Officers Rank Slides
The current denotation of Officers' Rank dates back to 1856, when laced gold stripes were introduced on the cuffs of Officers' Coats in the Royal Navy. The top stripe is looped to form a symbol known as the executive curl. The highest Officer rank is Admiral of the Fleet - a rank currently only held by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. This has a broad band and four more normal stripes above it. The most junior of the Officers ranks is Midshipman which is denoted by a white patch with a button in the center.
The rank of Rear Admiral is denoted by a broad gold band and one stripe. ( 44.7KB jpg )
The rank of Commodore is denoted by a broad gold band. ( 13.1KB jpg )
The rank of Captain is denoted by four gold stripes. ( 18.2KB jpg )
The rank of Commander is denoted by three gold stripes. ( 44.5KB jpg )
The rank of Lieutenant Commander is denoted by three gold stripes, with the middle stripe half as thick. ( 42.8KB jpg )
The rank of Lieutenant is denoted by two gold stripes. ( 37.8KB jpg )