, AND because of their oversight of my larger career as a Merchant Marine.
If you look through my comments, you will find that I am a fierce defender of CG personnel, both because of their service as a combat branch, AND because of their oversight of my larger career as a Merchant Marine.
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SCPO (Join to see)
I know you are, Greg. We can't use smiley faces on here, so you couldn't see I was jerking your chain. But, yes, the USCG does have its similarities. A Navy or USCG commodore would be equal to a Rear Admiral (Lower Half/Grade) in pay grade (O-7). Commodore is also an honorary title for VERY senior captains. As for the other questions, I see some replies from other military members are quite funny!!!
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1. If they command multiple squadrons or separate commands.
2. If he's in a major's billet, thus wearing that rank, but not afforded the actual promotion yet.
3. When they command a sea-going vessel.
Bonus: A boatswain's mate.
Bonus bonus for 2: When he's singing a key that isn't minor.
2. If he's in a major's billet, thus wearing that rank, but not afforded the actual promotion yet.
3. When they command a sea-going vessel.
Bonus: A boatswain's mate.
Bonus bonus for 2: When he's singing a key that isn't minor.
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1. When he is in Command of a Squadron of Ships.
2. I'm clueless.
3. That is easy my Uncle WWII Veteran was an E-3 Captain. Senior Man in Charge of a Naval Vessel in my Uncles Case a Landing Craft.
4. Boats, Senior Boatswains Mate onboard a Naval Vessel is Called Boats. Or Boatswains Mates in General. I had some Damn Good Boats take care of this Crippie.
2. I'm clueless.
3. That is easy my Uncle WWII Veteran was an E-3 Captain. Senior Man in Charge of a Naval Vessel in my Uncles Case a Landing Craft.
4. Boats, Senior Boatswains Mate onboard a Naval Vessel is Called Boats. Or Boatswains Mates in General. I had some Damn Good Boats take care of this Crippie.
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My son was first in Navy from long line of mostly Air Force family. But Army was previous years going back to WW1 and even AR. I have learned a lot about the Navy from him and history never knew.
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Good quiz. I have to say I enjoy learning all the odd things that people post about the branches.
Here's one for you Greg.
When is the only time that a Naval Officer will be referred to as Chief?
Here's one for you Greg.
When is the only time that a Naval Officer will be referred to as Chief?
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SN Greg Wright
CPO (Join to see) - Hah that's a good one. Makes me wonder if other services do that for their CO's. "Lackland, arriving". Of course, they don't blow whistles so probably not.
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PO1 John Miller
CPO (Join to see)
I've never heard that one. I've always called the Chief Engineer "CHENG."
I've never heard that one. I've always called the Chief Engineer "CHENG."
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PO1 John Miller
PO2 Orlando Sims, MPA
I wouldn't try that! I'd call him Sir, or Admiral if I knew him, or CNO if I knew him really well. :)
I wouldn't try that! I'd call him Sir, or Admiral if I knew him, or CNO if I knew him really well. :)
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1) An O6 on a vessel not acting as the Captain of said vessel, such as the ARG Commander.
2) Out of vogue now, but when you have non-Navy O3 aboard (in small quantities), they "may" be referred to as "Major" as a ship only has a singular Captain. Reference Starship Troopers by R.A. Heinlein for the tradition.
3) The Captain of a ship, as a position of authority. Although "Skipper" may also be appropriately because of Rank. My understanding was Commander+, but it's been a long time since I looked at it.
2) Out of vogue now, but when you have non-Navy O3 aboard (in small quantities), they "may" be referred to as "Major" as a ship only has a singular Captain. Reference Starship Troopers by R.A. Heinlein for the tradition.
3) The Captain of a ship, as a position of authority. Although "Skipper" may also be appropriately because of Rank. My understanding was Commander+, but it's been a long time since I looked at it.
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LOL, you got me on those. No clue.
Just reading Billy Budd again, I figured out where the term Midshipman came from.
Just reading Billy Budd again, I figured out where the term Midshipman came from.
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Suspended Profile
SN Greg Wright another amusing thing in ranks, is the differences in the meaning of "Chief". In the Navy and Coast Guard, E-7. In the Army, CWO. In the Air Force, E-9...
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1. When he is in charge of a CTF or a Group.
2. Umm when he's a major pain in the ass?
3. When they are the CO of a ship.
2. Umm when he's a major pain in the ass?
3. When they are the CO of a ship.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I should clarify on 1. When he/she is in charge of more than one unit that has a CO (not OIC). There are many examples even outside of the surface Navy (nearly every example I saw was that way).
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SN Greg Wright
MAJ (Join to see) - Your revision is more correct, LT. The guy in charge of CTF is generally called 'Admiral'. :)
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MAJ (Join to see)
SN Greg Wright Well....not usually. I work for one CTF and work with another CTF, both are Captains. In fact nearly all Commodores are Captains these days. I have yet to meet an Admiral one. There are quite a few CTFs and most aren't strike groups. Again, most examples are outside of the surface fleet folks (as in big ships).
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