United States Navy vice admirals

United States Navy vice admirals
Name	Vice admiral
Caption	Insignia of a vice admiral
Country	United States
Service branch	United States Navy
Abbreviation	VADM
Rank	Three-star rank
Pay grade	O-9
Formation	1864
Higher rank	Admiral
Lower rank	Rear admiral
Equivalent ranks	Lieutenant general (United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Space Force, United States Air Force)

United States Navy vice admirals are senior flag officers holding the three-star rank of vice admiral (VADM), a position established during the American Civil War. The rank is designated with the pay grade O-9 and is equivalent to a lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. Vice admirals typically command major numbered fleets, serve as Deputy chief of naval operations, or hold other high-level positions within the United States Department of the Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

History and establishment

The rank of vice admiral was first authorized for the United States Navy by an Act of Congress in 1864, with David Farragut being promoted for his victories at the Battle of Mobile Bay and the Battle of New Orleans. Prior to this, the highest permanent rank was rear admiral, a limitation stemming from early American naval tradition. The creation of the rank mirrored the organizational structures of European navies like the Royal Navy and addressed the need for a clear command hierarchy during the American Civil War. Subsequent legislation, including the Naval Appropriations Act of 1915, further codified the rank and its place in the modern naval officer corps.

Rank insignia and uniform

The rank insignia for a vice admiral consists of three silver stars worn on shoulder boards, service coat sleeves, and the front of the garrison cover. The stars are arranged in a single row, equivalent to the insignia worn by a lieutenant general. The uniform follows standard Navy officer specifications, with gold oak leaf embellishments on the visor of the service dress cap. Vice admirals are entitled to a personal flag, which is blue with three white stars, flown at their command headquarters or aboard their flagship.

Appointment and promotion

Appointment to the rank of vice admiral is by presidential nomination and requires confirmation by the United States Senate. Promotions are governed by DOPMA guidelines and are based on a rigorous selection process by promotion boards convened by the Secretary of the Navy. Service as a rear admiral is typically a prerequisite, with candidates evaluated on command performance, such as leading a Carrier strike group or a major shore establishment like Naval Station Norfolk. The total number of vice admirals is limited by statute, with many positions tied to specific OPNAV or DoD billets.

Duties and assignments

Vice admirals hold some of the most critical operational and administrative posts in the United States Armed Forces. Common assignments include commanding a numbered fleet such as the Sixth Fleet or the Seventh Fleet, serving as a Deputy chief of naval operations, or leading a unified combatant command component like NAVCENT. They may also head major systems commands such as Naval Sea Systems Command or serve as senior staff officers on the Joint Chiefs of Staff or at the Pentagon.

Notable vice admirals

Numerous vice admirals have played pivotal roles in U.S. military history. James Stockdale received the Medal of Honor for his leadership as a POW during the Vietnam War, while Samuel L. Gravely Jr. broke significant barriers as the first African American to achieve the rank. Michele Howard became the first woman to earn a third star in the United States Navy and later served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Other notable figures include William H. McRaven, who later commanded United States Special Operations Command, and Timothy W. LaFleur, who led the Second Fleet.

List of vice admirals

A comprehensive list includes all officers who have held the rank, often categorized by era or primary assignment. Historical lists feature early appointees like David Dixon Porter and Stephen B. Luce, the founder of the Naval War College. Modern directories include commanders of the Fifth Fleet during the Gulf War, surgeons general of the Navy Medical Corps, and judges of the Navy JAG Corps. The list also encompasses vice admirals serving in the United States Coast Guard, which shares the same rank insignia under the Department of Homeland Security.

Category:United States Navy admirals Category:Military ranks of the United States Navy Category:Three-star officers of the United States