Moff
Definition
In the fictional universe of Star Wars, a Moff is a senior political-military rank held by the Regional, Sector, and Quadrant Commanders of the Galactic Empire. The title of Moff is granted in three levels:
- Moff (Region Commander)
- Grand Moff (Sector Commander)
- Supreme Moff (Quadrant Commander)
A Moff commands all military forces in their area of control and also is the absolute political authority to which planetary governments must answer. Imperial Moffs were granted political control after the disbandment of the Imperial Senate, as part of Emperor Palpatine's effort to wipe out all vestiges of the Galactic Republic.
Star Wars fanon has established that the rank of Grand Admiral and Grand General are senior to Moffs. Such personnel are directly appointed by Emperor Palpatine and outrank all Imperial personnel, military and civil. Grand Admiral Thrawn was one such officer who held this highest of Imperial ranks.
Insignia
The insignia for Moff is a multi-colored breast badge, with the number of yellow squares indicating the senority of the Moff. For example, a Moff would wear two yellow squares, a Grand Moff three, and a Supreme Moff would wear four. A later insignia version consolidated all the Moff rank badges into one, and comprised seven red and blue rank squares.
Both versions of the Moff rank badge display two code cylinders as part of the rank insignia.
Moff Jerjerrod, seen in the opening scene of Return of the Jedi was intended to have worn the updated Moff rank badge. Due to a costume problem, however, all the Imperial characters in Return of the Jedi were shown wearing Navy Commander badges.
See Also: Rank Insignia of the Galactic Empire
Famous Moffs
- Grand Moff Tarkin was the commander of the Death Star. He was ruthless and brilliant military commander, but he died on explosion of Death Star at the end of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope.
- Moff Jerjerrod was commander of Second Death Star. He was killed destruction of the battle station at the end of Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.