| Vice-Admiral | |
|---|---|
 Flag of a vice-admiral,Royal Navy | |
 Insignia shoulder board and Sleeve lace for Vice-admiral | |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Service branch | |
| Abbreviation | VADM / V Adm |
| Rank | Three-star |
| NATOrank code | OF-8 |
| Non-NATO rank | 8 |
| Next higher rank | Admiral |
| Next lower rank | Rear Admiral |
| Equivalent ranks | |
Avice-admiral (VAdm) is aflag officer rank of theRoyal Navy and equates to theNATO rank codeOF-8. It is immediately superior to therear admiral rank and is subordinate to thefull admiral rank.
The equivalent rank in theBritish Army andRoyal Marines islieutenant-general; and in theRoyal Air Force, it isair marshal.
The Royal Navy has had vice-admirals since at least the 16th century. When the fleet was deployed, the vice-admiral would be in the leading portion orvan, acting as the deputy to the admiral. The rank of Vice-Admiral evolved from that ofLieutenant of the Admiralty (1546–1564) that being an officer who acted as secretary to theLord Admiral of England and lapsed in 1876 but was revived in 1901 byKing Edward VII.[1] Prior to 1864 the Royal Navy was divided into coloured squadrons which determined hiscareer path. Thecommand flags flown by a Vice-Admiral changed a number of times during this period.[2]
In the Royal Navy, the rank of vice-admiral should be distinguished from the office ofVice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, which is anAdmiralty position usually held by a retired full admiral, and that ofVice-Admiral of the Coast, a now obsolete office dealing with naval administration in each of the maritime counties.
Vice-admirals are entitled to fly apersonal flag. A vice-admiral flies a St George's cross defaced with a red disc in the hoist.
The rank of vice-admiral itself is shown in its sleeve lace by a broad band with two narrower bands. Since 2001, it has been designated athree-star rank, when the number of stars on the shoulder board were increased to three.[3][4]
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