What is Joe Cruz's official rank on Chicago Fire? (It may change soon)

Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) is about as reliable as they come on Chicago Fire. The firefighter has been on the show from its inception, and has always done what's asked of him, regardless of how tough it is on him. He reached a breaking point of sorts, though, in the season 12 episode "Call Me McHolland."

Cruz, who stepped in to take over duties for Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) while the latter was attending arson investigation training, felt justifiably annoyed when Severide came bark and started barking orders at him.

Cruz has been a firefighter since the pilot

The character decided that he'd rather take the lieutenant exam and lead his own team, rather than continue to play second banana to an increasingly disinterested Severide. Which begs the question: what rank does Cruz currently have in the 51?

According to Chicago Fire Wiki, Cruz has the rank of firefighter. The general ranking of firefighters throughout the country goes from:

- Probationary firefighter
- Firefighter
- Driver engineer
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Battalion chief
- Assistant Chief
- Fire chief

Related: Chicago Fire explains Mouch's bizarre nickname

Most of the characters on Chicago Fire fall under this secondary rank. A handful, like Severide, Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer), and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), have been distinguished enough to get lieutenant honors.

The highest-ranking main character is, of course, Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). Cruz's desire to assume control of his own team makes sense, given his seniority within the firehouse, and his stint as basically a full-fledged lieutenant in Severide's absence, but the 51 already has both lieutenant spots filled.

Cruz wants to take the lieutenant exam

If Cruz were to take and pass the exam, then he would be forced to relocate to another firehouse to carry out the next stage of his career. It's a smart career move, but Cruz has also been someone who prioritizes family over advancement in the past, as evidenced by the fact that he's recently become a father of two.

There's also the matter of him leaving the show. The character would cease to be a regular on Chicago Fire, as nobody who has ever changed firehouses has remained a steady presence.

Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman has confirmed that Cruz plays a big role in season 11, so we hope it means he figures out a way to stick around without compromising his career goals.