line officer
Front-line military supervisor
A line officer is a military officer who commands combat troops, as distinguished from staff officers who serve in advisory or administrative roles.
The term also applies in police and fire departments to officers in the chain of command who directly supervise field personnel: Line officers responded to the scene within minutes.
In naval usage, line officers are eligible for command at sea.
One who commands
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- colonelSenior military officer
- majorOf chief importance
- commanderPerson with authority over others
ensign · brigadier · commissioned · field grade · insignia · promotion · commission · oath
Small infantry formation
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
- battalionMid-sized military unit
- brigadeLarge military unit
- divisionSplitting into parts
combat · troops · deployment · orders · mission · engagement · operation · maneuver
Formal authority hierarchy
- superiorHigher in rank
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- enlistedSigned up formally
- general staffSenior military planning officers
adjutant · aide-de-camp · rank structure · seniority · billet · posting · assignment
Obligation for one's actions
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
charge · stewardship · oversight · discipline · morale · welfare · training · readiness
Structure spanning an obstacle
- helmVessel's steering mechanism
- navigationDetermining position and course
- seamanshipSkill in operating vessels
- fleetVehicles under unified command
ship · vessel · underway · sea duty · ensign · lieutenant commander · naval academy · wardroom
captain
One who commands
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- colonelSenior military officer
- majorOf chief importance
commander · ensign · brigadier · commissioned · field grade · insignia · promotion · commission · oath · academy
platoon
Small infantry formation
division · combat · troops · deployment · orders · mission · engagement · operation · maneuver · tactics
chain of command
Formal authority hierarchy
- superiorHigher in rank
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- enlistedSigned up formally
general staff · adjutant · aide-de-camp · rank structure · seniority · billet · posting · assignment
accountability
Obligation for one's actions
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
supervision · charge · stewardship · oversight · discipline · morale · welfare · training · readiness · unit cohesion
bridge
Structure spanning an obstacle
- helmVessel's steering mechanism
- navigationDetermining position and course
- seamanshipSkill in operating vessels
fleet · ship · vessel · underway · sea duty · ensign · lieutenant commander · naval academy · wardroom · quarterdeck
line officerstaff officer
Military planning and advisory position
administrative officer · staff · adjutant · aide-de-camp · general staff
line officersubordinate
One lower in rank
enlisted personnel · enlisted man · non-commissioned officer · NCO · private
line, officer, lines, lined, liner, liners, lining, lineal, linear