Royal Navy and Royal Marines Ranks and Rates
Rank systems, why? Ranking systems have been known through military history to be useful in military operations, in particular with regards to logistics, command and coordination. As time continued and military operations became larger and more complex, ranks increased and ranking systems themselves became more complex.
Royal Navy/Royal Marines Rates Ordinary Seaman – No badge of rate but in Rig 2/3/4 will have Royal Navy epaulettes. Able Seaman – No badge of Rate but in Rig 2/3/4 will have Royal Navy epaulettes Royal Marine Lance Corporal is an appointment as 2IC of a Section
Royal Navy Royal Marines Leading Hand Corporal
Royal Navy Royal Marines Petty Officer Sergeant
Royal Navy Royal Marines Chief Petty Officer Colour Sergeant
Warrant Officer 2nd Class Royal Navy Royal Marines Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Royal Navy Royal Marines Warrant Officer 1st Class
Royal Navy Royal Marines Midshipman 2nd Lieutenant
Royal Navy Royal Marines Sub Lieutenant Lieutenant
Royal Navy Royal Marines Lieutenant Captain
Royal Navy Royal Marines Lieutenant Commander Major
Royal Navy Royal Marines Commander Lieutenant Colonel
Royal Navy Royal Marines Captain Colonel
Royal Navy Royal Marines Commodore Brigadier
Royal Navy Royal Marines Rear Admiral Major General
Royal Navy Royal Marines Vice Admiral Lieutenant General
Royal Navy Royal Marines Admiral General Note: The highest Rank in the RM is Lt Gen (NATO appointment), however, the equivalent rank to Admiral is General (Army).
Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet
Ordinary Seaman Able Seaman
Marine
Officers’ Cap Badge Royal Navy Royal Marines Officers of Cdr / Lt Col and above have ‘laurel’ on the peak. Officers of Rear Admiral and above have 2 rows
Cap Badges Petty Officer Chief Petty Officer Warrant Officer Royal Marines officers and WOs wear the above badge. Below WO the same badge worn but the Lion & Crown sit on the Globe (not separate as shown) Warrant Officer
Any Questions?