Author's Notes: Starfleet ranks are taken from Robert Fletcher's costuming notes on Starfleet uniforms from Star Trek I - IV. These rank insignia (in a simpler form) were carried throughout the movies until the final scene on the Enterprise-B in Star Trek: Generations. Fleet Captain is a designation from the Star Trek Encyclopedia (Second edition). Note there is NOT a rank of Warrant Officer in this era [Fletcher's notes has this explicitly noted, that or the studio to-date hasn't had need to devise the rank insignia. TNG has a Chief Warrant Officer insignia for O'Brien]. The rank Crewman [2nd class] - and subsequent extrapolations - are from Simon Tarses' rank in TNG 'The Drumhead'.
Commisioned Officer ranks and standard duration at that rank
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Ensign - Commissioned cadet rank - duration 1 - 4 years.
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Lieutenant Junior Grade - duration 2 - 4 years
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Lieutenant - duration 3 - 6 years.
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Lieutenant Commander - duration 4 - 8 years (can be permanent.)
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Commander - duration indefinate.
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Captain - duration indefinate.
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Commodore - duration indefinate.
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Rear Admiral - duration indefinate.
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Vice Admiral - duration indefinate.
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Admiral - duration indefinate.
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Fleet Admiral - duration indefinate.
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Commander in Chief, Starfleet. - Usually 4 year posting.
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Commissioned officer 5-year service pin (enlisted variant is in silver).
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Commissioned officer 10-year service pin (enlisted variant is in silver).
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Commissioned officer commendation pin (enlisted variant is in silver).
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Non-Commissioned Officer ranks.
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Crewman Trainee - usually only referred to as Crewman or Trainee.
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Crewman [2nd class] - usually only referred to as Crewman.
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Crewman [1st class] - usually only referred to as Crewman.
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Petty Officer 3rd Class.
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Petty Officer 2nd Class.
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Petty Officer 1st Class.
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Chief Petty Officer.
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Senior Chief Petty Officer.
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Master Chief Petty Officer.
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Author's Notes: The issue of Kirk movie-era rank insignia is an issue that doesn't seem to go away. There are many arguments over which rank insignia are "Official" and which are not. Here I wish to put the issue "to bed". These illustrations [NOT actual size] are taken from Mr. Robert Fletchers personal wardrobe notes. Mr Fletcher designed the uniforms for Star Trek II-IV and the rank insignia that went with them. These are thus OFFICIAL notes. As can be seen, there have been many mistakes made, even in the Encyclopedia. I hope that by showing these rank insignia from the actual source, that the issue is now closed.
The above images are copyright © to Robert Fletcher. All rights are reserved.
Last updated 25/08/2010.