Klingon ranks

The rank system of the Klingon Defense Force provided a hierarchy and chain of command for Klingon warriors and officers.

Should the an officer become weak and unable to perform their duties, it was expected of the next in line to assassinate them to ensure an "honorable retirement," such as a first officer killing a commanding officer, or a second officer killing the first officer. By the 2360s, the system had been considered successful for centuries, though was noticably different from Starfleet's approach. (TNG: "A Matter Of Honor")

Fleet admiral

During the 22nd century, the rank of fleet admiral existed, and was sometimes shortened to "admiral". This rank was indicated to be superior to that of a general. (ENT: "Divergence")

Fleet Admiral Krell

General

Generals were flag officers who fulfilled roles ranging from the commanding officer of a warship, to a diplomat, to a supreme commander of a fleet, to a chief of staff. (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")

General Chang
General K'orin
General K'Trelan
General K'Vagh
General Korok
General Korrd
General Martok
General ShiVang
General Stex
General Tanas

Brigadier

A brigadier was a high ranking official who could handle the position of military advisor to the Chancellor, and could speak on behalf of the High Command. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Brigadier Kerla

Colonel

Colonel was high ranking position that could fulfill the role of advocate or serve as a diplomat.

Colonel Worf

Captain

Captains in the Klingon Defense Force commanded individual warships of all classes.

Korris, by his own admission was "Captain of the Klingon Defense Force," but was also referred to as "Commander Korris" by Starfleet in TNG: "Heart of Glory".

Captain K'Temang
Captain K'Temoc
Captain K'Vada
Captain Kargan
Captain Klaa
Captain Koloth
Captain Korok
Captain Korris
Captain Kurn
Captain Larg
Captain Lurkan
Captain Nu'Daq

Commander

Commanders in the Klingon Defense Force commanded individual ships of all classes of warship. An individual holding the rank of commander could also hold the position of military governor. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy")

While Kor was a commander by his own admission, he was also referred to as a "Captain Kor" by several non-Klingons in TAS: "The Time Trap".

Commander Kang
Commander Kaybok
Commander Kolana
Commander Kor
Commander Kruge
Commander Kuri
Commander Morag
Commander Sorval

Lieutenant

Lieutenant was a junior officer rank aboard warships.

On a Bird-of-Prey, a lieutenant could hold the position of second officer. (TNG: "A Matter Of Honor")

When confronted by an inquisitive lieutenant aboard the IKS Drovana during an infiltration operation, Lieutenant Commander Worf – who was posing as Commander Sorval – rebuffed his line of questioning by stating, "I will not be questioned by a lieutenant who should be cleaning my quarters." (DS9: "Sons of Mogh")

Lieutenant Klag
Lieutenant Konmel
Lieutenant Laneth
Lieutenant Synon

Sergeant

Unnamed Klingon sergeant

Bekk

Bekk was an enlisted rank that was also commonly referred to as a "warrior." It was the lowest rank in the Klingon Defense Force. (DS9: "Sons and Daughters")

The script for "Sons and Daughters" indicates bekk to be the equivilent to crewman. [1]

Bekk Koth
Bekk N'Garen
Bekk Alexander Rozhenko

**Ranks**
	Enlisted personnel							Commissioned officers							Flag officers
Fleet:	CRM		PO		CPO		MID CDT OC	ENS	LT JG	LT	LT CMDR	CMDR	CAPT	FCAPT	CDORE	RADM	VADM	ADM	FADM
Military:	PVT AMN	CPL LCP		SGT	SSGT	MSGT 1SGT	MID CDT OC	2nd LT	1st LT	CAPT	MAJ	LT COL	COL		BRIG	MAJ GEN	LT GEN	GEN	MARSHAL
Services:	Andorian • Bajoran • Cardassian • Ferengi • Human (CSA • Third Reich • UE MACO • USA) • Jem'Hadar • Klingon • Romulan • United Earth/Federation Starfleet • Vulcan Mirror universe: Terran Empire Starfleet • Terran Empire MACO

This chart shows only general equivalencies based on the ranks used by many governments on Earth, as well as the rest of the galaxy.

Appendix

Background information

This rank system combined army ranks (general, brigadier, colonel, and possibly captain and lieutenant) with navy terminology (ship captains, commanders, and lieutenants).

The Klingon Dictionary translates the ranks of cadet (mangHom), ensign (lagh), sergeant (bu'), lieutenant (Sogh), commander (la'; ra'wI), captain (HoD), commodore (totlh), brigadier ('ech), general (Sa'), and admiral ('aj). (pp. 81, 123, 125, 134, 186-189)

The Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Journal (p. 79) suggests the two emblems on the Klingon Defense Force uniform collar are rank insignia, though their use on screen has not necessarily been consistent.

External link

Klingon ranks at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works