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REAR ADMIRAL (LOWER HALF) (RDML) — U.S. NAVY O-7

The Navy's one-star flag officer — destroyer squadron and carrier strike group deputies.

One silver star — U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Lower Half) flag insignia
Insignia
Paygrade
O-7
Abbreviation
RDML
NATO Code
OF-6
Category
Commissioned Officer
Basic Pay (2026)
$11,042–$16,472/mo
Flag Officer
Yes

OVERVIEW

Rear Admiral (Lower Half) (RDML) is the U.S. Navy O-7 flag officer rank — the first general/flag-officer grade in the Navy. RDMLs wear one silver star and are equivalent in paygrade to a Brigadier General in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. The grade was distinguished from "upper half" Rear Admirals (O-8) by Congress in 1981 to bring U.S. Navy flag-officer pay in line with the rest of the Department of Defense.

Selection to flag rank is one of the most competitive promotions in the U.S. military — typically only a small fraction of eligible Captains are selected to RDML each year. RDMLs command at the strike-group, destroyer-squadron, and major-program level.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) or Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) — typically two-star, but RDML deputies are common
  • Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) or Submarine Squadron (SUBRON)
  • Deputy Commander of a Numbered Fleet or Type Commander
  • Major program executive officer (PEO) at NAVSEA, NAVAIR, or SPAWAR/NAVWAR

HISTORY

Until the National Defense Authorization Act of 1981, the Navy used a single grade of "Commodore" or "Rear Admiral (Lower Half)" that was paid at the O-7 rate but wore the two stars of an O-8. The 1981 reform created today's clean structure: RDML (O-7, one star) and RADM (O-8, two stars). The Navy briefly resurrected "Commodore" as a one-star title in the 1980s before reverting to "Rear Admiral (Lower Half)."

Promotion to flag rank is governed by 10 U.S.C. and is subject to confirmation by the United States Senate.

PAY

O-7 basic pay · 2026 DFAS table
$11,042 – $16,472/ month
2026 DFAS basic pay table; subject to statutory pay caps applicable to senior officers.
How to address
Verbally "Admiral Smith" — all flag officers are addressed simply as "Admiral." In writing: "RDML Jane Smith, USN."
Prerequisites
  • Selection by a flag-officer promotion board and confirmation by the U.S. Senate
  • Successful command at the O-6 level (major command at sea or ashore)
  • Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase II
Common assignments
  • Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS / DESRON)
  • Deputy Commander of a Carrier Strike Group
  • Director of a major OPNAV resource sponsor (e.g., N96, N97, N98)
  • Program Executive Officer at NAVSEA or NAVAIR

ADJACENT RANKS

Previous · O-6CaptainNext · O-8 Rear Admiral

RELATED BASE

Navy Base · VA
Naval Station Norfolk
Many East Coast destroyer squadron commanders (RDMLs) are based at Naval Station Norfolk.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Navy has historically used "Rear Admiral" for both one-star (O-7) and two-star (O-8) flag officers. Since 1981 they are statutorily distinct: Rear Admiral (Lower Half) is O-7 and wears one star; Rear Admiral is O-8 and wears two stars.

Yes. A Navy Rear Admiral (Lower Half) (O-7) is equivalent in paygrade and seniority to a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.

SOURCES

Last updated 2026-05-02
All Officer RanksFull Rank Structure