[Tallguy]

Commodore is a "name-only" rank, whereby a Captain (O-6) serves in a one-star billet. He is called "Commodore", but is still wearing the bird on his collar.

I never really 'got' the whole Rear Admiral (lower half) thing. Awkward & confusing. You'd think that tradition would demand a return to the old practice of calling a Navy one-star a Commodore, Flag officer -- anything but RAdm (lower half)!

[tongue-tied]

I wonder why we never did bring ourselves more in line with the rest of the services, but then again we do like to stand on tradition.

The whole Lieutenant (Junior Grade) is another weird one. It cracks me up to hear the new LTJG answer his/her phone spitting it all out in one breath.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

I never really 'got' the whole Rear Admiral (lower half) thing. Awkward & confusing

My understanding is that the Commodores weren't happy with that rank, and wanted to be called Rear Admiral. That way they could be just like them other Admirals, but never thought that they'd be considered as those LTjg types that go around calling themselves Lieutenant, or the Lieutenant Commanders who go around calling themselves Commanders..

So somebody at bupers decided to give them what they wanted, but threw in the Lower Half to keep them humble. Not exactly the end result they desired.. Way to close to Aesop's fable 'bout the frogs and them wanting a "king"...