Royal Canadian Navy Ensign and Ranks

The rank structures and organization charts identified in this section are for ongoing reference by you as required. Remember the goal of this section is functional identification for the purpose of getting your job done in a safe and effective manner.

Flag Officers

Insignia	Title	Duties
	Admiral	Top rank in the forces. Relates policies made by the Federal Government into operations.
	Vice Admiral	Oversees particular regions and departments (for example, the Pacific Fleet/Atlantic Fleet).
	Rear Admiral	Oversees specific departments (for example, human resources).
	Commodore	Operationally focused on specific areas of work.

Senior Officers

Insignia	Title	Duties
	Captain	Commander of an entity, like a ship.
	Commander	Oversees a specific function or entity.
	Lieutenant-Commander	Department head on a ship or base.

Junior Officers

Insignia	Title	Duties
	Lieutenent	Doing a job, but not providing oversight.
	Sub-Lieutenent	In training, learning how to do a job.
	Acting Sub-Lieutenent	Newly commissioned officer.
	Naval Cadet	Still in training.

Non-Commissioned Members

Insignia	Title	Duties
	Chief Petty Officer 1st class	At the top of the non-commissioned ranks. Has come up through the ranks as a worker. One of the enlisted men who can speak directly to the Captain.
	Chief Petty Officer 2nd class	In charge of a department (e.g., engineers, radio technicians).
	Petty Officer 1st class	Specialized in an area of work like sonar, engine room etc.
	Petty Officer 2nd class	Working under PO 1st class to learn specialized area of work.
	Master Seaman	Becoming proficient in a specialized area.
	Leading Seaman	Identified tradesperson.
	Able Seaman	Undertakes day-to-day work aboard a vessel.
	Ordinary Seaman	Becoming acquainted with the workplace. Contributes to day-to-day operations.