First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.

The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations (see comparative military ranks), but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior (first lieutenant) and junior (second lieutenant) rank. In navies it may relate to a particular post rather than a rank.

United Kingdom[link]

British Army[link]

In the British Army and Royal Marines, the rank above second lieutenant is simply lieutenant, with no ordinal attached.

Before 1871, when the whole British Army switched to using the current rank of "lieutenant", the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and Fusilier regiments used "first lieutenant" and "second lieutenant".

Royal Navy[link]

The first lieutenant (1st Lt) in a Royal Navy ship is a post or appointment, rather than a rank.

Historically the lieutenants in a ship were ranked in accordance with seniority, with the most senior being termed the first lieutenant and acting as the second-in-command, unless the ship was complemented with a commander. Although lieutenants are no longer ranked by seniority, the post of "first lieutenant" remains. In minor war vessels, destroyers and frigates the first lieutenant is second in command, executive officer (XO) and head of the executive branch; in larger ships where a commander of the warfare specialisation is appointed as the executive officer, a first lieutenant is appointed as his deputy. The post of first lieutenant in a shore establishment carries a similar responsibility to the first lieutenant of a capital ship. Colloquial terms in the Royal Navy for the first lieutenant include "number one", "the jimmy" (or "jimmy the one") and "James the First" (a back-formation referring to James I of England).^[1]

United States[link]

Insignia of a United States Army first lieutenant.

U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force[link]

In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, a first lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer. It is just above the rank of second lieutenant and just below the rank of captain. It is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) in the other uniformed services.

A second lieutenant (grade O-1) is usually promoted to first lieutenant (grade O-2) after 18 months in the Army or 24 months in the Air Force^[2] and Marine Corps. The difference between the two ranks is slight, primarily being experience and higher pay. It is not uncommon to see officers moved to positions requiring more experience after promotion to first lieutenant. For example, in the Army and Marine Corps these positions can include leading a specialty platoon, or assignment as the executive officer for a company-sized unit (70-250 soldiers or marines). In the Air Force, a first lieutenant may be a flight commander or section's officer in charge with varied supervisory responsibilities, including supervision of as many as 100+ personnel, although in a flying unit, a first lieutenant is a rated officer (pilot, navigator, or air battle manager) who has just finished training for his career field and has few supervisory responsibilities.

U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard[link]

In the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, first lieutenant is a position title, instead of a rank. It is held by the officer in command of the deck department. On smaller ships, the first lieutenant holds the rank of lieutenant, junior grade or ensign. On larger vessels, the position is held by a lieutenant or, in the case of extremely large warships such as aircraft carriers, a lieutenant commander or even commander. However, on submarines, where the deck department may only have a few junior sailors, the first lieutenant may be a senior enlisted member, such as a first-class petty officer or chief petty officer.

Other countries[link]

For other countries, the equivalent rank to a US Army first lieutenant (O-2) is listed below.

• Afghanistan: Lomri Baridman
• Albania: Toger
• Angola: Primeiro Tenente
• Arabic-speaking countries except former French colonies in North Africa: Mulazim Awwal
• Argentina: Teniente Primero (army); Primer Teniente (air force)
• Austria: Oberleutnant
• Azerbaijan: Baş Leytenant
• Belarus: Cтарший Лейтенант (Starshiy Leytenant)
• Belgium: Lieutenant (French); Luitenant (Dutch)
• Bhutan: Deda Gom
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Poručnik
• Brazil: Primeiro Tenente
• Bulgaria: Cтарши Лейтенант (Starshiy Leytenant)
• Cambodia: Ak-no-say-ney-tor
• Cape Verde: Primeiro Tenente
• Imperial China (Qing Dynasty): 副軍校 (Fù jūn xiào)
• People's Republic of China: 中尉 (Zhōngwèi)
• Republic of China (Taiwan): 中尉(Chungwei)
• Croatia: Natporučnik
• Cuba: Primer Teniente
• Chile: Teniente
• Cyprus: Ypolokhagos (army); Yposminagos (air force); Anthypoploiarchos (navy)
• Czech Republic: Nadporučík (former Czechoslovakia: Nadporučík)
• Denmark: Premierløjtnant
• Dominican Republic: Primer Teniente
• Estonia: Leitnant
• Finland: Yliluutnantti
• France and all other French-speaking countries: Lieutenant (Air Force/Army), Enseigne de vaisseau de première classe (Navy)
• Georgia: უფროსი ლეიტენანტი (Up’rosi Leytenanti)
• Germany: Oberleutnant
• Greece: Ypolokhagos (army); Yposminagos (air force); Anthypoploiarchos (navy)
• Hungary: Főhadnagy
• Indonesia: Letnan Satu
• Iran: ستوان یكم (Setvan Yekom)
• Republic of Ireland: Lieutenant (English); Lefteanant (Irish)
• Israel: סגן (Segen)
• Italy: Tenente
• Japan: Nitō Rikui 2等陸尉(or Nii 2尉) (modern) / Chūi 中尉 (historical)
• Kazakhstan: Старший лейтенант (Russian), Аға Лейтенант (Kazakh)
• North Korea and South Korea: 중위 (Jungwi)
• Laos: Roithõäkäd
• Latvia: Virsleitnants
• Lithuania: Vyresnysis Leitenantas
• Luxembourg: Premier Lieutenant
• Malaysia: Leftenan
• Mexico: Teniente Primero
• Nepal: Upa-Senani
• Republic of Macedonia: Поручник (Poručnik)
• Mongolia: Ахлах дэслэгч (Ahlah deslegch)
• Mozambique: Tenente
• Netherlands: Eerste Luitenant
• Nicaragua: Teniente Primero
• Norway: Løytnant
• Pakistan: Lieutenant (Army)
• Paraguay: Teniente Primero
• Philippines: First Lieutenant (English); Unang Tenyente (Filipino), Primero Tenyente
• Poland: Porucznik
• Portugal: Tenente
• Romania: Locotenent (current); Locotenet-Major (Warsaw Pact)
• Russia: Cтарший Лейтенант (Starshiy Leytenant)
• Serbia: Поручник (Poručnik)
• Singapore:Lieutenant
• Slovakia: Nadporučík
• Slovenia:
• Somalia: "Dagaal"
• Soviet Union: Cтарший Лейтенант (Starshiy Leytenant)
• Spain and all other Spanish-speaking countries except Argentina, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Uruguay: Teniente
• Suriname: Luitenant
• Sweden: Löjtnant
• Switzerland: Oberleutnant (German); Premier Lieutenant (French); Primotenente (Italian)
• Thailand: Roi Tho
• Tunisia: ملازم أول (Moulazem Awal)
• Turkey: Üsteğmen
• Ukraine: Cтарший Лейтенант (Starshiy Leytenant)
• Uruguay: Teniente Primero
• Uzbekistan: Katta Leytenant
• Vietnam: Trung Uy
• Venezuela: Primer Teniente
• Yugoslavia: Поручник (Poručnik)

References[link]

v t e United States commissioned officer and officer candidate ranks
Pay Grade / Branch of Service	Officer Candidate	O-1	O-2	O-3	O-4	O-5	O-6	O-7	O-8	O-9	O-10	O-11 (wartime)	Special Grade
Approximate insignia	(no universal insignia)
Air Force	CDT / OT	2d Lt	1st Lt	Capt	Maj	Lt Col	Col	Brig Gen	Maj Gen	Lt Gen	Gen	GAF[1]	[3]
Army	CDT / OC	2LT	1LT	CPT	MAJ	LTC	COL	BG	MG	LTG	GEN	GA[1]	GAS[1]
Marine Corps	MIDN / CAND	2ndLt	1stLt	Capt	Maj	LtCol	Col	BGen	MajGen	LtGen	Gen	[3]	[3]
Navy	MIDN / OC	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	FADM[1]	AN[1]
Coast Guard	CDT / OC	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	[3]	[3]
Public Health Service	[3]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RADM	RADM	VADM	ADM	[3]	[3]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration	[3]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM[1]	[2]	[3]	[3]
[1] Grade is inactive; requires Congressional approval for re-activation [2] Grade is authorized by the U.S. Code for use but has not been created [3] Grade has never been created or authorized

Nicole M. E. Malachowski
Nickname	FiFi
Born	(1974-09-26) September 26, 1974 (age 37)
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1996 to Present
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	Operation Iraqi Freedom
Awards	Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal Air Force Commendation Medal (2) Air Force Achievement Medal (3) Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Kosovo Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Air and Space Campaign Medal

Nicole Margaret Ellingwood Malachowski^[1] (born September 26, 1974) is a United States Air Force officer and the first female pilot selected to fly as part of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds. Her aviator call sign is "FiFi".^[2] Her first public performance was in March 2006 and she spent the 2006 and 2007 air show seasons flying the Number 3 (Right Wing) aircraft in the diamond formation. Prior to joining the USAF, Lieutenant Colonel Malachowski was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet.

Between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009, Malachowski was on special assignment, participating in the White House Fellows Program for the Class of 2008-2009, assigned to the General Services Administration.^[3]

Early years, education, and personal biography[link]

Nicole Malachowski was born Nicole Ellingwood in Santa Maria, California, to Cathy and Robert Ellingwood.^[4] In high school, she was a cadet member of the Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol^[5] and participated in AFJROTC, where she was rated cadet colonel, the highest rank a cadet could achieve. She started working on her pilot's license before graduating from high school.^[4] She graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas in 1992.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, with a minor in French,^[6] from the United States Air Force Academy, graduating 124th of 922 in the Class of 1996.^[3] While at the academy she was both a pilot and cadet instructor pilot in the academy's TG-4 glider program. She also earned a Master of Arts degree from American Military University in National Security Policy.^[6]

Malachowski is married to Lieutenant Colonel Paul G. Malachowski, an F-15E Weapons System Operator. The couple met while both were serving as aircrew in the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.^[4] In April 2010 she was admitted to the Mother and Infant Care Center (MICC) of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, in expectation of the birth of twins. After a confinement of nine weeks, she gave birth to daughter Norah and son Garrick on June 6, 2010.^[7]

Professional career[link]

USAF Thunderbirds portrait

Malachowski attended undergraduate pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. She finished fourth in her class and selected the only F-15E Strike Eagle slot alloted to her class. After meeting height requirements for fighter pilots,^[8] she trained at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, with the 4th Fighter Wing.

She served two operational tours at RAF Lakenheath, England, with the 48th Fighter Wing; assignment to the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB; and as an Air Liaison Officer supporting the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. During her second tour at RAF Lakenheath, Malachowski deployed for four months in early 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, flying 26 combat missions. She applied and was accepted as a Thunderbird pilot in June 2005. She completed transition training to the F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona and flew with the Thunderbird Team based at Nellis AFB, Nevada in November 2005 until November 2007.

After successfully completing her tour with the USAF Thunderbirds in November 2007, including approximately 140 performances, Malachowski served on staff of the Commander, United States Air Force Warfare Center, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to June 2008.

Major Malachowski (far right) at July 2009 White House ceremony honoring WASPs.

Malachowski was selected to participate as a White House Fellow in Washington, D.C., from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009, working in the General Services Administration with the Presidential Transition Support Team and as deputy chief of staff.^[3][6][9] Malachowski has been an advocate of recognition as veterans of women pilots who served during World War II. On July 1, 2009, she participated in a White House ceremony at which legislation (S.614) awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to former pilots of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was signed into law by President Barack Obama. Although she had to use a wheelchair due to a broken left leg, Lt Col Malachowski delivered remarks during the ceremony held March 10, 2010, in the United States Capitol awarding Deanie Bishop Parrish the medal on behalf of all 1,102 WASP pilots.^[10][11]

Malachowski served as deputy commander of the 4th Operations Support Squadron, 4th Operations Group, until 18 November 2011, when she took command of the 333d Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.^[12]

Assignments[link]

1. December 1996-March 1998: Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 98-03, Columbus AFB, Mississippi.
2. March 1998-January 1999: Student, F-15E Formal Training Unit, 333d Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.
3. January 1999-October 2000: F-15E pilot, Ground Training Officer, Standardization and Evaluation Liaisons Officer 492d Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England.
4. October 2000-January 2003: F-15E Instructor Pilot, Chief of Life Support, Assistant Chief of Scheduling, Weapons Flight Electronic Combat Pilot, Functional Check Flight Pilot, Supervisor of Flying, 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.
5. January 2003-January 2004: Army Liaison Officer, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Deputy Director of Main Air Support Operations Center, ASOC Fighter Duty Officer, 604th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea.
6. January 2004-March 2004: Student, F-15E TX-2, Class 04-BTE2, 333d Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.
7. March 2004-July 2005: F-15E Instructor Pilot, C-Flight Commander, Supervisor of Flying, 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
8. August 2005-October 2005: Student, F-16C/D TX-2, Class 05-ATC, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona.
9. November 2005-November 2007: pilot, USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada.
10. December 2007-June 2008: Deputy Chief, Commander's Action Group, United States Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis AFB.
11. September 2008-September 2009: General Services Administration, White House Fellow
12. September 2009 to ??: SAF/IA Weapons Division, Chief, International Developmental Fighter Programs
13. ?? to November 2011: Director of Operations, 4th Operations Support Squadron, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC
14. November 2011 to Present: Commander, 333d Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC

Flight Information[link]

Rating: Senior Pilot

Flight hours: More than 2,100

Aircraft flown: Laister-Kauffman TG-4, McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

Awards and decorations[link]

Nicole Malachowski's ribbons as of 1 August 2009:^[3]

	Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Medal
	Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
	Combat Readiness Medal
	National Defense Service Medal
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
	Kosovo Campaign Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Korea Defense Service Medal
	Air and Space Campaign Medal
	Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
	Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with three bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Training Ribbon

Other achievements[link]

2002: Distinguished graduate of the Air Force's Squadron Officer School

2008: Inducted into the Women in Aviation, International, Pioneer Hall of Fame^[13]

Effective dates of promotion[link]

Promotions

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Lieutenant Colonel	January 2010[14]
	Major	April 1, 2006
	Captain	May 29, 2000
	First Lieutenant	May 29, 1998
6px	Second Lieutenant	May 29, 1996

References[link]

United States Air Force portal

• "Major Nicole Malachowski and Major Samantha Weeks". Woman Pilot. April 2, 2008. http://womanpilot.com/?p=73. Retrieved December 24, 2008. 

External links[link]

• 2008-2009 Class of White House Fellows
• CNN.com: Woman joins Air Force Thunderbirds
• F-16.net article - Thunderbirds' first female pilot announced with new 2006 pilots
• F-16.net article - Becoming Thunderbird is dream come true for Nevada native
• Air Force Times - Thunderbirds to get first female pilot — 2006-10-13
• Pilot to leave Nellis for White House Fellows Program