An admiral of the fleet (also known as fleet admiral or Grand Admiral) is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments. It is usually a rank above admiral (which is now usually the highest rank in peace-time for officers in active service), and 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 its name can vary depending on the country. In addition to 'fleet admiral' and 'admiral of the fleet', such rank names include 'admiral of the navy' and 'grand admiral'.
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. It is often classified in NATO nations as a five-star rank.
Admiral of the fleet is equivalent to an army field marshal or general of the army, which both rank above general. It is also equivalent to a marshal of the air force which in many countries has a similar rank insignia to admiral of the fleet.
Read more about Admiral Of The Fleet: Etymology, Usage in Specific Countries, Other Countries
Famous quotes containing the words admiral and/or fleet:
“In this country it is a good thing to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others.”
—Voltaire [François Marie Arouet] (1694–1778)
“Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away.”
—Thomas Moore (1779–1852)