Ranks

Ranks are one of the most important factors (alongside departments and ratings), and is largely unique to the ECC.

Introduction
Understanding ranks may seem confusing at first, but are very simple once understood. All ranks are associated with a paygrade, which is consisted of a letter (E, O, or W) and a number (typically 1-10). These two combined form a paygrade. For example, the paygrade E5 would be Petty Officer Second Class, or enlisted person in the fifth rank. O2 would be Sub-Lieutenant, and it means an officer in the second rank.Once you have a paygrade, these can be used to find ranks or to designate them. Paygrades can sometimes be used interchangeably with rank abbreviations, unless used as a greeting while addressing ranks. While "pay" is in the name, it does not mean pay in the terms of money or other goods, which is a common mistake.

Additionally, all players on official ECC servers should have a rank tag (also called a "prefix), which consists of a rank abbreviation inside parenthesis, like (ACN) or (PO2). Members should check their rank to ensure they are inputting the correct rank.

After a promotion, players on a campaign should either create a new character (make sure you have no valuable items) or change their (barotrauma) nickname, which will be applied after death.

The term "rank" may be referred to several different ways, such as grade or rate (not to be confused with "rating", a department job). These meaning are, for the most part, synonymous unless stated otherwise.

Enlisted
Enlisted members form the bulk of the ECC's personnel. They may be considered apprentices, journeymen, and on the higher paygrades, masters. Enlisted ranks are broken up into three basic classes: enlisted, NCOs, and SNCOs.

Enlisted are those who are still learning how the ECC works and what their job entails, but it may also refer to the entire enlisted body with NCOs included. They are not entrusted with any leadership responsibilities, and are required to take orders from most NCOs.

NCOs, or Non-Commissioned Officers, are those who have passed their enlisted phase and are now competent workers. Most NCOs receive low-level leadership positions at the rank of PO2, and from there advance to higher levels of leadership. Leadership at these ranks could be a small expedition team, or managing a section of a department or a small department.

SNCOs, or Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, are senior members of the ECC who have proven their technical and leadership skill. From here on, they move from ship-based work to company (server) command. Leadership at these ranks ranges wildly, from lower ranks managing a ship department, to middle ranks working as the captain’s right-hand man, to even advising the owner of the server.

Warrant Officers
Warrant officers are a special class reserved for NCOs with significant technical skill, but are lacking in leadership skill. Warrant officers are drawn from NCOs above or at the paygrade of E5. They serve a variety of roles that don't necessarily require leadership skill, but require technical skill, such as doctors and helmsmen.

Officer Cadets
Officer cadets are officers-in-training. All officer cadets will be a member of the Command department, regardless of what department they choose afterwards. Their job is to learn how to become an officer, and as such, not much is expected of them. Once an officer cadet is deemed ready to become a full officer, they will be promoted by the admiralty.

Officers
Officers are the leaders and managers of the Europan Contractor Corps. Not only are they tasked with leading and directing enlisted, but some may be given the responsibility of hosting sessions and commanding ships. They are also in charge of handling promotions, and awarding medals. Officers are drawn from paygrades E6 and above. Server-wise, they form the moderators and administrators of the server