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- For the fishes 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.
Royal Navy
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 urban 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 *.
United States Navy
In the United States Navy a Midshipman is for all intents and purposes an officer cadet although Midshipman is still an appointed line officer rank in the Navy, similar to the Royal Navy. The term "cadet" is incorrect and inappropriate as in the Navy and Marine Corps, a "cadet" refers to a high school student in NJROTC. The rank of Midshipman is also utilized by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The collar and sleeve insignia varies by school year, but U.S. Navy officers' uniforms are worn. 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 eagles perched on fouled anchors, or an officer rank. Shoulder boards and the lapels of the service dress blue uniforms have a gold anchor, except for Midshipman officers, whose shoulder boards have a small gold star and horizontal stripes indicating their rank. Midshipmen 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, summer khakis, summer whites and dress whites. Some NROTC units may issue camouflauge utility uniforms to the majority of students, but all NROTC Marine Option students 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
Note: NROTC refers to Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.
See also
Military ranks of the Commonwealth | Military ranks of Australia | Military ranks of Canada | Military ranks of the United Kingdom | Military ranks of the United States Navy
"Midshipman"