In the Navy officer ranks, which rank comes directly after Rear Admiral (upper half)?

The rank that comes directly after Rear Admiral (upper half) is Vice Admiral. In the U.S. Navy's rank structure, officers are promoted through a series of ranks that progressively denote higher levels of responsibility and authority. A Rear Admiral (upper half) is a two-star admiral, while a Vice Admiral holds the rank of three stars. This transition represents a significant step up in command authority, typically associated with overseeing larger organizations or command responsibilities in the Navy.

Understanding the hierarchy of naval ranks is essential, especially in the context of the military's chain of command. The ranks are designed to reflect the increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, with the Vice Admiral role being critical in high-level strategic planning and operational command.