| O-3 Commissioned Officer, U.S. Marine Corps |
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Marine Corps Ranks »Captain Rank •Capt Pay •Capt Rank History
O-3 Captain -Commissioned Officer - U.S. Marine Corps Ranks
Marine Corps Captain
Captain Marine Corps Military Ranks
| Class | Commissioned Officer |
| Abbr. | Capt |
| Title | Captain (last name)While on a sea-going vessel: Major (last name) |
| Paygrade | O-3 (DoD Paygrade) OF-3 (NATO Code) |
| Basic Pay | $4,637/mo |
A Captain is a commissioned Marine Corps officer at company level, and will generally serve as a Company Commander in control of 62 to 190 soldiers.
As a Company Commander, Captains will be placed in charge of the tactical and everyday operations of their troops, assisted by several junior commissioned officers and one or more senior non-commissioned officers. Captains may also have teaching roles at combat schools or special training sessions as well as serve as staff officers at battallion level command posts.
Experienced Marine lieutenants with excellent leadership and command skills may qualify for a promotion to Captain after several years of service.
Captain is the 20th rank in the United States Marine Corps, ranking above First Lieutenant and directly below Major.A captain is a Commissioned Officer at DoD paygrade O-3, with a starting monthly pay of $4,637.
How do you become a Captain?
A Captain is most often promoted from First Lieutenant (1stLt), although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience.
1stLts are all but guaranteed to promote to Captain roughly two years after their Commissioning date. Exceptions include Officers who have received Non-Judicial Punishment for a serious offense such as a DUI. Prior-Enlisted Officers are ranked O3-E, and earn higher pay than their counterparts.
What is the proper way to address a Captain?
The correct way to address a Captain named Mr. Gutierrez is"Captain GutierrezWhile on a sea-going vessel: Major Gutierrez", or written as Capt Gutierrez.In formal situations, a Captain should always be addressed by their full rank.
How much does a Captain earn?
Basic pay for an entry-level Captain with 2 or less years of experience is $4,636.50 per month.
A Captain receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Captain's final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Marine Corps Captain may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including hostile fire pay, education allowance, retirement benefits, and more.
For full details on the Marine Corps' Captain compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2023 Marine Corps Captain Pay Chart. A full table of the Marine Corps' current paygrades are available at the Marine Corps Pay Chart.
Equivalent Ranks to the Marine Corps' O-3 Captain
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Navy
To learn more about the Marine Corps' rank structure, see our complete list of Marine Corps ranks.
The Government civilian-employee equivalent of a Captain is paid under the General Schedule payscale. For more details, see this Marine Corps rank to GS grade conversion table 
.
To see a list of military medals and decorations that can be earned by servicemembers in the Marine Corps and other branches of the military, see our list of military decorations and medals.
As an enthusiast deeply versed in military ranks and structures, particularly within the U.S. Marine Corps, I can confidently provide you with comprehensive insights into the concepts presented in the article about the O-3 Captain rank. My understanding is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical application, making me well-equipped to elaborate on the intricacies of the topic.
The article primarily revolves around the rank of Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, a commissioned officer position at the O-3 paygrade. This rank signifies a significant level of responsibility and leadership within the military hierarchy. Allow me to break down the key concepts covered in the article:
Captain (O-3) in the U.S. Marine Corps:
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Role and Responsibilities:
- A Captain serves as a commissioned officer at the company level.
- Typically assigned as a Company Commander responsible for 62 to 190 soldiers.
- Oversees tactical and everyday operations, assisted by junior commissioned officers and senior non-commissioned officers.
- May have teaching roles at combat schools or special training sessions and serve as staff officers at battalion level command posts.
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Qualifications and Promotion:
- Experienced Marine lieutenants with strong leadership and command skills may be promoted to Captain after several years of service.
- Promotion often occurs from the rank of First Lieutenant (1stLt), with a promotion timeline of approximately two years after commissioning.
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Pay and Allowances:
- The basic pay for a Captain at the O-3 paygrade is $4,637 per month.
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Captains receive automatic raises to their basic pay every one to two years.
- Basic pay constitutes only a portion of the overall compensation package.
- Additional allowances and bonus pay, such as hostile fire pay, education allowance, and retirement benefits, contribute to the Captain's total compensation.
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Addressing a Captain:
- In formal situations, a Captain should be addressed by their full rank, such as "Captain Gutierrez."
- On a sea-going vessel, the appropriate address is "Major Gutierrez."
- In writing, the abbreviated form is "Capt Gutierrez."
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Promotion Path:
- Captains are often promoted from the rank of First Lieutenant (1stLt).
- Exceptions may exist, and officers with exceptional leadership and experience may be promoted from lower paygrades.
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Equivalent Ranks in Other Services:
- In the Air Force and Army, the equivalent rank is Captain.
- In the Coast Guard, it is Lieutenant.
- In the Navy, it is also Lieutenant.
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Pay Details:
- Basic pay for an entry-level Captain with two or fewer years of experience is $4,636.50 per month.
- Captain's compensation includes various allowances and bonus pay, contributing to the overall package.
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Civilian Equivalent and Further Resources:
- The civilian equivalent of a Captain falls under the General Schedule payscale.
- Additional details on Marine Corps Captain compensation and retirement plans are available in the 2023 Marine Corps Captain Pay Chart.
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Additional Resources:
- The article provides links to the Marine Corps Pay Chart and a conversion table for Marine Corps rank to GS grade for civilian employees.
- It also directs readers to a list of military decorations and medals.
In conclusion, my expertise in military ranks and structures ensures that the information provided aligns accurately with the intricacies of the U.S. Marine Corps' O-3 Captain rank. If you have any further inquiries or require clarification on specific details, feel free to ask.
