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Sub-lieutenant
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Sub-lieutenant is usually a junior officer rank, used in armies, navies and air forces.
In most armies, sub-lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer rank. However, in Brazil, it is the highest non-commissioned rank, and in Spain, it is the second highest non-commissioned rank.
As a naval rank, a sub-lieutenant ranks below a lieutenant.
Army and air force rank
[edit]In France, a sub-lieutenant (sous-lieutenant) is the junior commissioned officer in the army or the air force. He wears a band in the colour of his corps (e.g. gold for infantry, silver for armoured cavalry, etc.). During the 18th century a rank of sous-lieutenant de vaisseau existed in the French Navy. It was the equivalent of the master's mate rank of the Royal Navy. It is now replaced by the rank of "first ensign" (enseigne de vaisseau de première classe).
An Argentinian sub-lieutenant wears a single silver sun on each shoulder, Brazilian sub-lieutenants are the most senior non-commissioned rank (called Sub-Officer in the Navy and Air force), wearing a golden lozenge. In Mexico, the sub-lieutenant is the most junior officer in the rank scale, and wears a single gold bar. Thai sub-lieutenants and acting sub-lieutenants wear a single star on each shoulder.
The British Army briefly used the rank of sub-lieutenant from 1871 to 1877, replacing the ranks of ensign in the infantry and cornet in the cavalry. In 1877, it was replaced in turn by the rank of second lieutenant, although this had always been used by the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and rifle and fusilier regiments.
Turkish Armed Forces designates sub-lieutenant as 1) the senior students in military academy and 2) a conscript who possesses university or other higher education diploma, that got drafted for a 1-year service.
Army insignia
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Sublocotenent (Romanian Land Forces)
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Sublocotenent (Romanian Gendarmerie)
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Asteğmen (Turkish Land Forces)
Air force insignia
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Sublocotenent (Romanian Air Force)
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Asteğmen (Turkish Air Force)
Naval rank
[edit]The examples and perspective in this section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (November 2022) |
History of naval rank
[edit]In the British Royal Navy, a passed midshipman awaiting promotion often elected to become a master's mate, normally an experienced petty officer who assisted the sailing master. Though formally the rating did not lead to promotion to lieutenant, master's mates were paid more than any other rating and were the only ratings allowed to command any sort of vessel.[6] A midshipman who became a master's mate got an increase in pay from £1 13s 6d to £3 16s per month, but initially reduced his chances at a commission.[7][8] Over time, however, service as a master's mate became a normal part of the path to a commission. The situation caused some confusion during the last part of the 18th century, when two parallel roles—master's mates trying to become masters, and former midshipmen working toward a commission—held the same title and responsibilities aboard ship.[9]
By the first years of the 19th century, the prefix "master's" was dropped for passed midshipmen, to distinguish them from master's mates in the navigator's branch.[7] In 1824 two further grades were also introduced, consisting of master's assistants and second-class volunteers. These corresponded to midshipmen and first-class volunteers respectively in the executive line. From this point, passed midshipmen had the rating master's mate, abbreviated as mate, and prospective masters had the rating master's assistant. These changes helped eliminate the confusion caused by the mingling of midshipmen in the navigator's branch.[9]
In 1861 the rank of mate was renamed sub-lieutenant.[7]
Modern practice
[edit]In the modern Royal Navy, all officer cadets now commission as midshipmen, regardless of whether they are a graduate or a school leaver. They are subsequently promoted to sub-lieutenant one year after entering Britannia Royal Naval College. Upper yardsmen commission as sub-lieutenants assuming their seniority date is greater than 12 months.
In the Royal Canadian Navy, all undergoing basic officer training join as naval cadets, but upon graduation, those who joined with a bachelor's degree receive an immediate promotion to acting sub-lieutenant, while those who do not retain their rank as naval cadet until such time as they finish more career-related training.
Use
[edit]In the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy, the insignia of both sub-lieutenants and acting sub-lieutenants consists of one medium gold braid stripe with an executive curl. The size of this stripe should not be confused with the narrow stripe, colloquially referred to as "spaghetti strap", used on the Royal New Zealand Navy rank of ensign and the Royal Canadian Navy's naval cadets. The Royal Air Force also followed this example of braiding when developing their rank system (see flying officer).
The insignia of sub-lieutenants in most commonwealth countries are identical to the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard grade of ensign (although US ranks do not use the executive curl), even though its equivalent grade in the USN is actually lieutenant junior grade.
In the Royal Canadian Navy, acting sub-lieutenants display one medium stripe. A sub-lieutenant adds a narrow stripe below the medium stripe to maintain the executive curl on the top. The equivalent air force lieutenant rank has the narrow stripe above the medium stripe since these elements do not need to maintain spacing on top due to the lack of an executive curl; the Royal Canadian Navy followed this pattern before the addition of the curl in 2010.
Gallery
[edit]Acting sub-lieutenant
[edit]In 1955, the Royal Navy created the rank of acting sub-lieutenant, although it had existed intermittently in the world wars. Unlike their substantive counterparts, acting sub-lieutenants are subordinate officers, as they hold their ranks by order and not by commission. Upon passing fleet board, acting sub-lieutenants were confirmed as sub-lieutenants and issued commissions backdated to the date when they were appointed acting sub-lieutenants. The rank of acting sub-lieutenant was abolished in the Royal Navy around 1993 but remained in the Royal Naval Reserve until 2013; officers in both the RN and RNR now commission into the rank of midshipman.[12] The rank of acting sub-lieutenant remains in the Royal Navy only within the University Royal Naval Unit where training officers enter at this rank.[13]
Before its abolition, the rank of acting sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy corresponded with, but was junior to, the ranks of lieutenant (Army) and flying officer (RAF).
In many Commonwealth navies (e.g. Canada and Australia), the rank of acting sub-lieutenant still exists as a commissioned rank equivalent to second lieutenant, while the rank of sub-lieutenant is equivalent to that of an army lieutenant. As the term "acting" is a designation, both acting and substantive ranks should be addressed as "sub-lieutenant"; the full designation including "acting" should be used in written documents, however. Indeed, when someone is addressed as "acting sub-lieutenant", it can be seen as a way of patronising an individual in a derogatory manner due to the emphasis of their "acting" rank.
The Royal New Zealand Navy, Republic of Fiji Navy and South African Navy follows the US precedent in titling its lowest commissioned officer ensign.
In the Royal Thai Army, Army Reserve Force Students who complete grade 5 and their B.D. are promoted to the rank of acting second lieutenant (ว่าที่ ร้อยตรี).
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Ranks". mdn.dz. Ministry of National Defence (Algeria). Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Postos do Exército". faa.ao (in Portuguese). Angolan Army. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "LOI N° 2005-43 DU 26 JUIN 2006" (PDF). ilo.org (in French). National Assembly (Benin). 26 June 2006. pp. 19–20, 35–36. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ "Postos e Graduações". Exército Brasileiro (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Postos da Força Aérea Nacional" [National Air Force Posts]. faa.ao (in Portuguese). Angolan Air Force. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Officer ranks in the Royal Navy". Royal Naval Museum. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
- ^ a b c Walker 1938, p. 188.
- ^ Lewis 1939, p. 146, 197.
- ^ a b Lewis 1939, p. 212, 230.
- ^ "Ranks and appointment". canada.ca. Government of Canada. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "BR3, Ch102 – Maritime Reserves Personnel Management" (PDF). Royal Navy Books of Reference. Royal Navy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ^ "BR3, Ch 110 – The University Royal Naval Units and Cadet Forces" (PDF). Royal Navy Books of Reference. Royal Navy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
Sources
[edit]- Lavery, Brian (1989). Nelson's Navy: The Ships, Men and Organization. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-258-3.
- Lewis, Michael (1939). England's Sea-Officers. London: George Allen & Unwin. OCLC 1084558.
- Walker, C.F. (1938). Young Gentlemen: The Story of Midshipmen from the XVIIth Century to the Present Day. London: Longmans, Green. OCLC 2936648.
External links
[edit]Sub-lieutenant
View on GrokipediaOverview
Definition and role
A sub-lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank primarily employed in naval forces, especially within Commonwealth navies such as the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy, where it functions as the lowest grade among commissioned officers.[8][2] This rank marks the transition from initial training to active service, with officers typically receiving it upon completion of programs like those at Britannia Royal Naval College in the Royal Navy.[8] In naval hierarchies, sub-lieutenants are positioned immediately below lieutenants and above midshipmen, emphasizing their role in the foundational layers of command structure.[8][2] Their general duties include assisting senior officers with operational management and personnel oversight on ships or submarines.[8] They also lead small teams, execute routine tasks under supervision, and participate in initial command training to build leadership and decision-making skills essential for higher responsibilities.[8][2] As fully commissioned officers, sub-lieutenants hold formal authority derived from their commission, setting them apart from non-commissioned personnel or trainees in the officer development pipeline.[8] This status underscores their integration into professional military hierarchies, where they contribute to discipline, order, and the execution of naval policies while gaining practical experience.[2] In modern Commonwealth navies, it remains the entry-level commissioned rank.[5]Equivalents and comparisons
The sub-lieutenant rank is standardized under the NATO code OF-1, which designates junior commissioned officers across member nations' armed forces.[9] This code facilitates interoperability by aligning the rank with equivalent positions in allied militaries, emphasizing its role as an entry-level leadership position.[1] Direct equivalents to sub-lieutenant include the ensign in the United States Navy, where it serves as the lowest commissioned officer rank.[9] In the French Army and Air Force, the sous-lieutenant holds a comparable position as the junior-most officer.[9] Similarly, the alferes functions as an OF-1 equivalent in the Portuguese armed forces, particularly in army contexts, and has historical parallels in Brazilian military structures.[10] The sub-lieutenant aligns with the NATO OF-1 pay grade, which generally corresponds to the second lieutenant in most army hierarchies, reflecting similar responsibilities and compensation levels.[9] However, variations in seniority exist: in Commonwealth navies, sub-lieutenant is the lowest officer rank, positioned above midshipman but below lieutenant, whereas in some European armies like France's, the sous-lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank.[1] The following table summarizes equivalents across select major powers, focusing on naval and army applications where applicable:| Country | Rank | Service | NATO Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Ensign | Navy | OF-1 |
| United Kingdom | Sub-lieutenant | Navy | OF-1 |
| France | Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe / Sous-lieutenant | Navy / Army | OF-1 |
| Russia | Mladshiy leytenant (Junior lieutenant) | Navy / Army | OF-1 equivalent |
Naval usage
Historical development
The rank of sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy originated from the earlier position of master's mate, a warrant officer role dating back to the 18th century responsible for assisting the master in navigation and ship handling.[12] This position evolved into a more formalized junior officer rank amid broader naval reforms aimed at standardizing commissions and promotions. In 1861, through the Order in Council of 16 April, the title "sub-lieutenant" was officially substituted for "mate," establishing it as the lowest commissioned officer rank, equivalent in precedence to a British Army lieutenant.[12] This change reflected efforts to professionalize the officer corps by integrating warrant officers into the commissioned structure, with sub-lieutenants initially wearing one half-inch stripe of gold lace on their sleeves starting in March 1863.[12] During the 19th century, the sub-lieutenant rank expanded beyond the Royal Navy into emerging Commonwealth naval forces, which modeled their structures on British precedents during colonial periods. For instance, colonial Australian naval units, such as those operating ships like HMS Protector from the 1880s, employed similar junior officer ranks that transitioned into the formalized sub-lieutenant upon the formation of the Royal Australian Navy in 1911.[13] Likewise, the Royal Canadian Navy, established in 1910, adopted the sub-lieutenant rank directly from Royal Navy traditions, incorporating it into its initial officer hierarchy as part of broader Dominion naval development.[14] A key reform in this era occurred in 1878, when the Royal Navy merged elements of the master's branch into the executive officer structure, further aligning navigational roles with commissioned ranks like sub-lieutenant to streamline command responsibilities.[15] Subsequent reforms refined the rank's insignia and application. The executive curl—a looped gold lace above the stripes distinguishing executive officers—was introduced in the Royal Navy in 1856, initially for military and navigating branches, and became a standard feature for sub-lieutenants by the early 20th century.[16] Following World War I, adjustments continued, including the 1917 reorganization of the naval staff that indirectly affected junior officer distinctions by emphasizing executive roles. Post-World War II, training requirements for sub-lieutenants were updated to address technological advancements, with the Royal Navy's Britannia Royal Naval College implementing a 30-week basic course followed by specialized sea and shore training to prepare officers for modern warfare.[17] By the mid-20th century, the sub-lieutenant rank saw a decline in adoption outside Commonwealth navies, often phased out in favor of ensign-equivalent positions. For example, the United States Navy, which had established the ensign rank in 1862 as its junior commissioned officer grade, never incorporated sub-lieutenant and maintained this structure through post-war reorganizations.[18] Similarly, non-Commonwealth forces like the French Navy, which used a sous-lieutenant de vaisseau in the 18th century, shifted to the enseigne de vaisseau de deuxième classe by the early 20th century, effectively aligning with broader international standardization trends by the 1950s.[18]Rank insignia
In naval contexts, particularly within Commonwealth navies, the sub-lieutenant rank is denoted by a single narrow stripe of gold lace on the lower sleeve of dress uniforms, typically 1/4 inch wide, positioned above the elbow. This sleeve insignia distinguishes executive branch officers, often accompanied by the executive curl (a looped gold lace) for those in command roles, though the curl is more prominent on higher ranks. On shoulder boards or epaulettes for working or mess dress uniforms, sub-lieutenants wear a single thin gold bar or equivalent marking, usually in gold embroidery on a blue or white background matching the uniform. These designs facilitate quick identification at sea or in formal settings and have remained consistent since the 19th century, with minor adjustments for fabric and placement in modern No. 1 and No. 2 dress uniforms.[19] Historically, the insignia evolved from the half-inch stripe introduced in 1863, narrowing over time to the current standard by the early 20th century to differentiate from the broader stripes of lieutenants. In variants for non-executive branches (e.g., engineering or logistics), a colored lace (such as purple for engineers) may border the gold stripe, but the single-stripe configuration persists across branches. Acting sub-lieutenants, where used, share the same insignia but may have subtle distinctions in reserves or probationary contexts.[12]| Country | Rank | Insignia Description | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (RN) | Sub-Lieutenant | Single narrow gold stripe (1/4 inch) | Lower sleeve (dress); shoulder board bar |
| Canada (RCN) | Sub-Lieutenant | Single medium gold stripe | Lower sleeve; shoulder slide with bar |
| Australia (RAN) | Sub-Lieutenant | Single narrow gold stripe | Lower sleeve; shoulder epaulette bar |
| New Zealand (RNZN) | Sub-Lieutenant | Single gold stripe | Lower sleeve; shoulder insignia |
| India (IN) | Sub-Lieutenant | Single narrow gold stripe with executive curl | Lower sleeve; shoulder board |
Contemporary applications
In modern navies, particularly those within the Commonwealth, the sub-lieutenant rank serves as the primary entry-level commissioned officer position, emphasizing leadership development and operational readiness at sea. In the United Kingdom's Royal Navy, officers typically enter as midshipmen and undergo initial training at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, lasting approximately 29 weeks, before automatic promotion to sub-lieutenant after one year of service.[24][25] This pathway focuses on foundational skills in seamanship, navigation, and command principles, preparing sub-lieutenants for roles such as watchkeeping officers or junior department heads aboard warships. Similarly, in the Royal Canadian Navy, sub-lieutenants are commissioned following completion of officer training, often through the Regular Officer Training Plan at the Royal Military College of Canada or direct entry programs, with specialized naval training at the Naval Fleet School lasting about 12 months.[26][27] This curriculum stresses leadership, maritime tactics, and technical proficiency, enabling sub-lieutenants to assume duties like division officers on frigates or support roles in coastal operations. The rank remains active across other Commonwealth navies, including the Royal Australian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, and Indian Navy, where it denotes junior officers responsible for small teams in shipboard divisions or base administration.[21][28][23] Training for sub-lieutenants generally spans 12 to 18 months across these forces, integrating classroom instruction with practical sea time to build expertise in seamanship and personnel management. In the Indian Navy, for instance, sub-lieutenants complete a 22-week naval orientation course post-academy training, focusing on executive branch responsibilities such as gunnery or anti-submarine warfare.[29] Operationally, sub-lieutenants function as division officers managing sailor welfare and equipment on vessels, or in ashore assignments at naval bases handling logistics and training coordination, ensuring seamless integration into fleet activities. While prevalent in Commonwealth traditions, the sub-lieutenant rank has limited direct equivalents in other European navies, such as France's Marine Nationale, where the aspirant de 2e classe serves as a transitional trainee role akin to an acting sub-lieutenant before full commissioning as enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe.[30] In non-Commonwealth contexts like Brazil's Navy, junior officers align with sub-lieutenant equivalents through the aspirante a oficial rank, undergoing similar initial training in leadership and naval operations, though no major structural changes were reported in 2024.[31] These contemporary applications underscore the rank's enduring role in fostering adaptable junior leaders for diverse maritime missions.Acting sub-lieutenant
The acting sub-lieutenant is a provisional commissioned officer rank in several Commonwealth navies, serving as an entry-level position for individuals who have completed initial officer training but remain on probation until confirmed in the substantive rank of sub-lieutenant. This rank is commonly awarded to recent university graduates entering naval service through specialized training pipelines or to midshipmen following successful completion of their initial sea duties and assessments. Its purpose is to provide supervised experience in leadership and naval operations while limiting certain privileges, such as full command authority or seniority benefits, until probationary service is satisfactorily completed.[32][33] In the Royal Navy, the acting sub-lieutenant was historically a key step for new officers, including those in executive, engineering, and supply branches, with promotions documented in official records as late as 1991. The rank shared the same insignia as the sub-lieutenant—a single solid gold stripe on the sleeve—but officers held it temporarily without the full entitlements of a confirmed sub-lieutenant, such as eligibility for certain postings or pay increments. It was abolished for regular Royal Navy personnel around 1993 but retained in the reserves; promotions from acting sub-lieutenant to sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve were still published in The London Gazette in January 2013, marking one of the final instances of its use before full discontinuation across all components.[34][35][36] Commonwealth practices vary in the rank's status and application. In the Royal Canadian Navy, acting sub-lieutenant (A/SLt) is a full commissioned rank awarded immediately post-training, positioned above naval cadet and below sub-lieutenant, with officers wearing a single medium-width sleeve stripe to distinguish it from the sub-lieutenant's medium stripe surmounted by a narrow one. Canadian acting sub-lieutenants enjoy standard junior officer privileges during their service, often in roles supporting fleet operations or shore-based commands. Similarly, in the Royal Australian Navy, the acting sub-lieutenant (ASLT) functions as a probationary rank for direct-entry officers, such as professionals or graduates bypassing midshipman status, and remains integral to modern training pathways for specialized roles like aviation or logistics. These implementations emphasize the rank's role in integrating qualified civilians into naval structures without prior cadet experience.[20][21]Army and air force usage
Historical adoption
The rank of sub-lieutenant was briefly adopted by the British Army in 1871 as part of the Cardwell Reforms, replacing the traditional ranks of ensign in infantry regiments and cornet in cavalry units to standardize junior officer nomenclature across the service.[37] This change aimed to modernize the army's structure following the abolition of commission purchase, but the rank proved short-lived, lasting only until 1877 when it was reverted to second lieutenant amid confusion with the established Royal Navy equivalent of the same name.[37] The 1877 phase of the Cardwell Reforms formalized this reversion, emphasizing clarity in rank distinctions to avoid inter-service misunderstandings.[38] Influenced by continental models, particularly the French Army's longstanding use of sous-lieutenant since its introduction in 1793 as the lowest commissioned officer rank during the Revolutionary Wars, early 20th-century British land forces occasionally drew on similar terminology for junior roles, though without widespread adoption.[39] The French rank persisted through the Napoleonic era and beyond, serving as a template for merit-based commissioning in modern armies.[39] In air force contexts, the rank appeared transiently in the Royal Air Force upon its formation in 1918, mirroring army conventions with titles like flight sub-lieutenant for probationary pilots transitioning from the Royal Naval Air Service.[40] However, by the early 1920s, it was phased out in favor of the dedicated aviation rank of pilot officer to better reflect the service's specialized needs and align with post-war reorganization.[40] Outside Western Europe, the Ottoman Army employed a comparable junior rank, mülazım (equivalent to sub-lieutenant), for military students and probationary officers in the late 19th century during Tanzimat-era reforms aimed at professionalizing the force along European lines. This usage supported the training of cadets in military academies, bridging traditional structures with modern officer education before the empire's transition to the Turkish Republic in the 1920s.Rank insignia
In army and air force contexts, sub-lieutenant rank insignia are typically worn on shoulder epaulets or boards, utilizing bars, pips, or chevrons to denote the entry-level officer or senior non-commissioned status, in contrast to naval designs that employ sleeve curls or executive stripes. These land and air force symbols emphasize simplicity and hierarchy through metallic or embroidered elements positioned above the arm or service color fields, facilitating quick identification during ground or aerial operations. In the French Army and Air Force, the sous-lieutenant rank is represented by a single narrow bar, approximately 6-10 mm wide, placed on the shoulder epaulets of uniforms such as the service vareuse or ceremonial spencer; the bar is ridged (trait côtelé) and colored gold for most arms (e.g., infantry) or silver for specific units like cavalry or chasseurs, with black intermediate edgings on the strap.[41] The Brazilian Army employs the sub-lieutenant (subtenente) designation for its highest non-commissioned rank, distinct from commissioned officers; the insignia consists of three upward-pointing chevrons surmounted by a horizontal bar, worn on the upper sleeve in gold embroidery or metal, setting it apart from the star-based shoulder boards used for true officers like aspirante a oficial.[42] Historically, in the British Army from 1871 to 1877, the short-lived sub-lieutenant rank—replacing the ensign and preceding the modern second lieutenant—featured a single Bath star on the collar and one row of half-inch lace on the cuff, marking a transitional design worn on collars.[43] Air force variations often adapt army-style bars but incorporate aviation motifs for early adopting services; for instance, some units use a simple horizontal bar on shoulder slides, while others add a half-wing emblem to signify flight qualifications, as seen in transitional designs from interwar periods.| Country | Rank Equivalent | Insignia Description | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Sous-lieutenant | One ridged bar (gold or silver, 6-10 mm wide) | Shoulder epaulets |
| Brazil | Subtenente (senior NCO) | Three chevrons with surmounting bar (gold) | Upper sleeve |
| Spain (Air) | Alférez (in air units) | Single embroidered bar (gold) | Shoulder boards |
| Thailand | Acting second lieutenant | Single bar (gold) | Shoulder epaulets |
