Vice admiral (Royal Navy)
- Please see “vice admiral” for other nations which use this rank.
Vice Admiral | |
---|---|
Flag of a vice admiral, Royal Navy. | |
The sleeve lace, of a Royal Navy vice admiral. | |
The stars, and shoulder boards, of a Royal Navy vice admiral. | |
Country |
|
Service branch | |
Abbreviation | ADM |
Rank | Three-star |
NATO rank | OF-8 |
Non-NATO rank | 8 |
Next higher rank | Admiral |
Next lower rank | Rear Admiral |
Equivalent ranks | Lieutenant-general, United Kingdom |
Vice admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy and equates to the NATO rank code OF-8. It is immediately superior to the rear admiral rank and is subordinate to the full admiral rank.
History
The Royal Navy has had vice admirals since at least the 16th century. When the fleet was deployed, the vice admiral would be in the leading portion or van, acting as the deputy to the admiral. Prior to 1864 the Royal Navy was divided into colored squadrons which determined his career path. The command flags flown by a Vice-Admiral changed a number of times during this period included.[1]
In the Royal Navy, the rank of vice admiral should be distinguished from the office of Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, which is an admiralty position usually held by a retired full admiral, and that of Vice-Admiral of the Coast, a now obsolete office dealing with naval administration in each of the maritime counties.
Rank insignia and personal flag
Vice admirals are entitled to fly a personal flag. A vice admiral flies a St George’s cross defaced with a red disc in the hoist.
The rank of vice admiral itself is shown in its sleeve lace by a broad band with two narrower bands. Since 2001, it has been designated a three-star rank, when the number of stars on the shoulder board were increased to three.[2][3]
- Sleeve lace
- Shoulder board
- Shoulder board prior to 2001
- Command flag
Former command flags
See also
References
- ↑ Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922). "IV:Flags of Command". British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University Press. pp. 73–109.
- ↑ royalnavy.mod.uk Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine. — Uniforms and Badges of Rank: Admiral
- ↑ Vice admiral is a three-star rank in NATO, Commonwealth and, since 2001, the Royal Navy (Refer UK DCI (Joint Service) 125/2001).
Sources
- Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922). "IV:Flags of Command". British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University Press.
NATO rank code | Student officer | OF-1 | OF-2 | OF-3 | OF-4 | OF-5 | OF-6 * |
OF-7 ** |
OF-8 *** |
OF-9 **** |
OF-10 ***** | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Navy | O Cdt | Mid | SLt | Lt | Lt Cdr | Cdr | Capt | Cdre | RAdm (list) |
VAdm (list) |
Adm (list) |
Adm of the Fleet | |
Royal Marines | O Cdt | 2Lt | Lt | Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj-Gen | Lt-Gen | Gen (list) |
Capt-Gen | |
Army | O Cdt | 2Lt | Lt | Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj-Gen (list) |
Lt-Gen (list) |
Gen (list) |
Fd Mshl | |
Royal Air Force | Off Cdt / SO | APO / Plt Off | Fg Off | Flt Lt | Sqn Ldr | Wg Cdr | Gp Capt | Air Cdre | AVM | Air Mshl | Air Chf Mshl (list) |
Mshl of the RAF |