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Security & DefenceISCO 0110

Lieutenant

A lieutenant is a person who commands a platoon of soldiers, leads them through training and disciplinary exercises, carries out administrative duties and acts as an adviser.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

lead military troops

advise superiors on military operations

manage administrative systems

train military troops

instruct in military duties

About lieutenant

The lieutenant trains military troops, runs military drill, and maintains discipline and turnout within the platoon. Knowledge of military weapons is required to the level needed to instruct on them and to judge whether a soldier is safe with one. Military codes and the procedures built around them govern how orders are passed and recorded. Communication during operations is a lieutenant's responsibility: keeping contact with the company above and the sections below, and knowing what each is doing when the picture changes. They write accurate situational reports and send them on to the chain of command.

The lieutenant manages administrative systems covering personnel, equipment, leave and training records, and ensures compliance with policy in all of it. The advisory part means telling a senior officer what the platoon can and cannot do.

Commissioning requirements are set by each country's armed forces.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

military codemilitary codeThe code language used in specific intelligence or military organisations and operations, how to use and decipher them.military combat techniquesmilitary combat techniquesThe fighting techniques specific to military operations, using military weapons and equipment, and the regulations concerning military combat actions.military weaponrymilitary weaponryThe types of arms used by different military organisations, such as army, navy or air force and in different nations worldwide; the weapons' aspects, damage potential and ways to defend against them.military drillmilitary drillThe marching techniques and use of weapons, and other disciplinary methods applied in military operations.surveillance methodssurveillance methodsSurveillance methods used in the gathering of information and intelligence for investigation purposes.lead military troopslead military troopsLead the actions of military troops on the field during a mission, either combat, humanitarian or otherwise defensive, compliant with the strategies devised prior to the operation and ensuring communi...advise superiors on military operationsadvise superiors on military operationsAdvise on the strategic decisions made by superiors on deployment, mission tactics, resource allocation or other military operation specifics, to help superiors reach a better decision and to provide ...manage administrative systemsmanage administrative systemsEnsure administrative systems, processes and databases are efficient and well managed and give the sound basis to work together with the administrative officer/staff/professional.train military troopstrain military troopsTrain military troops or people in training to join the force in drill, combat techniques, weaponry, regulations, operation procedures, camouflage, and other military practices.instruct in military dutiesinstruct in military dutiesGive theoretical and practical classes to future soldiers concerning their military duties and activities.write situation reportswrite situation reportsWrite reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or of mi...ensure compliance with policiesensure compliance with policiesTo ensure compliance with legislation and company procedures in respect of Health and Safety in the workplace and public areas, at all times. To ensure awareness of and compliance with all Company Pol...maintain operational communicationsmaintain operational communicationsMaintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that t...
Optional (12) — show
geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...perform military operationsperform military operationsPerform military operations according to given instructions from superiors, such as battle operations, rescue missions, aid missions, search and intelligence missions or other operations concerning de...undertake inspectionsundertake inspectionsUndertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.manage troop deploymentmanage troop deploymentManage the deployment of troops to areas in conflict, or in need of aid, and oversee the deployment procedures. Manage the deployment of the troops within an area for specific missions, and ensure the...give battle commandsgive battle commandsGive commands during a battle or similar confrontation with enemy units to guide the activities of the troops, ensuring the safety of the troops and success of the operation, and give these commands i...ensure information securityensure information securityEnsure that the information gathered during surveillance or investigations remains in the hands of those authorised to receive and use it, and does not fall into enemy or otherwise non-authorised indi...ensure compliance with types of weaponsensure compliance with types of weaponsComply with legal requirements when using different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition.devise military tacticsdevise military tacticsDevise the strategic and tactical components of a military operation, taking into account the available equipment and assigning tasks to the different troops, and supervising the use of weapons and ot...monitor equipment conditionmonitor equipment conditionMonitor the correct functioning of gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.identify security threatsidentify security threatsIdentify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.patrol areaspatrol areasPatrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicating with emergency response organisations.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a lieutenant do?

Lieutenants command troops of platoons of soldiers and lead them in training and discipline exercises. They also perform administrative duties, and function as advisers.

What skills does a lieutenant need?

A lieutenant needs 13 essential skills, including military code, military combat techniques, military weaponry, military drill, surveillance methods.

Will AI replace lieutenant jobs?

The AI disruption score for lieutenant is 26/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write situation reports, manage administrative systems, surveillance methods. Most resilient: military drill, military combat techniques, lead military troops.

Quick Facts

SectorSecurity & Defence
ISCO GroupCommissioned armed forces officers
Essential Skills13

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