Kapitänleutnant

Kapitänleutnant is a naval rank used in German-speaking navies. It denotes a senior officer position and is part of the officer corps in the Deutsche Marine as well as the historical German fleets (Kaiserliche Marine, Reichsmarine, Kriegsmarine). The name translates roughly as “Captain-Lieutenant.” In the modern rank structure it is the third commissioned officer rank, ranking above Oberleutnant zur See and below Korvettenkapitän. It corresponds to NATO rank code OF-3, and is approximately equivalent to a lieutenant in many Anglophone navies.

Historically, the rank has appeared in the German armed forces dating to the 19th century and continued through the Imperial era, the interwar Reichsmarine, and the Kriegsmarine of World War II. In the Kriegsmarine, Kapitänleutnant was commonly held by officers serving as commanders of smaller ships, as well as senior staff officers on larger vessels.

In the contemporary Deutsche Marine, officers holding the rank typically serve as commanding officers of smaller warships or as executive officers on larger ships, or in various staff roles at bases, training establishments, or fleets. The rank is part of a career progression that leads to higher ranks such as Korvettenkapitän, Fregattenkapitän, and Kapitän zur See.

See also: Leutnant zur See, Oberleutnant zur See, Korvettenkapitän, Fregattenkapitän, Kapitän zur See.