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In the final episodes of DS9, Martok became Chancellor of the Klingon High Council and Worf was named Federation Ambassador to the Klingon homeworld. However, in Nemesis, Worf is back in uniform and seamlessly resumes his position as tactical officer on board the Enterprise.

It's no surprise that he was present at the beginning of the movie as he was friends with both Riker and Troi so he would have good reason to attend their wedding.

I don't recall any instance of a Federation ambassador also being an active Starfleet officer. That said, I was surprised that Worf still had his commission and, apparently, being assigned to the Enterprise again in Nemesis after having been an ambassador for three or four years.

Also, following the events of the DS9 episode Change of Heart, when Worf was told in no uncertain terms that he was unlikely to get his own command, it would make more sense for him to pursue a career in diplomacy where there would be more opportunity for advancement.

So, is there any explanation for Worf being back in uniform, with his commission intact and no mention of him being or having been an ambassador in Nemesis?

I'm especially curious because, following the events of Nemesis with regards to the command staff of the Enterprise, there has been some speculation that Worf became Picard's new first officer (the deleted scene not withstanding) which seems odd because it seems like he would be going backwards in his career to take a terminal position.

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  • There is no reason he would need to resign.
    – user16696
    Jan 14, 2015 at 22:36
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    It was never said that he had to resign but other Starfleet officers turned diplomats all appear to have done so prior to changing careers (Spock and Archer for example) which at least implies that it's a requirement rather than a personal decision on their part.
    – geewhiz
    Jan 14, 2015 at 22:54
  • both of those were fairly old when that happened. Memory alpha shows that there is a mandatory retirement age.
    – user16696
    Jan 14, 2015 at 23:50
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    Very funny to consider Worf never getting a command when Dorn was trying to make a Captain Worf show
    – user30472
    Jan 15, 2015 at 0:03
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    In Star Trek Online Worf is a Klingon Ambassador. While STO isn't canon, it's more coherent than most of the non-canon material and features many of the same actors.
    – Schwern
    Jan 15, 2015 at 2:42

2 Answers 2

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No he's not. It's clear from the original script that he quit his job and returned to Starfleet.

BEVERLY : I'm so glad you made it back to the Enterprise before I left.

WORF : I was not suited for the life of a... diplomat.

BEVERLY : (wry) Who'd have guessed?

These lines were cut from the film, leading to the confusion over his status.

The novelisation fleshes out the scene without adding much extra info, unfortunately:

"I'm so glad you made it back to the Enterprise before I left," she called over the din of the music. To her, dance came naturally; her bones were long and fine, her muscles limber and blessed with that mystery known as a sense of rhythm. She could scarcely have resisted dragging the Klingon onto the floor even if he'd been unconscious.

Worf's pained expression eased slightly; it was the closest he would come to acknowledging mutual affection. To those unfamiliar with Klingons, he would have seemed ferocious, with the great jutting browbone above narrowed eyes and jagged teeth; to Beverly he looked precious. "I was not suited for the life of a...diplomat."

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    Thanks! That seems like an important line to cut but it does answer my question.
    – geewhiz
    Jan 14, 2015 at 22:20
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    @user3053242 - They also trimmed out Wesley for no good reason.
    – Valorum
    Jan 14, 2015 at 22:25
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    @Richard - Wesley could use a good trim
    – DVK-on-Ahch-To
    Jan 14, 2015 at 22:28
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    Wes was supposed to be off exploring other planes of existence with the Traveler. I've seen the scene they cut out with him in it. He was in the correct uniform sitting at the table with the crew. That raised more questions than Worf being in uniform. I would have cut that scene just because most of the viewing audience would have immediately responded with "When did he...? Isn't he supposed to be..? Huh?"
    – geewhiz
    Jan 14, 2015 at 22:32
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    @user3053242 - Nah, it would have just taken a single throwaway line like "glad to see you're back with us mere mortals, Wesley". "You know I wouldn't miss this" and then he could toast them and be done with it.
    – Valorum
    Jan 14, 2015 at 22:34
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While it may be customary for a Starfleet officer to resign prior to accepting a diplomatic role, that may be dependent on the assignment. The Klingons would probably hold a military officer in higher regard than a civilian, so it would have made sense for Worf to not resign.

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    So is Worf still an ambassador? I assume you mean yes but would help to make it explicit.
    – TheLethalCarrot ♦
    Feb 13, 2019 at 19:00

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