naval officer ranks

Navies have military rank systems that often are quite different from those of armies or air forces. Sometimes, services that are considered parts of the navy – marine or amphibious corps – use the army-style ranks instead, while the ranks listed here are reserved for fleets.

NATO Rank Codes

To assist in the comparison of ranks in the armed forces of different countries, established NATO rank codes are used. These are established codes for determining the seniority of officer and other ranks in NATO countries for a particular joint task group or command structure, although specific appointments designate a higher level of seniority over other equivalent rank codes in a given situation. Officer ranks go from OF-1 (applying to all subaltern officers below captain) up to OF-10; OF(D) being a special category for trainee officers awaiting a commission. Other Ranks (those considered enlisted men in the United States forces) are classified from OR-1 to OR-9. Warrant Officers in the United States forces are a special case as single track career specialists between the enlisted and officer ranks in terms of seniority, and have no NATO rank code. The system should not be confused with the pay grades used in the US military. While countries outside the NATO command structure (including some NATO member courtiers such as France) do not strictly fall into this classification structure and there may be incidences of overlap (particularly in OR ranks between countries) the codes still provide a useful gauge in determining what ranks are broadly equivalent

Flag Officers

These are the highest ranks. Promotion to a rank above OF-9 is now rare and usually reserved for wartime. Fleet Admiral is an example of such a rank.

idth="16%" align="center" \|OF-10	width="16%" align="center" \|OF-9	width="16%" align="center" \|OF-8	width="16%" align="center" \|OF-7	width="16%" align="center" \|OF-6
a href="/encyclopedia/Military-of-Albania" title="Military of Albania">Albania	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Admiral	align="center" \|Nnadmiral	align="center" \|Kunderadmiral	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Argentine-Navy" title="Argentine Navy">Argentina	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Almirante	align="center" \|Vicealmirante	align="center" \|Contraalmirante	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Danish-Navy" title="Royal Danish Navy">Denmark	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Admiral	align="center" \|Viceadmiral	align="center" \|Kontreadmiral	align="center" \|Flottilleadmiral
a href="/encyclopedia/Finnish-Navy" title="Finnish Navy">Finland	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Amiraali Admiral	align="center" \|Vara-amiraali Viceadmiral	align="center" \|Kontra-amiraali Konteradmiral	align="center" \|Lippueamiraali Flottiljadmiral
a href="/encyclopedia/French-Navy" title="French Navy">France	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Amiral	align="center" \|Vice-Amiral d'Escadre	align="center" \|Vice-Amiral	align="center" \|Contre-Amiral
a href="/encyclopedia/German-Navy" title="German Navy">Germany	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Admiral	align="center" \|Vizeadmiral	align="center" \|Konteradmiral	align="center" \|Flottillenadmiral
a href="/encyclopedia/Israeli-Defence-Forces" title="Israeli Defence Forces">Israel	align="center" \|	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Rav-aluf	align="center" \|Aluf	align="center" \|Tat-aluf
a href="/encyclopedia/Marina-Militare" title="Marina Militare">Italy	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Ammiraglio di Squadra con incarichi speciali	align="center" \|Ammiraglio di Squadra e Ammiraglio Ispettore Capo	align="center" \|Ammiraglio di Divisione e Ammiraglio Ispettore	align="center" \|Contrammiraglio
a href="/encyclopedia/Military-of-Latvia" title="Military of Latvia">Latvia	align="center" \|	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Viceadmirālis	align="center" \|Kontradmirālis	align="center" \|Flatiles admirālis
a href="/encyclopedia/Mexican-Navy" title="Mexican Navy">Mexico	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Almirante	align="center" \|Vicealmirante	align="center" \|Contralmirante	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Netherlands-Navy" title="Royal Netherlands Navy">Netherlands	align="center" \|Admiraal der Vloot	align="center" \|Luitenant-Admiraal	align="center" \|Vice-Admiraal	align="center" \|Schout-bij-nacht	align="center" \|Commandeur
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Norwegian-Navy" title="Royal Norwegian Navy">Norway	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Admiral	align="center" \|Viseadmiral	align="center" \|Kontreadmiral	align="center" \|Flaggkommandr
a href="/encyclopedia/Polish-Navy" title="Polish Navy">Poland	align="center" \|Admirał	align="center" \|Admirał floty	align="center" \|Wiceadmirał	align="center" \|Kontradmirał	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Military-of-Portugal" title="Military of Portugal">Portugal	align="center" \|Almirante de Armada	align="center" \|Almirante	align="center" \|Vice-almirante	align="center" \|Contra-almirante	align="center" \|Comodoro
a href="/encyclopedia/Russian-Navy" title="Russian Navy">Russia	align="center" \|Admiral flota	align="center" \|Admiral	align="center" \|Vitse-admiral	align="center" \|Kontr-admiral	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Republic-of-Singapore-Navy" title="Republic of Singapore Navy">Singapore	align="center" \|	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Vice Admiral	align="center" \|Rear Admiral (two star)	align="center" \|Rear Admiral (one star)
a href="/encyclopedia/South-African-Navy" title="South African Navy">South Africa	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Admiraal	align="center" \|Vise-Admiraal	align="center" \|Skout-Admiraal	align="center" \|Skout-Admiraal (JR)
a href="/encyclopedia/Spanish-Navy" title="Spanish Navy">Spain	align="center" \|Capitn general	align="center" \|Almirante general	align="center" \|Almirante	align="center" \|Vicealmirante	align="center" \|Contralmirante
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Swedish-Navy" title="Royal Swedish Navy">Sweden	align="center" \|	align="center" \|Amiral	align="center" \|Viceamiral	align="center" \|Konteramiral	align="center" \|Flottiljamiral
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Navy" title="Royal Navy">United Kingdom and in some other English-speaking Commonwealth countries	align="center" \|Admiral of the Fleet	align="center" \|Admiral	align="center" \|Vice-Admiral	align="center" \|Rear-Admiral	align="center" \|Commodore
a href="/encyclopedia/United-States-Navy" title="United States Navy">United States	align="center" \|Fleet Admiral	align="center" \|Admiral	align="center" \|Vice Admiral	align="center" \|Rear Admiral (UH)	align="center" \|Rear Admiral (LH)

Other officers

Captain is the common address to commanders of a naval ship, regardless of his actual rank. As a rank, naval Captains are in most services far senior to army Captains, and equivalent to Colonels. An exception is the Swedish Navy, where kapten refers to the same rank as in the army.

idth="16%" align="center" \|OF-5	width="16%" align="center" \|OF-4	width="16%" align="center" \|OF-3	width="16%" align="center" \|OF-2	width="28%" align="center" colspan=3 \|OF-1
a href="/encyclopedia/Military-of-Albania" title="Military of Albania">Albania	align="center" \|Kapitan i Rangut te Pare	align="center" \|Kapitan i Rangut te Dyte	align="center" \|Kapitan i Rangut te Terte	align="center" \|Kapitan Lejtnant	align="center" \|Lejtnant	align="center" \|Nnlejtnant	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Argentine-Navy" title="Argentine Navy">Argentina	align="center" \|Capitn de navo	align="center" \|Capitn de fragata	align="center" \|Capitn de corbeta	align="center" \|Teniente de navo	align="center" \|Teniente de fragata	align="center" \|Teniente de corbeta	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Danish-Navy" title="Royal Danish Navy">Denmark	align="center" \|Kommandr	align="center" \|Kommandr-kaptajn	align="center" \|Orlogskaptajn	align="center" \|Kaptajnljtnant	align="center" \|Premierljtnant	align="center" \|Ljtnant	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Finnish-Navy" title="Finnish Navy">Finland	align="center" \|Kommodori Kommodor	align="center" \|Komentaja Kommendr	align="center" \|Komentajakapteeni Kommendrkapten	align="center" \|Kapteeniluutnantti Kaptenljtnant Yliluutnantti Premirljtnant	align="center" \|Luutnantti Ljtnant	align="center" \|Aliluutnantti Underljtnant	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/French-Navy" title="French Navy">France	align="center" \|Capitaine de Vaisseau	align="center" \|Capitaine de Fregate	align="center" \|Capitaine de Corvette	align="center" \|Lieutenant de Vaisseau	align="center" \|Enseigne de Vaisseau de 1re Classe	align="center" \|Enseigne de Vaisseau de 2e Classe	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/German-Navy" title="German Navy">Germany	align="center" \|Kapitn zur See	align="center" \|Fregattenkapitn	align="center" \|Korvettenkapitn	align="center" \|Stabskapitnleutnant Kapitnleutnant	align="center" \|Oberleutnant zur See	align="center" \|Leutnant zur See	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Israeli-Defence-Forces" title="Israeli Defence Forces">Israel	align="center" \|Aluf mishne	align="center" \|Sgan aluf	align="center" \|Rav seren	align="center" \|Seren	align="center" \|Segen	align="center" \|Segen mishne	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Marina-Militare" title="Marina Militare">Italy	align="center" \|Capitano di Vascello	align="center" \|Capitano di Fregata	align="center" \|Capitano di Corvetta	align="center" \|Primo Tenente di Vascello Tenente di Vascello	align="center" \|Sottotenente di Vascello	align="center" \|Guardiamarina	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Military-of-Latvia" title="Military of Latvia">Latvia	align="center" \|Jūras kapteinis	align="center" \|Komandkapteinis	align="center" \|Komandleitnants	align="center" \|Kapteiņleitnants	align="center" \|Virsleitnants	align="center" \|Leitnants	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Mexican-Navy" title="Mexican Navy">Mexico	align="center" \|Capitn de Navo	align="center" \|Capitn de Fragata	align="center" \|Capitn de Corbeta	align="center" \|Teniente de Navo	width="14%" align="center" \|Teniente de Corbeta	align="center" \|Guardiamarina	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Netherlands-Navy" title="Royal Netherlands Navy">Netherlands	align="center" \|Kapitein ter zee	align="center" \|Kapitein-Luitenant ter zee	align="center" \|Luitenant ter zee der 1e klasse	align="center" \|Luitenant ter zee der 2e klasse oudste categorie	align="center" \|Luitenant ter zee der 2e klasse	align="center" \|Luitenant ter zee der 3e klasse	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Norwegian-Navy" title="Royal Norwegian Navy">Norway	align="center" \|Kommandr	align="center" \|Kommandrkaptein	align="center" \|Orlogskaptein	align="center" \|Kapteinlytnant	align="center" \|Lytnant	align="center" \|Fenrik	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Polish-Navy" title="Polish Navy">Poland	align="center" \|Komandor	align="center" \|Komandor porucznik	align="center" \|Komandor podporucznik	align="center" \|Kapitan marynarki	align="center" \|Porucznik marynarki	align="center" \|Podporucznik marynarki	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Military-of-Portugal" title="Military of Portugal">Portugal	align="center" \|Capito-de-mar-e-guerra	align="center" \|Capito-de-fragat	align="center" \|Capito-tenente	align="center" \|Primeiro-tenente	align="center" \|Segundo-tenente	align="center" \|Guarda-marinha ou Subtenente	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Russian-Navy" title="Russian Navy">Russia	align="center" \|Kapitan pervogo ranga	align="center" \|Kapitan vtorogo ranga	align="center" \|Kapitan tret'yego ranga	align="center" \|Kapitan-leytenant	align="center" \|Starshiy leytenant	align="center" \|Leytenant	align="center" \| Mladshiy leytenant
a href="/encyclopedia/Republic-of-Singapore-Navy" title="Republic of Singapore Navy">Singapore	align="center" \|Colonel	align="center" \|Lieutenant Colonel	align="center" \|Major	align="center" \|Captain	align="center" \|Lieutenant	align="center" \|Second Lieutenant	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/South-African-Navy" title="South African Navy">South Africa	align="center" \|Kaptein	align="center" \|Kommandeur	align="center" \|Luitenant-Kommandeur	align="center" \|Luitenant	align="center" \|Onderluitenant	align="center" \|Vaandrig	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Spanish-Navy" title="Spanish Navy">Spain	align="center" \|Capitn de navo	align="center" \|Capitn de fragata	align="center" \|Capitn de corbeta	align="center" \|Teniente de navo	align="center" \|Alfrez de navo	align="center" \|Alfrez de fragata	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Swedish-Navy" title="Royal Swedish Navy">Sweden	align="center" \|Kommendr	align="center" \|Kommendrkapten	align="center" \|rlogskapten	align="center" \|Kapten	align="center" \|Ljtnant	align="center" \|Fnrik	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/Royal-Navy" title="Royal Navy">United Kingdom and in some other English-speaking Commonwealth countries	align="center" \|Captain	align="center" \|Commander	align="center" \|Lieutenant-Commander	align="center" \|Lieutenant	align="center" \|Sub-Lieutenant	align="center" \|Acting Sub-Lieutenant	align="center" \|
a href="/encyclopedia/United-States-Navy" title="United States Navy">United States	align="center" \|Captain	align="center" \|Commander	align="center" \|Lieutenant Commander	align="center" \|Lieutenant	align="center" \|Lieutenant, junior grade	align="center" \|Ensign	align="center" \|

External links

Rank Insignia of the World