Tenente

Tenente is a military rank used in Italy and in Portuguese-speaking armed forces, corresponding to lieutenant in English. It denotes a junior commissioned officer who typically commands a small unit or serves as a staff officer at company level. The term comes from Latin tenens or tenere, meaning to hold, and entered these languages through historical military hierarchies.

In Italy, Tenente is a commissioned rank in the Army, Air Force, and Carabinieri, ranking above Sottotenente (Second Lieutenant) and below Capitano (Captain). A Tenente may command a platoon or serve as a platoon leader in training, and can move into staff roles at battalion or higher levels as they gain experience. In the Italian Navy, the equivalent rank is Tenente di vascello, used for officers above Sottotenente di vascello.

In Portuguese-speaking forces, the term Tenente is used as the lieutenant rank, with variations in structure across countries and services. In general, it represents a junior officer grade that follows initial officer training and precedes higher ranks such as Capitão, with typical duties including platoon leadership and staff assignments.

Because insignia and career paths differ by country and service, the exact insignia (stripes or stars) and the number of years of service required for promotion to Tenente vary. The concept, however, remains that of a basic commissioned officer responsible for leading troops or contributing to unit operations within a larger command structure.

See also: Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, Captain.