The discussion of the US Navy's creation of rear-admiral rank includes officers promoted onto the retired list. Seniority could justify advancement even when the service did not want the officer commanding a force. The Royal Navy's 'yellow squadron' supplies the comparison: promotion and active employment were separate decisions. This arrangement allowed a navy to preserve the seniority principle while selecting other officers for sea commands.
Notable Point · 3:02:56-3:03:49
Promotion to admiral without an active command
Promotion onto the retired list could honor seniority while withholding an operational command.