What is a platoon leader rank usually?

Army officer ranks are in three tiers: company grade, field grade and general.

Commissioned officers are the highest ranks in the Army. These officers hold presidential commissions and are confirmed at their ranks by the Senate. Army officers in the ranks of O-1 to O-3 are called company grade officers; those in the pay grades O-4 to O-6 are known as field grade officers, and those in pay grades O-7 and above are known as general officers.

Army Officer Ranks and Their Insignia

Second Lieutenant (2LT)(O1)

Addressed as lieutenant. Typically the entry-level rank for most commissioned officers. Leads platoon-size elements consisting of the platoon sergeant and two or more squads (16-44 soldiers).

First Lieutenant (1LT)(O2)

Addressed as lieutenant. A seasoned lieutenant with 18-24 months of service. Leads more specialized weapons platoons and indirect fire computation centers. As a senior lieutenant, they often are selected to be the executive officer of a company-sized unit (110-140 personnel).

Captain (CPT)(O3)

Addressed as captain. Commands and controls company-sized units (62-190 soldiers), together with a principal NCO assistant. Instructs skills at service schools and Army combat training centers and is often a staff officer at the battalion level.

Major (MAJ)(O4)

Addressed as major. Serves as primary staff officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC)(O5)

Addressed as lieutenant colonel or colonel. Typically commands battalion-sized units (300-1,000 soldiers), with a CSM as principal NCO assistant. May be selected for brigade and task force executive officer.

Colonel (COL)(O6)

Addressed as colonel. Typically commands brigade-sized units (3,000-5,000 soldiers), with a CSM as principal NCO assistant. Also found as the chief of divisional-level staff agencies.

Army Officer Ranks: Generals

Brigadier General (BG)(O7)

Addressed as general. Serves as deputy commander to the commanding general for Army divisions. Assists in overseeing the staff's planning and coordination of a mission.

Major General (MG)(O8)

Addressed as general. Typically commands division-sized units (10,000-15,000 soldiers).

Lieutenant General (LTG)(O9)

Addressed as general. Typically commands corps-sized units (20,000-45,000 soldiers).

General (GEN)(O10)

Addressed as general. The senior level of commissioned officer typically has more than 30 years of experience and service. Commands all operations that fall within their geographical area. The chief of staff of Staff of the Army is a four-star general.

General of the Army (GOA)

This is only used in time of war where the commanding officer must be equal or of higher rank than those commanding armies from other nations. The last officers to hold this rank served during and immediately after WWII.

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The adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer, and advisor. Through progressive levels of expertise in assignments, training, and education, the warrant officer administers, manages, maintains, operates and integrates systems and equipment across the full spectrum of operations.

Australian Army officers receive a commission that is personally signed by the Minister for Defence and the Governor-General of Australia, acting for the Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, of Australia.

Officer Cadet (OCDT) Insignia

The rank of Officer Cadet is given to those who are studying at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Their rank is then changed to Staff Cadet upon entry to the Royal Military College, Duntroon (RMC-D) where they become a part of the Corps of Staff Cadets. Officer cadets wear a 10mm wide white stripe, on a DPCU slide or hard shoulder board, as their rank insignia.

Officer Trainees in University Regiments undergoing Army Reserve Officer Training have also been known as Officer Cadets as of November, 2009. Previous to this they administratively belonged to RMC-D and were known as Staff Cadets. Staff Cadets are presently only full-time RMC-D officer trainees. Staff Cadets wear "RMC" on their rank slides in order to distinguish them from other training establishments.

2nd Lieutenant (2LT)

2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Insignia

The rank of Second Lieutenant is reserved for new officers and officers in special appointments such as university regiments, training institutions or under probation during training. They may undertake or have responsibilities similar to that of a Lieutenant.

Lieutenant (LT)

Lieutenant is a rank typically held for three years. They normally command a platoon or troop of around 30 soldiers and with experience may command more specialised platoons/troops such as mortar platoon or a reconnaissance troop. Along with Captain, they comprise the subaltern ranks.

Captain (CAPT)

Captains are normally second-in-command of a sub-unit of up to 120 soldiers. They are key players in the planning and decision-making process within tactical level units, with responsibility for operations on the ground as well as equipment maintenance, logistical support and manpower.

Major (MAJ)

Promotion to Major generally occurs after 8-10 years service. Majors are field rank officers who command a sub-unit – a company, squadron or battery - of up to 120 officers and soldiers with responsibility for their training, welfare and administration as well as the management of their equipment. Majors are also employed across all levels of headquarters in staff roles.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL)

Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Insignia

Lieutenant Colonels typically command units of up to 650 soldiers, containing three to five sub-units. They are responsible for the overall operational effectiveness of their unit in terms of military capability, welfare and general discipline. Lieutenant Colonels also hold staff officer appointments on headquarters at the Brigade level and higher.

Colonel (COL)

Colonels do not normally command units but may hold positions of command of schools, training centres, or other groups of units, as a Commandant. Other key appointments for Colonels are as senior staff officers on a headquarters such as Chief of Staff. Colonels may also be given specialised roles within a capability such as oversight of a project or development.

Brigadier (BRIG)

Brigadier (BRIG) Insignia

Brigadiers command at the Brigade level and are also Directors General within Army Headquarters and non-Army groups. They are responsible for branches within the headquarters such as Personnel, Operations and Career Management. The rank of Brigadier is referred to as ‘one star’ rank.

Major General (MAJGEN)

Major General (MAJGEN) Insignia

Major Generals command formations of division size, or equivalent, and hold senior executive appointments within the Department of Defence. The rank of Major General is referred to as ‘two star’ rank.

Lieutenant General (LTGEN)

Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Insignia

Lieutenant General is the second-highest active rank in the Australian Army. The Rank of Lieutenant General is held by the Chief of Army, currently Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO DSC. The rank is also held when an Army Officer is the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Chief of Joint Operations, or the Chief of Capability Development. The rank of Lieutenant General is referred to as ‘three star’ rank.

General (GEN)

General is the highest active rank of the Australian Army. The rank of General is only held when an Army Officer is appointed as the Chief of the Defence Force. The rank of General is referred to as ‘four star’ rank.