{{Short description|Second-highest authority within a certain organisation}} {{for|the film|Second in Command}}{{One source|date=April 2024}} '''Second-in-command''' ('''2i/c''' or '''2IC''') is a title denoting that the holder of the title is the second-highest authority within a certain organisation.
==Usage== In the British Army or Royal Marines, the second-in-command is the deputy commander of a unit, from battalion or regiment downwards. This terminology is also used in many other Commonwealth armies and other nations. The equivalent appointment in the United States Army is the executive officer.<ref>{{Citation |title=MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD \ SUBJECT: Executive Officer Standard Operating Procedures |date=2015-11-05 |url=https://juniorofficer.army.mil/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/XO-Smartbook-PDF.pdf |access-date=2023-03-15 |publisher=DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CHARLIE COMPANY, AVIATION SUPPORT BATTALION COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE, INFANTRY DIVISION UNIT, APO AP |archive-date=2023-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316181030/https://juniorofficer.army.mil/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/XO-Smartbook-PDF.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The second-in-command of a battalion or regiment is usually a major. The second-in-command of a company, squadron, or artillery battery (in which they are called the battery captain) is usually a captain (although infantry company second-in-commands were usually lieutenants until after the Second World War), the second-in-command of a platoon or troop is the platoon or troop sergeant, and the second-in-command of a section is usually a lance corporal.
In the Royal Navy and Commonwealth navies, the second-in-command of a vessel, regardless of rank, is known as the first lieutenant or executive officer.
== Other uses == In common usage, the term refers to a deputy. Its basic meaning is "someone who relieves a commander".
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Military ranks