<P> Many police departments in the Midwest use the rank of commander . It is equivalent to a lieutenant in most other departments, being above a sergeant and below a deputy chief or captain . Commander is also used as a title in certain circumstances, such as the commander of a squad of detectives, who would usually be of the rank of lieutenant . </P> <P> Commander is also utilized by larger sheriff's departments in the United States, with the rank usually falling between chief deputy and captain, three positions removed from the sheriff . </P> <P> In the United States Army and United States Marine Corps, the term "commander" is officially applied to the commanding officer of a unit; hence, there are company commanders, battalion commanders, brigade commanders, and so forth . At the highest levels of U.S. military command structure, "commander" also refers to what used to be called commander - in - chief, or CINC, until October 24, 2002, although the term CINC is still used in casual speech . The soldier in charge of a tank, for example the M1 Abrams, is also called its "commander". </P> <P> In the Air Force, the term "commander" (abbreviated "CC") is officially applied to the commanding officer of an Air Force unit; hence, there are squadron commanders, group commanders, wing commanders, numbered air force (NAF) commanders, major command commanders and so forth . In rank, a squadron commander is typically a lieutenant colonel, although some smaller squadrons may be commanded by a major . </P>

What is the army equivalent of a navy commander