Rank Classification

Created by Captain Aviram Drell on Tue Aug 6th, 2019 @ 12:38am

Overview

Starfleet ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships among officers and enlisted members of Starfleet under the United Federation of Planets. Adopted from earlier systems used by Earth naval forces, these ranks define authority as well as roles and responsibilities within Starfleet. Every individual serving in Starfleet also holds a position within a department (in addition to their rank) that comes with its own set of duties, privileges, and responsibilities.

Types of Rank

Ranks in the Federation Starfleet follow a specific order and are often divided into four general categories. These categories are (in descending order of rank):

• Flag Officers
• Commissioned Officers (including Line Officers and Cadets)
• Warrant Officers
• Enlisted Personnel (including Non-Commissioned Officers)

Additionally, there are sometimes situations when an individual may be granted a field promotion aboard a starship, station, or installation which would make them a “provisional officer”.

Chain of Command

The chain of command is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within a unit as well as between different units. Orders are transmitted down the chain of command from a higher-ranked individual to lower-ranked personnel. Simply holding a higher rank does not automatically entitle an individual to give commands to anyone of a lower rank. It must pass through the proper chain of command.

In addition to providing a means of communication and accountability, the chain of command also establishes what will happen in the event an individual is no longer able to carry out their assigned duties. This is especially important when it comes to determining command of a particular vessel or installation.

There are at least two chains of command aboard any starship, station, or installation – the administrative chain of command and the operational chain of command. Both the administrative and operational chains of command begin with the assigned commanding officer (usually a commissioned officer with the rank of commander or captain).

Under the administrative chain of command, all department heads report to the executive officer who then passes the information along to the commanding officer. This applies to routine administrative functions such as personnel assignments, status reports, and departmental reviews. The executive officer is assisted in their work by members of the administrative division (where applicable).

Under the operational chain of command, all department heads report directly to the commanding officer. This applies to any situation involving major operations such as emergency response, search & rescue, and combat. The commanding officer is assisted in their work by the executive officer (who acts on their behalf where necessary).

Flag Officers

A flag officer is a commissioned officer in Starfleet senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark the position from which they exercise command. This typically includes any officer who commands two or more starships (possibly in addition to the one under their direct command), oversees all operations in a particular region of space, or serves as head of a major department or division within Starfleet.

The term “flag officer” is also used more generically to refer to all officers of commodore rank or higher.

Line Officer
A commissioned line officer is an individual who has either attended (and graduated from) the cadet program of Starfleet Academy or been commissioned through the Officer Candidate School after having attained their education in the field elsewhere.

Individuals graduating from Starfleet Academy earn a four-year degree in their major field of study. Successful completion of all Academy requirements means an individual will graduate with the rank of ensign. Individuals who have performed exceptionally well may be promoted directly to the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.

Those pursuing a career as an officer in the medical field must attend an additional four years at Starfleet Medical Academy before earning their medical degree. Alternatively, they may choose to obtain their medical degree elsewhere and earn a commission through the Officer Candidate School.

Graduates of the Officer Candidate School are commissioned as officers of the Federation Starfleet and given promotion based on prior study and/or field experience.

Cadets

The rank of cadet is used at Starfleet Academy to denote students in training to become Starfleet officers. Becoming a Starfleet cadet is a difficult process and requires a significant amount of academic achievement while in high school (or equivalent). Academy entrance standards are particularly high, especially in scientific and math disciplines. Cadets are also expected to maintain a satisfactory grade point average during their attendance at the Academy. Getting bad grades is grounds for a cadet’s revocation of appointment from the Academy (also known as “washing out”).

Starfleet cadets are under the same uniform code of justice as Starfleet officers and are, in turn, subordinate to the orders of their superiors. They are also required to report violations of Federation law they observe to their superiors. Cadets are expected to show military courtesy and respect to senior commanders.

• Cadet (Fourth Year): A cadet in their final year at Starfleet Academy. Individuals at this stage of their training have earned a leadership role among their fellow cadets. They have usually completed at least one training cruise and may choose to complete a second during their final year.
• Cadet (Third Year): A cadet in their third year at Starfleet Academy. Individuals at this stage undergo advanced training in their field as well as detailed instruction on the current state of the galaxy. They are expected (but not required) to complete a training cruise aboard a starship, station, or installation.
• Cadet (Second Year): A cadet in their second year at Starfleet Academy. Individuals at this stage are eligible to participate in exchange programs with partner institutions both within as well as outside of the Federation.
• Cadet (First Year): A cadet in their first year at Starfleet Academy. Individuals at this stage are given very little seniority or special privilege. Many endure cramped barracks, intensive physical conditioning, and difficult coursework.

Warrant Officers

A warrant officer is an officer within the Federation Starfleet who is designated an officer by a warrant. Their primary task is to serve as a technical expert, providing valuable skills, guidance, and expertise to commanders and organizations in their particular field.

The ranks of warrant officer are rated as officers above the senior-most enlisted ranks but subordinate to the commissioned rank of ensign.

Chief warrant officers are commissioned by the President of the United Federation of Planets and take the same oath as regular commissioned officers. It is not uncommon to refer to a chief warrant officer simply as “chief”.

Non-Commissioned Officers

A non-commissioned officer (also known as NCO or noncom) is an enlisted member of the Federation Starfleet who functions as a lower-ranking crewman with authority over other enlisted crewmen. They are sometimes referred to as a team leader. Individuals holding the rank of a non-commissioned officer may (on occasion) serve as a member of a starship, station, or installation’s senior staff.

Non-commissioned officers are trained at the Starfleet Technical Services Academy.

Enlisted
An enlisted crewperson is one who has not completed the four-year Starfleet Academy program. Enlisted crewmen receive basic training along with any specific courses required for their position at the Starfleet Technical Services Academy before being posted.

In most cases, enlisted service personnel perform jobs specific to their own occupational specialty, as opposed to the more generalized command responsibilities of commissioned officers.

Provisional Officers

A provisional officer is one who has received a field commission (also called a field promotion or battlefield commission). These types of promotions are done without the approval of the organization’s central authority, but by commanding officers who operated under exceptional circumstances or outside of communication with authority.

Civilian Personnel

A civilian is any person who is not a member of the Federation Starfleet (or allied forces) and does not hold Starfleet rank. Such individuals may include civilian residents, specialists, or diplomats who carry out certain duties and responsibilities depending upon the location and mission profile of the starship, station, or installation they are on.

Follow-Up

Questions, comments, and concerns are always welcomed and should be directed to a member of the command staff via private message or email.

Modification and enforcement of this policy is at the discretion of the commanding officer.

See Also

• Age & Rank Chart
• Character Development

Updated: 08/05/2019

Categories: Character Development