Commander (United States)

Commander is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the other uniformed services.

Promotion to commander in the Navy is governed by Department of Defense policies derived from the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act (DOPMA) of 1980 or its companion Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act (ROPMA).

DOPMA/ROPMA guidelines suggest that 70% of lieutenant commanders should be promoted to commander after serving a minimum of three years at their present rank and after attaining 15–17 years of cumulative commissioned service, although this percentage may vary and be appreciably less for certain officer designators (i.e., primary "specialties") dependent on defense budgets, force structure and needs of the service.

Commanding officers of aviation squadrons and smaller shore activities may also be informally referred to as "skipper" but never as "captain" unless they actually hold the rank of captain, e.g., military pay grade O-6, as would be the case for certain Fleet Replacement Squadron commanding officers and a wide range of both small and large shore activities.

Commanding officers of joint USN/USMC/USCG aviation training squadrons and small Coast Guard air stations and shore activities may also be informally referred to as "skipper" but never as "captain" unless they are commanding a large air station or shore activity and actually hold the rank of captain, e.g., military pay grade O-6.

The commission is appointed by the president via the Secretary of Transportation, making it a federally recognized rank with a corresponding paygrade.

[citation needed] The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia uses the rank of commander.

Higher than captain and below deputy chief, the rank is achieved by appointment.

In the Saint Paul Police Department, commanders serve as the chief of the district or unit that they oversee.