Military Ranks

This is the rank listing for Imperial legions. It's based mainly on previous non-noble forces, although some noble houses (most notably the Hazat) have been using a similar structure.
To the extent that they're useful, I will be adding charts of other forces to compare later. I won't be detailing enlisted ranks, since I don't see them having an impact on the game.
In some cases intermediate ranks or subranks may have been omitted: for example the different grades of army Lieutenant are mainly a payscale distinction and a measure of how many more exams or commendations are required to make Captain, rather than a structural feature.

The NATO Code is included, for easy comparison to modern-day forces.
Points is the number of benefice points that the rank costs. I'm still working on these and they're likely to change, and it's worth noting that some other benefices (especially noble rank) may have military rank ex officio (or at least by way of nepotism or plot device).

Merchant League military ranks are generally tied in with actual guild commissions, especially in the Muster and Charioteers where the common commissions have the same names as the military ranks. Members of other guilds who find themselves serving in the League military (or seconded to someone else's military) will normally be referred to by the equivalent Muster/Charioteer rank.
Since the League forces follow the Imperial ones most of the way I haven't added them to the table. The differences are as follows:

• The League navy uses the rank Ensign rather than Sublieutenant
• All army flag officers (OF-6+) are Generals and all navy flag officers are Admirals. They are then divided by 'stars', ranging from One Star (Brigadier/Rear Admiral) up to Five (Field Marshal/Admiral of the Fleet).

Note that the Muster ranks in the book start much too low: I do not expect every person enlisted with the Muster to hold a guild commission (the very word suggests otherwise) so assume that Muster commission uses the ranks and points costs listed here. Some NCOs may be considered commissioned (in the guild sense), but in general commissioned PCs should start as officers.

The campaign so far hasn't worried too much about what grade of flag officer (OF-6+) a person is. For example, the governer of Nowhere is named General by the rulebook, but since the Imperial military now has British-style ranks he's more likely a Brigadier or a Major-General. Since all flag officers outrank any military party members by a long chalk, please excuse me if I continue to be slightly sloppy about their ranks.

The Imperial ranks (and those of most noble militaries) are superficially based on the British Army and the Royal Navy, while the Muster ones will get a more US feel. However, I have used Commodore as a posting rather than a rank as was implied when I introduced the her Ladyship the Marchioness Justinian (and as Steve assumed as soon as it was mentioned); hence the new Admiral rank.

The top flag officer rank in each force will be very rare, probably restricted to one holder at a time and possible only available during wartime, depending on the force. Some forces will never have anyone holding this rank.

Remember: There is only ever one person aboard a ship who can correctly be addressed as Captain. Anyone holding the rank of naval Captain or army Captain who is not the captain of the ship must be addressed by suitably respectful civilian address if you are their equal or better, or Sir if they outrank you.

Non-Commissioned Ranks
By popular demand, the non-commissioned ranks (NCOs and enlisted men & women) of the Imperial Amry, Navy and Marines. (Note that, as always happens when I put more detail into something, some of it contradicts what had previously been said or assumed).

Notes to the table:

1. The 'Grade' is simply for comparing the items in the table (and other tables I may make in future). It doesn't correspond to anything in-game or real-world.
2. In general, player characters deserve commissions; the benefices of Rank, Ordained and Commissioned all correspond to more than being an NCO. Being a Sergeant/Petty Officer corresponds to the Householder benefice, costing one point. Rank below that isn't worth benefice points (assuming the campaign even has space for Privates and Corporals) and rank above that should be discussed with the Referee, who may just recommend paying the 3 points to be a Lieutenant/Sublieutenant.
3. The Imperial Marines call their Privates 'Marine'. The different grades of Private, Marine and Rate are payscale and experience distinctions only; they don't normally imply additional responsibility (unless you've lost all your officers and NCOs...). They are generally referred to in classes, from 4th up to 1st. Some legions use alternative names, such as Rifleman, Fusilier, Gunner, Sapper, Trooper, Guardsman and so on.
4. Marines and some legions call their Staff Sergeants 'Colour Sergeant'. Several specialist appointments are equivalent to this rank, such as Company Quartermaster Sergeant.
5. Warrant Officer is normally a pay grade rather than an appointment. Postings include Company Sergeant Major (WO2), Charge Chief Petty Officer (WO2), Fleet Chief Petty Officer (WO1) and Regimental Sergeant Major (WO1).