Star Army of Yamatai members are assigned military ranks based on education and experience. These ranks are parts of a hierarchical organizational structure where higher ranks exercise power over lower ranks in a chain of command. Ranks increase based on experience, performance, and individual achievements. As soldiers rise in ranks, they are entrusted with more authority and more responsibilities, and their pay increases accordingly.

The Star Army phased out the warrant officer ranks in YE 43, and existing warrant officers were promoted to officer ranks.

In the Star Army there are four categories of ranks:

1. Enlisted Soldiers
2. Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
3. Commissioned Officers
4. Flag Officers (also called general officers)

Enlisted are the everyday soldiers who sign up for 3 years in the Star Army and usually are combat soldiers or have some specific specialization. Most technicians, infantry troops, box-movers from supply, etc are enlisted. These are the worker bees of the Star Army that provide the labor and manpower the Star Army needs to get stuff done.

Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) are more experienced enlisted soldiers who have risen to become supervisors of the lower enlisted soldiers. They function under the officers' delegated authority and translate orders from officers into tasks for the enlisted soldiers. NCO ranks can only be earned through years of service.

Officers are typically college-educated military career professionals who are either in complex roles that require a lot of formal education and/or training like doctors, scientists, and starship operators. Often found in labs and starship bridges. Line Officers are decision makers and leadership like Star Army Centurions, First Officers, and Starship Captains.

A commission is a formal document from a head of state (the Empress) or in their name, that appoints an officer to a position in the military. Currently in the Star Army, Taisho Yui commissions officers and she and the Empress jointly commission flag officers (general officers).

Flag officers, also called general officers, are the Star Army's admirals. A flag officer is a senior military officer ranking higher than a starship captain. They are commissioned officers who have risen through the ranks to become generalized high-ranking Star Army leaders who command various parts of the Star Army.

Star Army ranks can also be grouped into five tiers of mostly 3 ranks each:

1. 3 Flag Officer Ranks - Taisho (O9), Chujo (O8), and Shôshô (O7)
2. 3 Command Ranks - Taisa (O6), Chusa (O5), and Shosa (O4)
3. 3 Officer Ranks - Taii (O3), Chui (O2), and Shoi (O1)
4. 3 NCO Ranks - Jôtô Heisho (E7), Ittô Heisho (E6), and Nitô Heisho (E5)
5. 4 Enlisted Ranks - Jôtô Hei (E4), Ittô Hei (E3), Nitô Hei (E2), and Santô Hei (E1)

Additionally there are two training ranks, one for enlisted (Yontô Hei) and one for officer cadets (Shoi Kohosei). The rank tiers are reflected in the designs for Star Army pin insignia, where the metal is gold for the top rank of the tier.

Star Army soldiers enter at the rank of:

• Santô Hei for enlisted recruits who completed basic training. (Yontô Hei while still in training)
• Shoi for graduates of officer academies or schools (Shoi Kohosei while still in school)

The Star Army no longer appoints warrant officers.

The Star Army of Yamatai issues promotions based on time-in-grade, merit, and leadership ability. For details see Promotions in the Star Army.

In the Star Army, soldiers are paid by their ranks. Pay grades range from E0-E7 for enlisted and NCOs, W1-W3 for warrant officers, and O0-O9 for officers. For details and pay amounts, Star Army Pay.

The Star Army has two types of rank insignia¹⁾:

1. Pins (metal badges that go on the chest)
2. Sleeve (arm patches or cuff stripes)

The rank insignia used depends on the uniform style and level of formality. See Star Army Uniforms for details.

Rank pin designs designs combine a fleet insignia (in the Star Army, these are triangular) with a backing that shows rank tier. Each fleet has slightly different rank pins that are customized for their distinctive triangular fleet logo. The backings are shaped like heart, a circle, or a flower with 8 petals²⁾.

Each rank tier has three backing colors:

• gold is the highest in the tier
• silver is the middle
• blued metal is the lowest of the tier

Enamel colors in the fleet logo at center of the rank pins are also color coded:

• White for officers
• Red for enlisted

Blue was formerly used for warrant officers, but this was discontinued.

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 bands around the cuffs
  • gold bands for officers
• For enlisted rank goes on the left arm as
  • red chevrons for NCOs
  • green bars for enlisted soldiers (red during YE 32-YE 34).

The sleeve insignia are worn on the Working Uniform, Duty Uniform (Type 35), Duty Uniform (Type 42), and Star Army Coat, Type 32. Officers have a fleet patch in the location where enlisted and NCOs have their rank patch. NCOs and enlisted soldiers do not wear a fleet patch.

Officers	NCOs	Enlisted
gold bands	red chevrons	green bars
above cuffs	between shoulder & elbow

Here are charts that show the Star Army's ranks and rank insignia.

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

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

• First Expeditionary Fleet Rank Pins
• Second Expeditionary Fleet Rank Pins

Wes created this article on 2021/01/19 21:18.

Some rank discussion threads:

• Considerations on the Ranking System