Vice Admiral

Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. A Vice Admiral is typically senior to a Rear Admiral and junior to an Admiral. In most navies,Vice Admiral is a 3 star rank in NATO, Commonwealth and, since 2001, the Royal Navy (Refer UK DCI (Joint Service) 125/2001)] Vice Admiral is a 3 star rank.

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Australia

In the Royal Australian Navy, the rank of Vice Admiral is held by the Chief of Navy (currently VADM Russell Crane) and, when the positions are held by navy officers, by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Chief of Joint Operations, and/or the Chief of the Capability Development Executive (currently VADM Matt Tripovich).

Vice Admiral is the equivalent of Air Marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force and Lieutenant General in the Australian Army.

Canada

In the Canadian Navy, the rank of Vice-Admiral (VAdm) ("Vice-amiral" or "Vam" in French) is equal to a Lieutenant General of the Canadian Army or Canadian Air Force. A Vice-Admiral is a Flag Officer, the naval equivalent of a General Officer. A Vice-Admiral is senior to a Rear-Admiral or Major General, and junior to an Admiral or General.

The rank insignia for a Vice-Admiral is three gold maple leaves, beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown, worn on the shoulder straps of the Service Dress tunic, and on slip-ons on other uniforms. The Service Dress tunic also features a wide strip of gold braid around the cuff. On the visor of the service cap are two rows of gold oak leaves.

Vice-Admirals are addressed by rank and name; thereafter by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am". Vice-Admirals are normally entitled to staff cars; the car will normally bear a flag, dark blue with three gold maple leaves arranged one over two.

A Vice-Admiral generally holds only the most senior command or administrative appointments, barring only Chief of Defence Staff, which is held by a full Admiral or General. Appointments held by Vice-Admirals may include Vice-Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS); Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (DCDS); Commander of an operational command (such as Canada Command); Chief of the Maritime Staff (CMS); Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Defence in various capacities; or commander of or representative to a multinational force, alliance, or treaty organization. Positions currently (as of August 30, 2006) held by Vice-Admirals are:
* Chief of the Maritime Staff (CMS): Vice-Admiral Drew W. Robertson, OMM, MSC, CD [http://www.dnd.ca/dsa/app_bio/engraph/FSeniorOfficerBiographyView_e.asp?SectChoice=1&mAction=View&mBiographyID=215]
* Chief Military Personnel: Vice-Admiral Gregory E. Jarvis, CMM, CD [http://www.dnd.ca/dsa/app_bio/engraph/FSeniorOfficerBiographyView_e.asp?SectChoice=1&mAction=View&mBiographyID=55]
* Canadian Military Representative to the Military Committee at NATO Headquarters: Vice-Admiral Glenn V. Davidson, CMM, CD [http://www.dnd.ca/dsa/app_bio/engraph/FSeniorOfficerBiographyView_e.asp?SectChoice=1&mAction=View&mBiographyID=246]
* Vice Chief of Defence Staff: Vice-Admiral Denis Rouleau, OMM, CD
* Commander of Canada Command: Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, CMM, CD (appointed June 2008)

See also: Canadian Forces ranks and insignia

France

In France, "vice-amiral" is the most senior of the ranks in the French Navy; higher ranks, "vice-amiral d'escadre" and "amiral", are permanents function, style and position (in french "rang et appellation") given to a "vice-amiral"-ranking officer. The "vice-amiral" rank used to be an OF-8 rank in NATO charts, but nowadays, it is more an OF-7 rank.

The rank of "vice-amiral d'escadre" (literally, "Squadron Vice-Admiral", with more precision, "Fleet Vice-Admiral") equals a NATO OF-8 rank.

Italy

In Italy, the equivalent to Vice Admiral is the "Ammiraglio di Squadra".

Philippines

In Philippines, the rank Vice Admiral is the highest ranking official of the Philippine Navy. He is recognized as the Flag Officer in-charge of the Navy. The rank Vice-Admiral in the Philippines, has the same ranking in the U.S Navy.

United Kingdom

In the Royal Navy the rank of Vice-Admiral should be distinguished from the office of "Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom", which is an Admiralty position usually held by a retired full Admiral, and that of "Vice-Admiral of the Coast", a now obsolete office dealing with naval administration in each of the maritime counties.

United States Armed Forces & Uniformed Services

Notes

ee also

* Comparative Military Ranks