Introduction

"I've done everything I can to help. I'd die for my people, but—" "Sure you would — dying gets you off the hook. Question is, are you willing to live for your people — live the role they want you to play? That's what they need from you right now." - Li Nalas Bajoran Hero and Benjamin Sisko, The Emissary. “The Siege” DS9.

Both may be asked of a member of the Bajoran Militia, indeed will be asked of those who seek to serve Bajor above all. One could be asked to die or live, neither choice being easy. Both requiring a full measure of service. The Bajoran Militia, also known as the Bajoran Military Guard, is the military arm of the Bajoran Provisional Government, mostly made up of many former resistance fighters from the Occupation of Bajor. Before the Occupation, Bajor had no need of a strong military force. Though the militia existed in 2318 it was not the force it is today and indeed had been officially disbanded by the Cardassians when they took over. Bajorans were a peaceful people but after 50 years of a brutal occupation by Cardassian forces, they had learned the hard lessons of a subjugated peoples. That they bent but did not break in their spirit is in evidence in their strong post-occupation military.

It's reestablishment was overseen by Bajoran Minister Jaro Essa in 2369. And their headquarters is known as the War Room, seen at the top of this page, bracketed by the Bajoran Military Flag. From this room all resources can be monitored and information sent. This is the nerve center of any Militia efforts. While their equipment still has much to be desired, the sheer numbers of battle-hard veterans they had to fill their ranks was staggering. Also the fact that many of these former resistance fighters were used to being creative and doing a lot with very little is important. Skills that would put them in good stead to protect Bajor and her interests in the future. And not just her interests after 2376 when Bajor Joined the Federation of Planets. Some members of the militia choose to join Starfleet while others remained in the militia in it's new form as a local defense force.

Officers of the Militia were usually graduates of the Bajoran Military Academy, although as has been stated many commissions were awarded on the basis of demonstrated skills and merit of the soldiers who were part of the resistance against the occupation. The main divisions are Command, Security, Science, Medical, and Engineering. The structure is comparable to that of an Earth army, with similar ranks. See below. Also note that: The militia jointly operated Deep Space Nine with Starfleet. From 2369 to 2375 the station was commanded by a Starfleet command level officer and the Executive Officer was a Militia member. When the station's last Starfleet commander, Captain Benjamin Sisko disappeared in late 2375, his executive officer Colonel Kira Nerys of the Bajoran Militia, took command.

Bajoran uniforms are the standard clothing, worn by individuals serving in the Bajoran Militia. Bajoran uniforms are generally characterized by division or department color, displaying rank insignia and position to convey authority and purpose between personnel. Usually, the colors are red (command), brown (security), gray (science), purple/orange (medical) and green/grey (engineering). Rank is generally worn on left side of collar but Generals wear a dress tunic with epaulets, and two gold insignia pins on either side of their collar. The Bajoran symbol of state is on the upper right side of their uniform tunic.
(Left-Command Division Duty Uniform) (Left-Security Division Duty Uniform)
(Left-Science Division Duty Uniform) (Left-Medical Division Duty Uniform)
(Left-Engineering Division Duty Uniform) (Left-Flag Officer Duty Uniform)

The Bajoran dress uniform is a variant of the standard Bajoran uniform. It was worn for special occasions such as weddings, courts martial, and funerals. Also for greeting of ambassadorial delegations and heads of state. The uniform's coat extended to about mid-thigh and wrapped around the wearer to secure at the right side with a silver brooch-like device. Boots and leggings that match the coat were also worn. Command officers who normally wore burgundy color duty uniforms wore pale purple dress uniforms. Combage and rank insignia were worn on the dress uniform in the same position as the duty uniform. Further information the dress uniform colors of other divisions is not available at this time.
Command Division Dress Uniform

Rank Structure

A note on Bajoran ranks before the listing. One will note that there is a mixture of naval terms as well as ground. Most especially in the 'Ensign' grade. This is generally considered to be due to the fact that so much of the Militia's efforts against the Cardassians were ground-based they took on that ranking system. Throwing in naval as needed as that aspect grew and they seemed reluctant to branch into multiple militia, for example a naval militia and a ground militia. They are simply the Bajoran Militia, united.

General or Flag Ranks

Generals of all ilks wore a dress tunic with epaulets, and wore two gold insignia pins on either side of their collar. Note their rank insignia duplicates lower ranks like Captain etc but the fact they were it on both sides of their collar indicates the Flag Officer Status.

The top military commander of all Militia forces is the Commander General.Verbally referred to as 'Commander General'
Equal to a Admiral of other forces.Verbally referred to as "General".
Equal to a Vice Admiral of other forces. Verbally referred to as "General".
Equal to a Rear Admiral of other forces. Verbally referred to as "General".
Equal to a Brigadier General or Commodore. Verbally referred to as "Bridadier".

Colonel

Colonels wore a silver Bajoran symbol on the collar as a rank insignia. Equal to a naval Captain,

Field colonel

In Earth terminology, field rank referred collectively to the ranks of major, lieutenant colonel and colonel in the army or marines, and also brigadier in applicable armies; field commissions were given to enlisted soldiers to make them commissioned officers. Field colonels wore a gold Bajoran insignia with one hemisphere colored black as a rank insignia. Roughly equal to a Lt. Colonel or Commander.

Major

Majors wore a solid gold-colored rank insignia on their collar. Equal to a Lt. Commander.

Captain

Equal to a naval Lieutenant.

First lieutenant

First lieutenants were often referred to as "lieutenant.". Equal to a Lt. JG.

Second lieutenant

Second lieutenants were often referred to as simply "lieutenant.". Equal to a naval Ensign.

Ensign

Is a sort of Officer Cadet or Midshipmen Class as it ranked below the 2Lt. And is considered the lowest possible commissioned officer grade.

Enlisted personnel

Bajoran enlisted personnel were given rates similar to Starfleet. They generally did not wear rank insignia and their rank was denoted by both their collar size and the color of their clothing. For example section leaders wore a higher collar then lower ranked persons. Note Security Chief Odo's collar size in relation to the nurse listed. It covers his neck whereas hers merely goes half way.
DS9 Station Security Chief Odo.
Nurse Tagana one of DS9's medical staff.

References:
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