Admiral of the Fleet
An Admiral of the Fleet or Fleet Admiral, is a military naval officer of the highest rank. The rank of Fleet Admiral has been reserved for war time use only. The last Fleet Admirals were in World War II. It is usually a rank ranking above Admiral. The rank is often held by the most senior Admiral of an entire naval service. It is also a generic term for a senior Admiral in command of a large group of ships, comprising a fleet or, in some cases, a group of fleets. If actually a rank (equivalent to an army Field Marshal or General of the Army, which ranks above General), its name varies depending on the country, including Fleet Admiral, Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral of the Navy, and Grand Admiral. (In some navies, however, such as the German Kriegsmarine during World War II, "Admiral of the Navy" has been considered an even higher rank than Admiral of the Fleet or its equivalent.) It ranks above Vice Admiral, Rear Admiral and usually full Admiral, and is usually given to a senior Admiral commanding multiple fleets as opposed to just one fleet.
The title Admiral of the Fleet can trace its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title was typically granted to a nobleman who was appointed by a monarch to raise and command a navy for a specific campaign.
Usage in specific countries
The following articles contain specific information on the rank as it pertains to individual countries:
- Admiral of the Fleet (United Kingdom)
- Admiral of the Fleet (Australia)
- Admiral of the Fleet (
New Zealand ) - Admiral of the Fleet (Russia)
- Admiral of the Fleet (Soviet Union)
- Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (Soviet Union, honorary)
- Admiral flote (Croatia)
- Büyükamiral (Turkey)
- Fleet Admiral (United States)
- Fleet Admiral (Imperial Japan)
- Grand Admiral (Germany and Austria-Hungary)
- Jom Phon Ruea (Thailand)
- Mushir (Middle East)
- Wonsu (South Korea)
- Archinaúarchos, Greece
- Capitán General de la Armada (Spain)
The associated list of Fleet and Grand Admirals provides a summary of those who have held the rank of Fleet Admiral, or its equivalent.
Other countries
The rank also exists or has existed (on paper at least) in France till 1943 (the last one being Admiral Darlan), Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, Oman, and Pakistan although not all of these countries have actually ever bestowed the rank on an individual.
Alternate meanings
- Fleet Admiral (race horse)
- Fleet Admiral (science fiction)
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