Company Commander rank?

[Drill for life]

In my program Company Commanders have been C/1LTthis year because it's our big inspection Company Commanders are going to be C/CPT What rank does your unit assign to a Company Commander position?

[Buffa1oso1di3r]

C/CPT... I thought that was SOP?

[Drill for life]

No, Captain is the rank of Company Commanders in the Army, why not AJROTC.

[Sanguinary]

Ours have been C/CPTs, but if it needs to be filled depending on promotions and such, there have been C/MAJs in the role.

[Startingover]

Ours have been C/CPTs, but if it needs to be filled depending on promotions and such, there have been C/MAJs in the role.

Correspondingly, and it normally crosses over alot, in the AFJROTC programs it is set up -

Wing - C/Colonel
Group - C/Col or C/ Lt. Col
Squadron - C/Maj
Flight - C/Capt


I know that coresponding affliations for Wing and Flight are Battalion and Company respectively, but I dont know what corresponds for Group and Squadron.

[Drill for life]

So my unit has been doing it wrong(or by our standards). While we are on this topic what rank does your program give Staff?

[Startingover]

So my unit has been doing it wrong(or by our standards). While we are on this topic what rank does your program give Staff?

Well not necessarily wrong as there may have been outstanding circumstances.

Such as if you had a fast tracked cadet that had gotten rank early, he may be a flight/company commander at a lower rank. Also the opposite and you might have a more than experienced person or someone who is performing 2+ jobs who has higher than captain. But typically, for that level of rank in JROTC, it is a Captain who holds it, and more normally, a 3rd year cadet.

[PhilK]

Just to give the real world side of the house.

Most of the Company Commanders in the Army are Captains...however...there can be a few senior 1LTs who are selected to serve as Company Commanders until they can get promoted to Captain.

There are even a handful of Company Commander positions that are Major slots. These are usually Headquarter Company Commander slots at Division and higher levels.

[El Supremo]

So my unit has been doing it wrong(or by our standards). While we are on this topic what rank does your program give Staff?

depends... XO: can be a Senior (which is c/Lieutenant Colonel) or a Junior (Which is c/Major), S-3 Can be (Senior, which is c/Major) or Junior (which is c/Captain), S-1: c/Captain, S-2: c/Captain, S-4: c/Captain or c/1LT, or S-5: c/2LT or c/SGM

[armysc_25b]

depends... XO: can be a Senior (which is c/Lieutenant Colonel) or a Junior (Which is c/Major), S-3 Can be (Senior, which is c/Major) or Junior (which is c/Captain), S-1: c/Captain, S-2: c/Captain, S-4: c/Captain or c/1LT, or S-5: c/2LT or c/SGM

What does grade have to do with rank? Typically, yes, juniors and seniors are the ones in the ranks you mention, but grade shouldn't be a disqualifier for a position if the person is qualified for the job. By the way, an XO at the battalion level is typically a MAJ, not a LTC. And in my personal opinion, depending on what your S-5 is, a c/SGM isn't the most optimal choice for a staff job, but since c/SGM doesn't have the respect it should in cadet programs, fire away I guess...

[USFreak]

I do have a question, in a company format, what would be the usual rank of an XO. In my battalion, we have some XO's that are the same rank as the platoon leaders, or does rank come with seniority.

[-BuLL-]

Dig a couple pages into this and you will have your answer.

http://www.howemilitary.com/JROTC/LET/Unit1/Chapter1/U1C1L3_txt.pdf

[PhilK]

I do have a question, in a company format, what would be the usual rank of an XO. In my battalion, we have some XO's that are the same rank as the platoon leaders, or does rank come with seniority.

In the "real world" (vs. Cadet world), the Company XO will be a senior 1LT. Platoon Leaders are usually 2LTs or "junior" 1LTs waiting for a XO or specialty Platoon position.

[Psybadek]

I do have a question, in a company format, what would be the usual rank of an XO. In my battalion, we have some XO's that are the same rank as the platoon leaders, or does rank come with seniority.

It really depends on the unit.
The structure in NJROTC seemed to be like so

Regiment: C/Commander (Unless it's changed no unit ever used C/Captain because it wasn't authorized. That's how it was when I was in, it needed to be approved by the area manager.)

Battalion: C/Commander
Company: C/Lt. Commander
Platoon: C/Ensign
Squad: C/Seaman

[USFreak]

Another question I was watching Pearl Harbor today, and the captain on the U.S.S Arizona was wearing COL ranks on his collar. Why is that?

[armysc_25b]

The Navy's officer structure is different from the other services. Compare:

Grade-Navy--------------------Other
O-1---Ensign-------------------2nd Lieutenant
O-2---Lieutenant Junior Grade---1st Lieutenant
O-3---Lieutenant---------------Captain
O-4---Lieutenant Commander---Major
O-5---Commander--------------Lieutenant Colonel
O-6---Captain-----------------Colonel

So even though the paygrade and insignia are the same, the titles are different.

[Drill for life]

I was in the process of posting that earlier but I got a phone call and had to leave my house real quick.

[USFreak]

Thank you it has been bugging me ever since I watched it.

[Ivan_The_Mute]

I know that coresponding affliations for Wing and Flight are Battalion and Company respectively, but I dont know what corresponds for Group and Squadron.

Not quite. While that is true by the usual rank of the commanders, it's not true by manpower or personnel. The actual structual equivalents are (Army to Air Force) Squad to Element, Platoon to Flight, Company to Squadron, Battalion to Group, Brigade to Wing, and Division to Numbered Air Force. Beyond that, it gets kind of squiffy because there is no real Air Force equivalent to the Army's Corps level, and there is no Army equivalent to the Air Force's Majcom.

To be honest, it is a mistake to try to try to compare command levels and ranks for the Army to the Air Force, because there is simply too much variance. Take my job for example. I command the EOD shop (flight) for my squadron. I'm a captain, and I'm over 9 people. The service equivalent for the Army (by position) is a 2LT or 1LT, but by manpower I lead a squad, calling for a SSG.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

Normally our Company Commanders are C/CPT's but if for whatever reason that CC fails to do their job than a c/1LT might take over.

[RLM10_2_06]

When I was in Army JROTC, all our Company COs, assuming they didn't suck, earned c/CPT (c/1LT if they weren't quite up to par). Company XOs were always c/2LT, and our platoons simply fell under Platoon SGTs (c/SSGs).

[Psybadek]

When I was in Army JROTC, all our Company COs, assuming they didn't suck, earned c/CPT (c/1LT if they weren't quite up to par). Company XOs were always c/2LT, and our platoons simply fell under Platoon SGTs (c/SSGs).

No offense, but that's a horrible way to run a unit. Anyone that isn't "up to par" shouldn't be in that position. It should be run by someone who can do their job properly. If they can't do it, there's someone else who can.

[DiscoSnake]

No offense, but that's a horrible way to run a unit. Anyone that isn't "up to par" shouldn't be in that position. It should be run by someone who can do their job properly. If they can't do it, there's someone else who can.

That works only to a degree though. Yes, if they aren't ready for the job they shouldn't be placed in a command position, yet. Not being up to par means they aren't quite there yet, but with a little polishing they will be an outstanding commander. What should be done is to place a superior above them and make sure they get the necessary training to be effective as a leader.

[Psybadek]

That works only to a degree though. Yes, if they aren't ready for the job they shouldn't be placed in a command position, yet. Not being up to par means they aren't quite there yet, but with a little polishing they will be an outstanding commander. What should be done is to place a superior above them and make sure they get the necessary training to be effective as a leader.

For the Company/Battalion/Regiment CO position, they NEED to be ready for that position. Anyone who is going to be over all the cadet's in the program shouldn't be "up to par" for other CO positions, it's fine to have them at XO until they can take over, but the cadet who is over all of them needs to be able to do their job.

[DiscoSnake]

You do have a point, and you even pointed out the way to have them trained. Of course if they can't lead then they should not be in the position, but if they show potential do as you say and place them as an XO, or something of the equivalent to get them the necessary training.

[pouge tanker]

Just to give the real world side of the house.

Most of the Company Commanders in the Army are Captains...however...there can be a few senior 1LTs who are selected to serve as Company Commanders until they can get promoted to Captain.

There are even a handful of Company Commander positions that are Major slots. These are usually Headquarter Company Commander slots at Division and higher levels.

most Company Commanders I know...are Majors...

[armysc_25b]

Our O-3s can be trusted with their own companies, I guess Marines need a little more training /experience before they get a company :devil: /sarcasm

In all seriousness, I noticed that Marine Company Commanders are O-4's instead of O-3's. Always curious as to why, but never stopped to look it up or just ask.

[pouge tanker]

Our O-3s can be trusted with their own companies, I guess Marines need a little more training /experience before they get a company :devil: /sarcasm

In all seriousness, I noticed that Marine Company Commanders are O-4's instead of O-3's. Always curious as to why, but never stopped to look it up or just ask.

actually...I was talking about army units ive been in or been attacxhed to for support.

every marine Co I knew of was a captain...

[armysc_25b]

The Marine company in my joint environment has had I think 2 or 3 different commanders in the time I've been here, all of whom have been a Maj. As well, I've never seen an Army company that wasn't commanded by a CPT.

Guess I need to get out more often?

[pouge tanker]

The Marine company in my joint environment has had I think 2 or 3 different commanders in the time I've been here, all of whom have been a Maj. As well, I've never seen an Army company that wasn't commanded by a CPT.

Guess I need to get out more often?

who knows..ive been out of the Corps for what? 16 years...and have only been in medical units in the army...never really paid that close of attention during support ops...

[PhilK]

You will find a handful of HHC Command billets that are O-4 slots rather then O-3 slots. Usually at Division and higher echelons.

In the medical field, it is also possible that the commander's were just overstrength for the slot since they are promoted pretty quick up the ranks and are never really denied a promotion becuase of their professional training. (Gotta keep those docs in, no matter what.)

[DSEddie]

I can tell you in the Infantry or BCT environments I've been in I've never seen nor heard of a Major in a Company Commander slot.

[mtnsldr]

Specific Companies have MAJ slots for commanders.

Civil Affairs Companies have MAJ commanders. MSC Companies (normally MEDEVAC) have MAJ Commanders. Some specialized infantry units may have MAJ commanders as well. As was stated, DIV HHCs are often MAJ Commands.

It is really a handful though. The vast majority are CPT Commands.

[ufcfootballfan]

In my Battalion, our Company Commanders have always been Captains. We try to stick to the way the Army does things, keep it real.

[Psybadek]

In my Battalion, our Company Commanders have always been Captains. We try to stick to the way the Army does things, keep it real.

Correction, they have always been Cadet Captains.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

In my Battalion, our Company Commanders have always been Captains. We try to stick to the way the Army does things, keep it real.

Newbies :P I am just kidding, but seriously that distinction does need to be made, even with abbreviations, it is C/"x"

[Zach]

In my battalion C/CPT is usually company commander.

[c/cpt. elser]

Regulation calls for company commanders to be Captains.

[armysc_25b]

Since this one was brought back to life, I'd like to see someone throw a regulation out there to cite what it should be, either at the Army level or for the cadet world. And the link can't point to www.thisissomerandomschoolssiteusinga3timesrevised regulationasitscurrentpublication.com.

[Sandbagger]

Here in college AROTC land, the ranks work like this:

Freshmen are either PVT, PFC or CPL (in some circumstances with prior service background)

Sophomores are CPLs and work as team leaders (for some reason)

Juniors are either SGT, SSGT, SFC, MSG or 1SG and operate as the squad leaders, platoon sergeants, first sergeants etc... These jobs rotate so that everyone gets a chance to try it.

After students go to LDAC (Leadership Development Assessment Course) following junior year, they become cadet officers and fill the roles of platoon leaders, company XOs, COs, and battalion leadership.

Cadets in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) are contracted ROTC cadets who serve in the National Guard as platoon leaders or PL interns (depending on manning) while they are on drill status. They wear a black dot (and there are many names for the dot among soldiers, trust me!) of a C/2LT while drilling with their units.