Navy Ranks

A navy is a country's armed force that fights on or in the sea. Its most senior rank is usually Admiral, as you see here. (There is in fact a rank more senior than Admiral; this is Admiral of the Fleet [Royal Navy] or Fleet Admiral [US Navy]. It is seldom awarded and is not shown in this table.) The most junior rank is usually Seaman.

  United Kingdom USA
Royal Navy (RN) US Navy (USN)
officers Admiral Admiral
Vice Admiral Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral Rear Admiral
Commodore
Captain Captain
Commander Commander
Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant
Lieutenant (junior)
Midshipman Ensign
other ranks Warrant Officer 1 Master Chief Petty Officer
Warrant Officer 2 Senior Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer Chief Petty Officer
Petty Officer Petty Officer
Leading Hand
Able Seaman Seaman

Common abbreviations: