1. Royal Navy and Royal
Marines Ranks and
Rates

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Royal Navy
Royal Marines
Leading Hand
Corporal

5. Royal Navy
Royal Marines
Petty Officer
Sergeant

6. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Chief Petty Officer
Colour Sergeant

7. Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Royal Navy
Royal Marines
Warrant Officer 2nd Class

8. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Warrant Officer
1st Class

9. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Midshipman
2nd Lieutenant

10. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Sub Lieutenant
Lieutenant

11. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Lieutenant
Captain

12. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Lieutenant Commander
Major

13. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Commander
Lieutenant Colonel

14. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Captain
Colonel

15. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Commodore
Brigadier

16. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Rear Admiral
Major General

17. Royal Navy Royal Marines
Vice Admiral
Lieutenant General

18. 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).

19. Royal Navy
Admiral of the Fleet

20. Ordinary
Seaman
Able
Seaman

21. Marine

22. 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

23. 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

24. Any Questions?