Fleet captain
Encyclopedia
Fleet Captain is a rare military title that may be bestowed upon senior
naval captains
for a variety of reasons, the most common of which is to temporarily take command of more than one vessel. The rank can, therefore, be interpreted as a close equivalent to Commodore
or to the 19th century rank of Flag Officer
. The main distinction of a Fleet Captain is that normally the title is strictly temporary for the duration of a single mission.
(Flottenkapitän) and the United Kingdom
as an unofficial title dating back to the 18th century. In the Royal Navy, during the 18th and 19th centuries, an Admiral's flagship might also have a "captain of the fleet", who would be ranked between the admiral and the ship's captain (or "flag captain
"). The "Captain of the Fleet" would be listed as the ship's "First Captain" and would serve as the admiral's chief-of staff. The "flag captain" would be listed as the ship's "Second Captain" and retain actual command of the vessel.
. As a Starfleet officer rank
, there have only been two Fleet Captains shown in the entirety of Star Trek, two from Star Trek: The Original Series
: Garth of Izar and Christopher Pike
and one from Star Trek: Deep Space 9 when Benjamin Sisko
was promoted to Fleet Captain during the Dominion War.
Senior Captain
Senior Captain is a rare military rank which is used in some countries armed forces.-Army:In some armies of the world, the senior captain is a rank between a regular Captain and a Major. The rank is often only found in armies and air forces...
naval captains
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
for a variety of reasons, the most common of which is to temporarily take command of more than one vessel. The rank can, therefore, be interpreted as a close equivalent to Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
or to the 19th century rank of Flag Officer
Flag Officer
A flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark where the officer exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in an English-speaking nation's navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks; in...
. The main distinction of a Fleet Captain is that normally the title is strictly temporary for the duration of a single mission.
Historical Usage
Fleet Captain has appeared in the navies of GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
(Flottenkapitän) and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as an unofficial title dating back to the 18th century. In the Royal Navy, during the 18th and 19th centuries, an Admiral's flagship might also have a "captain of the fleet", who would be ranked between the admiral and the ship's captain (or "flag captain
Flag captain
In the Royal Navy, a flag captain was the captain of an admiral's flagship. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this ship might also have a "captain of the fleet", who would be ranked between the admiral and the "flag captain" as the ship's "First Captain", with the "flag captain" as the ship's...
"). The "Captain of the Fleet" would be listed as the ship's "First Captain" and would serve as the admiral's chief-of staff. The "flag captain" would be listed as the ship's "Second Captain" and retain actual command of the vessel.
Science Fiction
Fleet Captain has appeared in several science fiction sources, the most notable of which is Star TrekStar Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. As a Starfleet officer rank
Starfleet ranks and insignia
Starfleet ranks and insignia are fictional titles and badges that form the hierarchy of Starfleet in the Star Trek television shows and movies.-Overview:...
, there have only been two Fleet Captains shown in the entirety of Star Trek, two from Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
: Garth of Izar and Christopher Pike
Christopher Pike (Star Trek)
Christopher Pike is a character in the Star Trek franchise. He was portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter in the original Star Trek pilot episode, "The Cage", as captain of the USS Enterprise. The pilot was rejected, and the character was dropped during development of the second pilot when Hunter decided that...
and one from Star Trek: Deep Space 9 when Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...
was promoted to Fleet Captain during the Dominion War.