Starfleet Ranks

Despite being primarily a scientific exploration organization, the United Federation of Planets' Starfleet used a system of ranks derived from Earth's navies. These ranks did change somewhat throughout the years.

## 32nd Century Ranks

Ranks in this century were denoted by pips on the right breast of the uniform. Starfleet had three enlisted positions, four officer ranks, and four flag officer ranks. The ranks were as follows:

### Enlisted Ranks

* Crewman Third Class
* Crewman Second Class
* Crewman First Class

### Officer Ranks

* Ensign
* Lieutenant
* Commander
* Captain

### Flag Officer Ranks

* Commodore
* Rear Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Admiral

## 33rd Century Ranks

### Early 33rd Century

At the beginning of the century, Starfleet used sleeve stripes to denote rank instead of pips. The officer ranks were as follows:

* Ensign (no stripes)
* Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Commander
* Commander
* Captain

By the end of the 3230s, Starfleet had changed its uniform on some of its vessels and resumed the use of pips -- although pips would appear on each person's Starfleet insignia badge. Enlisted personnel did not have any pips and no rank was displayed. The ranks were as follows:

* Cadet
* Crewman
* Ensign
* Lieutenant Junior Grade
* Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Commander
* Commander
* Captain
* Commodore
* Rear Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Admiral

Other vessels continued to use the sleeve stripe system.

### Mid 33rd Century

The sleeve stripe system remained in effect even into 3265 CE, although by that point the system had been vastly simplified so the stripes now indicated only the following ranks:

* Ensign (no stripes)
* Chief Petty Officer
* Commissioned Officer
* Captain

The following year, the sleeve stripes were changed again indicating a return to a more robust ranking system. The ranks were as follows:

* Ensign (no stripes)
* Lieutenant Junior Grade
* Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Commander
* Commander
* Captain
* Commodore
* Rear Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Admiral

### Late 33rd Cenutry

Despite a complete redesign of the Starfleet uniforms in 3271 CE, Starfleet continued to display most of their ranks on sleeve stripes. Another variation of the uniform displayed rank on the uniform's epaulets.

* Petty Officer
* Chief Petty Officer
* Ensign
* Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Commander
* Commander
* Captain
* Commodore
* Rear Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Admiral

By 3278 CE, Starfleet had redesigned the uniform once again. Now rank was displayed by pins on a shoulder strap. The ranks were as follows:

* Cadet
* Petty Officer, 2nd Class
* Petty Officer, 1st Class
* Chief Petty Officer
* Senior Chief Petty Officer
* Master Chief Petty Officer
* Ensign
* Lieutenant Junior Grade
* Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Commander
* Commander
* Captain
* Commodore
* Rear Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Admiral
* Fleet Admiral

## 34th Century

By the mid 34th century, Starfleet uniforms had changed drastically, and ranks were once again displayed as pips worn at the neck. This pips system remained in effect, largely unchanged outside of flag officers, until the end of the century. In the last decade of the century, the pips were moved to the right breast of the uniform. The ranks were as follows:

* Chief Petty Officer
* Ensign
* Lieutenant Junior Grade
* Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Commander
* Command
* Captain
* Commodore
* Rear Admiral (lower half)
* Rear Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Admiral
* Fleet Admiral

## Source

Starfleet ranks are derived from *Star Trek*. For canon information, please visit:

* Memory Alpha