What does the shoulder board of an Admiral (ADM) feature?

The shoulder board of an Admiral features four silver five-pointed stars outboard a silver fouled anchor, which signifies the highest rank in the Navy officer hierarchy. Each star represents a distinction in rank, with four stars indicating a four-star Admiral, which is the typical designation for an Admiral in the Navy. The silver fouled anchor symbolizes naval awards and signifies that the individual has attained a significant level of experience and responsibility within the naval service.

This design is a key part of the insignia system used in the military to denote rank and authority. The combination of stars and fouled anchors on the shoulder board provides a clear and immediate visual representation of an officer's rank and status, which is crucial for maintaining order and respect within the ranks. The other options represent ranks that are lower than that of an Admiral and are thus not applicable to the specific insignia of an Admiral.