Star Trek Ranks & Hierarchy in TOS, Next Gen, & Beyond

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Discover how Starfleet ranks have changed over the decades

Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: September 1, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Flag Officers
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• Commissioned Officers
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• Enlisted Personnel
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• Rank Promotions
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The Starfleet ranks in Star Trek are inspired by real-life navies, but they might seem a little more confusing than that at first blush. For example, you might be wondering why there are so many lieutenants, and how different rank insignias have changed across series and eras. The good news is you've beamed yourself onto the right deck! Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to Starfleet ranks and insignias starting with the highest ranks, the flag officers, then commissioned officers, then the lowest ranks, the enlisted personnel, with wikiHow-exclusive insights from Star Trek experts.

Star Trek Military Ranks Chart

Flag officers (fleet admiral, admiral, vice admiral, rear admiral, and commodore) are the highest ranks in Starfleet. Next are commissioned officers (captain, commander, lieutenant commander, lieutenant, junior-grade lieutenant, ensign, and cadet), then the enlisted (chief petty officer, petty officer, and crewman).

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Section 1 of 4:

Star Trek Flag Officer Ranks (Highest to Lowest)

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1. 
   1
   Fleet admiral A fleet admiral can command fleets, but spends most of their time as a diplomat. There are usually only a handful of Starfleet officers holding this rank at one time, and one of them is usually appointed to be the commander-in-chief.

   • The Original Series rank insignia: 6 gold braids and 1 gold band
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Gold starburst cluster with a silver starburst in the center, set on top of a silver circle and surrounded by a wreath of gold arrows
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 5 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 5 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Voyager: 5 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 5 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Picard rank insignia: 5 silver pips inside a black trapezoid
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Gold delta badge with 5 gold pips

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Benjamin Ahr Harrison and Adam Pranica are Star Trek experts. They host the comedy podcasts The Greatest Generation and Greatest Trek.
2. 2
   Admiral Admirals are responsible for helping direct its decisions. They can command several ships and facilities and oversee multiple operations at the same time. They're considered the faces of Starfleet and the Federation's representatives in diplomatic matters. They also advise the fleet admirals.

   • Star Trek experts Benjamin Ahr Harrison and Adam Pranica note that the Admirals are generally not to be trusted in the franchise. They’re often corrupt, controlled by aliens, or secretly have bad beliefs and are using Federation resources to do some evil project.
   • Discovery rank insignia: Round black badge with a gold rim and a gold delta in the middle. The delta is surrounded by 12 gold arrows.
   • The Original Series rank insignia: 5 gold braids and 1 gold band
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Gold starburst cluster set on top of a silver circle
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 4 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 4 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Voyager: 4 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 4 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Picard rank insignia: 4 silver pips inside a black trapezoid
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Gold delta badge with 4 gold pips
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3. 3
   Vice admiral Vice admirals represent the admiralty in battle and coordinate battle plans and fleet movements during wartime. They carry the authority of Starfleet Command, as well as the Federation.

   • Discovery rank insignia: Round black badge with a gold rim and a gold delta in the middle. The delta is surrounded by 10 gold arrows.
   • The Original Series rank insignia: 4 gold braids side by side
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Gold starburst cluster with a silver circle in the center
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 3 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 3 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Voyager: 3 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 3 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Picard rank insignia: 3 silver pips inside a black trapezoid
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Gold delta badge with 3 gold pips
4. 4
   Rear admiral A rear admiral is the lowest-ranking member of the admiralty in Starfleet. They often command installations and issue orders to ship captains. They also have the authority to temporarily requisition a ship to use as a mobile base of operations. In fact, all admirals have this privilege.

   • Discovery rank insignia: Round black badge with a gold rim and a gold delta in the middle. The delta is surrounded by 8 gold arrows.
   • The Original Series rank insignia: 4 wavy gold bands with a gold starburst in the middle around the sleeve
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Gold starburst cluster
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 2 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 2 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Voyager: 2 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 2 gold pips side by side on a black rectangle
   • Picard rank insignia: 2 silver pips inside a black trapezoid
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Gold delta badge with 2 gold pips
5. 5
   Commodore Commodores command fleets of Federation vessels, though each vessel still retains its captain as its primary commanding officer. The rank of commodore has come and gone throughout Star Trek history, and was only present in The Original Series, The Wrath of Khan, Picard, and Discovery (post-time travel) eras.

   • Harrison and Pranica note that you only occasionally meet Commodores in the franchise.
   • The Original Series rank insignia: 2 gold braids side by side
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: 1 pin with 2 gold starbursts
   • Picard rank insignia: 1 silver pip inside a black trapezoid
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Gold delta badge with 1 gold pip
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Section 2 of 4:

Star Trek Commissioned Officer Ranks & Insignias

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1. 1
   Captain A captain is typically the captain of their ship, but not always, say Harrison and Pranica. They command a Starfleet vessel and its crew, and though they receive orders directly from Starfleet Command, they're also given the authority to make decisions on their own when necessary. Captains are responsible for every life aboard their vessel, so not every Starfleet Academy graduate covets this rank.

   • Discovery rank insignia: Delta badge with 4 gold pips
   • Strange New Worlds rank insignia: 2 gold braids with a broken stripe between them on the sleeves
   • The Original Series rank insignia: 2 gold braids with a broken stripe between them on the sleeves
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: 1 pin with 3 gold bars inside and flared silver metal ends
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 4 gold pips on the collar
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 4 gold pips on the collar
   • Voyager: 4 gold pips on the collar
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 4 gold pips on the collar
   • Picard rank insignia: 4 silver pips on the breast
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Silver and gold delta badge with 4 gold pips
   • Ready to catch up on the Star Trek series? Here's how to watch them in release and chronological order!
2. 2
   Commander A commander is second-in-command of the entire ship. They might control their own smaller vessel and crew, serve as the captain's first or second officer in the command division, or occupy a high-ranking role within a department. Commanders in the command division can eventually look forward to becoming captain of their own ship, after about 10 years of service.

   • A Commander can even be the captain of the ship, adds Harrison and Pranica. For example, Benjamin Sisko started Deep Space Nine as a Commander (though he was later made a Captain).
   • Discovery rank insignia: Delta badge with 3 gold pips
   • Strange New Worlds rank insignia: 2 gold braids on the sleeves
   • The Original Series rank insignia: 2 gold braids on the sleeves
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: 1 horizontal pin with chevron-shaped ends and 2 gold bars inside, positioned on the right shoulder strap and left sleeve
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 3 gold pips on the collar
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 3 gold pips on the collar
   • Voyager: 3 gold pips on the collar
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 3 gold pips on the collar
   • Picard rank insignia: 3 silver pips on the breast
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Silver and gold delta badge with 3 gold pips
3. 3
   Lieutenant commander The lieutenant commander is the lowest-ranking officer to also be in the chain of command for a Starfleet vessel. They outrank the other lieutenants, shoulder more responsibility, and support the ship commander or captain in carrying out their executive roles.

   • Discovery rank insignia: Delta badge with 2 gold pips and 1 hollow pip
   • Strange New Worlds rank insignia: Gold braid and broken stripe on the sleeves
   • The Original Series rank insignia: Gold braid and broken stripe on the sleeves
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: 1 horizontal pin with chevron-shaped ends and 1 gold bar inside, positioned on the right shoulder strap and left sleeve
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 2 gold pips and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 2 gold pips and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Voyager: 2 gold pips and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 2 gold pips and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Picard rank insignia: 2 silver pips and 1 hollow pip on the breast
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Silver and gold delta badge with 2 gold pips and 1 black pip
4. 4
   Lieutenant A lieutenant is an ensign's commanding officer and the lowest higher command rank. A cadet can technically be promoted to this position directly out of the Academy if they're skilled and responsible enough. They oversee entire fields of operation, including science, engineering, and security.

   • Discovery rank insignia: Delta badge with 2 gold pips
   • Strange New Worlds rank insignia: Gold braid on sleeves
   • The Original Series rank insignia: Gold braid on sleeves
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: 1 horizontal pin on the right shoulder strap and left sleeve
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 2 gold pips on the collar
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 2 gold pips on the collar
   • Voyager: 2 gold pips on the collar
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 2 gold pips on the collar
   • Picard rank insignia: 2 silver pips on the breast
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Silver and gold delta badge with 2 gold pips
5. 5
   Lieutenant, junior grade Cadets who prove themselves to be exceptional officer material are sometimes promoted to the rank of junior-grade lieutenant immediately out of the Academy. This allows them to lead specialized teams in their particular field. It also demonstrates that they're capable of taking on a lot more responsibilities than the average Starfleet Academy graduate.

   • Discovery rank insignia: Delta badge with 1 gold pip and 1 hollow pip
   • Strange New Worlds rank insignia: Broken gold stripe on sleeves
   • The Original Series rank insignia: None
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: 2 vertical pins on the right shoulder strap and left sleeve
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 1 gold pip and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 1 gold pip and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Voyager: 1 gold pip and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 1 gold pip and 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Picard rank insignia: 1 silver pip and 1 hollow pip on the breast
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Silver and gold delta badge with 1 gold pip and 1 black pip
6. 6
   Ensign An ensign is the lowest-ranking officer in Starfleet, says Harrison and Pranica. In TOS, their rank is indicated on their uniforms by the lack of a band on the edge of the sleeve. In TNG, they wear a single gold pip on their collar to show their rank. Ensigns typically remain in this rank for 3 years, a time they spend learning and proving themselves worthy of a promotion.

   • Discovery rank insignia: Delta badge with 1 pip
   • Strange New Worlds rank insignia: No stripes on sleeves or pips
   • The Original Series rank insignia: No stripes on sleeves or pips
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Upside-down triangle pin on the right shoulder strap and the left sleeve
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 1 gold pip
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 1 gold pip on the collar
   • Voyager: 1 gold pip on the collar
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 1 gold pip on the collar
   • Picard rank insignia: 1 silver pip on the breast
   • Discovery (post-time travel) rank insignia: Silver and gold delta badge with 1 gold pip
7. 7
   Cadet Cadets are students enrolled at the Starfleet Academy who are on track to become officers after graduation. The most elite cadets are sometimes invited to join real Federation ship crews as part of their training. In The Next Generation (TNG), they wear steel pips on their collars to indicate their level in the Academy. Their uniform colors change across series and eras, starting with silver shirts in The Original Series (TOS) and changing to blue, red, and yellow shirts in TNG (similar to full-fledged crew members).

   • Discovery rank insignia: Delta badge
   • Strange New Worlds rank insignia: Delta badge
   • The Original Series rank insignia: Starburst crest on shirt
   • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Red shoulder strap, collar, and cuffs
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 1-4 pips on the collar
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: 1-4 pips on the collar
   • Voyager rank insignia: 1-4 pips on the collar
   • Lower Decks rank insignia: 1-4 pips on the collar
   • Picard rank insignia: Combadge
   • Starfleet Academy rank insignia: Tricom badge
   • Which Star Trek: Starfleet Academy cadet are you most like? Find out in our character quiz!
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Section 3 of 4:

Star Trek Enlisted Personnel Ranks & Insignias

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1. 1
   Chief petty officer The chief petty officer is the highest-ranking enlisted personnel in Starfleet. They're often referred to as just "chief" by commissioned officers and the lower non-commissioned ranks. They can rise up beyond chief petty officer to "senior" chief and "master" chief.

   • The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Silver octagonal pin with gold accents
   • The Next Generation rank insignia: 1 hollow pip on the collar
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: A lozenge-shaped pin with 3 chevrons pointing right and 4-6 white dots (depending on the officer's level), positioned on the collar
2. 2
   Petty officer Petty officers are regarded as the sergeants of Starfleet. They can command crewmen, and they tend to specialize in a particular area, such as mechanics. They're also referred to as "yeomen" and can rise from third to second to first class.

   • The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: Silver octagonal pin
   • Deep Space 9 rank insignia: A lozenge-shaped pin with 1-3 chevrons pointing right and 1-3 white dots underneath them (depending on the officer's level), positioned on the collar
3. 
   3
   Crewman A crewman is a Starfleet crew member who enlisted and passed a short basic training course. Since they didn't graduate from Starfleet Academy, they're not on the commissioned officer track. They help perform the nitty-gritty, everyday tasks that keep the Starfleet ship and crew running, and they're also trained to fight in battle when needed.

   • The Wrath of Khan rank insignia: 1 silver diamond-shaped pin
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Section 4 of 4:

How do characters get higher ranks in Star Trek?

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1. Officers have to pass certain tests to improve their rank. While Starfleet ranks are similar to military ranks, Harrison and Pranica say it’s debatable whether Starfleet is a military organization, a diplomatic and exploratory organization, or something in between. Either way, rising through the ranks requires officers to pass certain tests and exams.

   • For example, Counselor Troi is shown trying for her Commander rank in Star Trek: The Next Generation, say Harrison and Pranica. However, she keeps failing because she refuses to send Geordi to his death to save the ship.
   • Some characters stay in the same rank for a long time, add Harrison and Pranica. For instance, Spock stays a Commander for a couple of decades, and Harry Kim remains an Ensign throughout all of Star Trek: Voyager.
   • Harrison and Pranica note that Starfleet ranks don’t seem to be as important as real-life military ranks. However, some characters do pull rank on their subordinates.

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