Talk:Captain
From Academic Kids
What is the difference between nautical, naval? -- Tarquin 12:10 Jan 8, 2003 (UTC)
In general, "nautical" = all ships, "naval" = all ships of war. But note exceptions, such as "merchant navy" = all ships except warships. Tannin
OK, if an army captain is addressed as "Major" on board a ship, then how does one address a naval Captain who's not the captain of the ship?
I think the same idea applies: bump him up to the next higher rank and call him "commodore", but my memory may be faulty. Tannin
What about airplane pilots? Aren't they also "captains"? Michael Hardy 00:24 Jan 19, 2003 (UTC)
- The term "captain" used for the pilot in command is a civil air term only. In the (US) military, that position is the "aircraft commander".
Here is the way I learned it... The capt. of a US Naval vessel if he is the rank of captain is called Captain or the "C.O." (Commanding Officer) If he is a commander, he is normally addressed as "Skipper" If there are more than one Capt (normally on an aircraft carrier, they ALWAYS have different titles) (1 Capt is the Capt of the boat... the C.O., the other maybe call Capt. (insert last name here) or the CAG (if he is an air group commander). That army thing about being called major is bullshit as well. Someone want to tidy up my notes and fix it? It would be greatly appreciated. Any other questions?
The thing about non-Navy captains being called something else aboard a Navy ship must be a myth. I've never heard of it. ---
- , and the ability to officiate at a marriage.
This is not true and in some places it is illegal for a captain to officiate at a marriage. [1] (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_329.html)
What about police captains?
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History of "Captain" Army/Navy
I have a theory that the reason that the commander of a ship is called the same thing as a commander of a company of infantry is that 18th/19th century (and earlier) naval ships were much smaller than today and had crew (isn't the term ship's company correct?) that was usually no larger than an infantry company. Therefore an Army Captain and a Navy Captain both commanded about the same size force. That's my theory. Does that make sense?
Which nation ?
The article fails to indicate which sections are related to military of which nations. Categories seem to indicate GB and US, but captains exist in many other militaries as well. Mikkalai 21:28, 17 Nov 2004 (UTC)
Ahhh, but as usual Mikkalai, if it aint Yankee it dont count diddly squat!!! I'd personally question whether this whole article could be stamped NPOV on that basis
Military captain on board = brevet major?
There is a frequent assertion, on newsgroups elsewhere, that a marine captain (sometimes an army one too) on board a naval ship is promoted to major for the duration of the voyage, to prevent there being more than one 'captain' on board at a time: just as frequently this is derided as a myth, usually by ex-marines and others in a similar position to know. Both sides of the argument are alluded to above.
This story does seem to have some basis in fact. The Royal Navy has a dictionary of naval slang on its web site: the entry for SOLDIER (http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/4761.html) says that at one time a Royal Marine captain was customarily addressed as 'Major'.
Also note that, until 1999, a Royal Marine captain onboard would, in certain circumstances, rank with an army major. Franey 17:27, 21 Jan 2005 (UTC)
- The usage of "major" in US naval practice, I have put under the US header. I am not conversant enough with the practice in other navies. Ellsworth 21:12, 31 May 2005 (UTC)
Police and Fire Department Captains
These are as yet uncovered, and I don't know enough to do it myself. —wwoods 01:04, 31 May 2005 (UTC)
