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  United Kingdom
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]

Former command flags

See also

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ royalnavy.mod.uk Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine. — Uniforms and Badges of Rank: Admiral
  3. ↑ 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
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