ensign

Ensign is a term with two main meanings in naval and heraldic contexts. In heraldry and maritime usage, an ensign is a flag or banner that denotes nationality, allegiance, or command. The word derives from the Old French enseigne, meaning a sign or banner. Historically, an ensign referred to the standard carried by a unit or ship and by extension to the person who bore it.

In modern naval practice, Ensign is also the name of a formal rank. In the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, Ensign is the entry-level commissioned officer rank (O-1). The insignia is a single gold bar. Ensigns typically begin their service with basic leadership and professional training, serving in a variety of roles aboard ships, in aviation, or in shore assignments, and may advance to higher ranks after years of service and evaluation.

Across other countries, the rank structure and usage vary. Some navies use Ensign as the designation for the most junior commissioned officer, while others use different titles for comparable positions or place officers in a distinct preliminary training framework before commissioning. Despite regional differences, the term often retains a connection to its original sense as a flag or banner carried to indicate authority and nationality, and in ceremonial contexts it remains associated with flags and standards.