Can the XO have the rank of captain or other officers on board? I mean if a captain is the same as a full bird colonel, and a colonel typically commands a brigade that is about 2,000 men, the captain of an aircraft carrier would be commanding 5,500 men, or what a regiment might be commanded by a general.
Chuck J
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An aircraft carrier will likely have several O-6 assigned but only one will be "Captain". Carl Vinson had a Captain as CO, XO, Chaplain, Reactor Officer plus an air group commander or CAG and his deputy. There was also a Captain who was the Destroyer Squadron Commander called "Commodore" and I think two Captains assigned to the Admirals staff. So at the time there were probably seven or eight Captains on-board. Without looking in my cruise book I am not 100% but bet I am pretty close. I recall we had a Captain Operations officer for a while also.
knh959
Yes. Remember though that in the navy "Captain" is both a rank and an appointment. There can be two officers holding the rank of Captain aboard a ship but only one officer can hold the appointment of "Captain".
brian k
"Captain" is the person commanding the ship. On most submarines, esp SSN's, the "Captain" is normally a Commander. Of course, after a successful command at sea tour, promotion to the rank of Captain is sure to follow.
Dustin
Sure! Why not? Simply having that rank doesn't mean that you are Captain of that particular ship.
When an admiral is at sea he is aboard a ship commanded by a Captain, who is Junior in rank.
Anonymous
15 to 20 years.