Admiral is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British naval rank of admiral. It is a four-star rank. Since 1968, generally the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a navy officer.
Shoulder board prior to 1995.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of Defence (MINDEF) and the Chief of Defence Force (CDF). The Department of Defence as part of the Australian Public Service administers the ADF.
RAN Wessex helicopter in 1962
A female RAN sailor in 2016. Women serve in the RAN in combat roles and at sea.
Royal Australian Navy sailors in 2010
Royal Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Sydney during Operation Northern Trident 2009