Trek Operations Promotion
and Advancement Policy
Contents
1. Preface
2. Does it make sense?
3. Rank Comparison Charts
4. Minimum Promotion Requirements
5. Field Commissions
6. NPC Rank and Promotion
7. Rank Transfers
8. Acting Ranks
9. Appointed Ranks
10. Demotion Policies (In Character and Out of Character)
11. Reporting
12. Appeals
13. Below Minimums
1. Preface
Ranking systems are an integral part of our organization and should be used carefully to recognize and reward SIMmers who dedicate themselves to the group, have high levels of SIMming skill and who take on in character responsibility. Promotion is an in-character activity, although it does have out of character consequences at times. As such, not all characters will advance in rank. It may make SIMming more fun to play misfits, accident-prone or clumsy characters, but SIMmers must understand that these are not the types of characters that would realistically be promoted. There are many other ways that we have to recognize those members who excel when promoting their character is not appropriate and in many ways these should be more important than promotion to all of our members. The integrity of the setting we give our SIMulations is very important and the appropriateness of character positions and rank is an essential part of this. Ranking that makes sense will benefit our SIMulations so there should not be hard and fast rules that limit our creativity or our characters, as such this document is a guideline to promotion within the division.
2. Does it make sense?
A key requirement of ranking in the division is that it make in character sense. Sometimes it is more fun to play a character that has not possibility of promotion or to simply have a junior character in a department — our systems must cater for this and the importance of awards to recognize great SIMming that can not be accompanied by promotion should be highlighted.
The Commanding Officer will always hold the highest rank of any permanently assigned character to any SIMulation/SubSIMulation (even if this is simply by means of an Acting rank).
The Commanding Officer will normally maintain at least a one rank difference between himself/herself and all other members of the permanently
assigned roster.
A department head will similarly generally be the highest ranking permanently assigned character in a department and will also generally maintain at least one rank’s superiority to others in the department. A department head should not exceed the rank of Commander.
Normally, Captain will be the highest ranking officer serving as a permanent Commanding Officer of a single starship. Occasionally a Commodore will command a single starship on a permanent basis.
3. Rank Comparison Charts
| Grade | Starfleet Naval Rank |
Starfleet MACO Corps Rank |
| E-1 | Crewman (CRM3) | Private (PVT) |
| E-2 | Crewman (CRM2) | Private First Class (PFC) |
| E-3 | Crewman (CRM1) | Lance Corporal (LCPL) |
| E-4 | Petty Officer 3rd Class (PO3) |
Corporal (Cpl) |
| E-5 | Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) |
Sergeant (SGT) |
| E-6 | Petty Officer 1st Class (PO1) |
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) |
| E-7 | Chief Petty Officer (CPO) |
Gunnery Sergeant (GSGT) |
| E-8 | Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) |
Master Sergeant (MSGT) |
| E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) |
Sergeant Major (SGM) |
| Grade | Warrant Officers |
| W-1 | Warrant Officer |
| W-2 | Staff Warrant Officer |
| W-3 | Master Warrant Officer |
| W-4 | Chief Warrent Officer |
| W-5 | Senior Chief Warrant Officer |
| W-6 | Master Chief Warrant Officer |
Commissioned Officer
Comparison Chart
| Grade | Starfleet Naval Rank | Starfleet Maco Corps Rank |
| O-1 | Ensign (ENS) | Second Lieutenant (2LT) |
| O-2 | Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) | First Lieutenant (1LT) |
| O-3 | Lieutenant (LT) | MACO Captain (MCAPT) |
| O-4 | Lieutenant Commander (LCDR or LTCMDR) | Major (MAJ) |
| O-5 | Commander (CMDR) | Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) |
| O-6 | Captain (CAPT) | Colonel (COL) |
| O-7 | Commodore (COMO) | Brigadier General (BGEN) |
| O-8 | Rear Admiral (RADM) | Major General (MGEN) |
| O-9 | Vice Admiral (VADM) | Lieutenant General (LGEN) |
| O-10 | Admiral (ADM) | General (GEN) |
4. Minimum Promotion Requirements
| Previous Rank | New Rank | Requirements |
| Crewman/Private | Technician/Private First Class |
|
| Technician/Private First Class | Specialist/Lance Corporal |
|
| Specialist/Lance Corporal | Petty Officer 3rd Class/Corporal |
|
| Petty Officer 3rd Class/Corporal | Petty Officer 2nd Class/Sergeant |
|
| Petty Officer 2nd Class/Sergeant | Petty Officer 1st Class/Staff Sergeant |
|
| Petty Officer 1st Class/Staff Sergeant | Chief Petty Officer/Gunnery Sergeant |
|
| Chief Petty Officer/Gunnery Sergeant | Senior Chief Petty Officer/Master Sergeant |
|
| Senior Chief Petty Officer/Master Sergeant | Master Chief Petty Officer/Sergeant Major |
|
Warrant Officer Promotions
| Previous Rank | New Rank | Requirement |
| Warrant Officer | Staff Warrant Officer |
|
| Staff Warrant Officer | Master Warrant Officer |
|
| Master Warrant Officer | Chief Warrent Officer |
|
| Chief Warrent Officer | Senior Chief Warrant Officer |
|
| Senior Chief Warrant Officer | Master Chief Warrant Officer |
|
Commissioned Officer Promotions
| Previous Rank | New Rank | Requirement |
| Cadet | Ensign/Second Lieutenant |
|
| Ensign/Second Lieutenant | Lieutenant Junior Grade/First Lieutenant |
|
| Lieutenant Junior Grade/First Lieutenant | Lieutenant/MACO Captain |
|
| Lieutenant/MACO Captain | Lieutenant Commander/Major |
|
| Lieutenant Commander/Major | Commander/Lieutenant Colonel |
|
| Commander/Lieutenant Colonel | Captain/Colonel |
|
| Captain/Colonel | Commodore/Brigadier General |
|
| Commodore/Brigadier General | Rear Admiral/Major General |
|
| Rear Admiral/Major General | Vice Admiral/Lieutenant General |
|
| Vice Admiral/Lieutenant General | Admiral/General |
|
* MACO formation commanders, such as MEU CO’s or equivalent and higher, as well as First Force Team Leaders and Unit Commanders will be assessed on a case by case basis by Fleet and/or Trek Ops commanders due to the special nature of how these two forces are commanded as well as department heads serving in starship formation leadership roles.
Both First Force and formation command staff will be limited to the rank of Captain and MACOs will be evaluated by the use of the MACO formation (i.e. does it only exist on paper or is the formation actively used?)
“Weeks active” indicates how long a SIMmer has been actively participating at the Sim, Fleet, or Division Level since the time of their last promotion.
An unexcused week is defined as a week where a SIMmer does not attend an IRC sim, log on an Email Sim (or a Multiplatform sim) or supply an excuse for the absence either before the absence or immediately upon return.
With ranks above Captain, the prerequisite time is not the only factor. Ranks have In character substance and they should be realistically employed. For instance, a Vice Admiral would not ordinarily command a starship for a prolonged period of time. As such, the person being promoted should hold a position of responsibility for which that rank would be appropriate. For a general guideline on ranks and the forces they usually command, see the Ship Formations page. Trek Operations holds the final decision on whether a given rank is appropriate in specific circumstances.
5. Field Commissions
Enlisted to Officer:
Field commissions from enlisted to officer ranks depend on how much time the SIMmer has served in the enlisted track. Field Commissions up to Lieutenant Commander are made at the SIM CO’s discretion. Field Commissions above Lieutenant Commander require authorization from Fleet Command. No field commission will be granted beyond the rank of Commander.
Enlisted to Warrant Officer:
Enlisted personnel can also choose to take the warrant officer path depending on positions open. The warrant ranks are only available to enlisted personnel after Petty Officer 2nd Class (i.e. they can go from PO2 to PO1 or WO1).
Creation of New Characters
SIMmers may create new characters up to and equal to their highest ranking character. Approval of the chosen rank must be gained from the SIM CO, Fleet Command, or Division Command (depending on the rank/rate) before the character’s creation.
6. NPC Ranks
NPCs (Non-player Characters) can be used by SIMs and SIMmers for plot and character development. They may not be used for career advancement. Any character intended to be used as an NPC shall affix (NPC) to their UCIP Database biography, so as to distinguish it from a conventional character. The (NPC) from that database profile cannot be removed without permission from Trek Operations.
7. Acting Ranks
Acting ranks will only be issued to Commanding Officers and Executive Officers of SIMmulations, and will only be granted if deemed necessary to uphold the IC chain of command on the SIM. A SIM CO may only be granted an acting rank up to Captain, and a SIM XO may only be granted an acting rank up to Commander. All acting ranks must be approved by Fleet Command.
8. Rank Transfers
SIMs and SIMmers entering into UCIP may request that their ranks be transferred into the organization. Rank transfers up to Lieutenant Commander require approval from the Fleet CO; transfers of Commander and up require approval from the Fleet and Division Command. Rank transfers from ISD should be handled on an individual basis by the sim Commanding Officer up to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Those transfers involving higher ranks should be referred to Fleet Command and/or Trek Command, as is indicated by the promotion requirement for that rank.
9. Appointed Ranks
Appointed ranks are used at Fleet and Division levels only to keep a proper IC structure and keep things making sense. Ranks for these will be based on position the way Fleet Admiral is. This means assigned ranks will be full ranks, however, they will be contingent on staying in the post/staff or div level posting. Time served will still be calculated and you will still be able to earn the rank given, however, if you leave you will be dropped to the last rank attained. For example, a Captain who was made a Rear Admiral for Fleet or Agencies who met the requirements for Commodore:
- 36 weeks active
- No excused for 16 weeks
- Must have taken the Command Course
Would walk away with Commodore, because that is what was earned. You must meet the requirements, if you do not meet the requirements you will be dropped to the last highest attained rank.
10. Demotion Policies
There are 2 types of demotions: In character (IC) and Out of character (OOC).
IC demotions are demotions of characters for the purpose of a plot and do not reflect negatively on the individual playing said character. IC demotions are sometimes an integral part of a plot or the development of a character. If a character is to be demoted for an IC infraction, it should be so noted in the comments field in the promotion form in the UCIP database. If a character, having been demoted IC on a simulation, leaves the simulation, he or she is entitled to have their character’s prior rank reinstated.
OOC demotions are intended as a disciplinary measure against individuals who violate UCIP policies, including but not limited to the UCIP Code of Conduct or other reasonable expectations of proper conduct. OOC Demotions are a serious matter and they should not be taken lightly. All demotions require approval from Trek Operations, with the possibility of an appeal to the President. Let it be said that the purpose of the disciplinary measure is not to humiliate or disgrace the misbehaving simmer, but rather to encourage them to reconsider their poor behavioral choices with the hope that they might become a valued member of the simming community.
11. Reporting
All promotions shall be recorded in the UCIP database and all Commanding and Executive Officers shall have access to those promotion histories. Comments regarding promotions are encouraged so as to serve as a service record for simmers in UCIP. In particular, comments for promotions to rank beyond Lieutenant are expected so as to provide documentation on the achievements of such officers. Senior promotion forms, when employed, should be included in the promotion comment field in the database. Promotions should also be included in the simulation report.
12. Appeals
We must recognize that promotions are, by their very nature, a subjective matter and it would unduely compromise commanding officers to have their promotion decisions subject to appeal. As such, there is no formal appeals process for promotions. Individual complaints should be brought through the chain of command.
13. Promotions Below Minimums
Trek Operations strongly encourages commanding officers to respect the given promotion times because they provide time for officers to mature and grow in their roles on simulations. Nevertheless, it may be necessary for certain truely exceptional officers to be granted promotions before their time in service has been completed. For promotions up to the rank of Lieutenant, Fleet approval is required in addition to Commanding Officer approval. For those ranks above Lieutenant, Division approval and Fleet approval is required. Under no circumstances will ranks above Commodore be given to officers who have not met the minimum times.