Commodore (Royal Navy)

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For other versions of this rank, see Commodore (rank).

Commodore
One-star
NATO rank codeOF-6
Non-NATO rankO-7
Formation1674
Next higher rank
Air Commodore (RAF
)

Commodore (Cdre) is a rank of the

OF-6. The rank is equivalent to brigadier in the British Army and Royal Marines and to air commodore in the Royal Air Force
. Commodore has only been a substantive rank in the Royal Navy since 1997. Until then the term denoted a functional position rather than a formal rank, being the title bestowed on the senior officer of a fleet of at least two naval vessels comprising an independent (usually ad hoc and short-term) command. (In this case, for instance, a lieutenant in substantive rank could be a commodore for the term of the command.)

History

The rank of commodore was introduced during the 17th century in November 1674 (though not legally established until 1806). In 1684 the navy introduced two classes of commodore, the first known as a Commodore Distinction and the other a Commodore Ordinary; these would later evolve into commodores first and second class. In 1734 the title of commodore was formally approved by an

command flag for commodores first class, who wore the same sleeve lace as rear admirals. The white broad pennant with a red ball was introduced as the command flag for commodores second class. The appointment of commodore first class has been in abeyance
since 1958, leaving the pennant with a single red ball to cover all Royal Navy commodores.

Modern commodores wear the sleeve lace previously worn by commodores second class. Commodore has only been a substantive rank in the Royal Navy since 1997. Before then it continued to be an appointment conferred on senior captains holding certain positions.[2] For example, the senior commander of destroyers within a fleet in the Royal Navy could carry the title of "Commodore (D)", while the fleet's senior commander of submarines could carry the title of "Commodore (S)", although in both cases as an appointment rather than a rank. During World War I the title of "Commodore (T)" was the officer who commanded torpedo boat flotillas.[3][4]

Promotion path

From 1570 to 1864 the Royal Navy was divided into

career path.[5]

Rank insignia and personal flag

  • Commodore's command flag
    Commodore's command flag
  • Commodore's sleeve lace
    Commodore's sleeve lace

A modern commodore's rank insignia consists of a 45-millimetre-wide band of gold lace, with a circle of 13-millimetre-wide lace 45 millimetres in diameter above.[6]

Former command flags

Main article: List of command flags of the Royal Navy

See also

References

  1. ^ Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922). "IV:Flags of Command: Pendants of Command, Commodores". British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University Press. p. 102.
  2. ^ Debrett's Archived 2012-07-29 at archive.today
  3. ^ Grimes, Shawn. "War planning and strategic development in the Royal Navy, 1887–1918" (PDF). kclpure.kcl.ac.uk. London, England: Kings College, University of London. p. abbreviations v. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. ISBN 9781473846562
    .
  5. ^ Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922). "IV:Flags of Command". British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University Press. pp. 73–109.
  6. ^ royalnavy.mod.uk Archived copy at WebCite (February 2, 2011).

Sources

  • Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922). "IV:Flags of Command". British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University Press.

External links


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