In other words, when you see an enemy with a rifle, you'll know that you are up against someone who has the same chance as you in winning that fight. Each rank level, in each branch, has a new set of game features and responsibilities that comes with it, all the way up to country commander. This is all branch and country specific keep in mind, so if I make Admiral in the Japanese Navy, I won't be able to take that rank with me to any other country's navy. That leaves a lot of choice for players. Clearly there's a lot more detail in the system than I can cover here.
Missions run the world.
Commanders can aggregate them into campaigns and operations, and they will be run in all branches individually. Basic attack and defense missions can be posted for areas, or specific targets, as well as recon missions, re-supply and escort. Missions and their results feed the RPG layer, which involves players into the strategic system more deeply, and the tactical state of the strategic system dictates the feel and goals of the missions etc. It's a game play loop that will get players more connected, and foster teamwork more than ever before.