Army captain

Description

Army captains aid in the supervision of large units of soldiers, as well as perform planning and strategic duties in tactical operations. They also ensure equipment maintenance and provide support in logistic matters as well as support during operations.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to army captain:

captain armed forces
company commander
captain armed services
troop commander
army chief officer
armed services captain
armed forces captain
battery commander
captain royal marines

Minimum qualifications

High school diploma is generally required to work as army captain. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Army captain is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Army captain career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to army captain.

army major
colonel
armed forces officer
lieutenant
armed forces training and education officer

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of army captain. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of army captain with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of army captain.

Military logistics: The operations of the supply and demand of goods and recources on military bases and during military operations on the field, the disruption of enemy supplies, cost analysis, equipment demands, and other military logistics activities.
Military code: The code language used in specific intelligence or military organisations and operations, how to use and decipher them.
Military combat techniques: The fighting techniques specific to military operations, using military weapons and equipment, and the regulations concerning military combat actions.
Military weaponry: The types of arms used by different military organisations, such as army, navy or air force and in different nations worldwide; the weapons’ aspects, damage potential and ways to defend against them.
Military drill: The marching techniques and use of weapons, and other disciplinary methods applied in military operations.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of army captain.

Manage troop deployment: Manage the deployment of troops to areas in conflict, or in need of aid, and oversee the deployment procedures. Manage the deployment of the troops within an area for specific missions, and ensure the troops and resources are allocated to the missions in compliance with tactical considerations and safety of the troops.
Advise superiors on military operations: Advise on the strategic decisions made by superiors on deployment, mission tactics, resource allocation or other military operation specifics, to help superiors reach a better decision and to provide them with any relevant information for a military operation or functioning of the military organisations in general.
Defend human rights: Protect human rights towards and between colleagues and also towards the civil populations one is in contact with.
Devise military tactics: Devise the strategic and tactical components of a military operation, taking into account the available equipment and assigning tasks to the different troops, and supervising the use of weapons and other battle equipment.
Analyse logistic needs: Analysing the logistic needs of all the different departments on the organisational level.
Assist in military logistics: Assist the upper management of a military organisation in the supply of goods and resources to military troops on the field and on base, and the disruption of enemy flow of resources, and other logistics activities in the military.
Monitor military equipment use: Monitor the use by military staff of specific military equipment to ensure that no unauthorised personnel gains access to specific types of equipment, that everyone handles the equipment according to regulations, and that it is only used in appropriate circumstances.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of army captain. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Geographic information systems: The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of army captain. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Lead military troops: Lead the actions of military troops on the field during a mission, either combat, humanitarian or otherwise defensive, compliant with the strategies devised prior to the operation and ensuring communication with other troops is maintained.
Perform military operations: Perform military operations according to given instructions from superiors, such as battle operations, rescue missions, aid missions, search and intelligence missions or other operations concerning defense.
Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordinate humanitarian aid missions: Coordinate the deployment of troops and resources to areas where humanitarian aid is required, and the operation in the area itself to ensure that the area is safe, the people have access to medical aid, shelter, and food, and that any danger and risks are removed.
Give battle commands: Give commands during a battle or similar confrontation with enemy units to guide the activities of the troops, ensuring the safety of the troops and success of the operation, and give these commands in a comprehensible manner compliant with guidelines, and in dangerous and stress situations.
Ensure information security: Ensure that the information gathered during surveillance or investigations remains in the hands of those authorised to receive and use it, and does not fall into enemy or otherwise non-authorised individuals’ hands.
Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
Ensure compliance with types of weapons: Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements.
Supervise the maintenance of military equipment: Plan and supervise the routine maintenance and repair work of military equipment and weaponry to ensure proper working order.
Train military troops: Train military troops or people in training to join the force in drill, combat techniques, weaponry, regulations, operation procedures, camouflage, and other military practices.
Coordinate patrols: Coordinate the investigation and inspection of a certain area by assigning patrollers to routes and areas, establishing the area that needs patrolling, and coordinating the activities during the patrol.
Write situation reports: Write reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or of missions and operations.
Test safety strategies: Test policies and strategies related to risk and safety management and procedures, such as testing evacuation plans, safety equipment, and carrying out drills.
Coordinate rescue missions: Coordinate rescue missions during the event of a disaster or during an accident, ensure that all possible methods are being used to ensure the safety of the people being rescued, and that the search is as efficient and thorough as possible.
Assess danger in risk areas: Assess the potential dangers involved in performinig military or humanitarian missions in risk areas, such as combat areas, areas affected by natural disasters, or politically tense areas.
Maintain operational communications: Maintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that the organisation functions smoothly.
Analyse potential threats against national security: Analyse the possibilities of potential threats and actions taken against national security in order to develop preventive measures and aid with the development of military tactics and operations.

ISCO group and title

110 – Commissioned armed forces officers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Army captain – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022