Does anyone have any information on a rank called Third Lieutenant? The way I understand it is that it was similar to the Naval rank of Midshipman.

In the old days (meaning around the Napoleanic wars), you could have several lieutenants on a man of war, depending on its size. The larger ships sometimes had four lietenants (possibly more, but four is the most I have ever heard of), and the most junior of those would be the "Fourth Lieutenant." All of these lieutenants were actual commissioned officers, and different from the master's mates and midshipmen that might be aboard the vessel.

The modern Army equivalent of the rank of midshipman is cadet.

thank you.

Third Lt sounds like a cool handle for a forum member!

Originally Posted by silent driller

Third Lt sounds like a cool handle for a forum member!

Oh yes, right you are

There is also (or used to be anyway) a program in the US Army called the Third Lieutenant Program. I sends (or sent anyway) senior cadets who are 1 year out from graduation from USMA out to units in the Army during the summer months to gain actual experience in a regular unit, usually of their prospective branch. They wear the USMA Cadet SSI and insignia except for a silver bar with a black stripe down the long axis (not unlike the new CW5 insignia).

I always thought it was an interesting concept that should have been expanded to ROTC.

The modern Army equivalent of the rank of midshipman is cadet.

Geeze, I read the Caine Mutiny as a kid, and if I remember correctly, he was in a officer (or similar too) position in actual combat. But hey, if it's a punk cadet ran then, I'll make sure not to salute any in the future.