Commander facts for kids
A Commander is an important rank or title used in many different groups. You'll often hear it in navies and air forces, where it's a rank for an officer. It's also used in police forces and other formal organizations. Sometimes, "commander" is a general word for someone in charge of a group, like a "platoon commander" in the army or an "incident commander" at an emergency.
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The rank of Commander is common in many navies around the world and also in some air forces. It's not usually an army rank, except for special team leaders.
This title first appeared in the 1700s in the Royal Navy. Back then, a "Master and Commander" was an officer who commanded a warship. These ships were too big for a Lieutenant to command, but not big enough for a full Captain. The Royal Navy shortened the title to "Commander" in 1794. Today, this rank is known as an OF-4 rank in NATO countries.
In the Royal Navy, a Commander is a higher rank than a Lieutenant-Commander. It is lower than a Captain. This rank is similar to a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army or a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force. A Commander might be in charge of a frigate (a type of warship), a destroyer, a submarine, an aviation squadron, or a base on land. They can also work as part of a larger staff team.
Commander in Space and Air Travel
NASA Mission Commander
Since the very first Project Gemini missions, one person on each spacecraft is chosen as the mission commander. This person is like the captain of the spaceship. They make all the important decisions during the mission. They work closely with the Mission Control Center (MCC) on Earth.
Aircraft Commander
In civil aviation, which means regular passenger flights, the person in charge of the aircraft is called the aircraft commander. This person is also known as the pilot in command. People often call them "captain," but "captain" is actually an airline rank. It's not directly related to the commander's role on the plane.
Commander in Police Forces
The rank of Commander is used in several police forces around the world. It is usually a very senior rank.
British Police
In the British police, Commander is a senior officer rank. It is used in the two main police forces in London: the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police.
Australian Police
In Australia, Commander is a rank used by several police forces. These include the Victorian, Tasmanian, Western Australian, South Australian, and Australian Federal Police. The symbol for this rank is a crown over three stars, arranged in a triangle. This is similar to a brigadier rank in the army.
United States Police
Only a few police departments in the United States use the rank of Commander. Some examples are the Los Angeles Police Department, the San Francisco Police Department, and the Hawai'i County Police Department.
Canadian Police
The police force in Montreal, called the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, also uses the rank of Commander.
Incident Commander
When there is an emergency, like a fire or a natural disaster, the Incident Command System is used to manage the response. The person in charge of managing the emergency is called the incident commander. This role can be passed from one person to another as the emergency changes or grows.
Commander in Chivalric Orders
The title of Commander is also used in special groups called chivalric orders. These are like old knightly organizations. In these groups, a Commander is a member who is more senior than a knight. Sometimes, an even higher rank is called a "knight commander." An example is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Common Usage of "Commander"
Sometimes, people use the word "commander" in everyday language. They might use it to describe someone who is responsible for a group. This person also has the authority to lead the group. They help the group work towards a common goal.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Comandante para niños
