Which is the correct abbreviation for Captain?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 15:39:35 -0500

Ever since I've been on RP, I've noticed different abbreviations for Captain. Are both abbreviations proper, or is there just one abbreviation?

Response by Capt Bryan Dankanich made Mar 8 at 2016 3:41 PM

Capt Bryan Dankanich — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 15:41:55 -0500

Capt for USMC, CPT for Army, CAPT for USN (O6 rank), and Capt for USAF

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 8 at 2016 3:48 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 15:48:59 -0500

Depends on the service. Each on has an official policy (either a Reg or the Abr/Accronym Handbook). The Army uses 3 digit alphanumeric for all ranks. The USMC tends to use traditional "abbreviations" like 1stSgt or LCpl based on the actual word being shortened.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Mar 8 at 2016 3:49 PM

CSM David Heidke — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 15:49:55 -0500

AR 600-20

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 8 at 2016 4:01 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 16:01:47 -0500

I think it is service specific. I've noticed my Army brothers and sisters abbreviate the rank at O-1 as 2LT, the Marines it is 2ndLt.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Mar 8 at 2016 4:33 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 16:33:02 -0500

Cpt. is Army and maybe Air Force.

Capt. is USMC/USN.

Response by SFC Thomas Howes made Mar 8 at 2016 5:38 PM

SFC Thomas Howes — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:38:07 -0500

It depends are you looking for 03 Army CPT USMC Capt, USAF Capt, Navy LT, Cost Guard LT now 06 Navy and Cost Guard Capt

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 8 at 2016 5:46 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:46:26 -0500

It seems that Capt Bryan Dankanich answered this question more than adequately. So, I'll just comment on something all us captains experienced. We were once lieutenants. Now, let me ask, could you spell "lieutenant" when you were first commissioned as one?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 5:49 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 17:49:33 -0500

Geesh, Keith. I was an active duty captain in the Air Force and am a retired Army captain, and I did not know the answer. Thanks everyone. Now I still don't know how to abbreviate it.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 8 at 2016 6:14 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 18:14:35 -0500

It depends on branch of service -- in the Army it would be CPT.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 8 at 2016 6:21 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 18:21:15 -0500

Each service has their own set of officer rank abbreviations. To answer your question:
Army. CPT
Navy, CAPT (O6)
Air Force, Capt
Marines, Capt

If you like this then O5 is more fun:
Army, LTC
Navy, CDR (Commander)
Air Force, Lt Col
Marines, LtCol

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Mar 8 at 2016 7:41 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 19:41:24 -0500

Used to love calling my wife at her command: I would always appropriately identify myself as Captain Strobl. Some spring-butt CDR or LCDR would intercept the call, with "May I help you, sir?"

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Mar 8 at 2016 8:41 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 20:41:25 -0500

1LT second award?

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Mar 8 at 2016 10:37 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:37:44 -0500

I'd say CPT?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 9:49 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:49:30 -0500

The only abbreviation I ever use for a Captain is Sir.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Mar 10 at 2016 1:04 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:04:53 -0500

AP is Capt.
AR25-50 is CPT

Response by SPC Donald Lombardi made May 20 at 2020 1:39 PM

SPC Donald Lombardi — Wed, 20 May 2020 13:39:52 -0400

CPT. I was Army, but check the Captain right below me; he is on the money!