The Terran Confederation has been using a rank system based loosely on the military forces of Earth in the 21st Century almost since it's
creation. Each branch of the Military has it's own color to clearly identify the branch of service. Also, they have another
separator, the Specialty Patches, or Stat Bars. These denote the level of command of the individual. These are generally three different classifications: High Command, Command Staff, and Member of (Branch). The High command is only worn by the Grand Admirals of the fleet, who have ultimate control over their assigned fleets. (The exception being Grand Admiral Shadow has complete control over all forces in the Confederation). Here is a brief description of what each rank entails.
Grand Admiral
The Grand Admirals are the authority in the Confederation Military. There are currently three in the Confederation. Grand Admiral Shadow is the Senior officer of the three, so he has control of all Confederation forces. Grand Admiral Hage and Grand Admiral Nomad are each assigned total control of a branch of the forces. Hage is in command of the Naval Forces, and Nomad the
Aerospace. These are because each comes from the entity that produces the majority of the forces they command. The ground forces are under command of the generals, who report directly to all the Grand Admirals. Also, Shadow has direct control of a small, but elite fleet of Ryanoian design that he personally commands in battle (The Command Fleet). All Admirals directly report to the GADM of their branch.
Admiral/General
The Admirals and Generals of the Confederation handle the specifics of the battle that the GADMs are too busy to worry about. They are usually given a division or fleet that they run as they please while following the orders of the GADMs. They work with the unit commanding officers to develop the specific theater
tactics. They are as high as most officers can dream of getting in their lifetime.
Colonel/Captain
This is what some consider the best rank in the Confederation (except GADM). They have the perfect blend of
versatility and power. They can command as big a force as a squadron or taskforce of ships, to a squadron of fighters, lance of mechs, or regiment of soldiers. They associate with the common soldier, but can pull weight with the officers. They are some of the most loved by the common soldier, and most hated by the enemy because of this. They, along with the Ensigns, keep the chain of command clear between the soldier and the high command.
Commodore
This rank is Wickoian of origin and assignment. Only officers from that entity are given this rank, which is slightly lower than Colonel or Captain. It is given to generally the same type of person as Captain or Colonel, but was added later to the chain of command, so it is lower.
Commander
The Commander tends to get high positions on ship. Generally the XO of any given ship, they are to fill in when the captain is
unavailable. They lessen the worry for the captain about the upkeep of his ship and how it will
perform in combat. They are also generally lance commanding officers.
Major
The Major is almost equal with Commander, and can fill in for a Commander when needed. This is generally a ground forces rank, and is given a Battalion of soldiers under their command.
Lieutenant
The Lieutenant is an officer that is given any number of duties around ship. They also can be put under a Major to command a company of soldiers.
Ensign
The Ensign is the lowest rank still considered an officer. They are usually the most numerous officers of a crew that do any number of jobs, and are given command of a squad of soldiers when in the ground forces branch. Lowest rank allowed to pilot a mech.
Midshipmen/ Sergeant
The Midshipmen/Sergeants are soldiers on the brink of becoming officers. Generally given the tasks of
maintenance and upkeep on a starship or ground equipment. They are also who the Privates look up to.
Private
Once a soldier has been through training, they are considered Privates. These are your bread and butter soldiers of the battlefield. They are the lowest rank allowed into battle, and make up the majority of any army.
Cadet
The Cadet is the basic trainee in any branch. They are not allowed to participate
in any combat because of their lack of experience and training. All individuals start at this level when they enter the armed forces.