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The Holy MMoid Empire
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Rank Structure
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of the
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Holy MMoid Imperial Navy
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prepared by Prof. G. Wampus Pinchépinkie, Ph.D.
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For the Bureau of Training of the Terran Federated Navy
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BuTra Inst 34,025.154C
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Background
At the time of the formation of the Holy MMoid Imperial Navy (HMIN) in 40 PU (Post Unification, approximately 1792 AD Terran), a completely new and rationalized rank structure was put in place. Based partly on the already existing structure of the Holy MMoid Imperial Army (HMIA), and partly on the unique and traditional needs of the naval service, it is a logical and internally consistent organization, which has needed and undergone few modifications in almost two and one-half centuries.
Terminology
The actual terms used for the ranks and rates in the HMIN are utterly unpronounceable by humans. They have, therefore, been translated into their nearest Terran equivalents. Although enlisted Terran naval personnel are correctly said to have "rates" rather than ranks, the term "rank" shall be used throughout this instruction, as it is more consistent with the MMoid system, which does not recognize a distinction between enlisted and officers.
Combat & Support Organization
On any armed MMoid ship, and throughout the entire HMIN there are two distinct and almost totally separate organizations. For labeling purposes, these are the "Combat Organization" and the "Support Organization." Within the HMIN, the distinction of the "Combat Organization" does not exist, as these personnel are considered to be the HMIN, and the Support Organization assists the HMIN. For practical purposes, both organizations are part of the HMIN.
The Combat Organization contains only Warrior MMoid Types. These Warriors form the command structure of the HMIN. Only Warriors are permitted to be in any command position which exercises control over any Warriors. On board ships, Warriors are the commanders, and man the weapons. Ashore, Warriors supervise training, form command staffs, plus man and command defensive installations. Only under the most extreme and unusual of circumstances would a MMoid Naval Warrior perform maintenance or repair on any piece of equipment. This limited use of Warriors in pure combat or command positions recognizes their unique psychological attitude toward warfare, and reduces the number of such personnel needed, since Warriors are one of the smaller MMoid Types in terms of total numbers within the race.
The Support Organization contains Administrator/Scientists, Artist/Technicians, and Worker MMoid Types, but never any Warriors. This organization has a structure similar to that of the Combat Organization, but totally separate from it. The organization performs construction, maintenance, and repair work on equipment, bases, and ships. It also operates the HMIN's logistic and supply system, the research and development system, the administration system, and the medical system (see BuTra Inst 34,025.155, General Organization of the Holy MMoid Imperial Navy for details of these systems). In any organization or command within the HMIN, the Support Organization has a complete chain-of-command which reports to the Warrior commander of the organization or command.
Rank Relations
Although compared to the enlisted, officer, and flag officer groups within the Terran Federated Navy (TFN), the relationships between the ranks in the HMIN in no way resemble the relationships between officers and enlisted personnel, and the entire concept would be totally foreign to the MMoids.
All young MMoids joining the HMIN enter as Trainees (noting that there are separate Trainee programs for the Combat and Support Organizations). Advancement is based primarily on demonstrated capabilities, but may, as in any organization, include personal contacts and external influences. Capable personnel in the "enlisted" ranks are in no way inhibited from advancing to higher ranks.
An alternative entry path to the MMoid naval service which is often used in times of crisis and rapid expansion, is for experienced, older MMoids to join the HMIN (similar to war time recruitment in the TFN). After an indoctrination period, such individuals enter at an rank appropriate to their skills, although it is extremely unlikely that they will be given a rank higher than a lower level Great Leader, and they are less likely to advance to senior command positions (history suggests that the way to achieve the senior "admiral" positions is to join as a Trainee and rise through the ranks).
This system of having personnel advance up through the ranks to senior positions insures that "admirals" have an extensive knowledge of the naval service, but also means that MMoid senior command personnel tend, as least in peace time, to be rather old by TFN standards. During war, the advancement rate, due to expansion and combat losses, allows younger personnel to be brought into the higher levels of command.
General Concept
As with most things associated with the MMoid race, ranks and rates are divided into groups of nine and three. There are twenty seven standard ranks in the HMIN, plus three "trainee" ranks. These ranks are divided into three major groups, known as "Tasks," which very loosely correspond to the enlisted, junior/senior officer, and flag officer groups found in the TFN. Each of these groups is further subdivided into three groups of three ranks each. The groups of three ranks are termed "Levels," and their subdivisions are "Experiences."
Insignia
Three basic symbols are used to indicate rank; one for the individual's Task, one for Level, and one for Experience. Each of these symbols has three versions, thus allowing a total of twenty seven different combinations. Support personnel use a similar system of rank identification, but with altered symbols to distinguish them from Warriors.
Except for Trainees, all personnel wear one each of the Task, Level, and Experience insignia. The insignia are worn in a vertical row, with the Task symbol at the top, the Level symbol below that, and the Experience symbol at the bottom. Trainees wear only the Experience symbol.
A single set of naval rank insignia are always worn on the front of a MMoid's shell, centered between the eye stalks and the mouth opening. Insignia were originally painted onto a MMoid's shell, however, at present self adhesive appliquès are used.
The nested triangles used in MMoid naval Task rank insignia are the equivalent of the five pointed star traditionally used by navies on Earth. The circles used for Support Organization insignia are arbitrary symbols introduced when the HMIN was formed, and selected primarily to be unique from the other Task symbols used by the HMIN and the HMIA. The small triangles used for the Level insignia for Warrior ranks are stylized claws from the hand of a Warrior. The rectangles used for Support Organization Level insignia appear to be an arbitrary variation on the claw symbol. The "hash" marks used for Experience were introduced when the HMIA was formed, and are thought to be representations of the slashing wounds inflicted by a Warrior's claw. The color variations between the Combat and Support Organizations in the hash marks seems to be an arbitrary distinction caused by the Warrior's unwillingness to have other MMoid Types share their symbolism.
Trainees
Officially, Trainees are not ranked within the HMIN. Training begins at a MMoid period in life roughly equivalent to that of high school for a Terran child, although the individual is not locked into this career until starting the last three years of the full Trainee period. The total Training period is nine years, divided into units of three years. Rank insignia are worn only occasionally during this time, and then usually just for formal ceremonies.
Holy MMoid Imperial Navy Trainee Rank Insignia
Warrior
Basic
Trainee
(No TFN
Equivalent)
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Warrior
Intermediate
Trainee
(No TFN
Equivalent)
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Warrior
Advance
Trainee
(No TFN
Equivalent)
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Support
Basic
Trainee
(No TFN
Equivalent)
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Support
Intermediate
Trainee
(No TFN
Equivalent)
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Support
Advance
Trainee
(No TFN
Equivalent)
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"Enlisted" Ranks
Upon completing training, a MMoid in the HMIN is given the rank of Warrior of the 3rd Rank. The rank numbers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) are taken directly from the HMIA, which in turn derived them from ancient and traditional usage. Apparently, the rank numbers indicated in which row of a line of warriors an individual would be placed, based on his experience, with the most experienced warriors in front (i.e., the 1st Rank).
The Striker and Slayer levels of the HMIA and HMIN are somewhat analogous to corporals and sergeants in Terran armies, or petty officers in the TFN. The Experience indicators of "Few," "Some," and "Many" are rough but adequate translations of the MMoid terms (the actual terms include concepts of increased honor and responsibility not conveyed by these simple words; but brevity must rule here).
The Helper and Supporter levels of Support personnel are direct translations of the MMoid terms, and tend to convey the creators' (who were Warriors) disdain for non-Warrior MMoids in the military and naval services. While this attitude has declined significantly in the HMIN, as Warriors have come to realize the impossibility of creating and maintaining a space navy without such individuals, Warriors still look down on all Support Organization personnel, regardless of rank, as second class members of the naval service. Conversely, non-military Administrator/Scientist, Artist/Technician, and Worker MMoid Types tend to hold members of their MMoid Types in the HMIA and HMIN in higher respect, realizing that such individuals must suffer the disdain of their Warrior companions for the good of the race as a whole. The most common MMoid Type in this group of ranks is the Worker, as few have the capability to advance above the Supporter level. Artist/Technician MMoid Types generally advance to the upper level of his rank, and possibly beyond. Administrator/Scientist MMoid Types typically advance quickly through these ranks.
Holy MMoid Imperial Navy "Enlisted" Rank Insignia
Warrior
of the
3rd Rank
(Spaceman
Recruit)
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Warrior
of the
2nd Rank
(Spaceman
Apprentice)
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Warrior
of the
1st Rank
(Spaceman)
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Laborer
(3rd
Class)
(Spaceman
Recruit)
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Laborer
(2nd
Class)
(Spaceman
Apprentice)
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Laborer
(1st
Class)
(Spaceman)
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Striker
of
Few
(Petty Officer
3rd Class)
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Striker
of
Some
(Petty Officer
2nd Class)
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Striker
of
Many
(Petty Officer
1st Class)
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Helper
of
Few
(Petty Officer
3rd Class)
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Helper
of
Some
(Petty Officer
2nd Class)
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Helper
of
Many
(Petty Officer
1st Class)
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Slayer
of
Few
(Chief Petty
Officer)
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Slayer
of
Some
(Senior Chief
Petty Officer)
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Slayer
of
Many
(Master Chief
Petty Officer)
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Supporter
of
Few
(Chief Petty
Officer)
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Supporter
of
Some
(Senior Chief
Petty Officer)
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Supporter
of
Many
(Master Chief
Petty Officer)
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"Officer" Ranks
Promotion from the upper "enlisted" ranks puts a MMoid into the "Officer" ranks. For Warriors, these ranks are termed "Leaders", and for Support personnel, these ranks are termed "Masters."
The Over Leader levels are similar to junior officers of the TFN. They are in charge of the equivalent of divisions and departments on ships, and may function as assistants and aides to Commander level officers. These levels are not normally given independent command of vessels.
High Leaders are roughly equivalent to mid-level officers. They are in charge of departments on ships and often hold senior positions on the staffs of flag officers. These officers may command the smallest of warships, and are typically appointed to command armed auxiliaries and support vessels.
Great Leaders are the standard command level personnel. All of the significant warships of the HMIN are commanded by officers of this level. Also, an officer of this level may command units of smaller vessels.
Support personnel at the Over Master level tend to be Artist/Technicians and a very few Workers who have shown an ability to act as senior supervisors of other Support personnel. At the level of High Master and above, managerial and administrative skills are most important, and so these positions are commonly filled by individuals of the Administrator/Scientist MMoid Type (this being primarily by natural selection rather than by prohibition).
Holy MMoid Imperial Navy "Officer" Rank Insignia
Over Leader
of
Few
(Midshipman)
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Over Leader
of
Some
(Ensign)
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Over Leader
of
Many
(Lieutenant,
Junior Grade)
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Over Master
of
Few
(Midshipman)
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Over Master
of
Some
(Ensign)
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Over Master
of
Many
(Lieutenant,
Junior Grade)
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High Leader
of
Few
(Lieutenant)
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High Leader
of
Some
(Lieutenant
Commander)
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High Leader
of
Many
(Commander)
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High Master
of
Few
(Lieutenant)
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High Master
of
Some
(Lieutenant
Commander)
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High Master
of
Many
(Commander)
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Great Leader
of
Few
(Captain,
Junior)
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Great Leader
of
Some
(Captain)
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Great Leader
of
Many
(Captain,
Senior)
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Great Master
of
Few
(Captain,
Junior)
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Great Master
of
Some
(Captain)
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Great Master
of
Many
(Captain,
Senior)
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"Flag Officer" Ranks
Attaining the level of Commander is the ultimate achievement for which any MMoid naval Warrior can hope. As with Flag Officers or Admirals in the TFN, these officers are trusted with the direction of major formations of warships, with the control of significant sections of the empire, or with vital high level administrative and planning positions.
Officers at the level of Over Commander are typically in command of squadrons of major combatants, larger units of lesser combatants, and major ground or space installations. Officers at this and higher levels are often expected to be capable of independent command and actions, without the necessity of reference to seniors.
The level of High Commander includes officers who command operational fleets, are in charge of whole solar systems, or run the major administrative departments of the HMIN.
The few individuals who attain the level of Great Commander command groups of fleets, sectors of space, or theaters of operation.
Support personnel at the Over Director and High Director levels are the senior Support officers under similar level Commanders. They act as administrative chiefs of staff, and handle all non-combat related operations of the ship formations. Great Directors head the non-combat departments of the HMIN, and are responsible for such activities as Research and Development, Medical, and Construction and Training.
Holy MMoid Imperial Navy "Flag Officer" Rank Insignia
Over Commander
of
Ships
(Commodore)
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Over Commander
of
Squadrons
(Rear Admiral)
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Over Commander
of
Fleets
(Rear Admiral)
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Over Director
of
Ships
(Commodore)
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Over Director
of
Squadrons
(Rear Admiral)
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Over Director
of
Fleets
(Rear Admiral)
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High Commander
of
Ships
(Vice Admiral)
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High Commander
of
Squadrons
(Vice Admiral)
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High Commander
of
Fleets
(Admiral)
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High Director
of
Ships
(Vice Admiral)
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High Director
of
Squadrons
(Vice Admiral)
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High Director
of
Fleets
(Admiral)
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Great Commander
of
Ships
(Admiral)
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Great Commander
of
Squadrons
(Fleet
Admiral)
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Great Commander
of
Fleets
(Fleet
Admiral)
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Great Director
of
Ships
(Admiral)
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Great Director
of
Squadrons
(Fleet
Admiral)
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Great Director
of
Fleets
(Fleet
Admiral)
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HMIN Council
The "High Command" of the HMIN is the HMIN Council. This body consists of sixteen individuals. By law, the council must include the following:
| 5 |
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Great Commanders of Fleets |
| 3 |
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Great Directors of Fleets |
| 7 |
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Administrator/Scientists appointed by the Prime Queen Council |
| 1 |
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Administrator/Scientist Priest appointed by the Prime Queen Council |
The Great Commanders and Directors are usually the most senior officers available. They are selected by the other Great Commanders and Great Directors, respectively, in the HMIN. Officers holding these positions no longer exercise active command authority within the HMIN.
The HMIN Council reports directly to the Prime Queen Council.
The eight officers on this Council wear special insignia. A large white "M" shape, similar to that on the back of all MMoids, on a dark blue field is added above their other insignia.
Holy MMoid Imperial Navy Council Rank Insignia
Great Commander
of Fleets
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Great Director
of Fleets
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To The MMoids
