Admiral (Australia)

Admiral
The ADML insignia
Admiral's command flag
Allegiance	Australia
Service branch	Royal Australian Navy
Abbreviation	ADML
Rank	Four stars
NATO rank	OF-9
Non-NATO rank	O-10
Formation	12 July 1936
Next higher rank	Admiral of the fleet
Next lower rank	Vice admiral
Equivalent ranks	General (Army) Air chief marshal (RAAF)

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,^[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

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.^[3] 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.

See also

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

References and 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 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.
3. "Uniform Ranks". Royal Australian Navy. Australian Government. Retrieved 17 April 2016.