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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PO1 John Miller
MAJ (Join to see)
I think I see what you're saying. You're saying that a CG BM1 is called OPS, correct? Kind of like on a Navy ship the Operations Department Head is called Operations Officer (official title), OPSO for short, or OPS.
I think I see what you're saying. You're saying that a CG BM1 is called OPS, correct? Kind of like on a Navy ship the Operations Department Head is called Operations Officer (official title), OPSO for short, or OPS.
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MAJ (Join to see)
PO1 John Miller Yes! Sorry... need more caffeine today. Like the Weapons Officer being called WEPO or the Department Head for N6 being COMMO...like that. I have zero experience on a CG Cutter or USS ship. lol
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MAJ (Join to see)
Well crap, the Senior BM1 is actually called Boats for smaller units in the CG. wow I'm screwing this all up. Need. More. Sleep.
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PO1 John Miller
MAJ (Join to see)
They let you sleep in the Coast Guard? I KNEW I joined the wrong sea service! :) I should have known something was up when I was issued a coffee cup, LOL...
They let you sleep in the Coast Guard? I KNEW I joined the wrong sea service! :) I should have known something was up when I was issued a coffee cup, LOL...
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1) Another reason for a Captain to be referred to as "Commodore" is if he's riding a ship that he doesn't command - a ship only has one Captain.
2) No idea - I'm retired Navy, didn't pay too much attention to the minutia of other services.
3) When they are the commanding (officer / authority) of their own craft.
Bonus - "Boats" is the name that a competent Boatswain's Mate is referred to by members of his crew. The "Boatswain" is the senior Boatswain's Mate (usually is either a Warrant or LDO) on a ship.
V/R
"Boats"
2) No idea - I'm retired Navy, didn't pay too much attention to the minutia of other services.
3) When they are the commanding (officer / authority) of their own craft.
Bonus - "Boats" is the name that a competent Boatswain's Mate is referred to by members of his crew. The "Boatswain" is the senior Boatswain's Mate (usually is either a Warrant or LDO) on a ship.
V/R
"Boats"
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 Joseph Glennon
I never called a Captain riding my ship Commodore if he wasn't the Commodore. I always called him Captain. Because remember, it's not just a title but a rank! :)
I never called a Captain riding my ship Commodore if he wasn't the Commodore. I always called him Captain. Because remember, it's not just a title but a rank! :)
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PO1 Joseph Glennon
That's true - but, we normally adhere to the first lessons we're taught. The full bird Skipper of my first ship told us to call another full bird who was riding us across the pond "Commodore" any time he entered the bridge, so there'd be no confusion. He told us that was common standard Navy courtesy...
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I don't know why I didn't think of this before. A nickname for Marine captains is 'skipper'. This just helps avoid Navy officer insecurity.
(Totally kidding. Honest.)
Walt
(Totally kidding. Honest.)
Walt
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You got me on most of these questions ! As for Commodore I was Attached troop with Beach Masters on board the USS La Salle & the flag ship of our Group. The Commodore was a full Captain this was the first time I even knew there was such a rank ! Would he be filling an Admirals position & the reason to be called commodore? As to Lieutenant Army, Marine & Air Force would call him Captain. Senior Chief - Master Chief ? Must be some kind of training, NO idea !
Looking these up for answers on internet...
Looking these up for answers on internet...
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PO2 Sam Messer
Beside I was a Seabee and NEVER cared about officer rank. Just knew if they had officer stripes I saluted !
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1. When the O-6 CAPT has more than one command or ship under his/her command.
2. Usually when they make the rank of Major. Could also mean that O-3 is a MAJOR _______.
3. When they assume command of a ship.
4. Slang for Boatswain Mate. This can be a good thing or a bad thing based on whether that person chose that rate or was forced on them by flunking out of "A" school.
Got anything harder? Here is one, why is a ship referred to as she or her?
2. Usually when they make the rank of Major. Could also mean that O-3 is a MAJOR _______.
3. When they assume command of a ship.
4. Slang for Boatswain Mate. This can be a good thing or a bad thing based on whether that person chose that rate or was forced on them by flunking out of "A" school.
Got anything harder? Here is one, why is a ship referred to as she or her?
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SN Greg Wright
PO2 Michael Henry There's generally 2 schools of thought:
A. The gender of the Latin word for “ship” — Navis — is feminine, and so has propagated down the centuries.
B. Historically speaking, ship owners were men, and they named their ships after important women in their lives.
A. The gender of the Latin word for “ship” — Navis — is feminine, and so has propagated down the centuries.
B. Historically speaking, ship owners were men, and they named their ships after important women in their lives.
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SN Greg Wright
PO2 Michael Henry - Not really, PO2. But as a 3rd-gen Navy guy, and a lifelong Merchant Marine, I'm pretty well versed in Maritime traditions. And I love that shit, because it's an area of human history that stretches, unbroken, for 2 or more millenniums.
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