Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader 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 term "captain" derives from 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.^[1]^{[page needed]} The word was Latinized as capetanus/catepan, and its meaning seems to have merged with that of the late Latin "capitaneus" (which derives from the classical Latin word "caput", meaning head).^[2] This hybridized term gave rise to the English language term captain and its equivalents in other languages (Capitan, Capitaine, Capitano, Capitão, Kapitan, Kapitän, Kapitein, Kapteeni, Kapten, kapitány, Kapudan Pasha, Kobtan, etc.).

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 civilian mariner or person 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.^[3]^[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

Etymology

Occupations or roles

Military ranks

Canada

Germany

India

Israel

South Africa

United Kingdom

United States

Generic

See also

References