Midshipman
For the fish called midshipman, see midshipman fish.A
midshipman is a
subordinate officer, or alternatively a
commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the
navies of several English-speaking countries. The word derives from the part of ship, amidships, where they were usually stationed.
In the
Royal Navy, the rank of midshipman is one of the oldest ranks still in existence, and is the second lowest rank of officer, above that of
Officer Cadet. Although not commissioned, midshipmen are officers in the Royal Navy, and rank immediately below
Second Lieutenants in the
British Army and
Pilot Officers in the
Royal Air Force and above all enlisted and warrant ranks. A midshipman's rank insignia, which has changed little since
Napoleonic times, is a white rhomboid piece of cloth with a gold button and a twist of white cord on each side of the coat collar.
Midshipmen were formerly appointed by warrant or simply entered onto a ship's books, but today, like other subordinate officers, hold their ranks by
Admiralty Board orders. In Napoleonic times boys could only be rated midshipmen after two years at sea, after which they were eligible to sit the examination for
Lieutenant after a further four years, being at least 19 years of age. Today the rank is only held by officers under the age of 20, at which age they are appointed
Sub-Lieutenants (or Acting Sub-Lieutenants where this rank still exists).
In Royal Navy slang, midshipmen are sometimes referred to as "snotties", and a somewhat dubious legend states that the three buttons formerly on the jacket cuffs of the midshipman were placed there to prevent him wiping his nose on his sleeve [
1].
In the
United States Navy a Midshipman is for all intents and purposes an officer cadet, although the rank of Midshipman is still an appointed line officer rank in the Navy, similar to the Royal Navy. The rank of Midshipman is utilized by the
U.S. Naval Academy,
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and
Naval ROTC. Midshipmen wear the uniforms of U.S. Navy officers with rank insignia which varies by school year. A
Freshman (or Plebe) wears no collar insignia, a
Sophomore (Youngster) wears a single fouled anchor on the right collar point, a
Junior (Second Class) fouled anchors on each collar point, and a
Senior (Firstie) wears foulded anchors with perched eagles, or a Midshipman officer rank. Shoulder boards have a gold anchor, and stripes, slanted or horizontal, indicating rank, except for Midshipman officers, whose shoulder boards have a small gold star and horizontal stripes indicating their rank. Midshipman officer ranks are those of the
U.S. Navy, but the collar insignia are gold bars, for the ranks of Midshipman
Ensign (one bar or stripe) to Midshipman
Captain (six bars or stripes) in the Brigade of Midshipmen at the
U.S. Naval Academy and in
Naval ROTC, with the second highest Midshipman grade being Midshipman
Commander, which is the highest rank at the
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. A Naval Academy Midshipman receives about $750 a month for expenses, but it is usually greatly reduced by books, barber, and uniform bills. NROTC Midshipmen receive a $250 to $400 monthly stipend if they are on scholarship or advanced standing after their sophomore year. All NROTC Midshipmen are issued uniforms, typically service dress blues, service khakis, summer whites and dress whites. Some NROTC units may issue camouflauge utility uniforms to the majority of students, but all NROTC Marine Option Midshipmen and Naval Academy Midshipmen receive them.
The
Midshipmen is also the name for sports teams fielded by the U.S. Naval Academy.
U.S. Navy midshipman class and rank insignia
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USN_Midshipman_Insignia.png |
Note:
NROTC refers to
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.
*
Comparative military ranks
