Table of Contents

down for maintenance or overhaul. In this
way, the first twenty years of a naval career
becomes the “ship” rotation. Only when
an officer is assigned to a group staff does
a “shore” rotation truly begin. However,
even as a member of a group staff, there
are still extended periods spent at sea
overseeing training, exercises, certifications, or
deployments.
With all of this as prologue, the path to the
very top of the naval leadership pyramid is
a combination of many early pre-selections.
Many early-made decisions preclude
options to rise to the top. When reviewing
candidates for senior formation and fleet
command, only those officers who are the
top performing commanders at lower levels
are in the running. Again, the only path to
high command is for those firmly entrenched
in the “command” line.
are scrutinized at the Navy Main Staff and
Defense Ministry levels, but those to fleet
command positions also are reviewed at
the presidential level. These are executive
decisions; no legislative review or approval is
required.
According to standing legislation, the age
limit for service in the rank of admiral is 60.
This can be extended “at the pleasure of the
President” in one-year increments.
Current information regarding Russian Navy
leadership is available on the pullout inside the
back cover.
Once an officer reaches one of the two senior
deputy positions at the formation or fleet
level, usually the Chief of Staff has been the
one who will succeed to the Commander’s
chair. There have been exceptions where the
Deputy Commander has gone on to be the
Commander, but those are rare.
When a senior vacancy is rumored or arises,
one should look at the pool of the immediately
subordinate commanders, first locally, and
then perhaps more widely afield. The wider
look obviously mostly applies to appointments
to the senior three positions at the overall navy
and fleet levels. All flag officer appointments
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