Lieutenant (junior grade) facts for kids

U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and U.S. PHS (Assistant) insignia of the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade). Style and method of wear may vary between the services.

A Lieutenant (junior grade), often shortened to LTJG, is a special kind of leader in the United States military and other uniformed services. It's a rank, which means it's a specific level in the chain of command. Think of it like levels in a video game, but for people who serve their country!

This rank is used in several important groups:

• The United States Navy (the sea branch of the military)
• The United States Coast Guard (who protect our coasts and waters)
• The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (doctors and health experts who serve the public)
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) (scientists who study oceans and weather)
• The United States Maritime Service (who train people for jobs on ships)

What is a Commissioned Officer?

A commissioned officer is a leader in the military or other uniformed services. They usually have a college degree and have gone through special training. They are given a "commission," which is like an official document from the government. This document gives them the authority to lead others.

Understanding Ranks

Every military or uniformed service has different ranks. These ranks show how much experience a person has and what their responsibilities are. A Lieutenant (junior grade) is a "junior" officer. This means they are still learning and gaining experience, but they are already in a leadership role.

Pay Grade O-2

In the U.S. military, each rank has a "pay grade." This helps decide how much a person gets paid. The Lieutenant (junior grade) rank has a pay grade of O-2. The "O" stands for officer. So, O-2 means it's the second officer pay grade.