Kapitänleutnant

Kapitänleutnant, short: KptLt/in lists: KL, is an officer grade of the captains' military hierarchy group of the modern German Bundeswehr. The rank is rated OF-2 in NATO, and equivalent to Hauptmann in the Heer and Luftwaffe. It is grade A11 or A12 in the pay rules of the Federal Ministry of Defence.
The rank first appeared in the German Empire and continued in use through the Weimar Republic and into the Third Reich.

Address

In line with ZDv 10/8, the formal manner of addressing people with the rank Kapitänleutnant is "Herr/Frau Kapitänleutnant". However, in German tradition and in line with seamen's language, the title is abbreviated to "Herr/Frau Kaleu" in verbal communication. Historically, in the Wehrmacht, the abbreviation spoken was "Herr Kaleun".

Rank and assignment

The United States Navy's rank of lieutenant is equal to Kapitänleutnant in NATO's military hierarchy. However, German Navy Kapitänleutnant might be assigned to the so-called "line officer career" or "officer specialist career".
Its rank insignia, worn on the sleeves and shoulders, are one golden five-pointed star above two golden stripes with one half stripes between them.

Line Officer career

A Kapitänleutnant may command smaller ships or serve as principal warfare officer on larger warships, giving the rank responsibilities more along those of a Lieutenant commander in the U.S. or Royal navies.

junior Rank Oberleutnant zur See	German Navy officer rank	senior Rank Korvettenkapitän
junior Rank Oberleutnant zur See	Kapitänleutnant	senior Rank Korvettenkapitän

The sequence of ranks in that particular group is as follows:

OF-5: Kapitän zur See / Oberst
OF-4: Fregattenkapitän / Oberstleutnant
OF-3: Korvettenkapitän / Major
OF-2: Kapitänleutnant / Hauptmann

Officer Specialist career

Kapitänleutnant might be a senior officer specialist rank, comparable to US warrant officer, however, junior to Stabskapitänleutnant.
Military people of the "line officer career" skip over the rank Stabskapitänleutnant, by regular promotion from Kapitänleutnant to Korvettenkapitän.

junior rank Oberleutnant zur See	German Navy officer rank '	senior rank Stabskapitänleutnant
junior rank Oberleutnant zur See	Kapitänleutnant	senior rank Stabskapitänleutnant

The sequence of ranks in that particular group is as follows:

OF-2a: Stabskapitänleutnant / Stabshauptmann
OF-2b: Kapitänleutnant / Hauptmann
OF-1a: Oberleutnant zur See / Oberleutnant
OF-1b: Leutnant zur See / Leutnant