Ranks in TNG...

[Sanehouse]

I believe Worf's official title/position in Season 1 was "Relief Helmsman".

[Mikey]

He steered the rest rooms, then?

Where's that from, BTW?

[Sanehouse]

To be honest, I don't remember the exact source. I do, however, remember either reading it or hearing it from somewhere else. Further searching has turned up this result, though: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Worf

USS Enterprise-D tactical officer and relief helmsman (1st season), chief of security
IKS Hegh'ta executive officer
Celtris III special operations
Deep Space Nine strategic operations officer
USS Defiant first officer
IKS Rotarran executive officer
IKS Koraga, commanding officer
Ambassador to Qo'noS
USS Enterprise-E tactical officer

[Mikey]

Hmmm. He wasn't tactical originally, because he would have had a yellow uni.

[Aaron]

He was sort of a floater before Yar got offed (he wore the red jammys), served at Conn and floated around the various science stations in the back.

[Tsukiyumi]

He was sort of a floater before Yar got offed (he wore the red jammys), served at Conn and floated around the various science stations in the back.

So, he was like a... buffet officer? A little of this and that?

[kostmayer]

Over here floater is another word for resiliant - specifically a turd that won't flush.

Rather fitting for Worf really.

[Sanehouse]

I guess "Relief Helmsman" really did fit him in the first season, then.

[Mark]

Hmm. I didn't remember O'Brien being an ensign, but he was once either a lt. or lt. j.g. Afterwards, he became a CPO for the duration of TNG and DS9.

In the novelization of "The Emissary" O'Brian was explaining to Keiko that he accepted the position on DS9 to earn his commission, at the rank of ensign. Non-cannon I know, but another rank in the O'Brian chain.



A thought that I had. We have SEEN Starfleet use "acting" officer ranks (i.e.) Wesley. Is it possible that the whole time on the Enterprise, he actually WAS a CPO, but was holding the rank of "acting" LT, for whatever reason?

[Aaron]

In the novelization of "The Emissary" O'Brian was explaining to Keiko that he accepted the position on DS9 to earn his commission, at the rank of ensign. Non-cannon I know, but another rank in the O'Brian chain.



A thought that I had. We have SEEN Starfleet use "acting" officer ranks (i.e.) Wesley. Is it possible that the whole time on the Enterprise, he actually WAS a CPO, but was holding the rank of "acting" LT, for whatever reason?

If O'Brien was intending to do that then he was the biggest fool on that station. Going from the highest enlisted rank on the station (and likely the fleet) to an ensign would be like a judge suddenly taking a job as a janitor.

[Sanehouse]

If O'Brien was intending to do that then he was the biggest fool on that station. Going from the highest enlisted rank on the station (and likely the fleet) to an ensign would be like a judge suddenly taking a job as a janitor.

If he became an Ensign, he might essentially be lower than he was, but he would then be able to advance all the way up to Captain. As far as I know, there's no enlisted rank equal to Captain.

[Mark]

Well, Chief Petty Officer isn't exactly the highest enlisted rank (although it IS the highest we've seen in SF, AFAIK) but I have to agree with you.

When I was still in the Army, I was setting up the weekly staff meeting, and the Battalion CSM (Command Sergeant Major) was in the room early with two of his Master Sergeants prepping some report or other, and in walked a squeaky new 2nd Lt, who snapped at all those "enlisted" men, "What ever happened to standing when an officer entered the room?"

Guess who got put in place rather quickly.

Again, the novelization isn't cannon, so who knows the reasoning behind it.

[Captain Seafort]

Good point as far as you go, but there's a big difference between a Lt who was in high school a few years before and a Lt who was the RSM (or equivalent) a few years before. Being a former NCO, I very much doubt O'Brien would get jobs anything like those typical Ensigns would get.

[Aaron]

If he became an Ensign, he might essentially be lower than he was, but he would then be able to advance all the way up to Captain. As far as I know, there's no enlisted rank equal to Captain.

Uhh...yeah...there wouldn't be. NCO's don't command ships and for good reason.

Anyways, an NCO jumping into O country doesn't go to the bottom of the frigging ladder, they usually wind up as a Captain or a Lt. if their Navy. And honestly most only do that for the better pension, how much of a concern do you think that likely is.

Mark also has a very good point, RSM=god among men. Ensign=dog shit.

Oh and I was referring to SF when I mentioned O'Briens rank but thanks for clearing that up Mark.

[Aaron]

Good point as far as you go, but there's a big difference between a Lt who was in high school a few years before and a Lt who was the RSM (or equivalent) a few years before. Being a former NCO, I very much doubt O'Brien would get jobs anything like those typical Ensigns would get.

Indeed, he also wouldn't be an Ensign (see above post) but then you get the reverse of the coin, where the "proper officers" look at them like something they found on their boot.