It is entirely possible that any and every rank can see active combat. On a regular and normal basis, a Captain would be the highest ranking officer in ground forces to be expected to be a trigger puller. Anyone above that rank could, but would not be expected, to be pulling triggers.

In the military context of 2026, the role of a Captain (O-3 in the US Army, Marines, and Air Force) depends heavily on their branch and unit type. In Infantry and Armor units, Captains are typically Company Commanders, meaning they lead 100 to 200 soldiers. While they are "tactical" leaders who are physically present on the battlefield and may engage in direct fire if their unit is ambushed, their primary job is command and control—coordinating mortars, air support, and maneuvering their platoons rather than being the primary rifleman. In the Air Force and Navy, a Captain (which is a much higher O-6 rank in the Navy) of a fighter squadron or a warship is the primary operator and absolutely "fights" by piloting the aircraft or commanding the ship's weapons systems. Generally, as one moves up the ranks, the role shifts from direct combat to management; however, at the rank of Captain, officers are still close enough to the "front line" that they are expected to be combat-ready and lead from the front.