STARFLEET RANKS

The 24th Century Chain of Command

How the USS Terminus Wears the Pips

Every ship needs a chain of command, and Starfleet's is one of the most recognizable in science fiction. The rank titles borrow heavily from the naval traditions of Earth, and they tell you at a glance who is responsible for what. On the U.S.S. Terminus, we follow the 24th century version, the system seen in The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. Here is how it works, and how we put it to use aboard our own ship.

Starfleet's rank system has changed many times over the centuries. In the days of Enterprise, silver pips were worn on the right breast of the uniform. By the 23rd century, uniforms had moved to sleeve stripes, braid, and shoulder straps, depending on the era and the uniform. The system we know best arrived around 2355, when Starfleet introduced uniforms with small gold pins worn on the collar. That pip system proved remarkably durable. It stayed in use through several uniform redesigns and remained essentially the same into the 2380s, which is why it feels like the "classic" look for so many fans.

The 24th century system is easy to learn once you know the pattern. Rank is shown by the number of pips on the collar, and some of those pips are hollow (outlined, with an open center) rather than solid. Enlisted ranks were handled a little differently. Chief petty officers wore a black pip in the 24th century, though by the mid-2370s Starfleet swapped it for chevrons and dots.

Ensign

The entry rank for newly commissioned officers, usually awarded on graduation from Starfleet Academy. A typical officer spent about three years here*. Standout ensigns could still land important posts, such as a senior bridge position.

*Terms and conditions apply. Void where Harry Kim is concerned.

Lieutenant Junior Grade

The step above ensign. It was also the rank given to doctors and counselors when they completed their training, which reflected the extra time needed to qualify for a commission.

Lieutenant

A seasoned working officer, and the point at which many crew members settle into a department. Some advanced training programs commissioned their graduates at this rank.

Lieutenant Commander

A senior officer who might serve as executive officer on a smaller vessel, or even command one. Worf and Jadzia Dax both held this rank aboard the U.S.S. Defiant.

Commander

Typically the executive officer of a larger ship or the commander of a space station, as with Benjamin Sisko at Deep Space 9. Chief medical officers and ship's counselors could also reach this rank by passing the Bridge Officer's Test.

Captain

The highest regular officer rank, most often held by the commanders of starships and starbases. Captains occasionally filled other roles as well, such as administrative posts under an admiral.

Above captain are the admirals, known as flag officers, a term inherited from naval tradition. These ranks form the upper levels of Starfleet Command. In the 2360s their insignia went through a few changes, starting with a triangular design, then a "boxed pip" system worn vertically on the flag uniform collar, and finally the same horizontal collar placement used by every other rank by 2366.

Commodore

Superior to a captain and below a rear admiral, the commodore is the first step into the flag ranks.

Rear Admiral

Next below vice admiral and above commodore.

Vice Admiral

Next below admiral and above rear admiral. The Terminus is proud to count a vice admiral as its Fleet Advisor.

Admiral

One step below fleet admiral and above vice admiral.

Fleet Admiral

The top of the ladder. At several points in Star Trek history, the commander in chief of Starfleet held this rank.

Starfleet Academy cadets held their own ranks, which tracked their year of study. First-year students were cadets fourth class, and fourth-year students were cadets first class. Those who graduated became ensigns.

Enlisted ranks were open to members who had not attended the Academy. They ran from crewman through petty officer and chief petty officer, up to senior chief and master chief petty officer, the senior non-commissioned ranks. Enlisted crew are the backbone of any ship, and a good chief is often the person who really keeps things running.

Starfleet also made room for unusual circumstances. The best-known example is the U.S.S. Voyager, which was stranded in the Delta Quadrant and relied on former Maquis crew members. Because Voyager was far from home, provisional commissions were used out of necessity, and provisional insignia were worn by those crew members.

The Terminus follows the 24th century structure, using collar pips for officer ranks and the Voyager-era delta insignia we have standardized on as a ship. If you read our crew page, you will see the system in action. Our Commanding Officer holds the rank of lieutenant commander, which echoes the way a smaller, more agile ship might be captained in canon. Our Executive Officer is a lieutenant, our Chief Medical Officer is a commander, and our Fleet Advisor holds the rank of vice admiral. You will also find a mix of lieutenants, lieutenants junior grade, and ensigns throughout the senior staff and crew.

Every member of the Terminus begins as a recruit. You earn that title the moment you join Starfleet Command and pay your $12 annual dues, and you wear no pips to start. From there, the path forward is simple. Complete both Starfleet Academy exams and you are commissioned as an ensign. Earn perfect scores on both, and you graduate a step higher, as a lieutenant junior grade. Every promotion after that is earned through your contributions to the ship, whether that means showing up for away missions, volunteering at conventions and charity drives, or lending your talents to the crew. Rank on the Terminus is a way of recognizing the people who help make the ship run, and it never gets in the way of the fun. Whether you wear a full uniform, a single delta, or your everyday clothes, you are welcome aboard.

Ready to start your own Starfleet career? Enlist today, then meet the rest of the crew.

Starfleet rank history and 24th century insignia details adapted from the Starfleet ranks article on Memory Alpha, the community-built Star Trek wiki. Used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.