What does a lieutenant do?

I'm exploring military careers and want to know more about the role of a lieutenant. What responsibilities do lieutenants have, and how does one get promoted to this rank in the military?

Lieutenants primarily serve as leaders within their own specific unit, and their responsibilities typically involve managing enlisted personnel, along with carrying out department-specific duties and tasks. They can serve in a variety of departments, including infantry, engineering, or intelligence, amongst others.

Upon graduating from their respective military academy or Officer Candidate School (OCS), they begin their service as a Second Lieutenant. In this role, they gain experience and develop their leadership skills. This period is largely seen as a time of career development and mentorship from higher-ranking officers.

After a certain period of time (usually about 18 months to 2 years of satisfactory service, depending on the branch of the military), a Second Lieutenant can potentially be promoted to First Lieutenant, the next rank up. Performance reviews and competitive evaluations are generally used to determine who gets promoted. Please note, the exact time in service and promotion criteria can vary somewhat between different military branches (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard).

As First Lieutenants, their responsibilities expand. They typically command a larger unit, lead more complicated missions, and play a more strategic role in the planning and execution of their assigned duties.

It's also worth noting that the responsibilities and roles of Lieutenants can vary greatly based on the specific branch of the military they serve in. For example, a Lieutenant in the Navy might have different duties compared to a Lieutenant in the Army. Therefore, if you want to pursue a military career, you might want to research specific roles within your desired branch to get a clearer picture of what that role would entail.