Commander vs. Commando — What's the Difference?

Commander is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces.

A commando (etymologically derives from Latin commendare, to recommend) is a combatant, or operative of an elite light infantry or special operations force using dedicated operation techniques. Originally "a commando" was a type of combat unit, as opposed to an individual in that unit.

A person who commands, especially a commanding officer.

A soldier with special training for quick destructive raids against enemy-held areas.

A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is above lieutenant commander and below captain.

A small fighting force consisting of such soldiers.

One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.

An organized force of Boer troops in South Africa.

The chief commissioned officer of a military unit regardless of rank.

A raid made by such a force.

An officer in some knightly or fraternal orders.

A small fighting force specially trained for making quick destructive raids against enemy-held areas.

One who exercises control and direction of a military or naval organization.

A commando trooper.

A naval officer whose rank is above that of a lieutenant commander and below that of captain.

(historical) An organized force of Boer troops in South Africa; a raid by such troops.

One who exercises control and direction over a group of persons.

In South Africa, a military body or command; also, sometimes, an expedition or raid; as, a commando of a hundred Boers.

A designation or rank in certain non-military organizations such as NASA and various police forces.

A usually small military unit trained to perform special missions, often behind enemy lines, and usually employing hit-and-run tactics. Such units often have the destruction of fixed targets, such as enemy installations, as their mission, in contrast to normal combat units which engage the enemy army directly.

(obsolete) The chief officer of a commandry.

A member of a commando{2} unit.

A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.

A member of a military unit trained as shock troops for hit-and-run raids

A rank within an honorary order: e.g. Commander of the Legion of Honour.

An amphibious military unit trained for raids into enemy territory

Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Moduza.

A chief; one who has supreme authority; a leader; the chief officer of an army, or of any division of it.

An officer who ranks next below a captain, - ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army.

The chief officer of a commandery.

A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.

An officer in command of a military unit

Someone in an official position of authority who can command or control others

A commissioned naval officer who ranks above a lieutenant commander and below a captain

An officer in the airforce