Sub-Lieutenant

A junior commissioned officer rank of the Royal Navy, OF-1, the first commissioned sea duty grade.

Overview

Sub-Lieutenant wears one full stripe of gold lace and is the first substantive commissioned rank in the Royal Navy, reached from midshipman after fleet board examinations. Sub-lieutenants hold division officer billets and begin watchkeeping certificates for officer of the watch. The rank was created in 1861, replacing mate, the old midshipman passed for lieutenant awaiting vacancy. OF-1 in NATO terms, it peers with ensign and second lieutenant. Royal Navy captains address them as mister by old custom. Commonwealth navies, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, retain the rank, as do many European navies in translated form.