Editing Rear admiral

{{short description|Senior naval flag officer rank}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2022}}
{{Military ranks}}
{{Navalranks}}

'''Rear admiral''' is a [[flag officer]] rank used by [[Comparative navy officer ranks of Anglophone countries|English-speaking navies]]. In most European navies, the equivalent rank is called [[counter admiral]].

Rear admiral is usually immediately senior to [[Commodore (rank)|commodore]] and immediately below [[vice admiral]]. It is usually equivalent to the rank of [[major general]] in armies. In the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] and some other navies, there are two [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral ranks]].

The term originated in the days of naval sailing squadrons and can trace its origins to the [[Royal Navy]]. Each naval squadron was assigned an admiral as its head, who commanded from the centre vessel and directed the squadron's activities. The admiral would in turn be assisted by a vice admiral, who commanded the lead ships that bore the brunt of a battle. In the rear of the squadron, a third admiral commanded the remaining ships and, as this section was considered to be in the least danger, the admiral in command of it was typically the most junior. This has continued into the modern age, with rear admiral the most junior admiralty of many navies.

==Australia==
{{main|Rear admiral (Australia)}}

The [[Royal Australian Navy]] maintains a rank of rear admiral; refer to [[Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia]]. The abbreviation is RADM.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Navy |first=corporateName=Royal Australian |title=Ranks of the Royal Australian Navy |url=https://www.navy.gov.au/about/organisation/ranks |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.navy.gov.au |language=en}}</ref>

Since the mid-1990s, the insignia of a Royal Australian Navy rear admiral is the [[Crown of St. Edward]] above a crossed sword and baton, above two silver stars, above the word "Australia". Like the [[Royal Navy]] version, the sword is a traditional naval [[cutlass]]. The stars have eight points, unlike the four pointed [[Order of the Bath]] stars used by the army (which are often referred to as "pips"). Prior to 1995, the RAN shoulder board was identical to the [[Rear Admiral (Royal Navy)|Royal Navy]] shoulder board. The Royal Navy shoulder board changed again in 2001 and the Australian and UK shoulder boards are now identical except for the word "Australia".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/about/organisation/uniform-ranks |title=Uniform Ranks |work=Royal Australian Navy |publisher=[[Australian Government]] |access-date=17 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124133502/http://www.navy.gov.au/about/organisation/uniform-ranks |archive-date=24 January 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Rear Admiral [[Robyn Walker]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|sep=,|AM|RAN}} became the first female admiral in the Royal Australian Navy when she was appointed Surgeon-General of the [[Australian Defence Force]] on 16 December 2011.<ref>{{ cite news |title=First female Admiral for the Royal Australian Navy |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2011/dec/1216.htm |date= 6 December 2011 |publisher=[[Department of Defence (Australia)|Department of Defence]], [[Australian Government]] |work=Defence News }}</ref>

==Canada==
{{see also|Canadian Forces ranks and insignia}}
In the [[Royal Canadian Navy]], the rank of rear-admiral (RAdm) (''contre-amiral'' or ''CAm'' in [[French language|French]]) is the [[Canadian Forces Maritime Command|Navy]] rank equivalent to [[major-general]] of the [[Canadian Forces Land Force Command|Army]] and [[Canadian Forces Air Command|Air Force]]. A rear-admiral is a [[flag officer]], the naval equivalent of a [[general officer]]. A rear-admiral is senior to a [[Commodore (rank)|commodore]] and [[brigadier-general]], and junior to a [[vice-admiral]] and [[lieutenant-general]].{{Cn|date=September 2021}}

The rank insignia for a rear-admiral is two silver maple leaves beneath a silver crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by [[St Edward's Crown]], worn on gold shoulder boards on the white short-sleeved shirt or the tropical white tunic.  The service dress features a wide strip of gold braid around the cuff and, since June 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/commun/ml-fe/vol_13/vol13_18/1318_08.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609141411/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/commun/ml-fe/vol_13/vol13_18/1318_08.pdf |archive-date=9 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }} The Maple Leaf/La Feuille d'érable – no. 13 vol.18</ref> above it a narrower strip of gold braid embellished with the executive curl. On the visor of the service cap are two rows of gold oak leaves.{{Cn|date=September 2021}}

<gallery>
File:Canada-Navy-OF-7-collected.svg|{{center|Canadian rear admiral shoulder board and sleeve insignia (since June 2010)}}|alt=Canadian rear admiral shoulder board and sleeve insignia (since June 2010).
Image:Navy slip-on RAdm.png|{{center|Uniform shirts}}
Image:Navy olive RAdm.png|{{center|[[CADPAT]] uniform}}
</gallery>

==India==
{{main|Rear admiral (India)}}

==Pakistan==
{{main|Rear admiral (Pakistan)}}
A rear admiral in the Pakistani Navy is a senior and two-star rank naval officer, appointed in higher naval commands. Like most [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] navies, the rear admiral rank is superior to commodore and captain. However, the rank is junior to the three-star rank vice-admiral and four-star rank admiral, who is generally a [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Naval Staff]] of the Navy.{{Cn|date=September 2021}}

==New Zealand==
The highest ordinary rank currently filled in the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] is rear admiral and this is the rank held by the [[Chief of Navy (New Zealand)|Chief of Navy]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Rear Admiral Jack Steer Appointed Chief of Navy|url=http://www.navy.mil.nz/templates/custom/mediareleasereadonly.aspx@nrmode=published&nrnodeguid=_257b4cc7fab4-33e0-4726-bfcf-4f0f8b653265_257d&nroriginalurl=_252fnap_252fnew0e84239462.htm|website=Royal New Zealand Navy|access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref> unless that person is also [[Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)|Chief of Defence Force]].{{Cn|date=September 2021}}

==Singapore==
{{main|Singapore Armed Forces ranks#Officers}}
The [[Republic of Singapore Navy]] (RSN) has two ranks with the title of rear admiral: rear-admiral (one-star), a one-star rank; and rear-admiral (two-star), a two-star rank.

==Sri Lanka==
{{Main|Rear admiral (Sri Lanka)}}
Rear admiral is a two-star rank in the [[Sri Lanka Navy]].

==Sweden==
{{Main|Rear admiral (Sweden)}}
In [[Sweden]], rear admiral is a two-star admiral rank of the [[Swedish Navy]].{{Cn|date=September 2021}}

==United Kingdom==
{{main|Rear admiral (Royal Navy)}}
The [[Royal Navy]] maintains a rank of rear admiral. Note that the rank of rear admiral is quite different from the honorary office [[Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom]].{{Cn|date=September 2021}}

==United States==
{{Main|Rear admiral (United States)}}
In the United States, there have been two ranks with the title of rear admiral since 1985: rear admiral (lower half) (RDML), a one-star rank; and rear admiral (RADM), a two-star rank. Prior to that, a combination of ranks was used.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/5501- 10 U.S.C. 5501 Notes]</ref> Both the rear admiral (lower half) and rear admiral ranks exist in four of the [[uniformed services of the United States]]: the [[United States Navy]], [[United States Coast Guard]], [[United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps|United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps]], and [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps]] (NOAA Corps).

==Admiral insignia by country==
<gallery class="center">
<!-- In alphabetic order of Country please -->
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Royal Australian Navy]])<ref name="Australia">{{cite web |title=Badges of rank |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/images/Badges_of_rank.pdf |website=defence.gov.au |publisher=Department of Defence (Australia) |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Bangladesh Navy]])<ref name="Bangladesh_Navy">{{cite web |author1=Bangladesh Navy |title=Rank of Navy & Equivalent Rank |url=https://www.navy.mil.bd/Rank-of-Navy-&-Equivalent-Rank |website=navy.mil.bd |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Belize_Coast_Guard_OF-7.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Belize Coast Guard]])
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />{{small|({{langx|fr|Contre-amiral}})}}<br />([[Royal Canadian Navy]])<ref name="Canada">{{cite web |title=Ranks and appointment |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/rank-appointment-insignia.html |website=canada.ca |date=23 November 2017 |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>
File:Ethiopia-Navy-OF-7.svg|{{lang|am|ሬር አድሚራል}}<br />{{lang|am-Latn|Rēri ādimīrali}}<br />([[Ethiopian Navy]])
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Republic of Fiji Navy]])
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Gambian Navy]])
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Ghana Navy]])
File:Guyana Rear Admiral Insignia.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Guyana Defence Force|Guyana Coast Guard]])
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Indian Navy]])<ref name="India_Navy">{{cite web |title=Ranks & Insignia |url=https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/about-us/ranks-insignia.html |website=Join Indian Navy |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-(star)-O9.svg|Rear admiral<br />{{small|({{langx|ga|Seachaimiréal}})}}<br />([[Irish Naval Service]])<ref name="Ireland_Navy">{{cite web |title=Naval Service Rank Markings |url=http://www.military.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/images/Info_Centre/Posters/rank_markings/NS_Rank_Markings.png |website=military.ie |publisher=Defence Forces (Ireland) |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425021602/http://www.military.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/images/Info_Centre/Posters/rank_markings/NS_Rank_Markings.png |archive-date=25 April 2016}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Jamaican Coast Guard]])<ref name="Jamaica">{{cite web |title=BADGES OF RANK |url=https://www.jdfweb.com/badges-of-rank/ |website=Official Jamaica Defence Force Website |access-date=16 November 2019 |date=2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820143541/https://www.jdfweb.com/badges-of-rank/ |archive-date=20 August 2020}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Namibian Navy]])<ref name="Namibia">{{cite magazine |title=Government Notice |magazine=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia |date=20 August 2010 |volume=4547 |pages=99-102 |url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2010/4547.pdf |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Royal New Zealand Navy]])<ref name="NewZealand">{{cite web |title=Badges of Rank |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/corporate-documents/badges-of-rank/ |website=nzdf.mil.nz |publisher=New Zealand Defence Force |access-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703193648/https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/corporate-documents/badges-of-rank/ |archive-date=3 July 2020}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Nigerian Navy]])<ref name="Nigeria">{{cite book |last1=Smaldone |first1=Joseph P. |editor1-last=Metz |editor1-first=Helen Chapin |editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=Nigeria: a country study |series=Area Handbook |date=1992 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=92009026 |pages=296–297 |edition=5th |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/frdcstdy.nigeriacountryst00metz_0/?sp=340 |access-date=21 October 2021 |chapter=National Security}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />{{small|({{langx|ur|بحریہ کا امیر|Bahriyah ka ameer}})}}<br />([[Pakistan Navy]])<ref name="Pakistan Navy Official Websites">{{cite web |title=LIFE IN PN:RANKS |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ranks.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Navy Official Website |access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Papua New Guinea Defence Force|Papua New Guinea Maritime Element]])
File:PN RADM BlkDr-Slv.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Philippine Navy]])<ref name="Philippine-Navy">{{cite web |title=Philippine Navy Ranks |url=https://navy.mil.ph/ranks.php |website=Philippine Navy |access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Sierra Leone Navy]])
File:09-RSN-OF07.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Republic of Singapore Navy]])<ref name="Singapore">{{cite web |title=SAF Rank Insignias |url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/about-us/saf-rank-insignias |website=mindef.gov.sg |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Singapore) |access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[South African Navy]])<ref name="SouthAfrica_Navy">{{cite web |title=Rank Insignia |url=http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/Rank_Insignia.gif |website=navy.mil.za |publisher=Department of Defence (South Africa) |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518212959/http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/Rank_Insignia.gif |archive-date=18 May 2019}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Sri Lanka Navy]])<ref name="SriLanka_Navy">{{cite web |title=Branches/ Ranks |url=https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |website=navy.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Navy |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619063013/https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Tanzania Naval Command]])
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard]])<ref name="Trinidad&Tobago_Officer">{{cite web |title=Rank Chart (Commissioned Officers) |url=http://69.0.195.188/HQ/Our-Organisation/Ranks-Chart-(Commissioned-Officers).aspx |website=69.0.195.188 |publisher=Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force |access-date=27 May 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-10.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[Royal Navy]])<ref name="UK_Navy">{{cite web |title=Shaping your career |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/navy-life/shaping-your-career |website=royalnavy.mod.uk |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref>
File:Generic-Navy-(star v2)-O9.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[United States Navy]])<ref name="Dod_Ranks">{{cite web |title=U.S. Military Rank Insignia |url=https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Insignia/ |website=defense.gov |publisher=Department of Defense |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref>
File:US-CoastGuard-O8.svg|Rear admiral<br />([[United States Coast Guard]])<ref name="Dod_Ranks" />
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Ranks and insignia of officers of NATO navies]]

==References and notes==
{{Reflist}}

{{Canadian officer ranks}}
{{Military ranks by country}}
{{Star officer ranks}}
{{Highest Military Ranks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rear Admiral}}
[[Category:Military ranks of Canada]]
[[Category:Military insignia]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Australia]]
[[Category:Naval ranks]]