Kapitänleutnant
Kapitänleutnant (KptLt) is a German Navy officer rank. It belongs to the Hauptleute group and is a commissioned officer. In NATO terms it is OF-2, and it is equivalent to Hauptmann in the Army and Air Force. Pay grade is A11 or A12.
The rank has its origins in the German Empire and continued through the Weimar Republic and into the Third Reich; it is still used in today’s Bundeswehr.
Form of address is “Herr Kapitänleutnant” or “Frau Kapitänleutnant.” In everyday naval speech, sailors often shorten it to “Kaleu” (pronounced Ka-loy), and historically the Wehrmacht used “Kaleun.”
In duties, Kapitänleutnant may command smaller ships (such as certain submarines or minehunters) or serve as principal warfare officer on larger ships. The role is roughly comparable to a lieutenant commander in the US or Royal navies.
Insignia typically show one golden star above two golden stripes with an additional small stripe between them (the star may be hidden on some rank devices). The rank sits above Oberleutnant zur See and below Korvettenkapitän. In the line-officer career path, officers often move from Kapitänleutnant to Korvettenkapitän, skipping the Stabskapitänleutnant step.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 00:33 (CET).