Starfleet Marine Corps Ranks
The Starfleet Marine Corps' Ranking System is a direct evolution of the titles and hierarchy of earlier Earth marine and army forces, and has been relatively consistent throughout both the United Earth's MACO units and United Federation of Planets Starfleet Marine Corps.
Contents
Current Rank Charts
History and Evolution
Military Assault Command Operations
The initial creation of United Earth MACOs saw the need for a comprehensive, universal rank structure to be utilised, regardless of which country the individual holding the rank initially hailed from. As such, the foundations for the Marine Corps rank system were laid down.
The initial ranking system used sewn-on patches on the uniforms and berets worn at the time. The rank symbols on the MACO uniforms, much like the current rank pips, were in direct relation to the rank insignia used by the old United States Armed Forces.
Some examples of insignia of the time:
Sergeant patch |
Colonel patch |
Lieutenant General patch |
24th Century Onwards
The MACOs and the Marines in general did not have a strong presence in Starfleet's organisation for many years, due to the largely utopia-like environment that the Federation core worlds enjoyed, and the peaceful exploratory mission of Starfleet. However, the Marines did return in the 24th Century as a force that grew into its place again with the various conflicts that began in the 24th Century - the Cardassian Wars, the threat of the Borg, and the Dominion War especially were all amongst the reasons that the marines as a force were returned to prominence.
With their return, the Marine Corps wore uniforms much more similar for their day-to-day duties to the standard uniforms of Starfleet than their old MACO companions wore, but their rank pips dated back to a time even before the MACO, and before United Earth, back to the collar pips of the United States military.
Lance Corporal insignia |
Marine Staff Sergeant pip Staff Sergeant insignia |
Marine Master Sergeant pip Master Sergeant insignia |
Second Lieutenant pip |
Major pip |
Colonel pip |
Brigadier General pips Brigadier General pips |
Lieutenant General pips Lieutenant General pips |
Field Marshal pips Field Marshal pips |