Commander

Commander insignia
File:US o-5 sleeve.png
United States Navy
File:Ent cmdr.png
EarthStarfleet
File:Officer stripe, 2254-2265.png
Starfleet, 2250s - 2265
File:Tos cmdr.png
Starfleet, 2265 - 2270s
File:Mov cmdr.png
Starfleet, 2280s until early 24th century
File:Tng cmdr.png
Starfleet, 2350s-present
File:29th cmdr.png
Starfleet, 29th century
File:Mirror cmdr.png
Terran Starfleet, mirror universe

For the position of Commanding Officer of Starfleet, see Commander, Starfleet.

Commander is a rank used by the service organizations of many civilizations.

On Earth, this rank has a history dating back to at least the 20th century to the old seagoing navies, and has equivalents used by numerous species and cultures on several planets.

History

As a traditional naval grade in Human usage, commander is the second most senior line officer rank, falling between a captain and a lieutenant. On Earth, the United States Navy used this rank as well as the Royal Navy. A rank of lieutenant commander also existed in these organizations, viewed as a lieutenant granted the authority of a commander. The United States Navy used the insignia of three solid sleeve stripes to denote the rank of commander and considered the rank the equivalent of a lieutenant colonel.

The ancient sea of rank commander was usually given to ship executive officers, department heads on larger naval vessels, or to the commanders of shore installations. The watch station of command duty officer was a position which could be held by a commander. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

In infantry forces, a commander was any CO.

Modern rank

In the galaxy, the modern rank of commander is typically held by the first officers of various cultures' starships and is also granted to the commanding officers of the smaller outposts, space stations and starbases.

In Starfleet, a prerequisite to becoming a commander is by taking the Bridge Officer's Test. As commanders prove their leadership ability over time, they are considered for the difficult and highly competitive promotion to captain. (TNG: "Thine Own Self")

Proper naval parlance says that, even if a naval vessel is commanded by an officer whose rank is commander, that officer is still able to be referred to as a captain while on the deck of their own vessel. (DS9: "Behind the Lines")

In the Xindi-Reptilian military of the 22nd century, a commander controlled a squadron and a regiment. ^{(citation needed • edit)}

The rank of commander in the Romulan Star Empire is considered the equivalent of a Starfleet captain. (TNG: "Future Imperfect") Also, a subcommander grade exists in the Romulan military, with this rank also used in the 22nd century by the Vulcan High Command. ^{(citation needed • edit)}

According to The Making of Star Trek (page 256) the Romulan rank of commander is the rank of someone who commands a fleet of ships. This would imply it to be equal to the Federation Starfleet rank of commodore.

The 23rd century Imperial Klingon Fleet used the rank of commander to denote the commanders of smaller space vessels, such as a Bird-of-Prey. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock) A Klingon rank of captain was used for larger vessels with this title carrying over to the 24th century Klingon Defense Force. (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles"; TNG: "Redemption")

Noted commanders

Starfleet

• Starfleet commanders

Klingon Defense Force

• Kaybok
• Kor
• Kruge
• Kuri
• Kurn
• Morag
• Sorval

Romulan Star Empire

• Tomalak
• Toreth
• Rekar
• Donatra
• Suran
• Sela

Other

• Dolim (Xindi)
• Raan (Suliban)
• Shran (Andorian)
• Loskene (Tholian)

Template:SFpostrank

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

External link

• Commander at Wikipedia