Lieutenant is an officer rank in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks directly below captain. The Army rank of lieutenant is junior to the Navy rank of lieutenant.
From at least 1580, the lieutenant on a ship was the officer immediately subordinate to the captain. Prior to 1677, lieutenants were appointed by their captains, and this inevitably led to abuses and to the widespread appointment of unqualified men. The Chief Secretary to the Admiralty introduced the first examination for the lieutenant, and thereafter their seniority was dated from the passing of this exam.
In the Army, lieutenants rank below Captain, and above Sergeant.
The term “lieutenant” can also be used as an informal term to describe any subordinate acting on his superior’s orders.
Lieutenants[]
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- James McGraw (formerly)
- Perkins
- Pickram