The Royal Danish Navy ranks follows the NATO system of ranks and insignia, as does the rest of the Danish Defence. Outside this ranking system there are physicians (who may wear the same insignia in the Army/Air Force but with a slight variation in the Navy), nurses and veterinarians, while priests and judicial personnel wear completely different insignia and are without rank.

Current ranks Besides the NATO-system, the Danish defence utilizes its own system, which for the navy is as follows:

Military personnel, level 400 (M400, ) Executive level: OF-4 through OF-9 Military personnel, level 300 (M300, ) Operational level: OF-1 through OF-3 Military personnel, level 200 (M200, ) NCO level: OR-5 through OR-9 Military personnel, level 100 (M100, ) Seamen level: OR-1 through OR-4

Officers The highest officer's rank is OF-9 (Admiral) which is reserved for the Chief of Defence (only when this seat is occupied by a naval officer) and the King of Denmark. The Prince Consort of Denmark held the rank of Admiral (à la suite). Similarly, OF-8 (Vice-admiral) is reserved for the Vice Chief of Defence). OF-7 (Kontreadmiral) is used by the Chief of the Royal Danish Navy and OF-6 (Flotilleadmiral) by the chief of Danish Task Group as well as keepers of high-office positions. OF-4 and OF-5 are mainly chiefs of squadrons, schools and larger vessels. OF-1 through OF-3 are used in a variety of positions.

Medical Danish Pay Grade M406 M405 M404 M403 M402 M401 M332M331M322 M321 M312 M311

Rank flags Rank 1625– 1858–1882 — 1882– –1979 1979–present

Enlisted The Danish OR's also follow the NATO system, though there are no OR-6's. OR-4 (Korporal) is the highest of the M100-level ranks is and not considered a NCO-rank. Slip-on insignia Danish Pay GradeM232 M231 M221 M212 M211 M113 M112

Branch of service The branch of service emblems are worn by all NCOs and enlisted, except for who wears a crown.

Additional ranks NATO CodeOR-9OR-8OR-1 Rank Danish English Master chief petty officer of the Navy Command master chief petty officer Command senior chief petty officer Junior rating/Trainee Conscript

Mechanics Rank group Mechanics Shoulder insignia Sleeve insignia

Clerical personnel Rank group Clerical personnel Shoulder insignia Sleeve insignia

Types of rank insignia Rank Shoulder Sleeve INTOPS Epaulette None

Historical ranks The sleeve insignia was first introduced in the Royal Navy in 1871 and was based around the British Royal Navy. In order to become more standard, the admiral ranks were changed in 1951.

Timeline of changes

Modern ranks 1858-present 1801–1812 1812–1822 1841–1856 1858–1868 1868–1871 1871–1880 1909–1922 1922–1937 1937–1951 1951–1970 1970–1983 1983–2000 2000–2011 2011–present

Other ranks Rank group NCOs Enlisted 1923–1951 1959–1962 1962–1965 1965–1982 1982–2008 2008–present NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1

Warrant officers Rank group Branch officers/Special duty officers 1951–1963 1963–1970

Further reading Den danske flådes uniformer

References

Badges of Rank for the Royal Danish Navy, 2016 Badges of Rank for the Royal Danish Navy, 2016 (in Danish) Heraldry of the RDN (in Danish)