Kapitänleutnant
Kapitänleutnant, short: KptLt/in lists: KL, is an officer grade of the captains' military hierarchy group of the 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.
Address
The official manner, in line to ZDv 10/8, of formal addressing of military people with the rank Kapitänleutnant is “Herr/Frau Kapitänleutnant“. However, as to German traditions and in line to seamen's language the abbreviation of the title to "Herr/Frau Kaleu" is used in verbal communication. The commander of the Type VIIC U-boat U96 in the film Das Boot was of this rank, and called "Herr Kaleun" by his crew.Rank and assignment
The U.S. 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 | Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr#Commissioned officers |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
Military people of the “line officer career” skip over the rank Stabskapitänleutnant, by regular promotion from Kapitänleutnant to Korvettenkapitän.
| junior rank Oberleutnant zur See | Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr#Commissioned officers |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