Naval ranks: Difference between revisions

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Modern militaries all use similar schema of [[military ranks]].<ref name=McClellanMuseum>
Modern militaries all use similar schema of [[military rank]]s.<ref name=McClellanMuseum/> Modern navies use '''naval ranks''' that are of comparable seniority to the ranks used by armies and air forces.
{{cite news
| url        = http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/PopTopics/colonel.htm
| title      = Why is the Colonel called "kernal"? The origin of the ranks and rank insignia now used by the United States armed forces
| publisher  = [[McClellan Aviation Museum]]
| author      = Raymond Oliver
| accessdate  = 2011-04-22
| archivedate = 2011-04-22
| archiveurl  = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil%2FPopTopics%2Fcolonel.htm&date=2011-04-22
| dead = no
| quote      =
}} [http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil%2FPopTopics%2Fcolonel.htm&date=2011-04-22 mirror]
</ref>
Modern navies use '''naval ranks''' that are of comparable seniority to the ranks used by armies and air forces.


The most senior naval ranks, collectively called "flag ranks", include '''[[Fleet Admiral]]''' or '''Admiral of the Fleet''', '''[[Admiral]]s '''[[Vice admiral|Vice Admirals]]''', '''[[rear admiral|Rear Admirals]]''' and '''[[commodore|Commodores]]''',
The most senior naval ranks, collectively called "flag ranks", include '''Fleet Admiral''' or '''Admiral of the Fleet''', '''Admirals '''Vice admiral|Vice Admirals''', '''rear admiral|Rear Admirals''' and '''commodore|Commodores''',
have comparable seniority to Generals in the Army or Air Force.  These ranks may have command of fleets, squadrons or task forces composed of multiple vessels.
have comparable seniority to Generals in the Army or Air Force.  These ranks may have command of fleets, squadrons or task forces composed of multiple vessels.


The other [[commissioned ranks]] in modern navies include '''Captain''', '''Commander''', '''Lieutenant Commander''' and '''Lieutenant'''.
The other commissioned ranks in modern navies include '''Captain''', '''Commander''', '''Lieutenant Commander''' and '''Lieutenant'''.
These are roughly comparable seniority to the army ranks '''Colonel''', '''Lieutenant Colonel''', '''Major''', '''Captain''' and '''Lieutenant'''.
These are roughly comparable seniority to the army ranks '''Colonel''', '''Lieutenant Colonel''', '''Major''', '''Captain''' and '''Lieutenant'''.


Depending on the country, commissioned officers generally have training at the University level.
Depending on the country, commissioned officers generally have training at the University level.
===Branch===
===Branch===
Most countries distinguish officers qualified for ship command from those who are technical specialists. In the [[Royal Navy]], the command track has been the "seaman" branch. The [[U.S. Navy]] calls this "line".
Most countries distinguish officers qualified for ship command from those who are technical specialists. In the Royal Navy, the command track has been the "seaman" branch. The United States Navy calls this "line".
 


===Comparative ranks===
===Comparative ranks===
Line 40: Line 26:
! Notes
! Notes
|-
|-
| [[Fleet admiral]] or [[Admiral of the Fleet]]
| Fleet admiral or Admiral of the Fleet
| OF-10
| OF-10
| O-11
| O-11
|  
|  
| [[Field Marshal]] or [[General of the Army]]
| Field Marshal or General of the Army
| Rarely used, and usually wartime only
| Rarely used, and usually wartime only
|-
|-
| [[Admiral]]
| Admiral
|OF-9
|OF-9
| O-10
| O-10
|  
|  
| [[General]], Colonel General
| General, Colonel General
|  
|  
|-
|-
| [[Vice admiral]]
| Vice admiral
| OF-8  
| OF-8  
| O-9
| O-9
|  
|  
|[[Lieutenant general]], General of branch, Air Marshal
|Lieutenant general, General of branch, Air Marshal
|   
|   
|-
|-
| [[Rear admiral]]
| Rear admiral
| OF-7
| OF-7
| O-8  
| O-8  
| Rear Admiral of the Upper Half
| Rear Admiral of the Upper Half
| [[Major general]], [[lieutenant general]]*, Air Vice Marshal
| Major general, lieutenant general*, Air Vice Marshal
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Commodore]]**
| Commodore**
| Rear Admiral of the Lower Half
| Rear Admiral of the Lower Half
| OF-6
| OF-6
| O-7
| O-7
|Brigadier, [[brigadier general|Brigadier General]], Air Commodore
|Brigadier, brigadier general|Brigadier General, Air Commodore
| Very complex usages; not present in all navies
| Very complex usages; not present in all navies
|-
|-
| [[Captain (naval)]]
| Captain (naval)
| OF-5
| OF-5
| O-6
| O-6
Line 82: Line 68:
|  
|  
|-
|-
| [[Commander]]
| Commander
| OF-4
| OF-4
| O-5
| O-5
| Frigate Captain, ''Fregattenkaptain'', Captain 2nd Rank
| Frigate Captain, ''Fregattenkaptain'', Captain 2nd Rank
| [[Lieutenant colonel]], Wing Commander
| Lieutenant colonel, Wing Commander
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Lieutenant commander]]
| Lieutenant commander
| OF-3 or OF-4
| OF-3 or OF-4
| O-4
| O-4
| ''Capitaine de corvette'', Corvette Captain, ''Korvettenkkaptain'', Captain 3rd Rank
| ''Capitaine de corvette'', Corvette Captain, ''Korvettenkkaptain'', Captain 3rd Rank
| [[Major]]
| Major
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Lieutenant (naval forces)]]
| Lieutenant (naval forces)
| OF-3
| OF-3
| O-3
| O-3
| ''Kapitanleutnant''
| ''Kapitanleutnant''
| [[Captain (land forces)]]
| Captain (land forces)
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Lieutenant junior grade]]
| Lieutenant junior grade
| OF-1
| OF-1
| O-2
| O-2
Line 110: Line 96:
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Ensign (naval forces)]]
| Ensign (naval forces)
| OF-1
| OF-1
| O-1
| O-1
Line 121: Line 107:
Warrant officer structures vary among nations, but, in general, they are technical specialists who have limited or no command functions.  
Warrant officer structures vary among nations, but, in general, they are technical specialists who have limited or no command functions.  
==Non-commissioned officers==
==Non-commissioned officers==
Modern navies also employ various [[non-commissioned officers]], '''petty officers'''-- individuals who may be very skilled and experienced, but have different functions. A petty officer is responsible for the training and preparation of individuals in units, or in carrying out increasingly complex functions.
Modern navies also employ various non-commissioned officers, '''petty officers'''-- individuals who may be very skilled and experienced, but have different functions. A petty officer is responsible for the training and preparation of individuals in units, or in carrying out increasingly complex functions.


In most navies, petty officers have both a '''rank''' and  a '''rating'''.  The rank shows their level of authority, while the rating identifies their specialization.
In most navies, petty officers have both a '''rank''' and  a '''rating'''.  The rank shows their level of authority, while the rating identifies their specialization.
==Seamen==
==Seamen==
'''Seamen''' are the most junior enlisted personnel in many modern navies, roughly equivalent to a private in modern armies.
'''Seamen''' are the most junior enlisted personnel in many modern navies, roughly equivalent to a private in modern armies.


==References==
==References==
<references/>
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=McClellanMuseum>
{{cite news
| url        = http://media.defense.gov/2011/Jan/11/2001330017/-1/-1/0/Why%20is%20the%20Colonel%20called%20Kernal.pdf
| title      = Why is the Colonel called "kernal"? The origin of the ranks and rank insignia now used by the United States armed forces
| publisher  = [[McClellan Aviation Museum]]
| author      = Raymond Oliver
| date        = August 1983
| page        =
| accessdate  = 2011-04-22
| archivedate = 2021-05-07
| archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20210507082724/http://media.defense.gov/2011/Jan/11/2001330017/-1/-1/0/Why%20is%20the%20Colonel%20called%20Kernal.pdf
| url-status  = live
| quote      =
}}
</ref>
}}
[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

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Modern militaries all use similar schema of military ranks.[1] Modern navies use naval ranks that are of comparable seniority to the ranks used by armies and air forces.

The most senior naval ranks, collectively called "flag ranks", include Fleet Admiral or Admiral of the Fleet, Admirals Vice admiral|Vice Admirals, rear admiral|Rear Admirals and commodore|Commodores, have comparable seniority to Generals in the Army or Air Force. These ranks may have command of fleets, squadrons or task forces composed of multiple vessels.

The other commissioned ranks in modern navies include Captain, Commander, Lieutenant Commander and Lieutenant. These are roughly comparable seniority to the army ranks Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain and Lieutenant.

Depending on the country, commissioned officers generally have training at the University level.

Branch

Most countries distinguish officers qualified for ship command from those who are technical specialists. In the Royal Navy, the command track has been the "seaman" branch. The United States Navy calls this "line".

Comparative ranks

Rank NATO designation [2] U.S. designation Other names Usual army/air equivalent Notes
Fleet admiral or Admiral of the Fleet OF-10 O-11 Field Marshal or General of the Army Rarely used, and usually wartime only
Admiral OF-9 O-10 General, Colonel General
Vice admiral OF-8 O-9 Lieutenant general, General of branch, Air Marshal
Rear admiral OF-7 O-8 Rear Admiral of the Upper Half Major general, lieutenant general*, Air Vice Marshal
Commodore** Rear Admiral of the Lower Half OF-6 O-7 Brigadier General, Air Commodore Very complex usages; not present in all navies
Captain (naval) OF-5 O-6 Ship Captain, Captain 1st Rank Colonel
Commander OF-4 O-5 Frigate Captain, Fregattenkaptain, Captain 2nd Rank Lieutenant colonel, Wing Commander
Lieutenant commander OF-3 or OF-4 O-4 Capitaine de corvette, Corvette Captain, Korvettenkkaptain, Captain 3rd Rank Major
Lieutenant (naval forces) OF-3 O-3 Kapitanleutnant Captain (land forces)
Lieutenant junior grade OF-1 O-2 Leutnant zur see, First lieutenant, senior lieutenant
Ensign (naval forces) OF-1 O-1 Sous-lieutenant, Onderluitenant Second lieutenant

Warrant officers

Warrant officer structures vary among nations, but, in general, they are technical specialists who have limited or no command functions.

Non-commissioned officers

Modern navies also employ various non-commissioned officers, petty officers-- individuals who may be very skilled and experienced, but have different functions. A petty officer is responsible for the training and preparation of individuals in units, or in carrying out increasingly complex functions.

In most navies, petty officers have both a rank and a rating. The rank shows their level of authority, while the rating identifies their specialization.

Seamen

Seamen are the most junior enlisted personnel in many modern navies, roughly equivalent to a private in modern armies.


References

  1. ↑ Raymond Oliver. Why is the Colonel called "kernal"? The origin of the ranks and rank insignia now used by the United States armed forces, McClellan Aviation Museum, August 1983. Retrieved on 2011-04-22.
  2. ↑ NATO codes for grades of military personnel: Agreed English texts, 1992, NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 2116
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