Commissioned officer

A commissioned officer is a member of a military force who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power.

Commissioned officers are authorized to use deadly force to carry out the lawful orders of their government, either directly or through orders to non-commissioned officers or soldiers.

Having officers is one requirement for combatant status under the laws of war.

In the United States, there are some commissioned officers who are not members of the military. See uniformed services of the United States, NOAA Corps, and United States Public Health Service.

British Commissioned Officer Ranks

Army/Royal Marines

• Second Lieutenant
• Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Lieutenant-Colonel
• Colonel
• Brigadier
• Major-General
• Lieutenant-General
• General
• Field Marshal (Army)/Captain General (RM)

Royal Air Force

• Pilot Officer
• Flying Officer
• Flight Lieutenant
• Squadron Leader
• Wing Commander
• Group Captain
• Air Commodore
• Air Vice-Marshal
• Air Marshal
• Air Chief Marshal
• Marshal of the Royal Air Force

Royal Navy

• Sub-Lieutenant
• Lieutenant
• Lieutenant-Commander
• Commander
• Captain
• Commodore
• Rear-Admiral
• Vice-Admiral
• Admiral
• Admiral of the Fleet

US Commissioned Officer Ranks

Army / Air Force / Marine Corps

• Second Lieutenant
• First Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Colonel
• Brigadier General
• Major General
• Lieutenant General
• General
• General of the Army or General of the Air Force
  • on war time only
  • exclusive Army and Air Force rank

Navy / Coast Guard

• Ensign
• Lieutenant, junior grade
  • or simply 'j.g'
• Lieutenant
• Lieutenant Commander
• Commander
• Captain
• Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
• Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
• Vice Admiral
• Admiral
• Fleet Admiral
  • on war time only
  • exclusive Navy rank

References

1. DoD Almanac. . United States Department of Defense.

See also

• Comparative military ranks