The Confederacy's military rank structure evolved from its merchant marine and privateer traditions rather than being designed from scratch. Officers who served on merchant vessels or privateers before joining the Defense Fleet find the system familiar—by design.
The Confederacy maintains only two military branches, both under unified naval command:
| Branch | Code | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Confederate Navy | CDN | Fleet operations, patrols, space combat |
| Confederate Marines | CDM | Boarding actions, station security, shipboard ground ops |
Unlike the League, there is no separate Space Force or independent ground army. The Marines are attached to the Navy and operate exclusively from ships and stations.
Confederate enlisted personnel are called ratings, following merchant marine tradition. The term "rank" is technically reserved for officers, though the distinction is rarely enforced.
| Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Ordinary Spacer | OS | New recruit, basic training complete |
| E-2 | Spacer | SP | Qualified crew member |
| E-3 | Able Spacer | AS | Experienced, fully competent |
| E-4 | Leading Spacer | LS | Senior crew, informal leadership |
| E-5 | Petty Officer | PO | First supervisory rate |
| E-6 | Chief Petty Officer | CPO | Department supervisor |
| E-7 | Senior Chief | SCPO | Senior department leadership |
| E-8 | Master Chief | MCPO | Highest enlisted rate |
| Grade | Rate | Abbreviation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Marine | MRN | New recruit |
| E-2 | Marine First Class | MFC | Basic qualification complete |
| E-3 | Lance Corporal | LCPL | Experienced Marine |
| E-4 | Corporal | CPL | Fire team leader |
| E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | Squad leader |
| E-6 | Colour Sergeant | CSGT | Platoon sergeant |
| E-7 | Warrant Officer Class 2 | WO2 | Company-level senior enlisted |
| E-8 | Warrant Officer Class 1 | WO1 | Highest Marine enlisted rate |
Confederate officers hold commissions from the Confederate Assembly—though in practice, most commissions are issued by the Defense Fleet Command with Assembly rubber-stamp approval.
Many officers are "mustangs"—former enlisted personnel or merchant officers who earned commissions through experience rather than formal training. The Confederacy has no naval academy; officers learn their trade on working ships.
| Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Typical Command |
|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | Midshipman | MID | Officer trainee |
| O-2 | Sub-Lieutenant | SBLT | Division officer |
| O-3 | Lieutenant | LT | Department head (small ship) |
| O-4 | Lieutenant Commander | LCDR | Executive officer, small ship CO |
| O-5 | Commander | CDR | Ship captain (destroyer/frigate) |
| O-6 | Captain | CAPT | Ship captain (cruiser/capital) |
| O-7 | Commodore | CDRE | Squadron commander |
| O-8 | Rear Admiral | RADM | Task force commander |
| O-9 | Vice Admiral | VADM | Fleet commander |
| O-10 | Admiral | ADM | Defense Fleet Commander |
The rank of Commodore is also used as a courtesy title for the senior captain when multiple ships operate together without a flag officer present.
Master is an alternative title for Captain when commanding a support vessel, transport, or auxiliary—a holdover from merchant service. A Master holds the same grade as a Captain but the title indicates a non-combatant role.
| Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Typical Command |
|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant | 2LT | Platoon commander (training) |
| O-2 | Lieutenant | LT | Platoon commander |
| O-3 | Captain | CAPT | Company commander |
| O-4 | Major | MAJ | Battalion XO, staff officer |
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel | LCOL | Battalion commander |
| O-6 | Colonel | COL | Regiment commander |
| O-7 | Brigadier | BRIG | Brigade commander |
| O-8 | Major General | MGEN | Division commander |
Marine flag ranks above Brigadier are largely theoretical—the Confederate Marines have never fielded forces large enough to require them. The senior Marine officer typically holds the rank of Colonel or Brigadier and reports to the Admiral commanding the Defense Fleet.
Several traditional positions exist outside the standard rank structure:
The Bosun is the senior enlisted rating responsible for deck operations, hull maintenance, and ship's discipline. Traditionally a Chief Petty Officer or Senior Chief, the Bosun holds significant informal authority regardless of rate. On smaller ships, the Bosun may be the senior enlisted crew member.
The Purser handles pay, supplies, and ship's accounts. This position may be held by an officer (typically a Lieutenant) or a senior enlisted rating depending on ship size. On merchant vessels and privateers, the Purser often holds more practical authority than their rate would suggest.
The Master-at-Arms is responsible for shipboard security, discipline, and the arms locker. Typically a Petty Officer or Chief Petty Officer, they work closely with the Bosun and any embarked Marines.
Privateers are civilians and hold no Confederate military rank. However, privateer vessels typically use traditional merchant titles:
These titles carry no legal authority outside the vessel and confer no status in the Confederate military. A privateer captain boarding a Navy vessel is a civilian guest, not a fellow officer—though wise Navy captains treat successful privateers with considerable respect.
Confederate military culture is notably informal compared to the League or Terran Republic. First names are common between officers who have served together, and enlisted personnel often address officers by title alone ("Captain," "Commander") rather than with elaborate honorifics.
This informality reflects the Confederacy's merchant heritage and its cultural disdain for excessive hierarchy. A captain who insists on rigid protocol is likely to find their best crew transferring to other vessels at the next port.
The exception is formal occasions—ceremonies, courts-martial, diplomatic functions—where proper forms of address are expected. Even Confederates can polish up when the situation demands it.