What are the duties of a navy lieutenant?

I'm exploring military careers and was wondering what a lieutenant in the navy does. How do their responsibilities differ from other branches, and is this a rank that someone enlists directly into?

In the United States Navy, a Lieutenant is a mid-level officer ranking above a Lieutenant Junior Grade and below a Lieutenant Commander. The rank is equivalent to the rank of Captain in the other branches of the military. However, unlike in other branches, one does not directly enlist into the position of Lieutenant in the Navy; instead, it's a rank that one achieves with time and experience.

The duties of a Navy Lieutenant are varied and depend largely on the specific job or specialization they have within the Navy. However, in general, Lieutenants in the Navy have a heavier leadership role compared to lower-ranking officers. They may serve as department heads on larger ships, commanding multiple divisions within their department, or they may be commanding officers of smaller vessels or submarines. Their responsibilities can include oversight of enlisted personnel, strategic planning, administration, logistics, communication, as well as the execution of orders from higher-ranking officers.

Aside from their leadership role, Lieutenants may also take on very specialized roles depending on their training and the needs of the Navy. Some may serve as Naval Aviators, piloting the Navy's aircraft, others might serve as Naval Flight Officers, Surface Warfare Officers, Submarine Warfare Officers, or Special Warfare Officers, just to name a few.

In terms of how their responsibilities differ from other branches, it's largely a matter of context rather than duty. In the Army or Air Force, a Captain (equivalent to a Navy Lieutenant) might also be leading a unit or in a specific specialized role, but the context would be land or air-based operations rather than sea-based operations.

Reaching the rank of Lieutenant demands formal education along with years of experience and leadership. A person interested in rising to this rank typically begins by obtaining a bachelor's degree and enlisting as an officer through Officer Candidate School, ROTC, or the Naval Academy. From there, you progress through the ranks with time in service, excellent performance, and ongoing professional military education.