Is Commander Better than General? A Comprehensive Military Rank Analysis
The simple answer is no, a General is definitively a higher rank than a Commander in most conventional military structures. However, the intricacies of military ranking can sometimes be confusing, and the title “Commander” itself holds a unique position. This article aims to clarify the differences, delve into the nuances of both ranks across different contexts, and address common misconceptions. While “Commander” denotes a position of authority and leadership, in most cases, it does not surpass the higher rank of “General.”
Understanding the Traditional Military Hierarchy
In traditional military structures, such as the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, a clear hierarchy exists where rank is directly tied to authority and responsibility. Here, a General is a flag officer rank, typically denoted by multiple stars, while Commander falls within the ranks of senior officers.
The Rank of General
The rank of General is a very high-ranking officer, usually holding a four-star designation. It is preceded by ranks such as Lieutenant General (three stars), Major General (two stars), and Brigadier General (one star). Generals typically hold command of large formations, such as armies or corps, and are responsible for the overall strategic planning and execution of military operations.
The Role of Commander
The title of Commander, however, is slightly more complex. It can refer to a specific rank, such as in the U.S. Navy, where a Commander (O-5) sits between Lieutenant Commander (O-4) and Captain (O-6). But, “Commander” can also denote a position rather than a rank, meaning a person of any rank might be referred to as the “Commander” of a specific unit or operation. For instance, a Captain might be the Commander of a ship, or a Lieutenant Colonel might be the Commander of a battalion.
Commander vs. General: A Clear Distinction
The key takeaway is that while a Commander holds authority and responsibility within their specific sphere of command, a General almost always outranks them due to their position in the overall military hierarchy. Therefore, a Commander as a rank is decidedly lower than General. The hierarchical relationship, when comparing them as ranks, is straightforward.
Variations Across Military Branches and Fictional Worlds
It’s important to consider how these ranks function in different branches and even fictional universes, where titles can hold different weight:
U.S. Navy Specifics
In the U.S. Navy, a Commander is a senior officer rank, but it does not come close to matching the power and authority of an Admiral, which holds equivalent standing with a General in other services. This is because the Navy operates with a different officer structure. An Admiral outranks a Commander in the Navy hierarchy.
Star Wars Ranks
The Star Wars universe introduces further variations. In the established ranks of the Galactic Republic and Empire, a Commander exists, often below a Captain or other higher ranking officer in the Line Branches. In specialist branches, “Commander” is a higher rank. However, Jedi Generals hold a significant amount of authority and often outrank Naval Admirals and clone Commanders. Later, Darth Vader held the position of Supreme Commander, which greatly surpassed any rank of General or Admiral in that specific fictional military structure. This demonstrates how position and titles can shift drastically depending on context.
Key Takeaways
- In most military contexts, General is a significantly higher rank than Commander as a rank.
- “Commander” can refer to a rank (like Navy Commander) or to a position/role someone holds.
- Rank is typically a fixed level, while a command position can be held by officers of varying ranks.
- Even if a position of Commander may be above an officer in terms of role, the rank of General typically means that the General will almost always have a higher place in any standard hierarchical structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What rank is equivalent to a Commander in the Army?
A Commander in the Navy is equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force.
2. What is the highest military rank?
The highest military rank is a five-star General (O-10), known as General of the Army in the U.S. Army, General of the Air Force in the Air Force, and General of the Marine Corps in the Marine Corps. It is equivalent to a Fleet Admiral in the Navy.
3. Does a Captain outrank a Commander?
In the U.S. Navy, a Captain (O-6) does outrank a Commander (O-5).
4. What are the four ranks of General?
The four ranks of General are Brigadier General (one star), Major General (two stars), Lieutenant General (three stars), and General (four stars). In the Navy, their equivalents are Rear Admiral Lower Half, Rear Admiral Upper Half, Vice Admiral, and Admiral, respectively.
5. What ranks are below a Commander in the Navy?
Ranks below a Commander in the Navy include Lieutenant Commander (LCDR), Lieutenant (LT), Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG), and Ensign (ENS).
6. What does a military Commander do?
A Commander is the individual in charge of a specific unit or operation. They give directives and are responsible for ensuring compliance within their command.
7. Can a civilian outrank a military officer?
In a democratic society, civilians, as a group, control the military and therefore “outrank” them in an institutional sense. However, a specific civilian individual does not generally hold a specific rank higher than the highest ranked military officer.
8. What’s the highest rank below General?
The highest rank below General is Lieutenant General.
9. Why is Lieutenant General higher than Major General?
This seemingly paradoxical structure is due to the historical derivation of the ranks. Major General comes from sergeant major general, which was initially subordinate to Lieutenant General.
10. Who outranks Darth Vader?
In a direct, traditional chain of command, Grand Moff Tarkin held higher authority when Vader was within his territory, in the Star Wars universe. Also, Emperor Palpatine clearly held the highest authority in the Empire.
11. What rank was Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars?
Anakin Skywalker held the rank of Jedi General in the Grand Army of the Republic. Jedi held very high rank within the Republic’s Military.
12. How many soldiers does a Captain typically command?
A Captain typically commands a company-sized unit, which can range from 62 to 190 soldiers.
13. What was Kylo Ren’s rank in the First Order?
Kylo Ren initially was the leader of the Knights of Ren and was an apprentice of Supreme Leader Snoke later becoming Supreme Leader himself.
14. Can a Captain become a General?
Yes, a Captain can advance through the ranks to become a General given time, ability and opportunity. The process requires promotion through the officer ranks.
15. Are there any six-star Generals in the U.S.?
There is no official six-star General rank in the U.S. Military. However, George Washington, John J. Pershing, and Ulysses S. Grant have all been referred to informally as “six-star” Generals due to their high rank and historical significance. The highest official rank is a five-star General.
In conclusion, while the position of Commander signifies authority and leadership, it is generally not considered a higher rank than General in most traditional military structures. The term’s usage can vary by branch and context, emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of the specific organizational hierarchy to fully grasp the relationship between these two titles.