RDML

Military abbreviation · US Navy and Coast Guard Rank

RDML
Stands forRear Admiral (lower half)
CategoriesMilitary

RDML stands for Rear Admiral (lower half), a US Navy and coast guard rank abbreviation.

Navy and Coast Guard one-star flag officer rank, pay grade O-7. Officers at this grade command smaller strike groups, regions and installations or serve as deputy commanders and senior staff officers.

Example: RDML Fischer will take command of the carrier strike group during the change-of-command ceremony.

Usage notes

The grade was called commodore until 1985, when Congress replaced it with "rear admiral (lower half)"; the abbreviation RDML distinguishes it from RADM. Equal in grade to an Army or Air Force brigadier general. In speech and AP style both rear admiral grades are simply "Rear Adm."

More US Navy and coast guard rank abbreviations

  • ADM – Admiral
  • AN – Airman (US Navy)
  • CAPT – Captain (US Navy and Coast Guard)
  • CDR – Commander
  • CMDCM – Command Master Chief
  • CN – Constructionman
  • CPO – Chief Petty Officer
  • CWO – Chief Warrant Officer
  • ENS – Ensign
  • FADM – Fleet Admiral
  • FN – Fireman
  • HN – Hospitalman

See all 31 US Navy and coast guard rank abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.