The ranking (highest) officer in a Power Squadron unit is the Commander (Cdr). The Commander is the equivalent of the President in other organizations. The next rank under the Commander is a Lieutenant Commander (Lt/C), then First Lieutenant (1st/Lt), and finally Lieuenant (Lt). The honorary titles of Past Commander (P/C) and Past Lieutenant Commander (P/Lt/C) are used within the Squadron.
Members, as well as officers, can earn a "Grade". A Grade signifies the advanced
seamanship and navigation courses that a member has successfully completed.
The Grade level of members is designated by one or two letters following their
names. For example, S signifies that the member has completed advanced seamanship
training while P signifies completion of an advanced course in piloting (Piloting
is boat navigation based on landmarks and buoys.). Courses for which a Grade
designation is awarded are listed under Advanced Grades Courses on the Courses
for Members page.