Rear Admiral

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A rear admiral is a flag rank usually above captain, but subordinate to a vice admiral in most naval organizations.

Contents 1 Historical Context 2 Starfleet Usage 3 Other Usage 3.1 Bajoran Defense Force Navy 4 See Also

Historical Context

It originated from the days of naval sailing squadrons and can trace its origins to the Royal Navy. Each naval squadron would be assigned an admiral as its head, who would command from the centre vessel and direct the activities of the squadron. The admiral would in turn be assisted by a vice admiral, who commanded the lead ships which would bear the brunt of a naval battle. In the rear of the naval squadron, a third admiral would command the remaining ships and, as this section of the squadron was considered to be in the least danger, the admiral in command of the rear would typically be the most junior of the squadron admirals. This has survived into the modern age, with the rank of rear admiral the most-junior of the admiralty ranks of many navies.

In some European navies (e.g., that of France), and in the Canadian Forces' French rank translations, the rank of rear admiral is known as contre-amiral. In the Royal Netherlands Navy, this rank is known as schout-bij-nacht, (lit.: supervisor during night), denoting the role junior to the squadron admiral, and fleet admiral.

In order that the natural son of Charles II, Henry (Duke of Grafton), could at tender years hold the title Vice Admiral of England, Admiral Arthur Herbert was made the first "Rear Admiral of England." The office was effective until 1895, but not filled until 1901, when it was revived as was that of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom by Edward VII. The Act of July 16, 1862, to a marked degree reorganized the American Navy, authorized the commisioning of not more than nine rear admirals on the active list and nine on the reserve or retired list. The first rear admirals were selected for distinguished service. Afterwards vacancies were filled by regular promotion, by a rigorous system of selection.

The rank of rear admiral did not exist in the US Navy until July 16, 1862 when David Glasgow Farragut was appointed to this newly-created rank by Congress. Until then, the highest rank a navy officer could attain was [simply "Flag Officer," as Congress resisted the use of the word "admiral" to differientate themselves from traditional European navies.

Starfleet Usage

In Starfleet, Rear Admirals may serve as Fleet and Task Force Commanding Officers, but are more likely to see duty as a Chief of Division (ie: Chief of Starfleet Security). As promotion within the admiralty is at the pleasure of the Chancellor and the Starfleet Commander-in-Chief, there is no minimum time in grade beyond the required twenty years of service as a commissioned (non-flag) officer.

Starfleet used the following rank insignia to denote this rank of officer:

Period	2410-Present	2373-2410	2368-2373	2365-2373	2352-2365	2280-2352	2270-2280	2255-2270
Insignia

Other Usage

Some military and paramilitary groups use the rank "rear admiral" in their organizations:

Bajoran Defense Force Navy

Within the Bajoran Defense Force Navy, a rear admiral is the second rank with flag status and is entitled to its own paygrade of O-8.

Grade	Rank	Insignia (Sleeve)
O-8	Rear Admiral

See Also

• Starfleet Ranks

Starfleet Rank Structure
Grade	Enlisted		Training	Officer
1	PVT	CREC	MID4	2LT	ENS
2	PFC	CAPP	MID3	1LT	LTJG
3	LCPL	CRMN	MID2	CPT	LT
4	CPL	PO3	MID1	MAJ	LCDR
5	SGT	PO2	OC	LTCOL	CDR
6	SSGT	PO1		COL	CAPT CDRE
7	GYSGT	CPO		BRGEN	BADM
8	MSGT	SCPO		MAJGEN	RADM
9	MGYSGT SGTMAJ	MCPO		LTGEN	VADM
10	SGTMAJOS	MCPOS		GEN	ADM
11					GADM