Posted on Feb 1, 2014
What was the major changes that you experienced when transitioning from Lieutenant to Captain?
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To those who have been promoted to Captain (O-3 in your branch) what was the major changes that you experienced when transitioning from Lieutenant to Captain. During my promotion ceremony my Battalion Commander stated that the great thing about being a Captain is that no one knows if you just got promoted or if you have been a Captain for 6 years. What was your experience?
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Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 6
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There was a sudden change in presumption.
As an LT, people assumed you didn't know anything until proven otherwise.
As a CPT, people tended to assume (or pretended?...) that you knew something.
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CPT Weber, your BC is spot on. No one knows how long you've been a CPT. But that may not necessarily be a good thing at times. As a baby CPT, you really don't know much more than a LT. Yet you now have more responsibility and no excuse to not know the answers (people will excuse LTs for being immature or not knowing what they are doing. Not so much CPTs). People are going to assume that you are closer to MAJ than to LT, and thus will expect as much out of you in that regard.
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MAJ Samuel Weber
Great point Sir. That is what I was thinking and you have helped validate that for me. I look forward to the higher expectations and the increased opportunity for greater responsibility.
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Congrats on your recent promotion CPT Weber. I was told the same thing by my supervisor at my Captain promotion ceremony back in 1992 so this perception has been around for at least the past 20+ years. I was a wing evaluator for Minuteman II ICBMs as a 1st Lt so when I was promoted to Captain, I did not really notice a difference. I have heard others say that their input was valued a lot more as a Captain so your Commander is correct.
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MAJ Samuel Weber
Yes Sir, I see what you mean. It seems that I have greater credibility now with the NCOs and the staff officers. Thanks for sharing Sir.
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