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What does a Captain do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 2 min read

A captain is a high-ranking officer in the armed forces or police.

Captain job duties include:

  • Commanding the ship and its crew
  • Planning and executing the ship’s passage
  • Maintaining the ship’s logbook
  • Coordinating with other vessels and shore-based facilities
  • Ensuring the safety and security of the ship and its crew
  • Monitoring the ship’s systems and equipment
  • Supervising the loading and unloading of cargo
  • Inspecting the ship regularly for damage or defects
  • Investigating accidents or incidents onboard

Captain Job Requirements

A Captain is the highest ranking officer in the fire department and is responsible for the overall operation of the department. The Captain must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and must be certified by the state as a Firefighter I and II. The Captain must also have a minimum of five years experience as a Firefighter and two years experience as a Lieutenant.

Captain Skills

  • Leadership
  • Strategic thinking
  • Decision making
  • Problem solving
  • Creativity
  • Flexibility
  • Delegation
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Organization
  • Motivation

Related: Top Captain Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Captain

In order to become a Captain, one must first join the military. After serving for a number of years, one can then be promoted to the rank of Captain. Alternatively, one can also attend a military academy and then be commissioned as an officer.

Related: Captain Resume Example

Related: Captain Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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