User blog comment:D.Dragon123/Ranks status/@comment-89.98.91.16-20121222201935

Ranks are not always an indication of strength but I think there is a minimum amount of strength needed for a rank despite ideals. A new admiral needs to be at least on par with the 3 post time skip ones. There is no vice admiral except Garp who came close to that.

I think rank defines a minimum strength but not always true strength