Rear admiral (United States): Difference between revisions

Rear admiral
Rear admiral;
	Rank flag of a U.S. Navy rear admiral
	The shoulder star, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Navy rear admiral (Line officer)
Country	United States
Service branch	Navy; Coast Guard; Public Health Service; NOAA; Maritime Service;
Abbreviation	RADM
Rank group	Flag officer
Rank	Two-star
NATO rank code	OF-7
Pay grade	O-8
Formation	1862
Next higher rank	Vice admiral
Next lower rank	Rear admiral (lower half)
Equivalent ranks	Major general (uniformed services of the United States)

Rear admiral (lower half)
Rear admiral (lower half);
	Rank flag of a U.S. Navy rear admiral (lower half)
	The shoulder star, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Navy rear admiral (lower half) (Line officer)
Country	United States
Service branch	Navy; Coast Guard; Public Health Service; NOAA; Maritime Service;
Abbreviation	RDML
Rank group	Flag officer
Rank	One-star
NATO rank code	OF-6
Pay grade	O-7
Formation	1985
Next higher rank	Rear admiral
Next lower rank	Captain
Equivalent ranks	Brigadier general (uniformed services of the United States); Commodore (most other anglophone naval forces);

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A rear admiral in four of the uniformed services of the United States is one of two distinct ranks of commissioned officers; "rear admiral (lower half)," a one-star flag officer, and "rear admiral" (sometimes referred to as "rear admiral (upper half)"), a two-star flag officer. The two ranks are only utilized by the United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps. In contrast, in most other nations' rank-bearing services, the term "rear admiral" refers exclusively to two-star flag officer rank.

Rear admiral (lower half)

Rear admiral (lower half) (abbreviated as RDML) is a one-star flag officer, with the pay grade of O-7 in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Rear admiral (lower half) ranks above captain and below rear admiral. Rear admiral (lower half) is equivalent to the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force and equivalent to the rank of commodore in most other navies.^[4] In the United States uniformed services, rear admiral (lower half) replaced the rank of commodore in 1985.

U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. PHS, U.S. NOAA rank insignia of a rear admiral (lower half)
The collar star, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral (lower half)
The collar star, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Public Health Service rear admiral (lower half)
The collar star, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rear admiral (lower half)

Rank flag of a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral (lower half)
Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service rear admiral (lower half)
Rank flag of a NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps rear admiral (lower half)

Rear admiral

Rear admiral (abbreviated as RADM), also sometimes referred to informally as "rear admiral (upper half)", is a two-star flag officer, with the pay grade of O-8 in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and the United States Maritime Service.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Rear admiral ranks above rear admiral (lower half) and below vice admiral. Rear admiral is equivalent to the rank of major general in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. It is the highest permanent rank during peacetime in the uniformed services. All higher ranks are temporary ranks and linked to their specific commands or office and expire with the expiration of their term of command or office.^[5]

U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, USPHSCC, NOAACOC shoulder insignia of a rear admiral
The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral
The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps rear admiral
The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps rear admiral

Rank flag of a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral
Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps rear admiral serving as Deputy Surgeon General of the United States
Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps rear admiral
Rank flag of a NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps rear admiral

History

Before the American Civil War, the U.S. Navy had resisted creating the rank of admiral. Instead, they preferred the term "flag officer", in order to distinguish the rank from the traditions of the European navies. During the American Civil War, the U.S. Congress honored David Farragut's successful assault on the city of New Orleans by creating the rank of rear admiral on July 16, 1862.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard both had a temporary appointment, one-star rank of commodore, that was used in limited circumstances. By the end of the war, all incumbents had been advanced to the rank of two-star rear admiral and the commodore rank was abolished in both services. Both the Navy and the Coast Guard divided their rear admirals into "lower half" and full rear admirals, or "upper half", the former being paid at the same rate as a one-star brigadier general in the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and the newly independent U.S. Air Force. Lower-half rear admirals were eventually advanced to full rear admirals, or upper half status, where they would receive pay equivalent to a two-star major general. However, both categories of rear admiral wore two-star insignia, an issue that was a source of consternation to the other services.

At the same time, the Navy also bestowed the title of commodore on selected U.S. Navy captains who commanded multiple subordinate units, such as destroyer squadrons, submarine squadrons and air wings and air groups not designated as carrier air wings or carrier air groups. Although not flag officers, these officers were entitled to a personal blue and white command pennant containing the initials, acronym abbreviation or numerical designation of their command.^[6]

In 1981, Pub. L. 97–86 expanded commodore from a title to an official permanent grade by creating the one-star rank of commodore admiral.^[7] After only 11 months, the rank was reverted to just commodore but kept the one-star insignia. However, this caused issues with the Navy due to the difficulty in differentiating those commodores who were flag officers from commodores who were senior captains in certain command positions. Then in 1985, Pub. L. 99–145 renamed commodore to the current grade of rear admiral (lower half) effective on November 8, 1985.^[7]

Up until 1981 all rear admirals wore two stars on their shoulder boards and rank insignia. Since then, rear admirals (lower half) wear one star while rear admirals wear two; verbal address remains "rear admiral" for both ranks. On correspondence, where the rear admiral's rank is spelled out, the acronym (LH) and (UH) follows the rear admiral's rank title to distinguish between one and two stars.

Beginning around 2001, the Navy, Coast Guard, and NOAA Corps started using the separate rank abbreviations RDML (one star) and RADM (two stars), while the Public Health Service continued to use the abbreviation RADM for both.^[8] The Public Health Service formally adopted the RDML abbreviation for the O-7 pay grade in 2022.^[9]

As flag officers, the flags flown for rear admirals of the unrestricted line of the U.S. Navy have one or two white, single-point-up stars on blue fields for the lower half or upper half, respectively. The flags of restricted line officers and staff corps officers have blue stars on a white field. All services officially list the two-star grade as rear admiral and not rear admiral (upper half) as stated by 10 U.S.C. § 8111 and 37 U.S.C. § 201 of the U.S. Code of law. However, the four uniformed services will sometimes list the rank as rear admiral (upper half) to help the general public distinguish between the two grades.^[10]

United States Maritime Service

Although it exists largely as a maritime training organization, the United States Maritime Service does use the ranks of rear admiral (upper half) and rear admiral (lower half). By law, the Service has the same rank structure as the United States Coast Guard, but its uniforms are more similar to the United States Navy.^[11]

Statutory limits

By statute, Congress has expressly limited the total number of flag officers that may be on active duty at any given time. The total number of active duty flag officers is capped at 162 for the Regular Navy,^[12] augmented by a smaller number of additional flag officers in the Navy Reserve who are either on full-time active duty, temporary active duty, or on the Reserve Active Status List as part-time drilling reservists. Some of these billets are reserved or set by statute. For example, the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy is a two-star rear admiral in the Navy.^[13]^[14]^[15] A newer statute enacted in 2016 lowers the cap on the total number of active duty flag officers in the Department of Defense to 151, effective December 31, 2022.^[16]

In the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, at least half of the Assistant Surgeons General are one-star rear admirals and no more than half are two-star rear admirals.^[17] The Coast Guard's chief medical officer is also a commissioned corps two-star rear admiral, on assignment to the Coast Guard.^[17] Officers serving in certain intelligence positions are not counted against the statutory limit.^[18]

Promotion, appointment, and tour length

For the Navy and the Coast Guard, to be promoted to the permanent grade of rear admiral (lower half) or rear admiral, officers who are eligible for promotion to these ranks are screened by an in-service promotion board composed of other flag officers from their branch of service.^[19] This promotion board then generates a list of officers it recommends for promotion to flag rank.^[20] This list is then sent to the service secretary and the joint chiefs for review before it can be sent to the President, through the defense secretary, for consideration.^[21]

The president nominates officers to be promoted from this list with the advice of the Secretary of Defense, the service secretary, and if applicable, the service's chief of staff or commandant.^[22] The President may nominate any eligible officer who is not on the recommended list if it serves in the interest of the nation, but this is uncommon. The Senate must then confirm the nominee by a majority vote before the officer can be promoted. Once confirmed, a nominee is promoted by assuming an office that requires or allows an officer to hold that rank. For one-star or two-star positions of office that are reserved by statute, the President nominates an officer for appointment to fill that position. For the Navy and the Coast Guard, because the one-star and two-star grades are permanent ranks, the nominee may still be screened by an in-service promotion board to add their input on the nominee before the nomination can be sent to the Senate for approval. For the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one-star and two-star rank are achieved by appointment from the President, or from their department secretary,^[23]^[24]^[25] and do not require senatorial approval.^[26]

The standard tour length for most rear admiral positions is three years, but some are set at four or more years by statute. For the Navy, Coast Guard, and NOAA Corps, both grades of rear admiral are permanent ranks and do not expire when the officer vacates a one-star or two-star position. The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, however, employs permanent promotions in both grades of rear admiral as well as position-linked temporary appointments in both grades (e.g., Assistant Surgeons General).^[27] Their temporary ranks expires when those officers vacate certain temporary positions of office designated to bear those ranks.^[5]

Tradition

By tradition in the United States Navy, when an officer is selected or appointed to flag rank, all current Navy flag officers write the selectee a letter congratulating him or her for attaining flag officer status.^[28]

Retirement

Other than voluntary retirement, federal statutes set a number of mandates for retirement. All one-star officers must retire after five years in grade or 30 years of service, whichever is later, unless they are selected or appointed for promotion or reappointed to grade to serve longer.^[29] All two-star officers must retire after five years in grade or 35 years of service, whichever is later, unless appointed for promotion^[30] or reappointed to grade to serve longer.^[29] Otherwise all flag officers must retire the month after their 64th birthday.^[31] However, the Secretary of Defense can defer a flag officer's retirement until the officer's 66th birthday and the President can defer it until the officer's 68th birthday. Flag officers typically retire well in advance of the statutory age and service limits, so as not to impede the upward career mobility of their juniors.^[32]

References

^ ^a ^b 10 U.S.C. § 8111 Navy: grades above chief warrant officer, W–5
^ ^a ^b 14 U.S.C. § 301 Grades and ratings
^ ^a ^b 37 U.S.C. § 201 Pay grades: assignment to; general rules
^ Commodore was historically a wartime rank in the U.S. Navy, as in the case of Commodore Perry. Commodore continues to be an operational role, typically filled by senior Navy captains.
^ ^a ^b 10 U.S.C. § 601 - Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals
^ "Google Image Search". Archived from the original on 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
^ ^a ^b "10 U.S.C. 5501 Notes". Archived from the original on 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
^ About the Commissioned Corps Uniforms Archived 2008-05-13 at the Wayback Machine
^ Levine, Rachel L. (2022-04-06). "Commissioned Corps Instruction 322.03, "Flag Grade Positions and Promotion"" (PDF). dcp.psc.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on Aug 12, 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
^ "Navy.mil Rank Insignia of Navy Commissioned and Warrant Officers". Archived from the original on 2010-03-10. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
^ "46 USC Subtitle V: Merchant Marine". uscode.house.gov. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
^ 10 U.S.C. § 526. Authorized strength: general and flag officers on active duty Archived 2017-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
^ "10 U.S.C. 5149. Office of the Judge Advocate General: Deputy Judge Advocate General; Assistant Judge Advocates General". Archived from the original on 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
^ "H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
^ "H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 full text". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
^ 10 U.S.C. § 526a. Authorized strength after December 31, 2022: general officers and flag officers on active duty Archived June 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine.
^ ^a ^b 42 U.S.C. § 207 - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps
^ 10 U.S.C. 528. Archived 2009-02-24 at the Wayback Machine Officers serving in certain intelligence positions: military status; exclusion from distribution and strength limitations; pay and allowances.
^ 10 U.S.C. 611. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Convening of selection boards
^ 10 U.S.C. 616. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Recommendations for promotion by selection boards
^ 10 U.S.C. 618. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Action on reports of selection boards
^ 10 U.S.C. 624. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Promotions: how made.
^ 42 U.S.C. § 206 - Assignment of officers
^ 42 U.S.C. § 207 - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps
^ 33 U.S.C. § 3028 - Positions of importance and responsibility
^ "The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 strikes "by and with the advice and consent of the Senate" for all officer appointments". Archived from the original on 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
^ 42 U.S.C. § 206(c) - Creation of temporary positions as Assistant Surgeons General
^ "The Pentagon Channel.mil: 28 Oct 2008 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, speech at Maxwell Gunter AFB, (69 minutes 37 seconds into the speech). Feedroom.com". Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
^ ^a ^b 10 U.S.C. § 635 - Retirement for years of service: regular brigadier generals and rear admirals (lower half).
^ Ranks above rear admiral are made by presidential appointment and do not go through a promotion board. Ranks above rear admiral are also temporary.
^ 10 U.S.C. § 1253 - Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; exception.
^ DoD News Briefing on Thursday, June 6, 1996. Archived December 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Retirement of Admiral Leighton W. Smith, Jr.

External links

Media related to Rear Admirals of the United States at Wikimedia Commons

[:0-1] 10 U.S.C. § 8111 Navy: grades above chief warrant officer, W–5

[:1-2] 14 U.S.C. § 301 Grades and ratings

[:2-3] 37 U.S.C. § 201 Pay grades: assignment to; general rules

[4] Commodore was historically a wartime rank in the U.S. Navy, as in the case of Commodore Perry. Commodore continues to be an operational role, typically filled by senior Navy captains.

[10_U.S._Code_§_601-5] 10 U.S.C. § 601 - Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals

[6] "Google Image Search". Archived from the original on 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2012-10-22.

[rear_admiral-7] "10 U.S.C. 5501 Notes". Archived from the original on 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2017-05-09.

[8] About the Commissioned Corps Uniforms Archived 2008-05-13 at the Wayback Machine

[9] Levine, Rachel L. (2022-04-06). "Commissioned Corps Instruction 322.03, "Flag Grade Positions and Promotion"" (PDF). dcp.psc.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on Aug 12, 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-16.

[10] "Navy.mil Rank Insignia of Navy Commissioned and Warrant Officers". Archived from the original on 2010-03-10. Retrieved 2008-06-19.

[11] "46 USC Subtitle V: Merchant Marine". uscode.house.gov. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-10-23.

[12] 10 U.S.C. § 526. Authorized strength: general and flag officers on active duty Archived 2017-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.

[13] "10 U.S.C. 5149. Office of the Judge Advocate General: Deputy Judge Advocate General; Assistant Judge Advocates General". Archived from the original on 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2017-05-09.

[H.R._4986-14] "H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2008-04-10.

[H.R._4986_text-15] "H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 full text". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2008-04-10.

[16] 10 U.S.C. § 526a. Authorized strength after December 31, 2022: general officers and flag officers on active duty Archived June 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine.

[42_US_Code_§_207-17] 42 U.S.C. § 207 - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps

[18] 10 U.S.C. 528. Archived 2009-02-24 at the Wayback Machine Officers serving in certain intelligence positions: military status; exclusion from distribution and strength limitations; pay and allowances.

[19] 10 U.S.C. 611. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Convening of selection boards

[20] 10 U.S.C. 616. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Recommendations for promotion by selection boards

[21] 10 U.S.C. 618. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Action on reports of selection boards

[22] 10 U.S.C. 624. Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine Promotions: how made.

[23] 42 U.S.C. § 206 - Assignment of officers

[24] 42 U.S.C. § 207 - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps

[25] 33 U.S.C. § 3028 - Positions of importance and responsibility

[26] "The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 strikes "by and with the advice and consent of the Senate" for all officer appointments". Archived from the original on 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2013-07-27.

[27] 42 U.S.C. § 206(c) - Creation of temporary positions as Assistant Surgeons General

[28] "The Pentagon Channel.mil: 28 Oct 2008 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, speech at Maxwell Gunter AFB, (69 minutes 37 seconds into the speech). Feedroom.com". Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2008.

[10_US_Code_§_635-29] 10 U.S.C. § 635 - Retirement for years of service: regular brigadier generals and rear admirals (lower half).

[30] Ranks above rear admiral are made by presidential appointment and do not go through a promotion board. Ranks above rear admiral are also temporary.

[31] 10 U.S.C. § 1253 - Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; exception.

[32] DoD News Briefing on Thursday, June 6, 1996. Archived December 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Retirement of Admiral Leighton W. Smith, Jr.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|Officer rank of the United States Navy and Coast Guard}}
+{{short description|Flag officer rank of the USN, USCG, USPHS, and NOAA Corps}}
-[[File:US_Navy_091222-N-2564M-106_Rear_Adm._Michelle_Howard_commends_the_crew_of_USS_Wasp_(LHD_1)_during_ship's_return_to_Norfolk.jpg|thumb|250px|right| [[Michelle Howard]] when she was a U.S. Navy rear admiral (lower half) on the [[USS Wasp (LHD-1)|USS ''Wasp'' (LHD-1)]] in 2009.]]
+[[File:US_Navy_091222-N-2564M-106_Rear_Adm._Michelle_Howard_commends_the_crew_of_USS_Wasp_(LHD_1)_during_ship's_return_to_Norfolk.jpg|thumb|250px|right| Future [[Admiral (United States)|ADM]] [[Michelle Howard]] when she was a U.S. Navy RDML on the [[USS Wasp (LHD-1)|USS ''Wasp'' (LHD-1)]] in 2009.]]
-A '''rear admiral''' in the U.S. uniformed services is either of two different ranks of [[commissioned officer]]s: one-star [[flag officer]]s and two-star flag officers. By contrast, in most nations, the term "[[rear admiral]]" refers to an officer of two-star rank.
+A '''rear admiral''' in four of the [[uniformed services of the United States]] is one of two distinct ranks of [[commissioned officers]]; "'''rear admiral (lower half)'''," a one-star [[flag officer]], and "'''rear admiral'''" (sometimes referred to as "'''rear admiral (upper half)'''"), a two-star flag officer. The two ranks are only utilized by the [[United States Navy]], [[U.S. Coast Guard]], [[USPHSCC|U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps]], and the [[NOAA Corps|National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps]]. In contrast, in most other nations' rank-bearing services, the term "[[rear admiral]]" refers exclusively to two-star flag officer rank.
 == Rear admiral (lower half) ==
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 {{see also|Commodore admiral}}
-'''Rear admiral (lower half)''' (abbreviated as '''RDML'''), is a [[one-star rank|one-star]] [[flag officer]], with the [[U.S. uniformed services pay grades|pay grade]] of O-7 in the [[United States Navy]], the [[United States Coast Guard]], the [[United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps]], and the [[NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps|National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps]].<ref name=":0">{{USC|10|8111}} Navy: grades above chief warrant officer, W–5</ref><ref name=":1">{{USC|14|301}} Grades and ratings</ref><ref name=":2">{{USC|37|201}} Pay grades: assignment to; general rules</ref>
+'''Rear admiral (lower half)''' (abbreviated as '''RDML''') is a [[one-star rank|one-star]] [[flag officer]], with the [[U.S. uniformed services pay grades|pay grade]] of {{nowrap|O-7}} in the [[United States Navy]], the [[United States Coast Guard]], the [[United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps]], and the [[NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps|National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps]].<ref name=":0">{{USC|10|8111}} Navy: grades above chief warrant officer, W–5</ref><ref name=":1">{{USC|14|301}} Grades and ratings</ref><ref name=":2">{{USC|37|201}} Pay grades: assignment to; general rules</ref>
-Rear admiral (lower half) ranks above [[Captain (United States O-6)|captain]] and below rear admiral. Rear admiral (lower half) is equivalent to the rank of [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in the other [[Uniformed services of the United States|uniformed services]], and equivalent to the rank of [[Commodore (rank)|commodore]] in most other navies.<ref>Commodore was historically a wartime rank in the U.S. Navy, as in the case of [[Matthew C. Perry|Commodore Perry]]. Commodore continues to be an operational role, typically filled by senior Navy captains.</ref> In the United States uniformed services, rear admiral (lower half) replaced the rank of [[Commodore (United States)|commodore]] in 1985.
+Rear admiral (lower half) ranks above [[Captain (United States O-6)|captain]] and below [[Rear admiral (United States)#Rear admiral|rear admiral]]. Rear admiral (lower half) is equivalent to the rank of [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in the [[United States Army]], [[United States Air Force|Air Force]], [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], and [[United States Space Force|Space Force]] and equivalent to the rank of [[Commodore (rank)|commodore]] in most other navies.<ref>Commodore was historically a wartime rank in the U.S. Navy, as in the case of [[Matthew C. Perry|Commodore Perry]]. Commodore continues to be an operational role, typically filled by senior Navy captains.</ref> In the United States uniformed services, rear admiral (lower half) replaced the rank of [[Commodore (United States)|commodore]] in 1985.
 <gallery>
 File:US-O7 insignia.svg|U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. PHS, U.S. NOAA rank insignia of a rear admiral (lower half)
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 <gallery>
 File:Flag of a United States Coast Guard rear admiral (lower half).svg|[[Flag officer|Rank flag]] of a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral (lower half)
-File:Flag of a 1-Star Assistant Surgeon General.png|Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service rear admiral (lower half)
+File:Flag of a 1-Star Assistant Surgeon General.svg|Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service rear admiral (lower half)
 File:NOAA Rear Admiral (lower half) Flag.png|Rank flag of a NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps rear admiral (lower half)
 </gallery>
@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 }}
-'''Rear admiral''' (abbreviated as '''RADM'''), also sometimes referred to as "'''rear admiral (upper half)'''", is a [[two-star rank|two-star]] flag officer, with the [[U.S. uniformed services pay grades|pay grade]] of O-8 in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and the [[United States Maritime Service]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
+'''Rear admiral''' (abbreviated as '''RADM'''), also sometimes referred to informally as "'''rear admiral (upper half)'''", is a [[two-star rank|two-star]] flag officer, with the [[U.S. uniformed services pay grades|pay grade]] of O-8 in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and the [[United States Maritime Service]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
-Rear admiral ranks above [[Rear admiral (United States)#Rear admiral (lower half)|rear admiral (lower half)]] and below [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]]. Rear admiral is equivalent to the rank of [[Major general (United States)|major general]] in the other [[Uniformed services of the United States|uniformed services]]. It is the highest permanent rank during peacetime in the uniformed services. All higher ranks are temporary ranks and linked to their specific commands or office and expire with the expiration of their term of command or office.<ref name="10 U.S. Code § 601">{{USC|10|601}} - Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals</ref>
+Rear admiral ranks above [[Rear admiral (United States)#Rear admiral (lower half)|rear admiral (lower half)]] and below [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]]. Rear admiral is equivalent to the rank of [[Major general (United States)|major general]] in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. It is the highest permanent rank during peacetime in the uniformed services. All higher ranks are temporary ranks and linked to their specific commands or office and expire with the expiration of their term of command or office.<ref name="10 U.S. Code § 601">{{USC|10|601}} - Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals</ref>
 <gallery>
 File:USN-USMC O8 insignia.svg|U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, USPHSCC, NOAACOC shoulder insignia of a rear admiral
 File:USCG O-8 insignia.svg|The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral
-File:US PHS O8 insignia.svg|The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Public Health Service rear admiral
+File:US PHS O8 insignia.svg|The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps rear admiral
-File:US NOAA O8 insignia.svg|The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rear admiral
+File:US NOAA O8 insignia.svg|The collar stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps rear admiral
 </gallery>
 <gallery>
 File:Flag of a United States Coast Guard rear admiral.svg|[[Flag officer|Rank flag]] of a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral
-File:Flag of a 2-Star Assistant Surgeon General.png|Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service rear admiral
+File:Flag of the United States Deputy Surgeon General.svg|Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps rear admiral serving as Deputy [[Surgeon General of the United States]]
+File:Flag of a 2-Star Assistant Surgeon General.svg|Rank flag of a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps rear admiral
 File:NOAA Rear Admiral (upper half) Flag.png|Rank flag of a NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps rear admiral
 </gallery>
@@ Line 105: / Line 106: @@
 == History ==
-Before the [[American Civil War]], the U.S. Navy had resisted creating the rank of admiral. Instead, they preferred the term "[[flag officer]]", in order to distinguish the rank from the traditions of the European navies. During the American Civil War, the U.S. Congress honored [[David Glasgow Farragut]]'s successful assault on the city of New Orleans by creating the rank of rear admiral on July 16, 1862.
+Before the [[American Civil War]], the U.S. Navy had resisted creating the rank of admiral. Instead, they preferred the term "[[flag officer]]", in order to distinguish the rank from the traditions of the European navies. During the American Civil War, the U.S. Congress honored [[David Farragut]]'s successful assault on the city of New Orleans by creating the rank of rear admiral on July 16, 1862.
-During [[World War II]], the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard both had a temporary one-star rank of commodore that was used in limited circumstances. By the end of the war, all incumbents had been advanced to the rank of two-star rear admiral and the commodore rank was eliminated in both services. Both the Navy and the Coast Guard divided their rear admirals into "lower half" and full rear admirals, or "upper half", the former being paid at the same rate as a one-star brigadier general in the [[U.S. Army]], [[U.S. Marine Corps]] and the newly independent [[U.S. Air Force]]. Lower-half rear admirals were eventually promoted to full rear admirals, or upper half status, where they would receive pay equivalent to a two-star major general.  However, both categories of rear admiral wore two-star insignia, an issue that was a source of consternation to the other services.
+During [[World War II]], the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard both had a temporary appointment, one-star rank of commodore, that was used in limited circumstances. By the end of the war, all incumbents had been advanced to the rank of two-star rear admiral and the commodore rank was abolished in both services. Both the Navy and the Coast Guard divided their rear admirals into "lower half" and full rear admirals, or "upper half", the former being paid at the same rate as a one-star brigadier general in the [[U.S. Army]], [[U.S. Marine Corps]] and the newly independent [[U.S. Air Force]]. Lower-half rear admirals were eventually advanced to full rear admirals, or upper half status, where they would receive pay equivalent to a two-star major general.  However, both categories of rear admiral wore two-star insignia, an issue that was a source of consternation to the other services.
-At the same time, the Navy also bestowed the title of commodore on selected U.S. Navy captains who commanded multiple subordinate units, such as destroyer squadrons, submarine squadrons and air wings and air groups not designated as carrier air wings or carrier air groups.  Although not [[flag officer]]s, these officers were entitled to a personal blue and white command pennant containing the initials, acronym abbreviation or numerical designation of their command.<ref>[http://www.google.com/imgres?q=commodore+pennant&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1440&bih=795&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=bSGywyKi1FYoFM:&imgrefurl=http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/personal/cmdpen.html&docid=nH6cBkqGfKw3UM&imgurl=http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/personal/usbrdcp.GIF&w=279&h=216&ei=WZGEUKOgJoq08ATvlYDYBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=624&vpy=311&dur=494&hovh=172&hovw=223&tx=71&ty=80&sig=116125559521526739827&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=184&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:92 Google Image Search]</ref>
+At the same time, the Navy also bestowed the title of commodore on selected U.S. Navy captains who commanded multiple subordinate units, such as [[Destroyer squadron|destroyer squadrons]], [[Submarine squadron|submarine squadrons]] and air wings and air groups not designated as [[Carrier air wing|carrier air wings]] or carrier air groups.  Although not [[flag officer]]s, these officers were entitled to a personal blue and white command pennant containing the initials, acronym abbreviation or numerical designation of their command.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.google.com/imgres?q=commodore+pennant&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1440&bih=795&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=bSGywyKi1FYoFM:&imgrefurl=http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/personal/cmdpen.html&docid=nH6cBkqGfKw3UM&imgurl=http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/personal/usbrdcp.GIF&w=279&h=216&ei=WZGEUKOgJoq08ATvlYDYBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=624&vpy=311&dur=494&hovh=172&hovw=223&tx=71&ty=80&sig=116125559521526739827&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=184&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:92 |title=Google Image Search |access-date=2012-10-22 |archive-date=2023-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403231135/http://www.google.com/imgres?q=commodore+pennant&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1440&bih=795&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=bSGywyKi1FYoFM:&imgrefurl=http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/personal/cmdpen.html&docid=nH6cBkqGfKw3UM&imgurl=http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/personal/usbrdcp.GIF&w=279&h=216&ei=WZGEUKOgJoq08ATvlYDYBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=624&vpy=311&dur=494&hovh=172&hovw=223&tx=71&ty=80&sig=116125559521526739827&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=184&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:92 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-In 1981, {{USPL|97|86}} expanded commodore from a title to an official permanent grade by creating the one-star rank of [[commodore admiral]].<ref name="rear admiral">[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/5501- 10 U.S.C. 5501 Notes]</ref> After only 11 months, the rank was reverted to just commodore but kept the one-star insignia.  However, this caused issues with the Navy due to the difficulty in discriminating those commodores who were flag officers from commodores who were senior captains in certain command positions. Then in 1985, {{USPL|99|145}} renamed commodore to the current grade of rear admiral (lower half) effective on November 8, 1985.<ref name="rear admiral"/>
+In 1981, {{USPL|97|86}} expanded commodore from a title to an official permanent grade by creating the one-star rank of [[commodore admiral]].<ref name="rear admiral">{{Cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/5501- |title=10 U.S.C. 5501 Notes |access-date=2017-05-09 |archive-date=2024-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227202205/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/subtitle-C/part-II |url-status=live }}</ref> After only 11 months, the rank was reverted to just commodore but kept the one-star insignia.  However, this caused issues with the Navy due to the difficulty in differentiating those commodores who were flag officers from commodores who were senior captains in certain command positions. Then in 1985, {{USPL|99|145}} renamed commodore to the current grade of rear admiral (lower half) effective on November 8, 1985.<ref name="rear admiral"/>
-Up until 1981 all rear admirals wore two stars on their shoulder boards and rank insignia. Since then, rear admirals (lower half) wear one star while rear admirals wear two; verbal address remains "rear admiral" for both ranks. On correspondence, where the rear admiral's rank is spelled out, the acronym (LH) and (UH) follows the rear admiral's rank title to distinguish between one and two stars.
+Up until 1981 all rear admirals wore two stars on their [[Shoulder mark|shoulder boards]] and rank insignia. Since then, rear admirals (lower half) wear one star while rear admirals wear two; verbal address remains "rear admiral" for both ranks. On correspondence, where the rear admiral's rank is spelled out, the acronym (LH) and (UH) follows the rear admiral's rank title to distinguish between one and two stars.
-Beginning around 2001, the Navy, Coast Guard, and NOAA Corps started using the separate rank abbreviations RDML (one star) and RADM (two stars), while the Public Health Service continued to use the abbreviation RADM for both.<ref>[http://www.usphs.gov/aboutus/uniforms.aspx About the Commissioned Corps Uniforms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513175033/http://www.usphs.gov/AboutUs/uniforms.aspx |date=2008-05-13 }}</ref> The Public Health Service formally adopted the RDML abbreviation for the O-7 pay grade in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Commissioned Corps Instruction 322.03, “Flag Grade Positions and Promotion” |url=https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCI_322%2003.pdf}}</ref>
+Beginning around 2001, the Navy, Coast Guard, and NOAA Corps started using the separate rank abbreviations RDML (one star) and RADM (two stars), while the Public Health Service continued to use the abbreviation RADM for both.<ref>[http://www.usphs.gov/aboutus/uniforms.aspx About the Commissioned Corps Uniforms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513175033/http://www.usphs.gov/AboutUs/uniforms.aspx |date=2008-05-13 }}</ref> The Public Health Service formally adopted the RDML abbreviation for the O-7 pay grade in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Rachel L. |date=2022-04-06 |title=Commissioned Corps Instruction 322.03, "Flag Grade Positions and Promotion" |url=https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCI_322%2003.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=dcp.psc.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812185619/https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCI_322%2003.pdf |archive-date=Aug 12, 2022 }}</ref>
 As flag officers, the flags flown for rear admirals of the unrestricted line of the U.S. Navy have one or two white, single-point-up stars on blue fields for the lower half or upper half, respectively. The flags of restricted line officers and staff corps officers have blue stars on a white field. All services officially list the two-star grade as rear admiral and not rear admiral (upper half) as stated by {{UnitedStatesCode|10|8111}} and  {{UnitedStatesCode|37|201}} of the [[United States Code|U.S. Code of law]]. However, the four uniformed services will sometimes list the rank as rear admiral (upper half) to help the general public distinguish between the two grades.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=266 |title=Navy.mil Rank Insignia of Navy Commissioned and Warrant Officers |access-date=2008-06-19 |archive-date=2010-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310145319/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=266 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 == United States Maritime Service ==
-Although it exists largely as a maritime training organization, the United States Maritime Service does use the ranks of rear admiral (upper half) and rear admiral (lower half).  By law, the Service has the same rank structure as the United States Coast Guard, but its uniforms are more similar to the United States Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 46 USC Subtitle V: Merchant Marine|url = http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title46/subtitle5&edition=prelim|website = uscode.house.gov|access-date = 2015-10-23}}</ref>
+Although it exists largely as a maritime training organization, the United States Maritime Service does use the ranks of rear admiral (upper half) and rear admiral (lower half).  By law, the Service has the same rank structure as the United States Coast Guard, but its uniforms are more similar to the United States Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 46 USC Subtitle V: Merchant Marine|url = http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title46/subtitle5&edition=prelim|website = uscode.house.gov|access-date = 2015-10-23|archive-date = 2016-03-05|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011722/http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title46/subtitle5&edition=prelim|url-status = live}}</ref>
 == Statutory limits ==
-By statute, Congress has expressly limited the total number of flag officers that may be on active duty at any given time. The total number of active duty flag officers is capped at 162 for the Regular Navy,<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/526 10 U.S.C. § 526. Authorized strength: general and flag officers on active duty].</ref> augmented by a smaller number of additional flag officers in the Navy Reserve who are either on full-time active duty, temporary active duty, or on the Reserve Active Status List (RASL) as part-time drilling reservists. Some of these billets are reserved or set by statute. For example, the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy is a two-star rear admiral in the Navy.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/5149- 10 U.S.C. 5149. Office of the Judge Advocate General: Deputy Judge Advocate General; Assistant Judge Advocates General]</ref><ref name="H.R. 4986">[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=h110-4986 H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008]</ref><ref name="H.R. 4986 text">[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-4986 H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 full text]</ref> A newer statute enacted in 2016 lowers the cap on the total number of active duty flag officers in the Department of Defense to 151, effective December 31, 2022.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/526a 10 U.S.C. § 526a. Authorized strength after December 31, 2022: general officers and flag officers on active duty].</ref>
+By statute, Congress has expressly limited the total number of flag officers that may be on active duty at any given time. The total number of active duty flag officers is capped at 162 for the Regular Navy,<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/526 10 U.S.C. § 526. Authorized strength: general and flag officers on active duty] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402114746/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/526 |date=2017-04-02 }}.</ref> augmented by a smaller number of additional flag officers in the Navy Reserve who are either on full-time active duty, temporary active duty, or on the Reserve Active Status List as part-time drilling reservists. Some of these billets are reserved or set by statute. For example, the [[Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy]] is a two-star rear admiral in the Navy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/5149- |title=10 U.S.C. 5149. Office of the Judge Advocate General: Deputy Judge Advocate General; Assistant Judge Advocates General |access-date=2017-05-09 |archive-date=2024-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227202125/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/subtitle-C/part-I |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="H.R. 4986">{{Cite web |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=h110-4986 |title=H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 |access-date=2008-04-10 |archive-date=2012-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318064033/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=h110-4986 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="H.R. 4986 text">{{Cite web |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-4986 |title=H.R. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 full text |access-date=2008-04-10 |archive-date=2012-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318062837/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-4986 |url-status=live }}</ref> A newer statute enacted in 2016 lowers the cap on the total number of active duty flag officers in the Department of Defense to 151, effective December 31, 2022.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/526a 10 U.S.C. § 526a. Authorized strength after December 31, 2022: general officers and flag officers on active duty] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628180914/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/526a |date=June 28, 2021 }}.</ref>
-In the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, at least half of the Assistant Surgeons General are one-star rear admirals and no more than half are two-star rear admirals.<ref name="42 US Code § 207">{{USC|42|207}} - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps</ref> The Coast Guard's chief medical officer is also a [[United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps|commissioned corps]] two-star rear admiral, on assignment to the Coast Guard.<ref name="42 US Code § 207"/> Officers serving in certain intelligence positions are not counted against the statutory limit.<ref>[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/10/subtitles/a/parts/ii/chapters/32/sections/section_528.html 10 U.S.C. 528.] Officers serving in certain intelligence positions: military status; exclusion from distribution and strength limitations; pay and allowances.</ref>
+In the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, at least half of the Assistant Surgeons General are one-star rear admirals and no more than half are two-star rear admirals.<ref name="42 US Code § 207">{{USC|42|207}} - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps</ref> The Coast Guard's chief medical officer is also a [[United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps|commissioned corps]] two-star rear admiral, on assignment to the Coast Guard.<ref name="42 US Code § 207"/> Officers serving in certain intelligence positions are not counted against the statutory limit.<ref>[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/10/subtitles/a/parts/ii/chapters/32/sections/section_528.html 10 U.S.C. 528.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224194925/http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/10/subtitles/a/parts/ii/chapters/32/sections/section_528.html |date=2009-02-24 }} Officers serving in certain intelligence positions: military status; exclusion from distribution and strength limitations; pay and allowances.</ref>
 == Promotion, appointment, and tour length ==
-For the Navy and the Coast Guard, to be promoted to the permanent grade of rear admiral (lower half) or rear admiral, officers who are eligible for promotion to these ranks are screened by an in-service promotion board composed of other flag officers from their branch of service.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/611- 10 U.S.C. 611.] Convening of selection boards</ref> This promotion board then generates a list of officers it recommends for promotion to flag rank.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/616- 10 U.S.C. 616.] Recommendations for promotion by selection boards</ref> This list is then sent to the service secretary and the joint chiefs for review before it can be sent to the [[President of the United States|President]], through the defense secretary, for consideration.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/618- 10 U.S.C. 618.] Action on reports of selection boards</ref>
+For the Navy and the Coast Guard, to be promoted to the permanent grade of rear admiral (lower half) or rear admiral, officers who are eligible for promotion to these ranks are screened by an in-service promotion board composed of other flag officers from their branch of service.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/611- 10 U.S.C. 611.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227202237/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/611 |date=2024-02-27 }} Convening of selection boards</ref> This promotion board then generates a list of officers it recommends for promotion to flag rank.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/616- 10 U.S.C. 616.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227202205/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/616 |date=2024-02-27 }} Recommendations for promotion by selection boards</ref> This list is then sent to the service secretary and the joint chiefs for review before it can be sent to the [[President of the United States|President]], through the defense secretary, for consideration.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/618- 10 U.S.C. 618.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227202216/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/618 |date=2024-02-27 }} Action on reports of selection boards</ref>
-The president nominates officers to be promoted from this list with the advice of the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]], the service secretary, and if applicable, the service's chief of staff or commandant.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/624- 10 U.S.C. 624.] Promotions: how made.</ref> The President may nominate any eligible officer who is not on the recommended list if it serves in the interest of the nation, but this is uncommon. The [[United States Senate|Senate]] must then confirm the nominee by a majority vote before the officer can be promoted. Once confirmed, a nominee is promoted once he or she assumes an office that requires or allows an officer to hold that rank. For one-star or two-star positions of office that are reserved by statute, the President nominates an officer for appointment to fill that position. For the Navy and the Coast Guard, because the one-star and two-star grades are permanent ranks, the nominee may still be screened by an in-service promotion board to add their input on the nominee before the nomination can be sent to the Senate for approval. For the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one-star and two-star rank are achieved by appointment from the President, or from their department secretary,<ref>{{USC|42|206}} - Assignment of officers</ref><ref>{{USC|42|207}} - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps</ref><ref>{{USC|33|3028}} - Positions of importance and responsibility</ref> and do not require senatorial approval.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.679: |title=The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 strikes "by and with the advice and consent of the Senate" for all officer appointments |access-date=2013-07-27 |archive-date=2012-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216164007/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.679: |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+The president nominates officers to be promoted from this list with the advice of the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]], the service secretary, and if applicable, the service's chief of staff or commandant.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/624- 10 U.S.C. 624.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227202126/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/624 |date=2024-02-27 }} Promotions: how made.</ref> The President may nominate any eligible officer who is not on the recommended list if it serves in the interest of the nation, but this is uncommon. The [[United States Senate|Senate]] must then confirm the nominee by a majority vote before the officer can be promoted. Once confirmed, a nominee is promoted by assuming an office that requires or allows an officer to hold that rank. For one-star or two-star positions of office that are reserved by statute, the President nominates an officer for appointment to fill that position. For the Navy and the Coast Guard, because the one-star and two-star grades are permanent ranks, the nominee may still be screened by an in-service promotion board to add their input on the nominee before the nomination can be sent to the Senate for approval. For the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one-star and two-star rank are achieved by appointment from the President, or from their department secretary,<ref>{{USC|42|206}} - Assignment of officers</ref><ref>{{USC|42|207}} - Grades, ranks, and titles of commissioned corps</ref><ref>{{USC|33|3028}} - Positions of importance and responsibility</ref> and do not require senatorial approval.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.679: |title=The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 strikes "by and with the advice and consent of the Senate" for all officer appointments |access-date=2013-07-27 |archive-date=2012-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216164007/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.679: |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 The standard tour length for most rear admiral positions is three years, but some are set at four or more years by statute. For the Navy, Coast Guard, and NOAA Corps, both grades of rear admiral are permanent ranks and do not expire when the officer vacates a one-star or two-star position. The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, however, employs permanent promotions in both grades of rear admiral as well as position-linked temporary appointments in both grades (e.g., Assistant Surgeons General).<ref>{{USCsub|42|206|c}} - Creation of temporary positions as Assistant Surgeons General</ref> Their temporary ranks expires when those officers vacate certain temporary positions of office designated to bear those ranks.<ref name="10 U.S. Code § 601"/>
 == Tradition ==
-By tradition in the United States Navy, when an officer is selected or appointed to flag rank, all current Navy flag officers write the selectee a letter congratulating him or her for attaining flag officer status.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://downloads.feedroom.com/downloads/t_assets/pentagontv/20081030/MullenReal_oct29_Web_output_1_2YMQ.wmv |title=The Pentagon Channel.mil: 28 Oct 2008 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, speech at Maxwell Gunter AFB, (69 minutes 37 seconds into the speech).  Feedroom.com |access-date=1 November 2008 |archive-date=27 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227113447/http://downloads.feedroom.com/downloads/t_assets/pentagontv/20081030/MullenReal_oct29_Web_output_1_2YMQ.wmv |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+By tradition in the United States Navy, when an officer is selected or appointed to flag rank, all current Navy flag officers write the selectee a letter congratulating him or her for attaining flag officer status.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://downloads.feedroom.com/downloads/t_assets/pentagontv/20081030/MullenReal_oct29_Web_output_1_2YMQ.wmv |title=The Pentagon Channel.mil: 28 Oct 2008 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, speech at Maxwell Gunter AFB, (69 minutes 37 seconds into the speech). Feedroom.com |access-date=1 November 2008 |archive-date=27 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227113447/http://downloads.feedroom.com/downloads/t_assets/pentagontv/20081030/MullenReal_oct29_Web_output_1_2YMQ.wmv |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 == Retirement ==
-Other than voluntary retirement, statute sets a number of mandates for retirement. All one-star officers must retire after five years in grade or 30 years of service, whichever is later, unless they are selected or appointed for promotion or reappointed to grade to serve longer.<ref name="10 US Code § 635">{{USC|10|635}} - Retirement for years of service: regular brigadier generals and rear admirals (lower half).</ref> All two-star officers must retire after five years in grade or 35 years of service, whichever is later, unless appointed for promotion<ref>Ranks above rear admiral are made by presidential appointment and do not go through a promotion board. Ranks above rear admiral are also temporary.</ref> or reappointed to grade to serve longer.<ref name="10 US Code § 635"/> Otherwise all flag officers must retire the month after their 64th birthday.<ref>{{USC|10|1253}} - Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; exception.</ref> However, the Secretary of Defense can defer a flag officer's retirement until the officer's 66th birthday and the President can defer it until the officer's 68th birthday. Flag officers typically retire well in advance of the statutory age and service limits, so as not to impede the upward career mobility of their juniors.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=529 DoD News Briefing on Thursday, June 6, 1996.] Retirement of Admiral [[Leighton W. Smith, Jr.|Leighton W. Smith Jr.]]</ref>
+Other than voluntary retirement, federal statutes set a number of mandates for retirement. All one-star officers must retire after five years in grade or 30 years of service, whichever is later, unless they are selected or appointed for promotion or reappointed to grade to serve longer.<ref name="10 US Code § 635">{{USC|10|635}} - Retirement for years of service: regular brigadier generals and rear admirals (lower half).</ref> All two-star officers must retire after five years in grade or 35 years of service, whichever is later, unless appointed for promotion<ref>Ranks above rear admiral are made by presidential appointment and do not go through a promotion board. Ranks above rear admiral are also temporary.</ref> or reappointed to grade to serve longer.<ref name="10 US Code § 635"/> Otherwise all flag officers must retire the month after their 64th birthday.<ref>{{USC|10|1253}} - Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; exception.</ref> However, the Secretary of Defense can defer a flag officer's retirement until the officer's 66th birthday and the President can defer it until the officer's 68th birthday. Flag officers typically retire well in advance of the statutory age and service limits, so as not to impede the upward career mobility of their juniors.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=529 DoD News Briefing on Thursday, June 6, 1996.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201091901/http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=529 |date=December 1, 2009 }} Retirement of Admiral [[Leighton W. Smith, Jr.]]</ref>
 ==See also==