Ranks

## 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 (either an E or O) 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.

## 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 varies vastly by each two ranks: one rank may focus on working on ships, while another works with the entire server.

## 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.

Officer Cadet Ranks

## 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