Royal Canadian Navy ranks and badges

Ranks in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) mark a person's position in its hierarchical structure. Badges show a person's rank.

On this page

Flag Officers (shoulder boards)
Flag Officers (sleeve lacing)
Senior Officers
Junior Officers
Subordinate Officer
Petty Officers
Junior Non-Commissioned Members - See note below
Senior Appointments
Appointments

Flag Officers (shoulder boards)

Admiral (Adm)

Vice-Admiral (VAdm)

Rear-Admiral (RAdm)

Commodore (Cmdre)

Flag Officers (sleeve lacing)

Admiral (Adm)

Vice-Admiral (VAdm)

Rear-Admiral (RAdm)

Commodore (Cmdre)

Senior Officers

Captain(N) (Capt(N))

Commander (Cdr)

Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr)

Junior Officers

Lieutenant(N) (Lt(N))

Sub-Lieutenant (SLt)

Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt)

Subordinate Officer

Naval Cadet (NCdt)

Petty Officers

Chief Petty Officer 1st class (CPO 1)

Chief Petty Officer 2nd class (CPO 2)

Petty Officer 1st class (PO 1)

Petty Officer 2nd class (PO 2)

Junior Non-Commissioned Members

The RCN has instituted a gender neutral nomenclature change in the Junior Rank designations. This rank change will be reflected upon amendment of QR&O 3.01

Master Seaman (MS)

Leading Seaman (LS)

Able Seaman (AB)

Ordinary Seaman (OS)

Senior Appointments

Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer (CFCWO)

Command Chief Petty Officer 1st class (CPO 1)

Senior Appointment Chief Petty Officer 1st class (CPO 1)

Appointments

Drum Major

Pipe Major

Trumpet / Bugle Major

More ranks and badges: