The coolest fictional military ranks we wish we could hold

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Fleet Captain, Chapter Master, Lord of the Flies and/or Rings — these were some of the titles most coveted by nerdy kids and military buffs alike. Wishing they could one day earn the jobs of their favorite characters. Between books, TV shows and movies, there are plenty of fictional ranks — some of which we WISH we were cool enough to earn. Just imagine being pinned Supreme Bashar or making it to the fictional military rank of High Jedi General — you’d be set for life. Right? One can only assume their retirement is one worth holding. And that’s just one fictional world; plenty more have their own worthy ranks that are to be achieved. Take a look at this running list of fictional military ranks and the stories they hail from. 

Battlestar Galactica

battlestar galactica
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

This 1978 TV show came with own version of vanilla ranks, including:

  • Commander
  • Colonel
  • Major
  • Captain
  • Lieutenant Senior Grade
  • Lieutenant Junior Grade
  • Ensign
  • Senior Flight Sergeant
  • Flight Sergeant 
  • Flight Corporal
  • Petty Officer

While its 2004 reboot showed up with ranks of its own:

  • Admiral
  • Vice Admiral
  • Rear Admiral
  • Commander
  • Colonel
  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • Major
  • Captain
  • Lieutenant
  • Lieutenant Junior Grade
  • Ensign
  • Master Chief Petty Officer
  • Chief Petty Officer
  • Petty Officer 1st Class
  • Petty Officer 2nd Class/Sergeant
  • Specialist
  • Private

Dune

dune
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

This world of science fiction was first released in a 1965 novel, then made it to the big screen in 1884. It includes the ranks:

  • Supreme Bashar
  • Caid (the military member in charge of a planet)
  • Burseg (General)
  • Bashar
  • Levenbrech

Star Trek

star trek fictional military ranks
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

First coming on the scene in the 1960s, Star Trek is a franchise that’s been made over tens of times. From magazines to TV shows, to Blockbuster movies, the series has been reimagined over and over again. However, their ranks have remained consistent throughout. Take a look at the military titles held within the fictional world of Star Trek

Starfleet: Fleet Captain and other traditional Navy ranks

Bajoran:

  • Ensign
  • Lieutenant Junior Grade
  • Lieutenant
  • Captain
  • Major
  • Colonel

Cardassian Union:

  • Legate
  • Gul
  • Glinn

Klingon Empire

  • Bekk – Crewman

Romulan Empire

  • Sub-Admiral II 
  • Sub-Admiral I 
  • Commander 
  • Sub-Commander 
  • Centurion 
  • Lieutenant 
  • Sub-Lieutenant 
  • Uhlan 

Ferengi Alliance

  • DaiMon 

Star Wars

star wars fictional military ranks
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Another series that’s been around for decades comes with Star Wars. The original science fiction installment was released in 1977, with 11 films in total. From the Jedis, to Darth Vador as a Sith Lord, take a look at this world’s ranking structure. 

Galactic Empire

  • Galactic Emperor 
  • Executor – Commander in Chief of the Imperial Fleet
  • Grand Admiral 
  • Grand General 
  • Grand Moff – often controlling “over sectors” of space.
  • Moff – ruler of a sector.
  • Governor – military leader of a planet or system.
  • High General 
  • Fleet Admiral 
  • Captain of the Line 
  • High Colonel 

Galactic Republic

  • High Jedi General – Each one commanded a Systems Army.
  • Senior Jedi General
  • Jedi General
  • Marshal Commander
  • Senior Commander
  • Jedi Commander
  • Regimental Commander
  • Major

Jedi Order

  • Jedi Master
  • Jedi Knight 
  • Jedi Padawan
  • Jedi Initiate 

Sith 

  • Sith Master
  • Sith Lord
  • Sith Apprentice
  • Sith Acolyte