Admiral (abbreviated as ADML) is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British naval rank of admiral. It is a four-star rank. Since 1968, generally the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a navy officer. Admiral is a higher rank than vice admiral, but is a lower rank than admiral of the fleet. Admiral is the equivalent of air chief marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force and general in the Australian Army.