Admiral (Australia)
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- See Admiral for other countries which use this rank
Admiral 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 4 star rank. 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. Admiral is the equivalent of Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force and General in the Australian Army.
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. 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.)
[edit] Australian Admirals
- Admiral Sir Victor Smith AC KBE CB DSC RAN (1970)
- Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot KBE AO RAN (1979)
- Admiral Michael Hudson AC RAN (1991)[1]
- Admiral Alan Beaumont AC RAN (1993)
- Admiral Chris Barrie AC RAN (1998)
[edit] References & Notes
- ^ a b 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.
[edit] See also
Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia
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