U P F R a n k S t r u c t u r e

U P F R a n k S t r u c t u r e

The rank structure of the United Planetary Federation's armed services, SpaceFleet, LandFleet, and the Consolidated Services, is set up along the same lines as the United States Armed Forces. The main differences are in the integration of civilian/non-combatant units into the insignia structure.

Combatant vs. Non-Combatant/Civilian

The Fleets separate their personnel rank-wise by determining whether or not they are a combat or non-combat personnel. Combat personnel include all those who actually fight, are crew or personnel in a combat unit, or are in a forward area unit (not involved in combat, but intended for being in hostile areas). Non-combat personnel include all those who are not intended to ever be involved in combat operations or are "civilians" working for the Fleets. "Civilians" includes any personnel not under military term contract as well as any sentient mechanical lifeforms. (Mechanons are not considered full citizens of the Federation and therefore cannot be official military personnel.) For officers, there is also a distinction between Academy graduates and direct-commissioned personnel.

Enlisted and Non-Commissioned Officers
Enlisted personnel include all those who have entered into short-term military service and those long-term enlistees who are just beginning their careers. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are those personnel who have signed on for long-term commitments to the UPF military. Enlisted personnel are ranked between E-1 and E-4, while NCOs are between E-5 and E-10.

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Specialists
Specialists are those personnel who are considered non-combatant or "civilian" personnel. The rank structure for specialists is the widest ranging; from Spec-1 to CmdSpec-20, specialists fill ranks equivalent from the low end of enlisted personnel through the low end of the general officer ranks. While specialists can be placed in charge of lower ranking military personnel during times of peace in non-combat areas, command typically falls to the highest-ranking military individual during most other situations. Specialists fill most support roles including personnel management, non-front line medical, scientific positions, supply, etc. Because of the political nature of sentient mechanical lifeforms, Mechanons are always listed as specialists when in the Fleets, even if they fill a combat-ready position.
Warrant Officers
Warrant officers are personnel who, because of their existing knowledge, training, or experience, are capable of entering into positions of greater responsibility than enlisted and NCO personnel, but did not attend any of the Fleet's Academies. This includes many high-tech positions (especially those recruited during time of war), including most pilots. The reason for giving these personnel warrant commissions is the need for personnel who already demonstrate the needed skills and do not necessarily require the full 4-8 standard year course work of the Academy in order to perform their jobs. Warrant officers are typically not placed in command positions (as they don't have Academy training) but most are higher in rank than enlisted and NCO personnel (regular WO's aren't; Chief WO's are). Warrant officers can advance through CWO-6, at which time they can receive a regular commission at the rank of O-4.

(click image to enlarge)

Regular Officers
Regular officers are those personnel that have completed their course work in one of the Fleets' Academies, and have signed on for a minimum of 8 years active service following graduation. Regular officers are well versed in all aspects of their service's operations and are trained to be leaders and managers. The requirements of entry and service mean that very few individuals qualify for commission, but those that do are extremely capable officers. For SpaceFleet, regular officers fill virtually all command and leadership positions, and typically are capable of filling in at any post on ship. Regular officers typically do not serve as regular fighter pilots (warrant officers fill that role), but those that do serve as flight and squadron commanders. For LandFleet, regular officers are trained as infantry first and then in their primary role, to gain better understanding of overall operations. The rank structure ranges from O-1 thru O-6 for regular officers.

(click image to enlarge)

General Officers
General officers are regular officers who have progressed past O-6 to take on higher command positions. General officers are encouraged to spend time in command positions in varied posts; an admiral might spend time commanding fighter wings, supply detachments, space outposts, and assault fleets. Even with advancements in communications technology, units might be out of contact with higher headquarters for extended periods, and general officers are given great authority and leeway in how they operate their commands. The rank structure for general officers is from O-7 thru O-11.

(click image to enlarge)

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Enlisted and Non-Commissioned Officers Enlisted personnel include all those who have entered into short-term military service and those long-term enlistees who are just beginning their careers. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are those personnel who have signed on for long-term commitments to the UPF military. Enlisted personnel are ranked between E-1 and E-4, while NCOs are between E-5 and E-10.	(click image to enlarge)

Specialists Specialists are those personnel who are considered non-combatant or "civilian" personnel. The rank structure for specialists is the widest ranging; from Spec-1 to CmdSpec-20, specialists fill ranks equivalent from the low end of enlisted personnel through the low end of the general officer ranks. While specialists can be placed in charge of lower ranking military personnel during times of peace in non-combat areas, command typically falls to the highest-ranking military individual during most other situations. Specialists fill most support roles including personnel management, non-front line medical, scientific positions, supply, etc. Because of the political nature of sentient mechanical lifeforms, Mechanons are always listed as specialists when in the Fleets, even if they fill a combat-ready position. Warrant Officers Warrant officers are personnel who, because of their existing knowledge, training, or experience, are capable of entering into positions of greater responsibility than enlisted and NCO personnel, but did not attend any of the Fleet's Academies. This includes many high-tech positions (especially those recruited during time of war), including most pilots. The reason for giving these personnel warrant commissions is the need for personnel who already demonstrate the needed skills and do not necessarily require the full 4-8 standard year course work of the Academy in order to perform their jobs. Warrant officers are typically not placed in command positions (as they don't have Academy training) but most are higher in rank than enlisted and NCO personnel (regular WO's aren't; Chief WO's are). Warrant officers can advance through CWO-6, at which time they can receive a regular commission at the rank of O-4.	(click image to enlarge)

Regular Officers Regular officers are those personnel that have completed their course work in one of the Fleets' Academies, and have signed on for a minimum of 8 years active service following graduation. Regular officers are well versed in all aspects of their service's operations and are trained to be leaders and managers. The requirements of entry and service mean that very few individuals qualify for commission, but those that do are extremely capable officers. For SpaceFleet, regular officers fill virtually all command and leadership positions, and typically are capable of filling in at any post on ship. Regular officers typically do not serve as regular fighter pilots (warrant officers fill that role), but those that do serve as flight and squadron commanders. For LandFleet, regular officers are trained as infantry first and then in their primary role, to gain better understanding of overall operations. The rank structure ranges from O-1 thru O-6 for regular officers.	(click image to enlarge)

General Officers General officers are regular officers who have progressed past O-6 to take on higher command positions. General officers are encouraged to spend time in command positions in varied posts; an admiral might spend time commanding fighter wings, supply detachments, space outposts, and assault fleets. Even with advancements in communications technology, units might be out of contact with higher headquarters for extended periods, and general officers are given great authority and leeway in how they operate their commands. The rank structure for general officers is from O-7 thru O-11.	(click image to enlarge)