Fleet Admiral is the highest rank in Starfleet. Fleet Admirals have many years of distinguished service and an impeccable record, and they report directly to the Federation Council and the President of the Federation.

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Admirals have impeccable service records over many years of service. Flag Officers of Admiral rank command all main divisions of Starfleet. There are also 8 sector Admirals who are responsible for operations in their specific area, such as the Romulan Neutral Zone or Home Sector.

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Vice Admirals are Flag Officers who have a specific mandate, such as a subsection of a Division, or an area of space. Vice Admirals also command task forces. Most Armadas and Task Forces are assigned to Vice Admirals.

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Rear Admirals are Flag Officers responsible for a limited and specific area for a limited time. To help anchor operations in a specific region of space, Rear Admirals may command major Starbases, Shipyards, Starfleet Bases on major worlds, or similar duties.

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Rear Admiral Lower Half is the most junior flag officer rank of Starfleet. They may command groups of ships or serve in administrative roles within Starfleet.

It is unclear how long Starfleet used “Commodore” as a rank, as opposed to “Rear Admiral Lower Half”, which has resulted in our decision to keep with current US Navy usage of the term and 1-star rank position, since the US Navy has at different times treated Commodore as both a rank and a title, the title being kept for life. In some instances, it almost seems like a more permanent form of Fleet Captain.

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As used by Starfleet, Fleet Captain is a rare honorary rank between Captain and Commodore. It is usually held in situations of emergency to identify a senior captain within a fleet not commanded by a flag officer. In most cases, this position is not considered permanent, although when used as an honorary rank in TOS-era, it does appear to be a permanent title. This rank is not used by Fleet 31.

Historically, this was a title referring to an officer of rank Captain who served aboard a sailing ship as an Admiral’s chief of staff. In such cases, this captain may be referred to as Fleet Captain or First Captain, while another Captain would be aboard to command the ship, referred to as the skipper or Second Captain.

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Captains are the most senior of line officers. Captains most often command Starships or Starbases of medium to large size. Captains may also command planetary outposts or serve as division heads for the Starfleet Bases on major worlds.

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Commanders are senior line officers. Commanders usually serve as the Executive Officer, Operations Officer, or Security Chief onboard a starship. Commanders may command small starships of under 100 crewmen, but this is rare. Commanders may also command small Starbases or minor outposts. Taking the Bridge Officer’s Test is the only way for a science or medical officer to be promoted to Commander, pending completion of the other requirements.

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Lieutenant Commanders are senior line officers. Lieutenant Commanders usually serve as department heads aboard starship or on large Starbases. Lieutenant Commanders may be the executive officers on starships with a crew of less than 250, but usually Commanders fill that role.

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Lieutenants are the most common Commissioned Officers. Lieutenants can perform almost any Officer duty on a starship, save for being the Commanding or Executive Officer. In some cases Lieutenants can even be department heads, especially on smaller starships.

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Lieutenants Junior Grade are junior Commissioned Officers. Lieutenants Junior Grade may be the Medical Officer or Science Officer on a mid to large space station, or man a Bridge Station. Officers typically spend around 2 years as a Lieutenant Junior Grade.

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Ensigns are the most junior of Commissioned Officers. Ensigns often serve as Flight Controller aboard starships, or Operations Officer on small Starships. Ensigns can also serve in relief or assistant capacities to most other positions aboard ship. It is rare, but not unheard of, for a Cadet at Starfleet Academy to be granted a temporary Commission of Ensign. This is only done in cases of truly outstanding grades. Officers typically spend around 3 years as an Ensign.

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A cadet in their fourth and final year at Starfleet Academy.

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A cadet in their third year at Starfleet Academy.

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A cadet in their second year at Starfleet Academy.

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A cadet in their first year at Starfleet Academy.

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This rank is held by only one person at a time, and holds seniority over all enlisted personnel in Starfleet.

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The highest ranking in the enlisted branch, the Master Chief has served with distinction for many years. A handful of master chiefs serve within Starfleet, all acknowledged leaders in their fields and commanding the respect of those beneath them. Such NCOs oversee important departments and can enjoy treatment almost like that of a distinguished officer.

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Much like the Chief Petty Officer, the Senior Chief oversees departments of large numbers of enlisted personnel. Senior chief petty officers are few in number, have served in Starfleet for a long time, and are experts in their field. A senior chief could be viewed as the enlisted equivalent of a commander.

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The Chief Petty Officers (CPO) oversees large groups of petty officers and departments underneath him. These NCOs typically have many years of service (usually over 15) and a wealth of experience in their field. When one becomes “chief” he garners a measure of respect for his accomplishments and proficiency. CPOs are sought out for their knowledge and experience. A Chief Petty Officer can command a major engineering or services department on a Starship or Starbase.

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There are three ranks of Petty Officer: third, second and first Class. A petty officer should not be confused with a commissioned officer in Starfleet, such as a Lieutenant or a Warrant Officer. The term petty officer still refers to an enlisted person. They are promoted from crewmen to 3rd Class, then 2nd, and then 1st.

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Similar to a Crewmen 2nd Class, these crewmen are given slightly more responsibility and are more knowledgeable in their fields. Crewmen do not oversee any other enlisted personnel and report to petty officers above them. They are enlisted personnel who usually have between 2 and 4 years of experience.

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These crewmen can also be referred to as “Specialist”. The crewman is overseen by petty officers and has limited duties, usually seeing to a specific system or area of function. Crewmen 2nd Class are enlisted personnel with typically less than 2 years of service. Promotion to Crewman 1st Class after 18 months of service is routine.

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The lowest rank of the enlisted personnel is Crewman 3rd Class. Upon enlisting in Starfleet all enlisted personnel hold this rank.

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