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'.



Starfleet Officer insignia/combadge.
  • Commisioned Officer ranks and standard duration at that rank

  • Ensign rank insignia
  • Ensign - Commissioned cadet rank - duration 1 - 4 years.

  • Lieutenant (J.G.) rank insignia
  • Lieutenant Junior Grade - duration 2 - 4 years

  • Lieutenant (S.G.) rank insignia
  • Lieutenant - duration 3 - 6 years.

  • Lieutenant Commander rank insignia
  • Lieutenant Commander - duration 4 - 8 years (can be permanent.)

  • Commander rank insignia
  • Commander - duration indefinate.

  • Captain rank insignia
  • Captain - duration indefinate.

  • Commodore rank insignia
  • Commodore - duration indefinate.

  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Rear Admiral - duration indefinate.

  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Vice Admiral - duration indefinate.

  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Admiral - duration indefinate.

  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Fleet Admiral - duration indefinate.

  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Commander in Chief, Starfleet. - Usually 4 year posting.


  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Commissioned officer 5-year service pin (enlisted variant is in silver).


  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Commissioned officer 10-year service pin (enlisted variant is in silver).


  • Admiral rank insignia
  • Commissioned officer commendation pin (enlisted variant is in silver).


  • Starfleet NCO insignia/combadge.
  • Non-Commissioned Officer ranks.

  • Crewman rank insignia
  • Crewman Trainee - usually only referred to as Crewman or Trainee.


  • Crewman rank insignia
  • Crewman [2nd class] - usually only referred to as Crewman.


  • Crewman rank insignia
  • Crewman [1st class] - usually only referred to as Crewman.

  • PO3 rank insignia
  • Petty Officer 3rd Class.

  • PO2 rank insignia
  • Petty Officer 2nd Class.

  • PO1 rank insignia
  • Petty Officer 1st Class.

  • CPO rank insignia
  • Chief Petty Officer.

  • SCPO rank insignia
  • Senior Chief Petty Officer.


  • MCPO rank insignia
  • Master Chief Petty Officer.


  • Non-Commissioned ranks Commissioned ranks
    senior Commissioned ranks Lieutenant Commander insignia as added 1986 for ST: IV


    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.