Admiral (Australia)

See Admiral for other countries which use this rank.

Admiral (ADML) is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Navy rank of admiral. It is a four-star rank. Since World War II, in general,[1] the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a navy officer.

Admiral is a higher rank than vice admiral, but is a lower rank than admiral of the fleet.[2] Admiral is the equivalent of air chief marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force and general in the Australian Army.

Australian admirals

The following have held the rank of admiral in the Royal Australian Navy:

Name Post-Nominals Date promoted Born Died Notes
Sir Hyde, GeorgeGeorge Hyde KCB, CVO, CBE, RAN 12 July 1936 1877 1937
Sir Smith, VictorVictor Smith AC, KBE, CB, DSC, RAN 23 November 1970 1913 1998 Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (1970–75)
Sir Synnot, AnthonyAnthony Synnot KBE, AO, RAN 21 April 1979 1922 2001 Chief of the Defence Force Staff (1979–82)
Hudson, MichaelMichael Hudson AC, RAN 8 March 1991 1933 2005 Promoted to admiral on the day of his retirement by then prime minister, Bob Hawke.[1]
Beaumont, AlanAlan Beaumont AC, RAN 17 April 1993 1934 2004 Chief of the Defence Force (1993–95)
Barrie, ChrisChris Barrie AC, RAN 4 July 1998 1945 Chief of the Defence Force (1998–02)

Rank insignia and personal flag

The current ranks are rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and admiral of the fleet, also known as flag ranks because admirals, known as flag officers, are entitled to fly a personal flag. An admiral of the fleet flies a national flag at the masthead, while an admiral flies a St George's cross (red cross on white). Vice admirals and rear admirals fly a St George’s cross with one or two red discs in the hoist, respectively. These command flags are exactly the same as in the Royal Navy, except for the admiral of the fleet, who flies the Union Flag.

The rank of admiral itself is shown in its sleeve lace by a broad band with three narrower bands. Since the mid-1990s, the insignia of a Royal Australian Navy admiral is the crown of St. Edward above a crossed sword and baton, above four silver stars, above the word AUSTRALIA. Note that unlike other Commonwealth countries, the sword has a closed handle(that is, it is a naval cutlass). The stars have eight points, like the Royal Navy insignia (and unlike the four pointed Order of the Bath stars used by the army.)

Prior to 1995, the RAN shoulder board was identical to the UK shoulder board. (The UK shoulder board changed in 2001.)

Admiral's sleeve lace
Shoulder board prior to 1995
Admiral's command flag
Australian admiral symbols

See also

References and notes

  1. 1 2 Admiral Hudson was an exception to the "rule" that the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a navy officer. Although he served as Chief of Naval Staff for six years from 1985 to 1991 (the usual term is 3 years), he never held the post of CDF. He was promoted to admiral on the day of his retirement by then Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
  2. ↑ Note that, other than Royalty, there have been no Australian admirals of the fleet.
Commissioned officer ranks of the Australian Defence Force
Australia-United States Rank Code Officer Cadet O-1 O-2 O-3 O-4 O-5 O-6 O-7
*		 O-8
**		 O-9
***		 O-10
****		 O-11
*****
Royal Australian Navy MIDN ASLT SBLT LEUT LCDR CMDR CAPT CDRE RADM VADM ADML AF
Australian Army OCDT 2LT LT CAPT MAJ LTCOL COL BRIG MAJGEN LTGEN GEN FM
Royal Australian Air Force OFFCDT PLTOFF FLGOFF FLTLT SQNLDR WGCDR GPCAPT AIRCDRE AVM AIRSMHL ACM MRAAF
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