Lieutenant vs. Captain: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A lieutenant is a junior officer in the military or naval forces, typically ranking below a captain, while a captain is a higher-ranking officer who commands a company, ship, or unit.
Key Differences
In military hierarchy, a Lieutenant typically serves as a junior officer, positioned below a captain. Their role often includes serving as a deputy to a higher-ranking officer or leading smaller units. In contrast, a Captain is a higher-ranking officer with greater responsibility, often commanding a company in the army or a ship in the navy.
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The authority and responsibilities of a Lieutenant are generally more limited compared to a captain. They may be in charge of specific tasks or sections within a larger unit. On the other hand, Captains have a broader scope of command and are responsible for the overall functioning and discipline of the units or vessels they lead.
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In terms of experience and tenure, Lieutenants are often less experienced than captains and are in the early stages of their leadership careers. Captains, however, have usually accumulated significant experience and have demonstrated leadership and tactical skills.
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The role of a Lieutenant can vary depending on the branch of military service but is universally seen as a position of a junior officer. Captains, across different military branches, hold a position of considerable authority and are often key decision-makers in their respective units.
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Promotion to a Lieutenant is typically one of the first steps in an officer’s career in the armed forces, marking the transition from junior ranks. In contrast, promotion to a Captain signifies a more advanced stage in a military career, reflecting a higher level of trust and responsibility.
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Comparison Chart
Ranking in Military Hierarchy
Junior officer, below captain
Higher-ranking officer, above lieutenant
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Command Responsibility
Limited, often deputy roles or small units
Broader, commanding companies or ships
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Experience and Tenure
Generally less experienced
Usually more experienced, seasoned leaders
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Role Variation
Varies by military branch but always junior
Consistently significant authority across branches
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Career Stage
Early leadership stage
Advanced leadership stage, reflecting higher responsibility
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Lieutenant and Captain Definitions
Lieutenant
An officer ranking below a captain.
As a newly commissioned lieutenant, she was eager to prove her capabilities.
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Captain
A military officer of high rank, above lieutenant.
The captain had years of experience in military strategy.
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Lieutenant
An officer in charge of a small military unit.
The lieutenant was responsible for the logistics of his unit.
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Captain
An officer responsible for the overall discipline and functioning of their unit.
The captain maintained strict discipline among the troops.
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Lieutenant
A junior officer in the military or naval forces.
The lieutenant led his platoon with precision.
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Captain
A title signifying advanced leadership responsibilities in the military.
Her promotion to captain was a testament to her leadership skills.
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Lieutenant
A deputy or assistant to a senior officer.
The lieutenant served as the captain's right hand.
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Lieutenant
A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is above lieutenant junior grade and below lieutenant commander.
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Captain
A precinct commander in a police or fire department, usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief.
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Captain
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above first lieutenant and below major.
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Lieutenant
One who holds any of these ranks or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Captain
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Lieutenant
(lĕf-tĕnənt) A commissioned officer in the British and Canadian navies ranking just below a lieutenant commander.
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Captain
A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is above commander and below rear admiral.
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Lieutenant
An officer in a police or fire department ranking below a captain.
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Captain
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Lieutenant
One who acts in place of or represents a superior; an assistant or deputy
The organized crime figure and his lieutenants.
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Lieutenant
(military) The lowest Junior Commissioned Officer rank(s) in many military forces, often Army and Marines.
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Lieutenant
In the US Army, Air Force and Marines, holding the rank above Second Lieutenant and below Captain. Both ranks may be referred to as "Lieutenant" or as the complete forms of the ranks.
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Captain
A restaurant employee who is in charge of the waiters and usually attends to table seating.
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Lieutenant
A naval officer whose rank is above that of Ensign in the United States Navy and below that of a Lieutenant Commander. There are two ranks of lieutenant: Lieutenant Junior Grade and Lieutenant.
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Lieutenant
A Commissioned Officer in the United States Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration whose rank is above that of Ensign and below Lieutenant Commander. There are two ranks of lieutenant: Lieutenant Junior Grade and lieutenant.
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Captain
To act as captain of; command or direct
Captained the football team.
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Lieutenant
A Commissioned Officer in the British Army and Royal Marines, holding the rank above Second Lieutenant and below Captain. Both ranks may be referred to as "Lieutenant," however "Second Lieutenant" is to specify that the officer is not yet a full Lieutenant.
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Lieutenant
A naval officer whose rank is above that of Sub-Lieutenant in the British Navy and below that of a Lieutenant Commander.
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Captain
The person lawfully in command of a ship or other vessel.
The captain is the last man to leave a sinking ship.
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Lieutenant
A naval Commissioned Officer who holds the rank above Sub-Lieutenant and below Lieutenant Commander.
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Captain
An army officer with a rank between the most senior grade of lieutenant and major.
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Lieutenant
A person who manages or executes the plans and directives of another, more senior person - i.e. a manager to his director.
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Captain
A commissioned officer in the United States Navy, Coast Guard, NOAA Corps, or PHS Corps of a grade superior to a commander and junior to a rear admiral (lower half). A captain is equal in grade or rank to a United States Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force colonel.
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Lieutenant
A military grade that is junior to the grade the adjective modifies: lieutenant colonel, lieutenant general, lieutenant commander.
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Captain
One of the athletes on a sports team who is designated to make decisions, and is allowed to speak for his team with a referee or official.
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Lieutenant
An officer who supplies the place of a superior in his absence; a representative of, or substitute for, another in the performance of any duty.
The lawful magistrate, who is the vicegerent or lieutenant of God.
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Captain
The leader of a group of workers.
John Henry said to the captain, "A man ain't nothing but a man."
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Captain
(southern US) An honorific title given to a prominent person. See colonel.
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Lieutenant
An officer holding a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant commander and above lieutenant junior grade
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Captain
(transitive) To exercise command of a ship, aircraft or sports team.
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Lieutenant
A position marking the start of an officer's career in the armed forces.
His first assignment as a lieutenant was overseas.
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Captain
A head, or chief officer
A trainband captain eke was he.
The Rhodian captain, relying on . . . the lightness of his vessel, passed, in open day, through all the guards.
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Captain
To act as captain of; to lead.
Men who captained or accompanied the exodus from existing forms.
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Captain
A diningroom attendant who is in charge of the waiters and the seating of customers
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Captain
An officer commanding a company, ship, or military unit.
The captain steered her ship through the storm.
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Captain
A leader with significant decision-making authority.
As a captain, he made crucial decisions during the mission.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is a lieutenant a high-ranking officer?
A lieutenant is considered a lower-ranking officer, junior to a captain.
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What are the responsibilities of a lieutenant in the army?
A lieutenant in the army is responsible for leading smaller units and assisting senior officers.
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How long does it take to become a captain from lieutenant?
The time varies but often requires several years of service and demonstrated leadership.
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Can lieutenants command a ship?
Typically, lieutenants do not command ships; this is usually a role for captains.
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How is a lieutenant addressed in the military?
A lieutenant is typically addressed as "Lieutenant [Last Name]."
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What rank comes after lieutenant?
In many military structures, captain is the rank that follows lieutenant.
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Is a captain responsible for the entire ship?
Yes, in naval terms, a captain is responsible for the entire ship and its crew.
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Can a lieutenant make strategic decisions?
While lieutenants can make some decisions, strategic decision-making is more common at the captain level.
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What skills are important for a captain?
Leadership, decision-making, and tactical skills are crucial for a captain.
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Do lieutenants report to captains?
Yes, lieutenants typically report to captains or higher-ranking officers.
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What is the navy equivalent of an army lieutenant?
In the navy, a lieutenant is a junior officer, similar to the army.
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How are captains selected?
Captains are selected through a combination of service tenure, performance, and promotion boards.
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What's the difference in authority between a lieutenant and a captain?
Captains have more authority and command responsibility than lieutenants.
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Is being a lieutenant a leadership role?
Yes, being a lieutenant is considered an initial leadership role in the military.
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How is the role of a captain in the navy different from the army?
In the navy, captains command ships, while in the army, they command companies.
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Do captains engage in combat?
Captains may engage in combat, especially in the army, and lead their troops.
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What challenges do captains face?
Captains face challenges like managing large units, strategic planning, and decision-making under pressure.
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Can a captain authorize military operations?
Yes, captains can authorize and lead military operations within their command scope.
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Do lieutenants have a role in military planning?
Lieutenants may contribute to planning, especially at a tactical level within their units.
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What is the key difference in responsibilities between a lieutenant and a captain?
The key difference is the scope of command, with captains having broader responsibilities and authority than lieutenants.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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