Formerly, a kind of naval cadet, in a ship of war, whose business was to carry orders, messages, reports, etc., between the officers of the quarter-deck and those of the forecastle, and render other services as required.
In the English naval service, the second rank attained by a combatant officer after a term of service as naval cadet. Having served three and a half years in this rank, and passed an examination, he is eligible to promotion to the rank of lieutenant.
In the United States navy, the lowest grade of officers in line of promotion, being students or graduates of the Naval Academy awaiting promotion to the rank of ensign.
Only students in the Scholarship Program are appointed as midshipmen; however, the term "midshipman" is used to refer generically to any NROTC student, Scholarship, College Program, or Officer Candidate, male or female.
A midshipman was a non-commissioned naval officers ranking immediately below the most junior commissioned officer, lieutenants. They originally had the functions of a superior petty officer and, in many cases, were appointed or rated by the ship's captain. A few were appointed by the Admiralty, some from the Naval Academy in Portsmouth, and others through family connections. All were regarded as potential naval officers and were expected to work in all areas of the ship to gain experience. Most midshipmen were teenagers but some were as young as ten. From the body of midshipmen on board a ship, only some appeared as such on the ships' muster rolls. Others were rated as A.Bs. or master's mates but they all messed together and were often interchanged during the course of a voyage.
The lowest rank of officer aboard ship. Service as midshipman for a number of years was required before applying for a commission.
a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training
a subordinate officer , or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the navies of several English-speaking countries
Naval cadet, appointed by the captain of a sailing warship, to second the orders of the superior officers, and assist with whatever needs to be done, either onboard the ship or ashore.
The lowest rank of naval officer; used for naval officers in training.
non-commissioned officer below the rank of Lieutenant. Usually regarded as being "in training" to some degree.
A boy aged 16 to 18 serving aboard a seagoing ship, having passed out of the cadet ship "Britannia" and undergoing further training before being promoted to the fully-commissioned officer rank of Sub-Lieutenant.
