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Starfleet Command and Rank Structure

Fleet Admiral

Fleet Admiral is the highest rank in Starfleet. Fleet Admirals have many years of distinguished service and an impeccable record. There are only 6 Fleet Admirals: the Judge Advocate General, the Chief in Command, the Commander Starfleet, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Director of the Corps of Engineers and the Fleet Commander.

Admiral

Admiral is the highest normal rank in Starfleet. Admirals have impeccable service records and decades of service. Flag Officers of Admiral rank are in command of all main divisions Starfleet with the exceptions listed above for Fleet Admirals. There are also 8 Sector Admirals who are responsible for operations in their specific area, such as the Romulan Neutral Zone or Home Sector. For some reason they all tend to have their common sense surgically removed so they can be sucked in for months by a plot it takes a decent starship Captain only an hour or so to foil.

Vice Admiral

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

Rear Admiral

Rear Admirals are Flag Officers responsible for a limited and specific area for a limited time. Rear Admirals are usually promoted to Vice Admiral within two years. Rear Admirals may command major Starbases, shipyards, Starfleet bases on major worlds, or similar duties.

Captain

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.

Commander

Commanders are senior line officers. Commanders usually serve as the Executive Officer, Operations Officer, or Security Chief on board 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

Lt. Commander

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.

Lt. (Senior Grade)

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.

Lt. (Junior Grade)

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.

Ensign

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.

Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officers are the highest ranking enlisted personnel in Starfleet. They have many years of service (usually over 15), and a wealth of experience in their field. A Chief Petty Officer usually commands a major Engineering or services department on a starship or staircase. Examples include the Transporter Chief of a Starship or the Chief of Operations of a Staircase.

Petty Officer 1st Class

Petty Officers 1st Class comprise most of the Non-Commissioned Officers in Starfleet. Petty Officers 1st Class may serve in a variety of roles, including Senior Medical Technician, Transporter Operator, Security Officer, or Science Technician.

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Petty Officers 2nd Class are the lowest level of Non-Commissioned Officers in Starfleet. A Petty Officer 2nd Class usually serves as a relief crewman to another post such as Transporter Operator.

Crewman 1st Class

Crewmen 1st Class are enlisted personnel who usually have between 2 and 4 years of experience. Crewmen 1st Class generally serve as Medical Technicians or Engineering Technicians. Promotion to Petty Officer 2nd Class upon re-enlistment is common, but not guaranteed.

Crewman 2nd Class

Crewmen 2nd Class are enlisted personnel with typically less than 2 years of service. Crewmen 2nd Class generally perform menial tasks such as basic maintenance or act as security officers. Promotion to Crewman 1st Class after 18 months of service is routine.

Acting/Probationary Ensign

Acting ensigns are those individuals who have demonstrated in the field and ability to act as befits an ensign. The rank is very temporary, and is dependant upon the individual making every effort to attend the Academy at their earliest opportunity. Probationary Ensigns are those who have served as an officer for some time but have been demoted or placed on probation for actions unbecoming to a Starfleet officer. Probationary periods can be from 6 months to a number of years at the discretion of Starfleet High Command.

Cadet 1st class

Cadets 1st Class are cadets in their final year at Starfleet Academy. They have a leadership role in the Cadet Corps. Cadets 1st Class usually have at least 1 training cruise behind them and have earned at least 90 academic credits. A Cadet 1st Class may lead a Cadet Flight Squadron or special Cadet Operations Squad.

Cadet 2nd class

Cadets 2nd Class are cadets in their third year. In their third year at the Academy, cadets undergo advanced training in their field as well as detailed instruction on the current state of the Galaxy. Cadets 2nd Class may elect to take a training cruise in place of a class in Starfleet Operations. These cruises last between 4 and 16 weeks and give Cadets real space experience.

Cadet 3rd class

Cadets 3rd Class are cadets in their second year. In their second year at the Academy, cadets participate in field duty. A Cadet may be posted in a training role to a starship or Starbase, or may be lucky enough to earn membership in a Cadet Squadron or Cadet Operations Squad.

Cadet 4th class

Cadets 4th Class are the lowest level of Cadet. They are 1st year students with no seniority or special privileges. Cadets 4th Class undergo what are certainly the worst conditions in Starfleet. Cadets 4th class endure cramped Barracks, very intensive physical conditioning, and difficult classes. The ordeal almost always produces a hardworking, dedicated cadet however.

Crewman recruit

Crewmen Recruits are newly enlisted personnel who are attending the Starfleet Academy Enlisted Training Program. At the conclusion of their 6 months of training Crewmen Recruits will be promoted to Crewmen 2nd Class and posted to the fleet.

A Note on Pulling Rank
Rank is usually overridden when on a vessel/base where the commander of that facility will take command even over higher ranking officers, though of course the higher ranking officer may remove a junior commander from duty and take command. Also, while it is true that technically a Cadet 1st Class outranks a Chief Petty Officer, none would ever dream of pulling rank. Starfleet understands that while rank and training has it's privileges, so does experience.

A Note on Rank Insignia
Commanding Officers have great discretionary authority to modify the rank insignia of those under their command. In many cases enlisted personnel below Petty Officer 2nd Class don't even wear any insignia. On the USS Explorer uniforms must be as per the regulations, but crew may carry cultural adornments.

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