The rank system of the Klingon Defense Force bears some resemblance to various Earth ranking systems. A ceremonial sash of varing design and material is worn by commanding Klingon warriors to show rank and status in society. The sash can be made of many materials, most commonly of gold thread or silver metal, such as those worn by Worf and Martok. On the upper section of the sash is an emblem of their House affiliation and various other decorations.
General
A General in 2375.
General is approximately equivalent to a Starfleet admiral.
- General Chang
- General K'Trelan
- General K'Vagh
- General Korok
- General Korrd
- General Martok
- General ShiVang
- General Stex
- General Tanas
Admiral
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An Admiral in 2154.
In the 22nd century, the rank of Admiral existed.
- Admiral Krell
Brigadier
A Brigadier in 2293.
Brigadier is approximately equivalent to a Starfleet commodore or rear admiral.
- Brigadier Kerla
Colonel
Colonel Worf in 2293.
In most militaries, colonel is equivalent to a ship captain.
- Colonel Worf
Captain
A Captain in 2365.
Captain is approximately equal to the Starfleet equivalent.
- Captain K'Temang
- Captain K'Temoc
- Captain K'Vada
- Captain Kang
- Captain Kargan
- Captain Klaa
- Captain Koloth
- Captain Kor
- Captain Korok
- Captain Kurn
- Captain Larg
- Captain Lurkan
- Captain Nu'Daq
Commander
A Commander in 2267.
Commander is at least equal to the Starfleet equivalent.
- Commander Kaybok
- Commander Kolana
- Commander Kor
- Commander Korris
- Commander Kruge
- Commander Kuri
- Commander Morag
- Commander Thopok
Lieutenant
A Lieutenant in 2365.
Lieutenant is approximately equal to the Starfleet equivalent.
Bekk
A Bekk in 2374.
Bekk is an enlisted rank approximately equal to a Starfleet crewman. A Bekk is also commonly refered to as a "warrior."
- Bekk Koth
- Bekk N'Garen
- Bekk Alexander Rozhenko
Background
This rank system combines army ranks (general, brigadier and possibly captain and lieutenant) with navy terminology (ship captains, commanders, and lieutenants). It was never mentioned if the Klingon Defense Force was a combined service (with colonel being equivalent to ship captain), or if their rank name terminology simply translates oddly compared to Earth systems.
It is possible a different rank structure was envisioned for TOS. The only Klingons identified by rank in TOS were Commander Kor and Captains Kang and Koloth. The captains command single starships, while the commander is military governor of a planet, and perhaps commander of the entire invasion, including the ships in orbit. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy") This implies that commander was intended to be a rank equivalent to at least a starfleet commodore. By the time of TAS, Klingon ranks seem to conform to later usage as Kor holds the rank of Captain, in TAS: "The Time Trap".
| Enlisted personnel | Commissioned officers | Flag officers | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fleet: | CRM | PO | CPO | MID CDT OC WO |
ENS | LT JG | LT | LT CMDR | CMDR | CAPT | FCAPT | CDORE | RADM | VADM | ADM | FADM | ||||
| Military: | PVT AMN |
CPL LCP |
SGT | SSGT | MSGT 1SGT |
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 | |||||||||||||||||||