Starfleet follows a simple system. All department are equal in authority, and the only characteristic difference is the Rank of the individuals in each department, even if those Ranks are named differently.
Medical, Engineering, Science, Diplomatic, and Command, all inherited the use of the original Earth Naval Rank system.
Enlisted Officers are the main back bone to any organisation. Starfleet is no different...
Enlisting allows individuals who do not wish to take a 4 year training course at the Academy and a years tour of duty, to join up and become a member of Starfleet. There training is more specific and shorter, lasting but one year allowing for a continued training that takes place in the field.
This continued training means that upon reaching a high Rate a NCO may become an officer.
Bellow you can find a list of Rates (the term used to describe the Insignia used by NCOs), and pips, for Enlisted Officers, or more simply called Non-Com's (non-commissioned officers).
At a high rate NCOs are deemed trained sufficiently to achieve an Commissioned Rank and become a Warrant Officer. On reaching the Rate of Chief Petty Officer/Gunnery Sergeant the NCO can apply for Officer Training. At the next Promotion the NCO is promoted to Warrant Officer, and may hold any Junior Officer position (i.e. Asst. Chief Engineer)or any specific Warrant Officer position.
On the next promotion the NCO may can be promoted to CWO and may hold any Senior Officer position (i.e. Chief Engineer), or any specific Warrant Officer position. A Chief Warrant Officer who wishes to become an Starfleet Officer, rather than a Warrant Officer should inform his/her CO, at which point the CO may promote at his/her discretion the CWO to the rank of Lt./Marine Captain.
