Commanding officer facts for kids
A commanding officer (often called a CO or commander) is the leader of a military unit. This person is in charge of everything that happens within their unit. They have the final say on how the unit operates, following military laws and rules.
Being a commanding officer comes with big responsibilities. They are in charge of things like how force is used, managing money, and making sure equipment is ready. They also have a duty to their superiors and to keep their soldiers safe. COs also have the power to handle minor rule-breaking among their personnel.
In many countries, an officer of almost any rank can be a commanding officer. This role is very important for an officer's career and promotion. A CO often has help from an executive officer (XO) or a second-in-command. Larger units also have other officers who help with different tasks.
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Commanders in the Commonwealth
Many countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, like the United Kingdom, have similar ways of naming their military leaders.
Army Leaders
In the British Army and Royal Marines, a commanding officer is a special role given to leaders of large units. These include groups like regiments or battalions. The person in this role usually holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. People often just call them "the colonel" or "the CO."
Smaller units, like companies or squadrons, do not have a "commanding officer." Instead, their leader is called an "officer commanding" (OC). An OC is usually a major. Even smaller independent groups might have an OC who is a captain or lieutenant.
Commanding officers and officers commanding have special powers. For example, they can promote soldiers or deal with certain rule-breaking. They can also give out minor punishments. Leaders of even smaller groups, like platoons, are just called "commanders" or "leaders." For example, a "platoon commander."
Royal Air Force Leaders
In the Royal Air Force, the title "commanding officer" is used for leaders of entire air force bases or independent units. This includes flying squadrons. Just like in the army, leaders of smaller groups, like a wing or a flight, are called "officer commanding" (OC).
In the Royal Navy, "commanding officer" is the official title for anyone in charge of a ship, unit, or base. However, they are almost always called "the captain," no matter their actual rank. Sometimes, people informally call them "skipper" or "boss."
Commanders in the United States
In the United States, any officer who is officially in charge of a military unit, ship, or base is considered a commanding officer.
Army Leaders
The commanding officer of a company in the US Army is usually a captain. They are called the "company commander." For larger units like a battalion, the CO is usually a lieutenant colonel. The leader of a brigade is a colonel and is called the "brigade commander."
For even larger groups, like a division, the leader is called a "commanding general." This is because they hold a very high rank.
The leader of a platoon, which is a very small group of soldiers, is called a "platoon leader." This officer is usually a lieutenant. While they lead soldiers, they don't have all the same powers as higher-level commanding officers. For example, a platoon leader cannot give out minor punishments.
Some non-commissioned officers (NCOs) lead small units, but they don't "command" in the same way commissioned officers do. They are said to "have charge of" their units. This is because only commissioned officers get their authority directly from the head of state.
Marine Corps Leaders
In the United States Marine Corps, the commanding officer of a company is usually a captain. They are called the "company commander." For a battalion or an aviation squadron, the CO is usually a lieutenant colonel.
The leader of a regiment or an aviation group is a colonel. They are called the regimental or group commander. For very large groups like a Marine Expeditionary Force, the leader is called a "commanding general."
The officer in charge of a platoon is called the "platoon commander." This officer is usually a lieutenant. Just like in the Army, while they lead their Marines, they don't have the full legal authority of a "commanding officer" under military rules.
In the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, "commanding officer" is the official title for the leader of a ship, unit, or base. However, they are almost always called "the Captain," no matter their actual rank. It's a long-standing naval tradition. Sometimes, they are informally called "Skipper."
If a sailor in charge of a unit is an enlisted member (not an officer), they are called the "officer in charge." For example, in the Coast Guard, smaller ships are often led by a chief petty officer.
Air Force Leaders
In the United States Air Force, the commanding officer of a unit is called the "unit commander." For example, a squadron commander, a group commander, or a wing commander. Squadron commanders are usually majors or lieutenant colonels. Group commanders are usually colonels, and wing commanders can be colonels or generals.
See also
- Command and control
- Staff (military)
- Officer Commanding
