Klingon Rank Insignia and honorifics

Like any Military Force, Rank is necessary to keep order.

Klingon Rank insignia is worn on the left collar, and Assignment, or Divisional insignia is worn on the right.

The rank insignia below are typical of Klingon ranks. Most of the positions do not have a distinctive insignia.

That's why ALL Klingons are expected to know their own superior officers by sight.

Ranks are divided into two categories: Non-commissioned Officers (NCO) and Commissioned Officers. Below you will find both, as well as NAVAL, and (MARINE) Ranks.

Ranks are listed in Decsending order.

Commissioned Officers Ranks

Thought Admiral (Thought General):

Lord Admiral (Lord General):

Grand Admiral (General):

Fleet Admiral (Lieutenant General):

Admiral (Major General):

Vice Admiral (Brigadier General):

Captain (Colonel): One of the more widely known ranks in the Empire.

Commander (Lt. Col.):

Lieutenant Commander (Major)

Lieutenant (Captain):

Lieutenant Junior Grade (Lt): Most Junior Officers have attained this rank, and are still considered "Fresh from the Academy."

Ensign (Lt. JG): Straight out of the academy (In IKF reserved for Minors).

Cadet (Cadet): Reserved for those IN the academy (In IKF Ages 9 and under).

Back To Top

NON-Commissioned Officers Ranks (NCO's)


Chief Petty Officer (Sergeant-Major): In IKF reserved for ages 20 and up.

Petty Officer 1st Class (Sergeant): In IKF reserved for ages 15 to 19.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (Lance Corporal): In IKF reserved for ages 10 to 14.

Enlisted 1st Class (Enlisted 1st Class): Not used in IKF.

Enlisted 2nd Class (Enlisted 2nd Class): Not used in IKF.

Back To Top



Honorifics

While not exactly considered "canon" honorifics had found their place within Klingon society and were adopted after the publishing of Thought Admiral John M. epetai-Ford's novel The Final Reflection and the FASA Role Playing system.

The following information has been adapted from the FASA Star Trek the Role Playing Game Klingons supplement, "The Final Reflection" by John M. Ford, and Klingon Fandom traditions..

Honorifics
In Klingonaase variations of language, honorific titles were usually prefixes to the surname, and were used when an individual was being addressed formally. For example, Margon sutai-Demma was a member of the family line Demma whose personal name was Margon, and his honorific title was "sutai".

honorifics
(lowest to highest):

honorific - meaning/usage

zan- (a simple mister - no honorific awarded to Cadets through Jr. Officers)
tai- (Awarded to junior officers up through 2nd Lt.)
vestai- (Awarded to 1st Lt. through Commander)
sutai- (Awarded to Commander though Captain)
zantai- (Awarded to Captain through Admiral)
epetai- (Awarded to Thought Admiral / used as title for head of a house)

Personal names
Klingon individuals are usually given a common personal name, many of which are known to have specific meanings describing the person in question, such as "Korg", which means "fierce one". (TOS comic: "Old Loyalties")

Klingon personal names are frequently passed down through families in honor of earlier members of the line. For example, Duras, son of Ja'rod and Toral, son of Duras in the 24th century were named for other members of the House of Duras, 23rd century Councillor Duras and 22nd century Duras, whose father was Toral. Worf, son of Mogh also shared a name with his grandfather, General Worf. (ENT episodes: "Judgment", "The Expanse", TNG episodes: "Reunion", "Redemption", "Redemption II"; TOS movie: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; VAN novel: Harbinger)

In some cases, the advancement of a name may be marked by a numeral, such as was for Kahless IV.

As Klingons pass the various tests of life, including the Age of Ascension and other promotions and advancements, they sometimes choose or are assigned changes to their personal names. One tradition, most common with Klingonaase-style naming, is to change initial letter/sound of their name: in this tradition, naval officers change to a "K" letter/sound, those who primarily serve as marines and ground troops to "M", civilian professions (administrators, scientists) to "A". In this way, a Klingon ensign in the 2260s, Vasak gained rank in the Klingon fleet and was eventually known as Kasak when had become a commanding officer.(TOS novel: Rules of Engagement; FASA RPG module: The Klingons)