2IC

Military abbreviation · British Military Rank

2IC
Stands forSecond-in-command
CategoriesMilitary

2IC stands for Second-in-command, a british military rank abbreviation.

Deputy to a commander at any level in British and Commonwealth forces, from a section 2IC (often a lance corporal) to a battalion 2IC (a major). The 2IC runs the headquarters and takes command if the commander becomes a casualty.

Example: The battalion 2IC ran the command post while the CO went forward.

Usage notes

Spoken as "two-I-C." US forces generally use executive officer (XO) for the officer in this role, though 2IC is understood. The abbreviation has also spread into civilian workplaces, especially in Australia and the UK, for a deputy manager.

More british military rank abbreviations

  • AB – Able Seaman
  • AC – Aircraftman
  • ACM – Air Chief Marshal
  • Air Cdre – Air Commodore
  • AM – Air Marshal
  • AVM – Air Vice-Marshal
  • Bdr – Bombardier
  • Brig – Brigadier
  • CAPT – Captain (US Navy and Coast Guard)
  • Cdre – Commodore
  • Cfn – Craftsman
  • CQMS – Company Quartermaster Sergeant

See all 50 british military rank abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.