Klingon Ranks

The ever-succinct Klingons keep it relatively simple when it comes to the rank hierarchy of the Klingon Defense Force (KDF). Here is the list (all canon) from low to high. Where possible, I've included the Klingonese (tlhIngan Hol) translation.

• Crewman (bekk) – e.g., Alexander Rozhenko (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's [DS9's] "Sons and Daughters")
• Lieutenant (Sogh) – e.g., Klag (Star Trek: The Next Generation's "A Matter of Honor")
• Commander (la') – e.g., Kor (Star Trek: The Original Series' [TOS's] "Errand of Mercy"), Kang (TOS's "Day of the Dove") and Kruge (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
• Captain (HoD) – e.g., Koloth (TOS's "The Trouble With Tribbles") and Klaa (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier [TFF])
• Colonel – e.g., Worf (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country [TUC])
• Brigadier ('ech) – e.g., Kerla (TUC)
• General (Sa') – e.g., Martok (DS9), Koord (TFF) and Chang (TUC)
• Admiral ('aj) – e.g., Krell (Star Trek: Enterprise's "Divergence")

Only two entries on this list bear further commentary:

"Admiral," used only once, appears to have been discontinued after the mid-22nd century.

"Colonel," also used only once, is anomalous. In the rank systems used by the U.S. Army/Air Force/Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy, "colonel" and "captain," respectively, are equivalent. Since both appear in the Klingons' one-branch KDF, but "captain" is used more often, we will assume that "colonel" is either a one-off or an honorific given to officers of the court. At any rate, it appears to have been discontinued after the late-23rd century.

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