Star Trek: Every Ensign Ranked From Worst To Best
2. Nog
Nog defied the expectation of both his family and Starfleet by becoming the first Ferengi to join the Academy. Given that Ferenginar was not yet a member of the Federation, this in itself was a great accomplishment as he needed an endorsement from a command-level Starfleet officer to even be considered (an endorsement that Sisko eventually granted).
Even before he graduated from the Academy, Nog helped reveal a Starfleet conspiracy in the episode Paradise Lost, and was captured by Jem'Hadar in Rocks And Shoals. He went a long way from being taught how to read by Jake Sisko in the episode The Nagus, to becoming an ensign in only two years (half the time it takes most Cadets).
After becoming an ensign, he fought in the Dominion War, helped retake Deep Space Nine, and lost his leg in combat during the siege of AR-558. Because of his exceptional work protecting the Federation, Sisko promoted him to lieutenant junior grade as one of his last official acts as commanding officer of the station.
Nog became a war hero after being doubted by Starfleet and his fellow Ferengis alike, and for that he deserves recognition.