The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces, and its ranks are a critical aspect of its hierarchical structure. The Royal Navy has a well-established ranking system that helps to maintain order, discipline, and clarity of roles and responsibilities within the service. The ranks within the Royal Navy range from the most junior enlisted personnel to the most senior officers, each with distinct duties and responsibilities.
The purpose of this post is to provide a comprehensive guide to the different ranks within the Royal Navy, including both enlisted and officer ranks, as well as those in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The post will cover the duties and responsibilities of each rank, promotion and advancement opportunities, and the evolution of the Royal Navy ranks over time.
Contents hideThis post is divided into several sections, including an overview of the Royal Navy hierarchy, a closer look at enlisted ranks, a discussion of officer ranks, an examination of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ranks, and a focus on warrant officer ranks. The post will conclude with a recap of the main points covered and further resources for those interested in learning more about the Royal Navy.
The Royal Navy is divided into several branches, each with its own unique role and responsibilities within the service. These branches include:
Each of these branches has its own ranking system, with different ranks and insignia to reflect the specific duties and responsibilities of personnel within each branch.
The Royal Navy has a well-established ranking system, with distinctive ranks and insignia for both enlisted personnel and officers.
The ranks are designed to provide clarity and structure within the service, with each rank having specific duties and responsibilities.
The insignia for each rank is usually displayed on the upper arm or chest of the uniform, and is a visual representation of the rank held by the individual.
The Royal Navy’s ranking system has evolved over time, with changes made to reflect changes in the service and its responsibilities.
In the past, the Royal Navy had several ranks that are no longer in use today, and new ranks have been added to reflect the changing roles and responsibilities of the service.
The ranking system has been refined over the years to ensure that it remains relevant and effective in supporting the needs of the Royal Navy.
A rating is a non-commissioned member of a navy who performs various tasks and duties.
Being a Rating in the Royal Navy is a unique and challenging opportunity for those seeking to develop their skills and serve their country. Ratings are the backbone of the Royal Navy, working in approximately 60 different roles to put the strategies of the leadership team into practice and complete the essential tasks that help protect our nation’s interests. With on-the-job training, ratings become highly skilled professionals, working on world-class warships, submarines, or aircraft.
The Royal Navy offers a wide range of opportunities for Ratings, including engineering, food and hospitality, science, medical, logistics and HR, IT and computers, hands-on work, weapons, and communications. Regardless of the role chosen, Ratings will find themselves in demanding environments, travelling the world and gaining qualifications while earning a wage. With Basic Training as the starting point, the progression of a Rating is limited only by their ambition.
Regardless of the position you opt for, your journey in the Royal Navy will commence as an Able Rate.
Every recruit in the Navy starts at this rank, with a starting salary of more than £14,700 per year, which increases to £18,000 after a period of six months.
During your Initial Naval Training and the specialised training that follows, you will continue to hold the rank of Able Rate.
With hard work, determination and commitment, you can be promoted to the rank of Leading Hand with an annual salary of £29,474. In this role, you will act as a mentor and leader to the Able Rates in your team, setting an example with the high standards expected of you. Further professional training will deepen your vocational knowledge and prepare you for more senior positions in the Royal Navy.
Leading Hand is the highest rank among the junior rates in the Royal Navy and is equal in status to a Corporal. As the oldest service, the Royal Navy is referred to as the “Senior Service”. Leading Hands have access to and are permitted to use corporals’ messes when visiting other service bases. They are addressed as “Leading Hand” or by their branch title (e.g. Leading Seaman, Leading Regulator).
The insignia for Leading Hands is a single fouled anchor on the left arm in dress uniform or on the chest center in working rig. The rate was established under Admiralty Circular No. 121 of June 14, 1853. The term “Leading Hand” was used before the introduction of short-sleeved shirts and overalls, and the left arm was used to display the insignia. The use of the hook on each shoulder epaulette, used before the introduction of the new uniform with a single chest center insignia, led to the slang term “killick” or “hooky” being used to refer to this rate.
As a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, you will earn a salary of £33,159 and take on a supervisory role, leading and developing your team of ratings.
Your primary responsibilities will include managing specific sections of your department, while also remaining hands-on in your work.
As a senior rating, you will wear the distinctive “fore and aft” uniform, signifying your elevated status.
The petty officer rank is the lowest of the senior rating grades and is equivalent to the rank of sergeant in the other branches of the British armed forces.
As a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, you’ll be positioned above the rank of petty officer and below that of warrant officer class 2.
This rank is comparable to the ranks of colour sergeant in the Royal Marines, colour sergeant or staff sergeant in the Army, and flight sergeant in the Royal Air Force.
As a Chief Petty Officer, you’ll have increased responsibilities, with officers relying on your expertise and abilities.
If you continue to excel and maintain the high standards you’ve achieved thus far, you may have the opportunity for further promotion to this rank. The starting salary for a Chief Petty Officer is £37,198.
At the highest level of technical expertise, experience, and professionalism within your field, you could reach the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Royal Navy, with a starting salary of £41,872.
Warrant officers in the Royal Navy were reintroduced in 1973, modelled after the British Army, with the original title of Fleet Chief Petty Officer that was later changed to Warrant Officer in the 1980s.
They have the same rank as Warrant Officer Class 1 in the British Army and Royal Marines, and Warrant Officer in the Royal Air Force. Warrant Officer Class 1 has a starting salary of £52,746.
Warrant Officer 1 is a higher rank than Warrant Officer 2.
The Royal Navy has executive warrant officers for commands and ships, with five branches having a command warrant officer.
The senior Warrant Officer of the Royal Navy is known as the Warrant Officer of the Royal Navy, and the Fleet Commander’s Warrant Officer and the Second Sea Lord’s Warrant Officer now work with the Warrant Officer of the Naval Service.
The rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 was introduced in 2004 but was phased out in 2014 and is being reinstated in 2021 for both technical and non-technical branches.
The range of possibilities for Royal Navy officers is incredibly vast, offering you a world of opportunities to explore. With so many options, it’s no wonder that no two officers have the same journey.
Whether your goal is to bring aid to conflict-torn regions or to be at the forefront of cutting-edge propulsion systems, the Royal Navy stands ready to support you.
The Royal Navy is made up of “ratings” and “officers.” To put it in layman’s terms, officers handle leadership responsibilities, while ratings serve as the workforce.
As a starting officer in the Royal Navy, you will begin your career as a Midshipman. This rank is considered the lowest among officers and is equivalent to Second Lieutenant in the Army and Pilot Officer in the Air Force. The insignia for a Midshipman is referred to as a “turnback,” which is a white patch on the coat collar with a gold button and twist of white cord on each side.
This is the starting rank for all officers in the Navy, with an average starting salary of £25,727 per year.
To become a Midshipman, you must have at least five GCSEs, including English and Maths, and have earned at least 72 UCAS points from two A-level qualifications or equivalent. Additionally, you must pass the Admiralty Interview Board and a medical exam.
All officers, regardless of having a degree or not, begin their career as Midshipmen and wait to be promoted at the same time.
Training for Royal Navy officers takes place at the Britannia Royal Naval College and can last up to a year, depending on the specialisation. After successfully completing your 30-week training program at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), your salary will increase to £30,923.
The first two terms, each 14 weeks, are required for all Midshipmen and cover militarisation, sea sense, and essential sea officer skills.
After the first seven weeks of training, Midshipmen will participate in Initial Sea Time (IST), serving as junior ratings on capital warships. Upon completion of IST, Midshipmen will complete the Maritime Leadership Exercise (MARL) before graduating from the college.
Midshipmen specialising in warfare will remain at the college for the Initial Warfare Officer’s Foundation course, which will provide them with part of a foundation degree in naval studies. All officers can further their education by completing degrees through distance learning with the Open University, although completion is not required.
After 30 months of serving in an operational environment, you will be automatically promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
Lieutenant’s have a starting salary of £39,629.
The rank is identified by two medium gold braid stripes on a navy blue or black background, and is considered the equivalent of a second lieutenant in the British Army or a pilot officer in the Royal Air Force.
Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant is based on seniority and typically occurs after serving as a sub-lieutenant (OF-1) for 30 months. However, advancement may occur more quickly for those with previous naval experience and commissions from the ranks (upper yardsman/senior upper yardsman).
In the Royal Navy, the title of “first lieutenant” refers to a post or appointment, rather than a rank. Historically, the lieutenants on a ship were ranked based on seniority, with the most senior being designated as the first lieutenant and serving as second-in-command.
Although the numbering of lieutenants by seniority is no longer used, the post of first lieutenant remains.
As a Lieutenant Commander, you will be responsible for leading a department or serving as the Executive Officer (XO) or Commanding Officer (CO) of a smaller unit.
A Lieutenant Commander can expect a salary of almost £50,000.
The insignia of a Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander is depicted by two medium gold braid stripes with a thin gold stripe in between, on a navy blue/black background. The top stripe features the standard loop seen in all Royal Navy officer rank insignia, excluding the rank of Midshipman.
The Royal Air Force follows this pattern with its equivalent rank of Squadron Leader.
In the past, the Royal Navy, with fewer officer ranks compared to the army, would distinguish some of its ranks based on seniority (time in rank) for equivalence.
A Lieutenant with less than eight years of seniority would wear two stripes, equivalent to an army captain, while a Lieutenant with eight years or more seniority would wear two stripes with a thin one in between, equivalent to a Major.
However, this distinction was eliminated when the rank of Lieutenant Commander was introduced and promotion to this rank was automatic after eight years of seniority as a Lieutenant.
Currently, automatic promotion is no longer in place and promotions are only granted based on merit.
As a commander in the Royal Navy, you will hold a position that is above the rank of Lieutenant Commander and below the rank of Captain. This rank is comparable to that of a Lieutenant Colonel in the army.
The salary for this position is £78,594.
As a commander, you will have the opportunity to lead a warship, submarine, aviation squadron, or shore establishment. Additionally, you may also work in the Ministry of Defence.
It is worth noting that while the rank of commander is used in navies, it is not commonly used as a rank in armies.
As a highly motivated and dedicated individual, you have the potential to rise through the ranks and attain the prestigious position of Captain. This rank entails command over large vessels or a senior, strategic position on shore with an impressive salary of £84,978.
Captain is a commonly used term in English-speaking navies, representing the highest rank of command for large ships.
In the Royal Navy, Captain (Capt) ranks above Commander and below Commodore, with a NATO ranking code of OF-5. This rank is equivalent to a Colonel in the British Army and Royal Marines, and to a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. Other countries also have similar ranking systems for their naval officers.
A commander of a warship or submarine, squadron, or shore establishment is often referred to as “the Captain” on board, although they may hold a junior rank. Historically,
Royal Navy officers who held the rank of Captain and commanded a naval vessel were referred to as post-captains, but this practice is now obsolete.
In terms of uniform, the rank insignia for a Captain features four rings of gold braid with a loop in the upper ring.
When in mess dress or mess undress, officers of the rank of Captain and above wear gold-laced trousers and may wear the undress tailcoat without epaulettes.
Commodore (Cdre) is a rank in the Royal Navy that is above Captain and below Rear Admiral.
It holds a NATO ranking code of OF-6, and is equivalent to Brigadier in the British Army and Royal Marines, and to Air Commodore in the Royal Air Force.
This rank became a permanent fixture in the Royal Navy only in 1997. Prior to that, it was used as a functional title for the senior officer of a fleet of at least two naval vessels, rather than a formal rank.
As a Commanding Officer of a major Royal Navy establishment, you’ll be in charge of overseeing operations and managing personnel. With a starting salary of £113,470, you’ll be well-compensated for your responsibilities.
As a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, you’ll have a distinguished position, with your own flag flying on your ship.
This rank is immediately above that of Commodore and below Vice Admiral, and is considered a two-star rank with a NATO ranking code of OF-7.
In terms of equivalent ranks, a Rear Admiral is comparable to a Major General in the British Army and Royal Marines, and to an Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
The concept of the Rear Admiral originated in the days of naval sailing squadrons, where the admiral in charge of the rear section of the squadron was considered to be the most junior of the admirals, yet still played a crucial role in directing the remaining ships.
This legacy has been carried into the modern era, with the rank of Rear Admiral being the most junior of the admiralty ranks in many navies around the world.
Achieving the role of Rear Admiral is relatively rare, so much so that you can find a list of all previous Rear Admirals over on Wikipedia.
As a vice-admiral in the Royal Navy, you will hold a prestigious flag officer rank with a NATO rank code of OF-8. You will be in a position of authority over rear admirals and will report to full admirals.
In terms of equivalent ranks in other branches of the military, a vice-admiral is equivalent to a lieutenant-general in the British Army and Royal Marines, and an air marshal in the Royal Air Force.
As a vice-admiral, you will play a crucial role in helping to implement defence policy and will be working at the highest levels of government.
You will be entitled to fly your own personal flag, which features a St George’s cross with a red disc in the hoist. The rank of vice-admiral is indicated on your uniform by a broad band with two narrower bands on your sleeve lace, and since 2001, it has been designated as a three-star rank.
The list of serving Vice Admirals is always very small. The current list can be found on Wikipedia.
Admiral is the highest rank in the Royal Navy and is equivalent to a General in the British Army. This rank is denoted by the NATO rank code OF-9, surpassed only by the rank of admiral of the fleet.
Officers holding the positions of rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral of the fleet are collectively referred to as admirals. Currently, admiral is the highest rank that a serving officer in the Royal Navy can attain, with admiral of the fleet being reserved for honorary promotions of retired officers and members of the Royal Family.
In the British Army and Royal Marines, the equivalent rank is general, while in the Royal Air Force it is air chief marshal.
Admirals, also known as flag officers, are entitled to fly a personal flag. The ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral, and admiral of the fleet each have distinct personal flags. An admiral of the fleet flies a Union Flag at the masthead, while an admiral flies a St George’s cross. Vice admirals and rear admirals display a St George’s cross with one or two red discs in the hoist, respectively.
The sleeve lace of an admiral features a broad band with three narrower bands, and since 2001, the shoulder board has four stars to reflect the OF-9 four-star ranking equivalent to other countries.
You may very well have heard of some of the Royal Navy’s admirals. Check Wikipedia for a full and up to date list.
Admiral of the Fleet is the highest rank in the Royal Navy, officially established in 1688. It has a five-star NATO rank code of OF-10 and is equivalent to a Field Marshal in the British Army or a Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
No new appointments have been made to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet since 1995, and no honorary appointments have been given since 2014. In the past, during both World Wars, several officers held active commissions as admirals of the fleet, including the First Sea Lord.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was made an Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1954, separate from his rank in the Royal Navy. Upon the creation of the Chief of the Defence Staff in 1959, the five naval officers appointed to the position became admirals of the fleet.
Given the reduced size of the British Armed Forces after the Cold War, no further appointments were made to this rank after 1995. However, in 2012, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) was made an honorary admiral of the fleet in recognition of his support to Queen Elizabeth II as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces. In 2014, Lord Boyce, a former First Sea Lord and Chief of the Defence Staff, was also appointed an honorary admiral of the fleet.
In this post we looked at all the different ranks within the Royal Navy, and their unique roles and responsibilities.
We covered how there are two ways into the Royal Navy. Either you can join as a Rating, a non-commissioned member of a navy.
Or you can join via the Royal Navy’s officer program, where your first step on the ladder would see you becoming a Midshipman.
Understanding the various Royal Navy ranks is important for anyone thinking of joining the Royal Navy, or for those who are currently serving. Whether wanting to know more about your place in the organisation, or planning for your career ahead, this knowledge will help sailors better understand the command structure of the Royal Navy.
