Commander (United States)

Commander
Insignia of the rank of commander
Country United States
Service branch United States Navy
United States Coast Guard
United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps
US Maritime Service
AbbreviationCDR
Rank groupSenior officer
NATO rank codeOF-4
Pay gradeO-5
Next higher rankCaptain
Next lower rankLieutenant commander
Equivalent ranksLieutenant colonel

In the United States, commander is a military rank (O-5) that is also sometimes used as a military billet title—the designation of someone who manages living quarters or a base—depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in non-military organizations, particularly in law enforcement.