Admiral Field Rank?

[daedaelus]

I am making a movie for a class of mine and part of the storyline consists of a admiral (US NAVY) going onto the field. Now during the time he does this he is in standard camo. Now for generals and other officer ranks the insignia is on the shoulder. For an Admiral what would the insignia be on the shoulder? Some tell me it would be 4 stars much like a general but i have never seen a admiral wear that type of uniform. I would figure it has to exist or have happed a few times in history to have an official answer. Can anyone explain what would be accurate or send me a link to a picture of an admiral in a camo style uniform?

[Plazoo]

First of all, I don't see the fact of a Navy Admiral going into the field, I assume you're implying as in a combat type environment, as being realistic at all. By the time an officer reaches the rank of Admiral, they're most likely either pushing a desk, working in a command center, or commanding a fleet of ships. Now if you're thinking of a SEAL team or something, it would be more realistic if the person leading the team was an ensign (2nd Lieutenant for Marines or Army), a Lietuenant or possibly a Captain at the most.

As far as insignia on Combat Utitlities, (camo uniform), rank is NOT worn on the shoulders. Shoulder insignia is only for Dress Uniforms and such. For combat utilities, the rank is worn on the collar and it is the dark colored rank insignia...not the bright silver/gold that snipers like to look for so much.

And your friends were right, in the field an Admiral, which is equivilent to a Marine Corps or Army General, does wear four stars...but on his collar..not his shoulders.

[sgtbear111]

Admirals of the Sea Services: Navy and Coast Guard, are Flag Officers, same as General Officers of the Army, Marines, and Air Force. Navy officers wear the shoulder boards with certain uniforms, with other uniforms they wear the same metal insignia as the other services.

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=266

There is a lot of info available online from each branch of the services, and from their respecitve historical sites.

[Stub]

When wearing the camouflaged utility uniform (uniform name varies by service), rank insignia for Officers in the Marine Corps, Navy, Army and Air Force is worn on the collar. An Admiral in the Navy does wear the camouflaged utility uniform.

Current Vice Admiral:

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=295

Older photo, although not in utilities, the photo does depict an Admiral with rank on his collar

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/p...-s/r-sprnc.htm

The legend:

http://www.medalofhonor.com/ChesterNimitz.htm

USN Uniform Regulations:

http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/.../uregMenu.html

[daedaelus]

Like i said this is for a fictional movie. In most reality's there is no reason for a admiral to go onto the field but in the movie it is necessary. I think i understand how it works now i was under the assumption that officer rank was worn on a "BDU" on the shoulders. But from the research it is on the helmate or collar mostly because your vest would cover it from what i see. Thank you for all the help it will bring much more realism to my movie

[mxwelch]

I study military history quite a bit and quite a few officers, in WWII that were in combat that wore their collars to hide rank. Most write of carrying Garands or Thompsons to hide the fact that were officers. Support and indirect personel carried carbines but some officers chose not to carry one for they believed it made them look like officers. That and the firepower aspect of it. Nothing like rank being spotted by a sniper.

Of course there were many that did the opposite.

[marinepilot]

For combat utilities, the rank is worn on the collar and it is the dark colored rank insignia...not the bright silver/gold that snipers like to look for so much.

Well, for all the services except the Marine Corps, that is correct. We Marines like to tempt danger and wear nice, shiny rank insignia on our collars, even when we're out in the field!

marinepilot

[mxwelch]

Well, for all the services except the Marine Corps, that is correct. We Marines like to tempt danger and wear nice, shiny rank insignia on our collars, even when we're out in the field!

marinepilot

It doesn't hurt that you're going about 600 MPH does it major?:D

[cobravenom1]

Like i said this is for a fictional movie. In most reality's there is no reason for a admiral to go onto the field but in the movie it is necessary. I think i understand how it works now i was under the assumption that officer rank was worn on a "BDU" on the shoulders. But from the research it is on the helmate or collar mostly because your vest would cover it from what i see. Thank you for all the help it will bring much more realism to my movie

All the military's now wear the rank on the IBA (Individual Body Armor) centered on the front of the vest. If your outside the wire in a bad area, common sense tells you that would be not a good thing. "Field Admiral" is not realistic but in a movie. However, Generals and Admirals regularly visit bases anywhere in the hostile zones.

Hope your movie does justice to the US Navy desert warriors. They are out here and I would be disappointed with a bad military story the director knows nothing about.

[marinepilot]

It doesn't hurt that you're going about 600 MPH does it major?:D

Hey MX, thanks for the promotion! Actually, I retired a Captain, but hell, I'll take Major since I don't have to wear the uniform anymore! :D

And you're right, the shiny stuff wouldn't hurt us pilots at all (high and fast baby!). But then again, strangely enough, we don't even wear ANY rank insignia on our flight suits. Just a name tag with the title imprinted on it on the flight suit and a shiny rank insignia on our cover (hat).

But what I was speaking of, was the ground pounders. They actually still wear the good, old fashioned shiny rank insignias on their collars, even in combat situations. Although, I have known many that will tuck their collars down in their blouses to keep them from showing off. There was a big stink a couple years ago when they told us we'd be going to the subdued stuff, and I think that kept it from ever happening.

Captain (hell, Major!) marinepilot

[mxwelch]

Hey MX, thanks for the promotion! Actually, I retired a Captain, but hell, I'll take Major since I don't have to wear the uniform anymore! :D

And you're right, the shiny stuff wouldn't hurt us pilots at all (high and fast baby!). But then again, strangely enough, we don't even wear ANY rank insignia on our flight suits. Just a name tag with the title imprinted on it on the flight suit and a shiny rank insignia on our cover (hat).

But what I was speaking of, was the ground pounders. They actually still wear the good, old fashioned shiny rank insignias on their collars, even in combat situations. Although, I have known many that will tuck their collars down in their blouses to keep them from showing off. There was a big stink a couple years ago when they told us we'd be going to the subdued stuff, and I think that kept it from ever happening.

Captain (hell, Major!) marinepilot

Sorry, I don't know why I thought you retired a major. Captain still ain't bad though.:D

[Wolfman]

I saw something, in that medal of honor dot com post above on Nimitz


I went to the site, and it just hit me... they called FADM Nimitz a Medal of Honor-recipient. I've studied a lot on him, read his bio, etc., and to my knowledge he never recieved it - the highest award he received was the Navy Distinguished Service Medal..... strange to have that title.

Anyway, off subject but I had to put that out there.