History of Commander in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 26, 2026

The term "Commander" represents a rank used in naval and military organizations, signifying a level of authority and responsibility. It's a common naval officer rank, equivalent to a frigate captain in some countries. Beyond the military, the title "Commander" can also denote a high-ranking position within other structured entities like police forces, indicating a position of leadership. It's used as a level 8 rank or title in other formal organizations.

1918: Royal Air Force Formation

In 1918, the Royal Naval Air Service merged with the Royal Flying Corps to establish the Royal Air Force. During this time, pilots held appointments and wore insignia indicating their position rather than their rank. A flight commander wore a star above a lieutenant's stripes, squadron commanders wore two stars above two stripes or two-and-a-half stripes (depending on seniority), and wing commanders wore three stripes. The stripes featured the Royal Navy curl and an eagle.

1946: Introduction of the Commander Rank in the Metropolitan Police

In 1946, the Metropolitan Police introduced the rank of commander after splitting the rank of deputy assistant commissioner, with senior DACs retaining their rank and junior DACs being re-graded as commanders. The Metropolitan Police also used the rank of deputy commander, ranking just below commander, between 1946 and 1968.

1968: Deputy Commander Abolition in Metropolitan Police

In 1968, the Metropolitan Police discontinued the rank of deputy commander, which ranked just below that of commander and had been in use since 1946.

1968: Abolition of Deputy Commander Rank

Until the abolition of the rank of deputy commander in 1968, a commander wore the same badge of rank as a deputy assistant commissioner.

1974: LAPD Rank Change

In 1974, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) changed the name of its "inspector" rank to "commander," aligning it with the equivalent rank in other large US departments like the NYPD.

1980: Defense Officer Personnel Management Act (DOPMA)

In 1980, the United States Department of Defense policies were established, derived from the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act (DOPMA) or its companion Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act (ROPMA). DOPMA/ROPMA guidelines suggest that 70% of lieutenant commanders should be promoted to commander after a minimum of three years and 15 to 17 years of cumulative commissioned service.

October 24, 2002: Change in Terminology for U.S. Military Command

On October 24, 2002, the term "commander" at the highest levels of U.S. military command structure began to refer to what had previously been called commander-in-chief, or CINC.

August 2017: Commissioner Cancels Plan to Phase Out Ranks

In August 2017, the new Commissioner Cressida Dick cancelled the Metropolitan Police Service's plan to phase out the ranks of commander and chief inspector, which had been announced earlier. The plan to remove ranks was cancelled in August 2017 by the new comissioner.

2018: Planned Phase-Out of Commander Rank

In 2018, The Metropolitan Police Service announced plans to phase out the rank of Commander, along with that of Chief Inspector. However, this plan was later cancelled in August 2017.