Lieutenant Commander
A field grade US Navy officer, O-4 and NATO OF-3, typically a department head on a major ship or executive officer of a small one.
Overview
Lieutenant Commander wears two full stripes with a thin stripe between, a visual arithmetic of the half step between lieutenant and commander. LCDRs run the operations, engineering, or combat systems departments of major warships, serve as executive officers of frigates and smaller units, and hold joint staff assignments. The grade is OF-3, peer of the Army major. The rank was formalized in the nineteenth century from the old sailing practice of lieutenants commanding small vessels. Selection boards weigh fitness reports from years at sea; sea duty is the currency of this grade.
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