Dutch junior officers progress through lieutenant-at-sea third class and second class, with a senior category within second class. The third-class officer is close to the training stage, while promotion to second class gives the officer a more established position. The senior category stands higher in the NATO comparison than ordinary second class. That subdivision matters when comparing navies whose national titles divide junior service differently.
Notable Point ยท 27:02-27:40
Dutch lieutenant grades distinguish stages of junior service
A senior category within Dutch lieutenant-at-sea second class separates another stage of junior service and changes its NATO equivalence.