Second lieutenant

The military Grade of second lieutenant is the first of the ranks of officers in many armies.

Belgian army

The rank of second lieutenant is also the first rank of officer in the air and Armies, and the departments of health. Its badge of rank is a star with six branches (Army) or a gallon (air force and departments of health).

Canadian Armed forces

The rank of second lieutenant is the first rank of officer in the Canadian army and aviation. Its badge is one gallon. It is with obtaining this rank that the soldier, often raise-officer, receives his patent of officer.

French Army

The term of “second lieutenant” appears at the end of the 17th century. Starting from 1674, it replaces that of Enseigne in the regiments of infantry. Like the sign, it is in charge of the command of the third Section of the company. Gradually the system is essential in all the companies to have a captain, assisted by a lieutenant, itself assisted by a second lieutenant.

Between 1776 and 1791, there are two second lieutenants per company. Starting from 1781, the ordinance known as “of Ségur” makes compulsory to have four districts of nobility (four grand' noble parents) to become second lieutenant. This provision is obviously removed with the Revolution, which opens the rank with the election. Starting from 1805, it is necessary to become second lieutenant to pass by a school of officers or to have four years of experiment as warrant officer.

Nowadays, second lieutenant is a rank given to the officer-pupils or to the officers of the air forces and of ground and gendarmerie which leave the military academies (Saint-Cyr military school, Polytechnique, Meudon and Flying school). The reputation of inexperience of the second lieutenants gives more weight to the cruel sentence of Clemenceau on the Général Baker: “He died as he lived: as a second lieutenant”. Baker then had just committed suicide on the tomb of his mistress. Nowadays, this rank is held during the first year of service as an officer (in school of application or regiment according to the course).

Its badge of rank is in the weapons with foot and the horse weapons.

Other armed forces

Chile, Paraguay and in Argentina, the rank subteniente is the equivalent of the French second lieutenant. It is carried by the officer-pupils in the course of formation.

Spain, the rank of subteniente indicates a Sous-officier, equivalent of the Adjudant-chef French, located between the brigada (" brigadier" - Adjudant) and the suboficial mayor (" warrant officer major" - Major). But the rank will alferez is the equivalent of the French second lieutenant.

The United States two terms is used, either Lieutenant Junior Rank (LTJG) or Second Lieutenant (2ndLT).

Switzerland, the rank of “second lieutenant” does not exist. It is the Swiss rank of “lieutenant” who corresponds to the French “second lieutenant”. The French “lieutenant” as for him is called “first lieutenant” in Switzerland.

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