Which rank directly precedes Captain in the Army officer progression?

• A. First Lieutenant
• B. 2nd Lieutenant
• C. Major
• D. Lieutenant Colonel

Answer: (A)

In Army officer ranks, the sequence goes Second Lieutenant (O-1), First Lieutenant (O-2), then Captain (O-3). The rank directly before Captain is First Lieutenant. This lines up with pay grades and typical duties: Second Lieutenants are new officers, First Lieutenants take on more complex roles and more experience, and Captains command larger units such as companies. Major and Lieutenant Colonel come after Captain, so they aren’t the preceding rank. A quick memory aid is the insignia: Second Lieutenant wears a gold bar, First Lieutenant a silver bar, and Captain two silver bars.