Editing Commander (section)

==Commander as a naval and air force rank==
{{Navalranks}}
Commander is a rank used primarily in [[Navy|navies]], and is very rarely used as a rank in [[army|armies]]. In most armies, the term "commander" is used as a job title. For example, in the [[US Army]], an officer with the rank of [[captain (armed forces)|captain]] ([[Ranks and insignia of NATO|NATO rank code OF-2]]) may hold the title of "[[company (military unit)|company]] [[commander (United States)|commander]]", whereas an officer with the rank of [[lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] ([[Ranks and insignia of NATO|NATO rank code OF-4]]) typically holds the title of "[[battalion]] commander". 

The title, originally "master and commander", originated in the 18th century to describe naval officers who commanded ships of war too large to be commanded by a lieutenant but too small to warrant the assignment of a [[post-captain]] and (before about 1770) a [[sailing master]]; the commanding officer served as his own master. In practice, these were usually unrated [[sloop-of-war|sloops-of-war]] of no more than 20 guns. The [[Royal Navy]] shortened "master and commander" to "commander" in 1794; however, the term "master and commander" remained (unofficially) in common parlance for several years.<ref name="NHC">{{Cite web |publisher=Naval Historical Center |title=Why is the Colonel called a 'Kernal?' |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/triv4-5h.htm |year=1998 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224013131/http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/triv4-5h.htm |archive-date=2011-02-24 }}</ref> The equivalent American rank [[master commandant]] remained in use until changed to [[Commander (United States)#Naval rank|commander]] in 1838.

A corresponding rank in some navies is [[frigate captain]]. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the rank has been assigned the [[Ranks and insignia of NATO|NATO rank code]] of OF-4.

Various functions of commanding officers were also styled ''commander''. In the navy of the [[Dutch Republic]], anyone who commanded a ship or a fleet without having an appropriate rank to do so could be called a {{lang|nl|Commandeur}}. This included ''ad hoc'' fleet commanders and acting captains ({{lang|nl|Luitenant-Commandeur}}). In the fleet of the [[Admiralty of Zeeland]] however, {{lang|nl|commandeur}} was a formal rank, the equivalent of {{lang|nl|[[Schout-bij-nacht]]}} (rear-admiral) in the other Dutch admiralties. The Dutch use of the title as a rank lives on in the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]], as the equivalent of [[Commodore (rank)|commodore]]. In the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]], however, this rank is known by the English spelling of {{lang|nl|commodore}} which is the Dutch equivalent of the British [[air commodore]].

=== Australia ===
The rank of commander in the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) is identical in description to that of a commander in the British [[Royal Navy]]. RAN chaplains who are in divisions 1, 2 or 3 (of five divisions) have the equivalent rank standing of commanders. This means that to officers and NCOs below the rank of commander, lieutenant colonel, or wing commander, the chaplain is a superior.

To those officers ranked higher than commander, the chaplain is subordinate. Although this equivalency exists, RAN chaplains who are in divisions 1, 2 or 3 do not actually wear the rank of commander, and they hold no command privilege.

=== Canada ===
{{main|Commander (Canada)}}

=== Romania ===
The rank of commander ({{lang|ro|Comandor}} in Romanian) is used by both the [[Romanian Air Force]] and [[Romanian Naval Forces]]. It is equivalent to the army rank of [[Colonel]] ([[OF-5]]). In both cases, the rank is above {{lang|ro|Căpitan-comandor}} ({{Literal translation|Captain-commander}}, OF-4). In the air force, {{lang|ro|Comandor}} is below the rank of {{lang|ro|[[General de flotilă aeriană]]}} ({{Literal translation|Air flotilla general}}), while in the navy it is below {{lang|ro|Contraamiral de flotilă}} ({{Literal translation|Flotilla [[counter admiral]]}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://legislatie.just.ro/Public/DetaliiDocument/6151|title=LEGE nr. 80 din 11 iulie 1995|language=ro|publisher=MONITORUL OFICIAL nr. 155 din 20 iulie 1995|date=11 July 1995}}</ref><ref name="Romania Air Force">{{cite web |title=Grade militare |url=https://www.roaf.ro/?page_id=5114 |website=roaf.ro |publisher=Romanian Air Force |access-date=2 December 2024 |language=ro}}</ref> The rank was also used in the [[Royal Romanian Air Force]] and Navy until [[Socialist Republic of Romania|the proclamation of the Republic]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mollo |first1=Andrew |author-link1=Andrew Mollo |title=The Armed Forces of World War II: Uniforms, insignia, and organization |date=1981 |publisher=Crown Publishers |location=New York, N.Y. |isbn=0-517-54478-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/armedforcesofwor0000moll/mode/2up |url-access=limited |access-date=31 March 2022 |page=306}}</ref>

===Scandinavia===
Commander is a naval rank in Scandinavia ({{lang|no|Kommandør}} in Danish and Norwegian, {{lang|sv|[[Kommendör]]}} in Swedish) equivalent to the Anglo-American naval rank of captain. The Scandinavian rank of commander is immediately above "commander-captain" ({{langx|no|Kommandørkaptein}}, {{langx|sv|[[Kommendörkapten]]}}, {{langx|da|Kommandørkaptajn}}), which is equivalent to the Anglo-American naval rank of commander.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mpsotc.gr/dat/57FF3440/file.pdf |title=NATO grades / national ranks: Navy |publisher=Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810003156/http://www.mpsotc.gr/dat/57FF3440/file.pdf|archive-date=10 August 2017 |access-date=24 May 2015 }}</ref>

==== Denmark ====
{{main|Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Navy}}
In Denmark, the rank of commander exists as {{lang|da|kommandørkaptajn}} (commander captain or commanding captain), which is senior to {{lang|da|orlogskaptajn}} (captain) and {{lang|da|kommandør}} (commander), which is senior to {{lang|da|kommandørkaptajn}}. ''Kommandørkaptajn'' is officially translated into English as "Commander, Senior Grade", while ''orlogskaptajn'' is officially translated as '"Commander."<ref>[https://militaria.lv/stanag.htm ''STANAG 2116.''] 2022-04-16.</ref>

=== United Kingdom ===

====Royal Navy====
{{main|Commander (Royal Navy)}}
A commander in the Royal Navy is above the rank of [[lieutenant commander]], below the rank of [[captain (naval)|captain]], and is equivalent in rank to a [[lieutenant colonel]] in the army. A commander may command a [[frigate]], [[destroyer]], [[submarine]], aviation squadron or shore installation, or may serve on a staff.

====Royal Air Force====
Since the British [[Royal Air Force]]'s mid-rank officers' ranks are modeled on those of the [[Royal Navy]], the term [[Wing Commander (rank)|wing commander]] is used as a rank, and this is the equivalent of a [[lieutenant colonel]] in the army or a commander in the navy. The rank of wing commander is above that of [[squadron leader]] and below that of [[group captain]].
In the former [[Royal Naval Air Service]], which was merged with the [[Royal Flying Corps]] to form the Royal Air Force in 1918, the pilots held appointments as well as their normal ranks in the Royal Navy, and they wore insignia appropriate to the appointment instead of the rank. A flight commander wore a star above a lieutenant's two rank stripes, squadron commander wore two stars above two rank stripes (less than eight years' seniority) or two-and-a-half rank stripes (over eight years seniority), and wing commander wore three rank stripes. The rank stripes had the usual Royal Navy curl, and they were surmounted by an eagle.

===United States===
{{main|Commander (United States)}}
In the [[United States Navy]], [[United States Coast Guard]], [[United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps]], and [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps]], commander (abbreviated "CDR") is a senior-grade officer rank, with the pay grade of O-5. Commander ranks above [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]] (O-4) and below [[Captain (United States O-6)|captain]]. (O-6). Commander is equivalent to the rank of [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] in the [[United States Army]], [[United States Air Force]], [[United States Marine Corps]], and [[United States Space Force]]. Notably, commander is the first rank at which the holder wears an embellished cap, whereas officers of the other military services are entitled to embellishment of similar headgear at O-4 rank.

Promotion to commander in the U.S. Navy is governed by [[United States Department of Defense]] policies derived from the [[Defense Officer Personnel Management Act]] (DOPMA) of 1980 or its companion [[Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act]] (ROPMA). DOPMA/ROPMA guidelines suggest that 70% of lieutenant commanders should be promoted to commander after serving a minimum of three years at their present rank and after attaining 15 to 17 years of cumulative commissioned service, although this percentage may vary and be appreciably less for certain officer designators (i.e., primary "specialties") depending on defense budgets, force structure, and the needs of the service.

===Gallery===
<gallery class="center">
<!-- In alphabetic order of Country please -->
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard]])<ref name="Antigua&Barbuda">{{cite web |title=Paratus |author1=Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force |url=http://abdf.gov.ag/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ABDF_mag_2011.pdf |publisher=Regional Publications Ltd. |access-date=2 March 2020 |pages=12–13 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607174320/http://abdf.gov.ag/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ABDF_mag_2011.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Royal Australian Navy]])<ref name="Australia">{{cite web |title=Badges of rank |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/images/Badges_of_rank.pdf |website=defence.gov.au |publisher=Department of Defence (Australia) |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Royal Bahamas Defence Force]])<ref>{{cite web |title=OFFICER RANKS |url=http://rbdf.gov.bs/officer/ |website=rbdf.gov.bs |publisher=Royal Bahamas Defence Force |access-date=14 January 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Bangladesh Navy]])<ref name="Bangladesh_Navy">{{cite web |author1=Bangladesh Navy |title=Rank of Navy & Equivalent Rank |url=https://www.navy.mil.bd/Rank-of-Navy-&-Equivalent-Rank |website=navy.mil.bd |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|{{lang|ms|Komander}}<br />([[ Royal Brunei Navy]])<ref name="Brunei_Navy">{{cite web |title=Admiralty Ranks |url=https://navy.mindef.gov.bn/Site%20Pages/Admiralty%20Ranks.aspx |website=navy.mindef.gov.bn |publisher=Royal Brunei Navy |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Barbados Coast Guard]])
File:Belize_Coast_Guard_OF-4.svg|Commander<br />([[Belize Coast Guard]])
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Royal Canadian Navy]])<ref name="Canada">{{cite web |title=Ranks and appointment |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/rank-appointment-insignia.html |website=canada.ca |date=23 November 2017 |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-8.svg|{{lang|da|Kommandør}}<br />([[Royal Danish Navy]])<ref name="Denmark_Navy">{{cite web |title=Søværnets Gradstegn |url=https://forsvaret.dk/globalassets/fko---forsvaret/dokumenter/gradstegn/-sovarnets-gradstegn--.pdf |website=forsvaret.dk |publisher=Danish Defence |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=da |date=2018}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Republic of Fiji Navy]])
File:Finland-Navy-OF-4.svg|{{lang|fi|Komentaja}}<br />{{small|{{langx|sv|Kommendör}}}}<br />([[Finnish Navy]])<ref name="Finland">{{cite web |title=Sotilasarvot Puolustusvoimissa |url=https://puolustusvoimat.fi/sotilasarvot |website=puolustusvoimat.fi |publisher=Finnish Defence Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=fi}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Gambian Navy]])
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Ghana Navy]])
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Guyana Defence Force|Guyana Coast Guard]])
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />{{small|{{langx|hi|कमांडर|kamaandar}}}}<br />([[Indian Navy]])<ref name="India_Navy">{{cite web |title=Ranks & Insignia |url=https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/about-us/ranks-insignia.html |website=Join Indian Navy |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O5.svg|Commander<br />{{small|{{langx|ga|Ceannasaí}}}}<br />([[Irish Naval Service]])<ref name="Ireland_Navy">{{cite web |title=Naval Service Rank Markings |url=http://www.military.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/images/Info_Centre/Posters/rank_markings/NS_Rank_Markings.png |website=military.ie |publisher=Defence Forces (Ireland) |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425021602/http://www.military.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/images/Info_Centre/Posters/rank_markings/NS_Rank_Markings.png |archive-date=25 April 2016}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Jamaican Coast Guard]])<ref name="Jamaica">{{cite web |title=BADGES OF RANK |url=https://www.jdfweb.com/badges-of-rank/ |website=Official Jamaica Defence Force Website |access-date=16 November 2019 |date=2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820143541/https://www.jdfweb.com/badges-of-rank/ |archive-date=20 August 2020}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O5.svg|Commander<br />([[Liberian National Coast Guard]])<ref name="Liberia">{{cite web |url=http://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Liberia/LR_Defense%20Act%20of%202008.pdf |title=Defense Act of 2008 |date=3 September 2008 |page=8 |access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-7.svg|{{lang|lt|Komandoras}}<br />([[Lithuanian Naval Force]])<ref name="Lithuania">{{cite web |title=Karių laipsnių ženklai |url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/kariuomenes_atributika/kariu_laipsniu_zenklai_3554.html |website=kariuomene.kam.lt |publisher=Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania) |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=lt |archive-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911115805/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/kariuomenes_atributika/kariu_laipsniu_zenklai_3554.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|{{lang|ms|Komander}}<br />([[Royal Malaysian Navy]])<ref name="Malaysia_Officer">{{cite web |title=Pangkat |url=http://www.mafhq.mil.my/index.php/my/mengenai-kami/kerjaya/pangkat |website=mafhq.mil.my |publisher=Malaysian Armed Forces |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429231449/http://www.mafhq.mil.my/index.php/my/mengenai-kami/kerjaya/pangkat |archive-date=29 April 2020 |language=ms}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Namibian Navy]])<ref name="Namibia">{{cite magazine |title=Government Notice |magazine=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia |date=20 August 2010 |volume=4547 |pages=99–102 |url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2010/4547.pdf |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
File:Netherlands-Navy-OF-6.svg|{{lang|nl|Commandeur}}<br />([[Royal Netherlands Navy]])<ref name="Netherlands">{{cite web |title=De rangonderscheidingstekens van de krijgsmacht |url=https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/brochures/2021/01/15/rangen-krijgsmacht/rangonderscheidingstekens.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Netherlands) |access-date=18 March 2021 |date=19 December 2016 |language=nl}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Royal New Zealand Navy]])<ref name="NewZealand">{{cite web |title=Badges of Rank |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/corporate-documents/badges-of-rank/ |website=nzdf.mil.nz |publisher=New Zealand Defence Force |access-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703193648/https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/corporate-documents/badges-of-rank/ |archive-date=3 July 2020}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Nigerian Navy]])<ref name="Nigeria">{{cite book |last1=Smaldone |first1=Joseph P. |editor1-last=Metz |editor1-first=Helen Chapin |editor1-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=Nigeria: a country study |series=Area Handbook |date=1992 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=92009026 |pages=296–297 |edition=5th |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/frdcstdy.nigeriacountryst00metz_0/?sp=340 |access-date=21 October 2021 |chapter=National Security}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-8.svg|{{lang|no|Kommandør}}<br />([[Royal Norwegian Navy]])<ref name="Norway">{{cite web |title=Militære grader |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/uniformer-grader-medaljer/grader |website=forsvaret.no |publisher=Norwegian Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=no |date=4 February 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />{{small|{{langx|ur|کمانڈر|commander}}}}<br />([[Pakistan Navy]])<ref name="Pakistan Navy Official Websites">{{cite web |title=LIFE IN PN:RANKS |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ranks.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Navy Official Website |access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-12.svg|{{lang|pl|Komandor}}<br />([[Polish Navy]])<ref name="Poland_Navy">{{cite web |title=Sposób noszenia odznak stopni wojskowych na umundurowaniu Marynarki Wojennej |url=https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/iwsp/u/27/96/27964313-a4b1-4c28-9ea2-08de33e7aa58/08c_oznaki_stopni_wojskowych_na_umundurowaniu_mw_ok.pdf |website=wojsko-polskie.pl |publisher=Armed Forces Support Inspectorate |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=pl}}</ref>
File:Romania-Navy-OF-5-Sleeve.svg|{{lang|ro|Comandor}}<br />([[Romanian Naval Forces]])<ref name="Romania">{{cite web |title=Grade militare (Military ranks) |url=https://www.defense.ro/foto/album6 |website=defense.ro |publisher=Romanian Defence Staff |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=ro}}</ref>
Romania-AirForce-OF-5 Sleeve.svg|{{lang|ro|Comandor}}<br />([[Romanian Air Force]])<ref name="Romania"/>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Saint Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard]])
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Sierra Leone Navy]])
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[South African Navy]])<ref name="SouthAfrica_Navy">{{cite web |title=Rank Insignia |url=http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/Rank_Insignia.gif |website=navy.mil.za |publisher=Department of Defence (South Africa) |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518212959/http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/Rank_Insignia.gif |archive-date=18 May 2019}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Sri Lanka Navy]])<ref name="SriLanka_Navy">{{cite web |title=Branches/ Ranks |url=https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |website=navy.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Navy |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619063013/https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-8.svg|{{lang|sv|Kommendör}}<br />([[Swedish Navy]])<ref name="FMgrader2019">{{cite web|title=Nya gradbeteckningar införs|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2019/10/nya-gradbeteckningar-infors/|publisher=Försvarsmakten|date=2019-10-01|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Tanzania Naval Command]])
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Tongan Maritime Force]])<ref name="Tonga">{{cite journal |title=Tonga Defence Services (Amendment) Regulations 2009 |journal=Tonga Government Gazette Supplement Extraordinary |date=10 May 2010 |volume=5 |pages=151–153 |url=https://ago.gov.to/cms/phocadownload/2010-regulations/TongaDefenceServices(Amendment)Regulations2009s.pdf |access-date=26 September 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard]])<ref name="Trinidad&Tobago_Officer">{{cite web |title=Rank Chart (Commissioned Officers) |url=http://69.0.195.188/HQ/Our-Organisation/Ranks-Chart-(Commissioned-Officers).aspx |website=69.0.195.188 |publisher=Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force |access-date=27 May 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-6.svg|Commander<br />([[Royal Navy]])<ref name="UK_Navy">{{cite web |title=Shaping your career |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/navy-life/shaping-your-career |website=royalnavy.mod.uk |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref>
File:US Navy O5 insignia.svg|Commander<br />([[United States Navy]])<ref name="Dod_Ranks">{{cite web |title=U.S. Military Rank Insignia |url=https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Insignia/ |website=defense.gov |publisher=Department of Defense |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref>
File:USCG O-5 insignia.svg|Commander<br />([[United States Coast Guard]])<ref name="Dod_Ranks" />
</gallery>