Ensign (Rank)

Ensign is the lowest commissioned officer rank of the Starfleet. Personnel either attend Starfleet Academy, or go through Starfleet Officer Candidate School, during which time, they are given the rank of E-5 until they receive their commission as an O-1.
Depending on the warfare community, an ensign may go directly to a starship after being commissioned to serve as a division officer, or he or she may serve up one to two years of specialty training before reporting to a combat unit (e.g. flight school, weapons systems school, navigator school, submarine school, amphibious warfare school, radar school).
Ensigns who become division officers are responsible for leading a group of petty officers and enlisted men in one of the ship's divisions (for example, engineering, navigation, communications, sensors or weapons) while at the same time receiving on-the-job training in leadership, naval systems, programs, and policies from higher-ranking officers and from enlisted men and women.
Starfleet and Border Guard ensigns wear collar insignia of a single gold pip.
Category:Starfleet Rank
Category:Commissioned Officer