The ranks in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy are similar to those of the Chinese Army, formally known as the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, except that those of the PLA Navy are prefixed by 海军 (Hai Jun) meaning Naval Force or Navy. See Ranks of the People's Liberation Army or the article on an individual rank for details on the evolution of rank and insignia in the PLAN. This article primarily covers the existing ranks and insignia.
The current system of officer ranks and insignia dates from 1988 and is a revision of the ranks and insignia used from 1955 to 1965. The rank of Hai Jun Yi Ji Shang Jiang (First Class Admiral) was never held and was abolished in 1994.
| Rank image | Name | Usual translation (Alternate translation) |
U.S. Navy equivalent (NATO rank code) |
Royal Navy equivalent (NATO rank code) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 海军一级上将 Hai Jun Yi Ji Shang Jiang (abolished 1994; rank never held) |
Fleet Admiral (First Class Admiral) |
Fleet Admiral (OF-10) |
Admiral of the Fleet (OF-10) |
|
| 海军上将 Hai Jun Shang Jiang |
Admiral (Second Class Admiral) |
Admiral (OF-9) |
Admiral (OF-9) |
|
| 海军中将 Hai Jun Zhong Jiang |
Vice Admiral | Vice Admiral (OF-8) |
Vice Admiral (OF-8) |
|
| 海军少将 Hai Jun Shao Jiang |
Rear Admiral | Rear Admiral (OF-7) |
Rear Admiral (OF-7) |
|
| 海军大校 Hai Jun Da Xiao |
Commodore, Senior Captain |
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) (OF-6) |
Commodore (OF-6) |
|
| 海军上校 Hai Jun Shang Xiao |
Captain (Ship-of-the-Line Captain) |
Captain (OF-5) |
Captain (OF-5) |
|
| 海军中校 Hai Jun Zhong Xiao |
Commander (Frigate Captain) |
Commander (OF-4) |
Commander (OF-4) |
|
| 海军少校 Hai Jun Shao Xiao |
Lieutenant Commander (Corvette Captain) |
Lieutenant Commander (OF-3) |
Lieutenant Commander (OF-3) |
|
| 空军大尉 Hai Jun Da Wei (abolished 1998) |
Captain Lieutenant (Lieutenant (Senior grade)) |
Captain Lieutenant, First Lieutenant (OF-2) |
Captain Lieutenant, First Lieutenant (OF-2) |
|
| 海军上尉 Hai Jun Shang Wei |
Senior Lieutenant, Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (OF-2) |
Lieutenant (OF-2) |
|
| 海军中尉 Hai Jun Zhong Wei |
Lieutenant, Sublieutenant, Lieutenant (junior grade) |
Lieutenant Junior Grade (OF-1) |
Sublieutenant (OF-1) |
|
| 海军少尉 Hai Jun Shao Wei |
Junior Lieutenant, Ensign |
Ensign (OF-1) |
||
| 海军學員 Hai Jun Xue Yuan |
Navy Officer Cadet/Navy Midshipman | Midshipman (OF-D) |
Officer Cadet (OF-D) |
The current system of enlisted ranks and insignia dates from 1998.
| Name | Usual translation | U.S. Navy equivalent (NATO rank code) |
Royal Navy equivalent (NATO rank code) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 海军六级士官 Hai Jun Liu Ji Shi Guan |
Naval Non-commissioned officer 6th Class | Master Chief Petty Officer (OR-9) |
Warrant Officer Class 1 (OR-9) |
| 海军五级士官 Hai Jun Wu Ji Shi Guan |
Naval Non-commissioned officer 5th class | Senior Chief Petty Officer (OR-8) |
Warrant Officer Class 2 (OR-8) |
| 海军四级士官 Hai Jun Si Ji Shi Guan |
Naval Non-commissioned officer 4th Class | Chief Petty Officer (OR-7) |
Chief Petty Officer (OR-7) |
| 海军三级士官 Hai Jun San Ji Shi Guan |
Naval Non-commissioned officer 3rd Class | Petty Officer First Class (OR-6) |
Petty Officer (OR-8) |
| 海军二级士官 Hai Jun Er Ji Shi Guan |
Naval Non-commissioned officer 2nd Class | Petty Officer Second Class (OR-5) |
|
| 海军一级士官 Hai Jun Yi Ji Shi Guan |
Naval Non-commissioned officer 1st Class | Petty Officer Third Class (OR-4) |
Leading Rate (OR-4) |
| 海军上等兵 Shang Deng Bing |
Able Seaman (Sailor First Class) |
Seaman (OR-3) |
Able Seaman (OR-3) |
| 水兵 Shui Bing |
Seaman (Sailor) |
Seaman Apprentice (OR-2) |
Ordinary Seaman (OR-2) |
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