Second lieutenant

Common anglophone military ranks
Navies	Armies	Air forces
Officers
Admiral of the fleet	Marshal / field marshal	Marshal of the Air Force
Admiral	General	Air marshal
Commodore	Brigadier	Air commodore
Captain	Colonel	Group captain
Commander	Lieutenant colonel	Wing commander
Lieutenant commander	Major / commandant	Squadron leader
Lieutenant	Captain	Flight lieutenant
Sub-lieutenant	Lieutenant	Flying officer
Ensign	2nd lieutenant	Pilot officer
Midshipman	Officer cadet	Officer cadet
Seamen, soldiers and airmen
Warrant officer	Sergeant major / Warrant officer	Warrant officer
Petty officer	Sergeant	Sergeant
Leading seaman	Corporal	Corporal
Seaman	Private	Aircraftman
Seaman recruit	Army recruit

Israel [edit]

In the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), since 1951, (סגן-משנה (סג"מ Segen mishne (Sagam) is equivalent to a Second Lieutenant (NATO OF-1). From 1948 - 1951 the corresponding rank was that of a (סגן) Segen, which today (since 1951) is a Lieutenant. Segen mishne means "Junior Lieutenant" and Segen literally translates as "Assistant". Typically it is the rank of a Platoon commander. The rank above Second Lieutenant is simply Lieutenant. Note that the IDF uses this rank across all three of its services.

United Kingdom and Commonwealth [edit]

The rank second lieutenant (abbr: 2LT; coll: "one-pip") was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign (cornet in the cavalry), although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Fusilier and Rifle regiments. At first the rank bore no distinct insignia. In 1902 a single Bath star (now commonly referred to as a pip) was introduced; the ranks of lieutenant and captain had their number of stars increased by one to (respectively) two and three. The rank is also used by the Royal Marines.

New British Army officers are normally commissioned as second lieutenants at the end of their commissioning course at RMA Sandhurst, and continue with specific training with their units, often with mentoring from senior NCOs. Progression to lieutenant rank usually occurs after about a year.

In the Royal Air Force the comparable rank is pilot officer. The Royal Navy has no exact equivalent rank, and a second lieutenant is senior to a Royal Navy midshipman but junior to a sub-lieutenant. The Royal New Zealand Navy – breaking with Royal Navy tradition – uses the ensign grade for this rank equivalent. The Royal Australian Navy also breaks tradition in the sense that it has the equivalent rank of Ensign, but it is titled "acting sub lieutenant."

The Canadian Forces adopted the rank with insignia of a single gold ring around the service dress uniform cuff for both army and air personnel upon unification in 1968. For a time, naval personnel used this rank but reverted to the Royal Canadian Navy rank of acting sub-lieutenant, though the CF green uniform was retained until the mid-1980s.

United States [edit]

In the United States, Second Lieutenant is the normal entry-level rank for most commissioned officers.

In the Army and Marine Corps, a second lieutenant typically commands a platoon-size element (16 to 44 soldiers or Marines). In the Army, until December 1917 the rank bore no insignia other than a brown sleeve braid on blouses and an officer's cap device and hat cord. In December 1917, a gold bar similar to the silver bar of a first lieutenant was introduced.

In the Air Force, depending upon the career field, a second lieutenant may supervise flights (of varying sizes) as a flight commander or assistant flight commander, or may work in a variety of administrative positions at the squadron, group, or wing level.

The corresponding Navy and Coast Guard rank is ensign.

Norway [edit]

The equivalent rank in Norway (O-1) is "fenrik", but the function of the rank differs drastically from other armies. Although it is an officer rank, it strongly resembles an NCO-rank in practice. The ranking system in Norway is quite different, while they do not have a professional army, Fenriks are usually former experienced sergeants but to become a sergeant one has to go through officer's training and education. Though they still fill such roles as squad leaders and platoon sergeants while at the rank Fenrik, in some cases Fenriks are Executive Officers (XOs). Most Fenriks have finished the War Academy as well, and are fully trained officers. This is due to the lack of an NCO-corps in the Norwegian army.

Pakistan [edit]

Pakistan Army follows British pattern of ranks. A 2nd Lieutenant is represented by one metal pip on each shoulder in case of "Khaki Uniform" and one four quadric^{[clarification needed]} printed star on the chest in case of Camouflage Combat Dress (CCD). However a 2nd lieutenant in Pakistan Army last for only 6 months after commission from PMA Kakul and promoted to a Lieutenant.

Insignia [edit]

The following are a selection of second lieutenant rank insignia, attempting to illustrate the range of variation (and similarity) between the insignia. Note that although many air forces use the rank of second lieutenant, in most Commonwealth air forces the equivalent rank of pilot officer is used. Very few navies use the rank "second lieutenant".

Army
	Australia	Bulgaria	Canada	Denmark	France	Germany	Greece	Ireland	Israel	Italy	Mexico	Norway	Poland	Romania	Russia	Slovenia	UK	US
Air Force	pilot officer
	Australia	Bulgaria	Canada	Denmark	France	Germany	Greece	Ireland	Israel	Italy	Mexico	Norway	Poland	Romania	Russia	Slovenia	UK	US
Navy	acting sub- lieutenant		acting sub- lieutenant	Løjtnant	Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe	Leutnant zur See	Simaioforos			guardia- marina	Teniente de Corbeta						no equiv. rank	ensign

Other countries [edit]

Afghanistan: Dvahom Baridman
Albania: Nëntoger
Arabic-speaking countries except Bahrain, Oman, Sudan, Yemen: ملازم (Mulazim)
Argentina, Cuba, Nicaragua and Peru: Teniente
Armenia: լեյտենանտ (Leytenant)
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan: Leytenant
Bahrain, Oman, Sudan and Yemen: ملازم ثاني (Mulazim Thani)
Bangladesh: Second Lieutenant
Belgium: Sous-Lieutenant (French); Onderluitenant (Dutch); Unterleutnant (German)
Bhutan: Deda Wom
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay: Subteniente
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Podporučnik
Brazil and Angola: Segundo Tenente
Cambodia: Ak-no-say-ney-trey
Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau: Tenente
People's Republic of China: 少尉 (Shào wèi)
Imperial China (Qing Dynasty): 協軍校 (Xié jūn xiào)
Croatia: Poručnik
Czech Republic and ex Czechoslovakia: Poručík
Denmark: Løjtnant
Dominican Republic: Segundo Teniente
Estonia: Nooremleitnant
Finland: Vänrikki (Finnish) or Fänrik (Swedish) (army and air force); Aliluutnantti (Finnish) or Underlöjtnant (Swedish) (navy)
France and all French-speaking non-European countries: Sous-Lieutenant
Georgia: ლეიტენანტი (Leytenanti)
Germany and Austria: Leutnant
Greece and Cyprus: Anthypolokhagos (army); Anthyposminagos (air force)
Hungary: Hadnagy
Honduras: Segundo Teniente
Indonesia: Letnan Dua
Iran: ستوان دوم (Setvan Dovom)
Republic of Ireland Second Lieutenant (English); Dara-Lefteanant (Irish)
Israel: סגן משנה (Segen mishne)
Italy: Sottotenente
Japan: 三等陸尉 (Santō Rikui) or 3尉 (San'i) (modern); 少尉 (Shōi) (historical)
North Korea and South Korea: 소위 (Sowi)
Laos: Roitrïäkäd
Latvia: Leitnants
Lithuania: Leitenantas
Luxembourg: Lieutenant
Malaysia: Leftenan Muda
Mexico: Subteniente
Myanmar: Du Bo
Mongolia: Дэслэгч(Deslegch)
Nepal: Sahayak-Senani
Netherlands and Suriname: Tweede-Luitenant
Norway: Fenrik
Ottoman Empire: Mülazım
Philippines: Second Lieutenant (English); Magat, Tenyente, Ikalawang Tenyente, Alperes; Segundo Teniente and Alferez (Spanish)
Poland: Podporucznik
Portugal and Mozambique: Alferes
Romania: Sublocotenent (modern); Locotenent (former)
Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Soviet Union: Лейтенант (Leytenant)
Russian Empire: Подпоручик (Podporuchik); Kорнет (Kornet) (cavalry)
Saudi Arabia: ملازم
Somalia: Sottotenente
Serbia, Macedonia and Yugoslavia: Потпоручник (Potporučnik)
Slovakia: Poručík
Slovenia: Poročnik
Spain and Equatorial Guinea: Alférez
Sweden: Fänrik
Switzerland: Leutnant (German); Lieutenant (French); Tenente (Italian)
Republic of China (Taiwan): 少尉 (Shào wèi)
Thailand: ร้่อยตรี
Turkey: Teğmen
Uruguay: Teniente Segundo
Venezuela: Subteniente (army); Subteniente (air force); Alférez (Navy)
Vietnam: Thiếu Uý

References [edit]

v t e Commissioned officer ranks of the British Armed Forces
NATO rank code	Student Officer	OF-1		OF-2	OF-3	OF-4	OF-5	OF-6 *	OF-7 **	OF-8 ***	OF-9 ****	OF-10 *****
Royal Navy	O Cdt	Mid	SLt	Lt	Lt Cdr	Cdr	Capt	Cdre	RAdm (list)	VAdm (list)	Adm (list)	Adm of the Fleet
Royal Marines		2Lt	Lt	Capt	Maj	Lt Col	Col	Brig	Maj-Gen	Lt-Gen	Gen (list)
Army	O Cdt	2Lt	Lt	Capt	Maj	Lt Col	Col	Brig	Maj-Gen	Lt-Gen	Gen (list)	FM (list)
Royal Air Force	OC / SO	APO / Plt Off	Fg Off	Flt Lt	Sqn Ldr	Wg Cdr	Gp Capt	Air Cdre	AVM	Air Mshl	Air Chf Mshl (list)	MRAF

v t e United States commissioned officer and officer candidate ranks
Pay grade / Branch of service	Officer candidate	O-1	O-2	O-3	O-4	O-5	O-6	O-7	O-8	O-9	O-10	O-10 (war time)	Special grade
Approximate insignia	(no universal insignia)
Air Force	Cadet / OT	2d Lt	1st Lt	Capt	Maj	Lt Col	Col	Brig Gen	Maj Gen	Lt Gen	Gen	GAF^[1]	^[3]
Army	CDT / OC	2LT	1LT	CPT	MAJ	LTC	COL	BG	MG	LTG	GEN	GA^[1]	GAS^[1]
Marine Corps	Midn / Cand	2ndLt	1stLt	Capt	Maj	LtCol	Col	BGen	MajGen	LtGen	Gen	^[3]	^[3]
Navy	MIDN / OC	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	FADM^[1]	AN^[1]
Coast Guard	CDT / OC	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	^[3]	^[3]
Public Health Service	^[3]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RADM	RADM	VADM	ADM	^[3]	^[3]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration	^[3]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM^[1]	^[2]	^[3]	^[3]
^[1] Grade is inactive; requires Congressional approval for re-activation ^[2] Grade is authorized by the U.S. Code for use but has not been created ^[3] Grade has never been created or authorized

v t e United States warrant officer ranks
	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5
Air Force	WO1^[1]	CWO2^[1]	CWO3^[1]	CWO4^[1]	CWO5^[1]
Army	WO1	CW2	CW3	CW4	CW5
Marine Corps	WO1	CWO2	CWO3	CWO4	CWO5
Navy	WO1^[1]	CWO2	CWO3	CWO4	CWO5
Coast Guard	WO1^[1]	CWO2	CWO3	CWO4	^[2]
Public Health Service	^[2]	^[2]	^[2]	^[2]	^[3]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration	^[3]	^[3]	^[3]	^[3]	^[3]
^[1] Grade inactive ^[2] Grade is authorized for use by U.S. Code but has not been created ^[3] Grade never created or authorized

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