Admiral (United States)

Admiral (United States)

In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral (ADM) is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health Service do not have an established grade above admiral. Admiral is equivalent to the rank of general in the other uniformed services. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, historically to date, has never had an officer hold the grade of admiral. However, 37 U.S.C. § 201 of the U.S. Code establishes the grade for the NOAA Corps in the case a position is created, temporarily or indefinitely, that merits the four-star grade.

Since the five-star grade of Fleet Admiral is reserved for war-time use only, the grade of admiral is considered to be the highest appointment an officer can achieve in these three services.