This page is a presentation of my attempt to deduce a plausible system of the ranks of the Humanx Commonwealth in GURPS terms. The primary sources are Alan Dean Foster's Humanx novels, where canon references conflict with each other I follow the choice which most closely agrees with modern rank systems and terminology on Earth and my own judgment .
For example Bran Tse-Mallory was a Chancellor Second (1) and usually "Chancellor" is a title of an executive governor or prime minister ( e.g. in Germany ), so I suppose Chancellors are the executive leaders and administrators of U.C. and of a higher status than U.C. counselors, although in discordance with a few official source ( "The Howling Stones") . Humanx novels describing in detail some aspects of U.C. ranks and organization (e.g. "Orphan Star") takes precedence.These tables have been fitted with the known examples of ranks seen in the novels plus standard English-Terranglo ranks, in such a way that the order of seniority is preserved. Seniority increases towards the top of the tables. The results are tabulated in a scheme of officer ranks below.
United Church Ranks :
U.C. members use aquamarine uniforms, similar to balinese clothing.
Usually U.C. members wear no visible rank insignia except the U.C. symbol and a few specialization badges .
The Last Resort Gurps Rank Title: Comments 8 The Last Resort President of the United Church , and with a status second only to the President of the Humanx Commonwealth. N.B.: The Last Resort has status +7.
U.C. Chancellors Gurps Rank Title: Comments 7 Chancellor First Chief of the U.C. Chanchellory or a Division. 7 Chancellor Second It's the last Bran Tse-Mallory's U.C. rank.(1)
Head of a U.C. Department or subordinate Chanchellories ( i.e. the Alien Sociology Chanchellory )7 Chancellor Third Head of U.C. Bureau N.B.: U.C. Chanchellors have status +4 .
U.C. Counselors Gurps Rank Title: Comments 6 Counselor First Member of the U.C. Council. He supervises U.C. activities in a Commonwealth sector. 6 Counselor Second Member of the U.C. Council. He supervises U.C. activities on a class 1 or class 2 planet.
He can be at the head of Special Duties : e.g. Joshua Jiwe , the head of Security in the U.C. Record Center in Bali (2)6 Counselor Third Member of the U.C. Council. He supervises U.C. activities on a class 3 , 4 or 8 planet. N.B.: U.C. Counselors have status +4.
U.C. Priests Gurps Rank Title: Comments 5 Chaplain First A senior Bureaucrat.
He manages U.C. specific projects.4 Chaplain A senior Bureaucrat.
e.g. Sbigeta Namoto (2)4 Full Padre A specialized Priest in charge of specific duties and with more autonomy. 3 Elect Padre A specialized Priest in charge of specific duties.
e.g. Sylzenzuzex (2)3 Padre The standard U.C. Priest 3 Novice A Priest Apprentice.
e.g. Mona Tantivy , studing to become a member of the Diplomatic Dept. of the U.C. (2)N.B.: U.C. Priests have status +2. "Padre" is a title used for male as well as female creatures.
U.C. Acolytes Gurps Rank Title: Comments 2 Full Acolyte Supervises the activities of other acolytes. 1 Elect Acolyte A senior Acolyte. 0 Acolyte The standard Acolyte. N.B.: Acolytes have status +1 and are lab assistants, technician, paramedics, etc. Peacekeeping Forces Ranks :
There are many subdivisions (a.k.a. Arms ) in the PKF :
- Fleet (a.k.a. Enforcement Arm (2) )
- Ground Forces ( Marines, Rangers)
- Patrol
- Intelligence
N.B.: I've included images of PKF rank emblems using as inspiration the Maya numeric system ( a dot = 1, a line = 5 , a grid = 100 ).
Admirals Gurps Rank Title: Comments Alternative Titles 8 Admiral First The highest rank in the PKF. General First ( Ground Forces ), Supervisor First ( Intelligence ). 8 Admiral Second During the Bloodhype crisis, Admiral Ashvenarya was the commander of the Fourth Sector U.C. Fleet, based on Thundra V.
Probably he has this rank. (2)General Second ( Ground Forces ), Supervisor Second ( Intelligence ). 7 Admiral Third the Rear Admiral rank General Third ( Ground Forces ),
Supervisor Third ( Intelligence )
N.B.: PKF Senior Officers have status +2
Senior Officers Gurps Rank Title: Comments Alternative Titles 7/6 Fleet Marshal/Commodore During the Bloodhype crisis, Commodore Morea was at head of a Dreadnought ( Zimbabwe ) , the Admiral Ashvenarya's flagship.(2).
A Fleet Marshal is probably an administrative title of the same rank: it's cited as the (direct ?) superior of Major Gonzales .(1)Director (Intelligence, Patrol), Troop Marshal (Ground Forces). 6 Major ( captain ) Major Julio Gonzales commanded U.C. heavy cruiser Altair and a stingship squadron in the battle of Goodhunting (1). It seems to be the title of a senior Captain. A Major can be at head of a Heavy Cruiser or a PKF Brigade. Assistant Director (Intelligence, Patrol ). 6 Captain Jr. A standard Ship Captain , with less than 3 years in this position.
He can be at head of a Destroyer , a Light-Cruiser or a PKF Regiment
N.B.: PKF Senior Officers have status +2
Officers Gurps Rank Title: Comments Alternative Titles 5 Commander A Commander can be at head of a Scout , a Frigate or a PKF Battalion 4 Lt. Commander A Lt. Commander can be at head of a Corvette or a PKF Company. Chief Inspector ( Patrol ) 4 Lieutenant Lt. Hannover was the admiral Ashvenarya's assistant(2).
A Lieutenant can be at head of a Stingship or a PKF Company.Inspector ( Patrol ) 3 Lieutenant Jr. A Lt. Jr. can pilot a Stingship or commands a PKF Platoon. Detective (Patrol) 3 Ensign An Ensign has usually junior staff jobs. Assistant Detective (Patrol) ( 3 ) ( Cadet ) A student in the PKF Academy at Denpasar, Bali N.B.: PKF Officers have status +1
N.C.O.s Gurps Rank Title: Comments Alternative Titles 2 Warrant Officer A W.Off. commands a large group of enlisted personnel. Sergeant First (Ground Forces ) 2 Petty Officer The backbone of the Peace Keeping Forces Sergeant (Ground Forces ) 1 Chief Specialist A Chief Spec. commands a group of enlisted personnel Corporal First
(Ground Forces)1 Specialist A Specialist carry out the majority of professional day-to-day assignments. Corporal
(Ground Forces)N.B.: There are no NCO in the U.C. Intelligence Service.
Crew Gurps Rank Title: Comments Alternative Titles 0 Agent The basic Peacekeeper Private (Ground Forces) 0 ( Recruit ) A student in a PKF Training Camp. N.B.: There are no enlisted men in the U.C. Intelligence Service.
(1) from ADF's "The Tar-Aiym Krang" novel.
(2) from ADF's "Bloodhype" novel.
(3)from ADF's "Orphan Star" novel.
last update september 2002
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