Captain

Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, etc. In militaries, the captain is typically at the level of an officer commanding a company or battalion of infantry, a ship, or a battery of artillery, or another distinct unit. It can also be a rank of command in an air force. The term also may be used as an informal or honorary title for persons in similar commanding roles.

Etymology

The word "captain" derives from the Middle English “capitane,” itself coming from the Latin “caput,” meaning “head.”^[1] It is considered cognate with the greek word katepánō (Ancient Greek: κατεπάνω, lit. '[the one] placed at the top', or 'the topmost'), which was used as title for a senior Byzantine military rank and office.^[2]^{[page needed]} The word was Latinized as Ancient Greek: capetanus or catepan. Both ultimately derive from the Proto-Indo-European “*kaput,” also meaning head.^[3]

Occupations or roles

Captain (armed forces), a commissioned officer rank corresponding to the field commander of a company of soldiers usually, or that of a battery of an artillery battalion (company second-in-command or specialist platoon commander in UK). It is also a rank of command in the air force.
Captain (naval), a commissioned officer rank in the navy, corresponding to the rank of Army colonel, Air force colonel.
Captain (nautical), a licensed person or civilian marine officer who is legally in command of a merchant ship, a yacht or another type of vessel that may or may not be carrying passengers for hire; corresponds to the work condition of shipmaster or, as usually said, master.^[4]
Captain (airlines), a licensed civilian airman or person who is legally in command of a civilian aircraft; corresponding to the work condition of pilot in command colloquially said PIC.
Fire captain, officer in a fire department.
Police captain, officer in a police organization.
Group Captain, a senior commissioned rank in many air forces.
Captain of industry, business leader.
Captain of the Port, harbour (UK) or Coast Guard (USA) post.
Precinct captain, political party's representative at an election precinct.
Barangay captain, Head of Barangay (Village) in the Philippines
School captain, student elected or appointed to represent the school.
Captain Regent, head of state of San Marino.
Captain-major, colonial officer of a Portuguese possession.
Captain-commandant, a Belgian military rank.
Katepano, a senior Byzantine officer (and word from which "captain" derived).
Kapudan Pasha
Kapitan Cina
Captal, a regional title in Southern France.

Military ranks

Canada

Germany

Kapitän bzw. „Kapitän zur See“ (Deutsche Marine), Nato OF-5 grade
Hauptmann, the german equivalent of Captain in Army (Armee/Heer) and Air Force (Luftwaffe)

India

Israel

Seren, an Israel Defense Forces officer rank whether Army, Air Force, or Navy

South Africa

Captain is a South African National Defence Force officer rank of the South African Army, South African Air Force, South African Navy, South African Military Health Service

United Kingdom

Captain (Royal Navy), NATO OF-5 grade
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines), NATO OF-2 grade
Group Captain (Royal Air Force), NATO OF-5 grade

United States

Captain (United States)
Captain (United States O-3) (US Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, or Space Force)
Captain (United States O-6) (US Navy, US Public Health Service, or Coast Guard)

Generic

References

^ "Definition of CAPTAIN". www.merriam-webster.com. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
^ Haldon, John (1999). Warfare, State and Society in the Byzantine World, 565–1204. London: UCL Press. ISBN 1-85728-495-X.
^ "Etymology of "captain" by etymonline". etymonline. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
^ Mzezewa, Tariro (25 February 2019). "Please Call Her Captain". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

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[1] "Definition of CAPTAIN". www.merriam-webster.com. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.

[2] Haldon, John (1999). Warfare, State and Society in the Byzantine World, 565–1204. London: UCL Press. ISBN 1-85728-495-X.

[3] "Etymology of "captain" by etymonline". etymonline. Retrieved 20 April 2025.

[4] Mzezewa, Tariro (25 February 2019). "Please Call Her Captain". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

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