CAPTAIN (CAPT) — U.S. NAVY O-6
The Navy's most senior officer rank below flag — commanders of carriers, cruisers, ballistic-missile submarines, and major shore commands.
OVERVIEW
Captain (CAPT) is the U.S. Navy O-6 commissioned officer rank, equivalent to a Colonel in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. The rank carries enormous prestige in the sea services because of the historical association with command of a ship: in the U.S. Navy, only the Commanding Officer of a vessel is referred to verbally as "Captain" regardless of their paygrade. A four-stripe Captain (O-6) is eligible for major sea command — an aircraft carrier, cruiser, ballistic-missile submarine, or a major shore installation.
CAPT insignia is a silver eagle ("scrambled eggs" begin appearing on the dress cap visor as well), worn on the collar or shoulder boards. On the service dress blue uniform, a Captain wears four full stripes of gold lace. Captains are eligible for selection to flag rank — promotion to Rear Admiral (Lower Half), O-7 — through a separate, highly competitive flag-officer selection board.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Commanding Officer of an aircraft carrier (CVN), cruiser (CG), or ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN/SSGN)
- Commanding Officer of a major shore installation or training command
- Air Wing Commander (CAG) of a Carrier Air Wing
- Major staff director at OPNAV, the Joint Staff, or a Combatant Command
HISTORY
The grade of Captain in the U.S. Navy dates to the founding of the Continental Navy in 1775. For more than a century, "Captain" was the most senior rank in the U.S. Navy — there were no Admirals in the U.S. Navy until 1862, when Congress authorized the rank of Rear Admiral specifically to honor David Glasgow Farragut for his service in the Civil War.
Today, command of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier or a ballistic-missile submarine at the O-6 level is among the most demanding command tours in the U.S. military, typically following decades of operational, joint, and major-command experience.
PAY
- Selection by an O-6 statutory promotion board
- Successful completion of an O-5 major command or major staff tour
- Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase II for many billets
- CO of an aircraft carrier (CVN), cruiser (CG), or SSBN
- Commanding Officer of a major shore installation (e.g., NAS Pensacola, NAS Lemoore)
- Carrier Air Wing Commander (CAG)
- Director on the OPNAV, Joint Staff, or Combatant Command staff