Star Army Ranks and Pay Scale

The Star Army rank system, for the most part, uses multiple tiers of rank groups, generally with three ranks in a particular group; for instance, there is a group for flag officers, for ship commanders, for ship officers, for warrant officers, for non-commissioned officers, and finally for enlisted soldiers. Only two ranks fall outside of this pattern, which are the lowest officers enlisted rank (cadets and green troops).

Rank traditionally represents a length and breadth of experience that is gained through actual knowledge and job experience. Not respecting it is met extremely harshly to the point where it will kill your career. Take warning that this is the standard to which you are being held. None of the GMs mind if you want to use your characters' off time for whatever it is that you want to do. However, please consider professional behavior while your characters are wearing SARP uniform. Most of the standards that are in place are there because, without those standards, situations go south and people tend to die. This is no different here than in real life. Although this may be frustrating it is necessary to maintain suspension of disbelief.

Soldiers and Officers can be paid by the scales below, or forgo their pay to go on the Prestige System, which will provide them with everything they need and whatever reasonable items or money they desire. In November YE 32, the Star Army of Yamatai switched from a weekly paycheck to a monthly paycheck.

Each of the rank groups uses a particular shape (circle, heart, or 8-petal flower) on the pins. Within the group, the coloration of the background shows the level within that rank (blued being the lowest, silver being the middle, and gold being the highest). Enamel coloring in the fleet logo section of the rank differentiates officers and enlisted (red for enlisted, blue for warrant officers, and white for officers). Each fleet has slightly different rank pins that are customized for their distinctive triangular fleet logo.

Q: Why is a military rank pin shaped like a heart?

A: It's like a normal soldier, but they've earned a promotion so you're attached to them. And the next level is round because by then they mean the world to you. The flower represents that leadership abilities being in full bloom.

Newer Star Army of Yamatai uniforms, beginning with the working uniform and later with the service dress coat, began using rank patches instead of pins. For officers, rank is shown in the form of gold bands around the cuffs (blue for warrant officers). For enlisted rank goes on the left arm as red chevrons for NCOs and green bars for enlisted soldiers (originally red until YE 34).

Officer Rank	Enlisted Rank

Officers take charge. They are culpable for everything that the enlisted personnel do. Pass or fail, whatever your people do, you as an officer are directly responsible for it, even if you aren't. You need to act like it. Do not take an officer rank if you are not comfortable in a leadership position making decisions for the group.

Officer sleeve ranks are worn on the cuffs on the Duty Uniform (Type 35) and Star Army Coat. For other uniforms, pins are used.

	Pin	Sleeve	Rank	Kanji	Description	Monthly Salary	Yearly Salary
O9			Taisho	大将	Admiral	8,857 KS	106,284 KS
O8			Chujo	中将	Vice Admiral	8,857 KS	106,284 KS
O7			Shôshô	少将	Rear Admiral	7,750 KS	93,000 KS
O6			Taisa	大佐	Captain	6,642 KS	79,704 KS
O5			Chusa	中佐	Commander	5,536 KS	66,432 KS
O4			Shosa	少佐	Lieutenant Commander	4,429 KS	53,148 KS
O3			Taii	大尉	Lieutenant	3,321 KS	39,852 KS
O2			Chui	中尉	Sub-Lieutenant	2,214 KS	26,568 KS
O1			Shoi	少尉	Ensign	1,107 KS	13,284 KS
O0			Shoi Kohosei	尉候補生	Cadet	664 KS	7,968 KS

Warrant officer rank insignia is worn in the same manner as officers.

	Rank Pin	Sleeve	Name	Kanji	Description	Monthly Salary	Yearly Salary
W3			Ittô Juni	一准尉	Warrant Officer First Class	2,657 KS	31,884 KS
W2			Nitô Juni	二准尉	Warrant Officer Second Class	2,436 KS	29,232 KS
W1			Santô Juni	三准尉	Warrant Officer Third Class	2,214 KS	26,568 KS

The Yamataian word for the enlisted is 兵 (Hei) non-commissioned officers are called 下士官　(Kashikan).

Only characters that display leadership should be promoted to NCO rank. If a PC is promoted to Heisho, he should also have something to command - lower ranked PCs, or NPCs. This aspect of 'giving power to the PCs' is important. A Heisho infantry soldier should have his own team. If no PCs are available, then he should be encouraged to create the NPCs populating his team as low-key alternate characters (like, 2?). Then when this player posts, he posts for his team's actions rather than just for himself. Then the GM makes his calls accordingly. Also, having NPCs on hand is an useful tool for the GM to talk through if he wants to convey impressions, banter or situational advice.

Patches are worn on the Working Uniform, Duty Uniform (Type 35), and Star Army Coat (Type 32). Note that NCO (red) rank patches go on the arm, not on the cuffs.

	Rank Pin	Arm Patch	Name	Kanji	Description	Monthly Salary	Yearly Salary
E7			Jôtô Heisho	上等兵曹	Chief Petty Officer	1,771 KS	21,252 KS
E6			Ittô Heisho	一等兵曹	First Class Petty Officer	1,328 KS	15,936 KS
E5			Nitô Heisho	二等兵曹	Second Class Petty Officer	1,107 KS	13,284 KS

Patches are worn on the Working Uniform, Duty Uniform (Type 35), and Star Army Coat (Type 32). Note that enlisted (green) rank patches go on the arm, not on the cuffs.

	Rank Pin	Arm Patch	Name	Kanji	Description	Monthly Salary	Yearly Salary
E4			Jôtô Hei	上等兵	Superior Soldier	664 KS	7,968 KS
E3			Ittô Hei	一等兵	Soldier First Class	443 KS	5,316 KS
E2			Nitô Hei	二等兵	Soldier Second Class	332 KS	3,984 KS
E1		(no patch)	Santô Hei *	三等兵	Soldier Third Class	221 KS	2,652 KS
E0	(no pin)	(no patch)	Yontô Hei	四等兵	Soldier Fourth Class	110 KS	1,320 KS

* Santô Hei is the usual starting rank for new Player Characters.

The examples shown above are for the First Fleet. For other fleet designs, see the links below:

• Seventh Fleet Rank Pins
• Eighth Fleet Rank Pins
• Tenth Fleet Rank Pins

• Second Expeditionary Fleet Rank Pins

A standard enlistment in the Star Army of Yamatai is 3 years. Starting in November YE 32, each time a character reenlists, their monthly base pay is increased by 10% of their base pay at the time of reenlistment. This reenlistment bonus carries over when the soldier is promoted but does not increase. Reenlistment bonuses are cumulative and do count toward retirement pay but are dropped if a soldier returns from retirement lasting more than 3 years.

There is also a 1000 KS bonus for any parent who has a spouse or relative join the Star Army.