Ranks and Structure of the Stormwind Navy

(Rosielyn's version) The Stormwind Navy is a complex organization that insists of more than ships. The Stormwind Navy has jurisdiction over ports, ships, rivers, and even smaller crafts, making it one of the largest organizations in the Kingdom of Stormwind. The navy is staffed by nearly tens of thousands of men, and thousands of officers, and is directly led by the Grand Admiral of Stormwind (currently Grand Admiral Jes-Tereth).

Ranks
Over the history of Stormwind, the ranks within the navy have shifted and changed to meet the needs of the time. Currently, the ranks are distinctly simple and plain, allowing others to know who is in charge of what.

Officers
Officers of the Stormwind Navy are said to be commissioned, referring to the commission that they hold from the Kingdom of Stormwind to possess a status of officership in the military. As such, they are usually referred to as commissioned officers and are considered Agents of the Crown in Stormwind Law. Officers are further divided into junior officers, senior officers, executive officers, commanding officers, and flag officers. Often, these overlap, and their roles are not set in stone as the ranks.

The following will contain a list of officer naval ranks.

Grand Admiral
The rank of Grand Admiral is a position that is appointed directly by the King of Stormwind, and often one person will be the sole holder (although, multiple holders are possible, making up something of a naval board of directors). The rank of Grand Admiral is a relatively new one, created during the end of the Age of Peace, and combined the posts of First Lord of the Seas and High Admiral of the Navy. The Grand Admiral is considered a flag officer, and is entitled to fly their personal jack (naval flag) aboard ships and other vessels they are currently on board.

While the appointment of the Grand Admiral is largely based on what the king chooses, recommendations are set forth from the Stormwind House of Nobles through a committee. People that are recommended are largely chosen on merit, prior experience, and political clout.

Admiral
Just below the Grand Admiral is the standard Admiral, who typically leads a large fleet of ships or a large naval base (or several smaller naval bases and installations). Admirals are picked through the recommendation of the Stormwind House of Nobles, selection by the Grand Admiral, and approval by the King of Stormwind. Admirals who are also landed nobles are given the title Lord-Admiral as part of their status. Admirals are considered flag officers, and are entitled to fly their personal jack (naval flag) aboard ships and other vessels they are currently on board. Admirals are also commanding officers as they are the ones who issue orders to their respective fleets.

The number of admirals is largely limited due to the scope of their post, as well as the amount of fleets and naval bases in the Stormwind Navy. All admirals are also part of the Admiralty Board, which gives recommendations to the Grand Admiral on the nature of administration, strategy, and the status of enlisted personnel.

Rear Admiral
Rear Admirals are the last of the flag officers, and often serve as executive officers to Admirals. Although, a Rear Admiral can be in the position of a commanding officer by leading a naval base or a portion of a fleet under the authority of a standard admiral. Rear Admirals that are also lords are not given the style of Rear Lord-Admiral, and are simply referred to as Rear Admirals until promotions. Rear Admirals are chosen from Captains, and are recommended from the Admiralty Board, approved by the Grand Admiral. The promotion to Rear Admiral is rather rare, and very competitive among senior officers.

Captain
The iconic rank of Captain is largely associated with being the commanding officer of individual vessels. Which is largely true, and captains can also lead naval bases and installations, as well as serve to be executive officers to Rear Admirals and even Admirals. While not a flag officer, captains are chosen by the superior or commanding officer on the recommendation of the Admiralty Board due to the prestige of their status as captains. Though when promoted Captain, is extremely hard to move onto the admiral positions, and is largely considered the rank where senior officers retire.

Captains serve as the most direct officer for many of the enlisted sailors on board ships, and often serve as dealers of law and regulations when deployed. Often a captain's word is law, and serve as judge, jury, and executioner aboard their ships. Captains often get together to assist their Admiral or Rear Admiral in a sort of Board of Captains on matters of strategy.

Commander
Commanders sit just below Captains, and often sit as a captain's executive officer, though it isn't unheard of for their to lead small vessels and remote installations. Commanders, prior to the modernization of the Navy, were referred to as First Mates aboard ships. Commanders can also serve as division officers, whom lead a particular divisions under the command of a Captain or a Rear Admiral. Though, as divisions are often small, it is considered rare for a Commander to lead one, and is often given to a lieutenant or senior enlisted.

Lieutenant
Lieutenants are considered the bedrock of the officer corp of the Navy, and serve as the most direct officer to the enlisted sailors. Lieutenants most often take the role of division officers, and lead a small team or group of sailors on a ship. Lieutenants can be drawn from many places: senior enlisted officers, the nobility, universities, or even certain military academies. A Lieutenant that is filling the role of a Commander is called a Lieutanant-Commander, though their rank is still that of a lieutanant.

Midshipman
Midshipman are the most junior of officers, and technically, are not considered officers, as they do not hold a commission. Midshipmen are often considered officer candidates, and are selected by Commanders and Captains to undergo training amid ships for a period of time before they are given a proper commission. Midshipman, by nature of their rank, are treated as officers but are given the pay of a petty officer.