[Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding

[Emerald Cat]

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

Ranks of the Space Forces question

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Is the above table of ranks acceptable, or should it be changed?

I vote 2 and 3.

The lower ranks for the Commissioned Officers sound like they were designed for a police department. That would be fine for customs enforcement, but doesn't make sense for a military organization. I'd change OF1 thru OF3 to Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, and Senior Colonel, respectively. This makes the officer ranks sound militaristic but non-naval.

I second TLGS's comment that the enlisted ranks need to be evened out. It seems weird that there are so many subdivisions for Rank 2. I think his scheme works pretty well.

However, it still has the problem of having 5 nominal ranks in a row all being variations on Sergeant. This is a little hard to keep track of for game purposes. I'd make OR8 and OR9 distinct ranks such as "Field Marshal" and "Marshal". Or make the Sergeants 1- thru 5- star Sergeants.

Finally, I'd make OF10 "Secretary of the Space Forces" or similar. That prevents confusion between the head of the Space Forces and their immediate subordinate.

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

I'll warn you now that I'm rather opposed to using a lot of Navy-style ranks for this, as space is not an ocean. Using a few Navy ranks, or using positional titles that sound like Navy ranks (e.g. the commanding officer of a vessel being called 'Captain,' while not having a specific rank called 'captain'), would be acceptable.

I would definitely use "Captain" as a positional title for the Star Trek feel. "Commodore" and "Admiral" might be used as positional titles for captains in charge of task forces.