Admiral (Australia)

Admiral (abbreviated as 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,[lower-alpha 1] the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a navy officer.

For other countries which use this rank, see Admiral.

Admiral
The ADML insignia
Admiral's command flag
Country Australia
Service branch Royal Australian Navy
AbbreviationADML
RankFour-star
NATO rankOF-9
Non-NATO rankO-10
Formation12 July 1936 (1936-07-12)
Next higher rankAdmiral of the fleet
Next lower rankVice admiral
Equivalent ranks

Admiral is a higher rank than vice admiral, but is a lower rank than admiral of the fleet.[lower-alpha 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:

NamePost-NominalsDate promotedBornDiedNotes
Sir George HydeKCB, CVO, CBE, RAN12 July 193618771937
Sir Victor SmithAC, KBE, CB, DSC, RAN23 November 197019131998Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (1970–75)
Sir Anthony SynnotKBE, AO, RAN21 April 197919222001Chief of the Defence Force Staff (1979–82)
Michael HudsonAC, RAN8 March 199119332005Promoted to admiral on the day of his retirement by then prime minister, Bob Hawke.[lower-alpha 1]
Alan BeaumontAC, RAN17 April 199319342004Chief of the Defence Force (1993–95)
Chris BarrieAC, RAN4 July 19981945Chief of the Defence Force (1998–02)

Rank insignia and personal flag
Shoulder board prior to 1995.

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.[1] Note that unlike other Commonwealth countries, the sword is a naval cutlass, with a closed handle. 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.

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See also
  • Ranks of the Royal Australian Navy
  • Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia

Notes
  1. Admiral Hudson was an exception to the "rule" that the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) is a navy officer. Although he served as Chief of Naval Staff for six years from 1985 to 1991 (the usual term is three 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.

References
  1. "Uniform Ranks". Royal Australian Navy. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
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