The hierarchy in the fleet determines the duties, experience, and level of responsibility of each sailor within the composition of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The system of military grades is a clear mechanism of management that helps to maintain discipline, determine the circle of duties, and ensure career growth. Knowledge of this hierarchy makes it possible for each sailor to understand to whom to be subordinate, how to develop further, and which skills are needed for promotion.
The System of Military Ranks in the Navy of Ukraine
The Naval Forces are one of the main branches of the troops that is part of the composition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They are responsible for the defense of the sea borders, the protection of trade routes.
The system of ranks is built on the model of the army one but has its own naval specifics. It is divided into four main groups:
- Rank-and-file and sergeant composition
- Junior officer composition
- Senior officer composition
- Admiral composition
Naval Ranks of the Rank-and-File and Sergeant Composition
It is precisely from these positions that service in the Naval Forces of Ukraine begins. After preparation, recruits receive their first epaulettes.
In 2020–2024, a reform was conducted in the AFU that changed the sergeant and petty-officer ranks. Instead of the old «warrant officer / senior warrant officer», new ranks such as «master sergeant», «senior master sergeant», «chief master sergeant» are being introduced.
The full chain of modern naval ranks for the rank-and-file and sergeant composition:
Rank-and-file composition
- Recruit (before taking the oath)
- Seaman (equivalent of «soldier»)
- Senior Seaman
Sergeant composition
- Junior Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Senior Sergeant
- First Sergeant
- Staff Sergeant
- Master Sergeant
- Senior Master Sergeant
- Chief Master Sergeant
In ship terminology, «petty officer» (starshyna) is often added (for example, «chief master petty officer») in the corresponding positions.
Naval Ranks of the Junior Officer Composition
After the completion of military higher educational institutions and prolonged experience of service, sailors can receive their first officer epaulettes.
The names of the officer ranks in the Navy:
- Junior Lieutenant
- Lieutenant
- Senior Lieutenant
- Captain-Lieutenant
These ranks correspond to the basic links of leadership: the command of squads, groups, small services.
Naval Ranks of the Senior Officer Composition
This is already a high level of responsibility. Senior officers are responsible for ships, bases, and strategic operations of the Naval Forces of Ukraine.
| Rank | Main functions |
| Captain 3rd Rank | Deputy commander of a medium-class ship. |
| Captain 2nd Rank | Commands a large ship or a part of the Navy. |
| Captain 1st Rank | One of the highest ship ranks; head of a naval formation. |
These ranks correspond to major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel in the general classification. Thus, captain 3rd rank is like a major, captain 2nd rank – a lieutenant colonel, captain 1st rank – a colonel in the ground forces.
Admiral Ranks
This is the highest level of command, which covers the fleet, squadrons, strategic levels:
- Commodore (the equivalent of a brigadier general)
- Rear Admiral (the equivalent of a major general)
- Vice Admiral (the equivalent of a lieutenant general)
- Admiral (the highest level)
According to the reform, in 2025 commodore is a military rank of the high officer composition, equated to a brigadier general, and rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral – to the corresponding army generals.
For example, in 2025 the President conferred the rank of rear admiral on a commodore (that is, on a person who already has a ship rank) for correspondence.
Table With the Full Set of Ranks
| Level | Rank | Equivalent / comment |
Rank-and-file | Recruit | still before the oath |
| Seaman | base rank | |
| Senior Seaman | experienced seaman | |
Sergeant / petty-officer | Junior Sergeant | the first step of sergeants |
| Sergeant | group leader | |
| Senior Sergeant | higher link of sergeant | |
| First Sergeant | senior among sergeants | |
| Staff Sergeant | management level | |
| Master Sergeant | technical / special qualification | |
| Senior Master Sergeant | leader among masters | |
| Chief Master Sergeant | higher petty-officer link | |
Junior officer | Junior Lieutenant | initial officer |
| Lieutenant | leadership of a small unit | |
| Senior Lieutenant | experienced officer | |
| Captain-Lieutenant | equivalent of “captain” at sea | |
Senior officer | Captain 3rd Rank | ≈ major |
| Captain 2nd Rank | ≈ lieutenant colonel | |
| Captain 1st Rank | ≈ colonel | |
Admiral / higher | Commodore | ≈ brigadier general |
| Rear Admiral | ≈ major general | |
| Vice Admiral | ≈ lieutenant general | |
| Admiral | the highest naval rank |
Why Naval Ranks Are Important for the Structure of the Navy
The system of military ranks in the Naval Forces of Ukraine is not just a symbol of status but a clearly built structure that ensures order, mutual understanding, and effective management in the fleet. From recruit to admiral – each level has its own duties, competencies, and path of professional growth.
Knowledge of naval ranks helps to better orient oneself in the military hierarchy, understand the principles of command, and the importance of discipline in service.
For newcomers this is the first step to understanding how the Navy functions, and for experienced sailors a reminder of the honor and responsibility that each rank carries within the composition of the Naval Forces of Ukraine.