Ranks and Promotions

The 1st Rapid Response Force operates on a system of ranks which are directly tied to the position that the member holds and their seniority within the group. They can be broadly viewed as a representation of time spent in the group and whilst we expected to be respected with respect to decisions in the unit both in and out of combat they do not confer any form of direct seniority in other contexts such as other games or in general conversation.

This runs contrary to some other units courtesies policies that require officers be addressed accordingly at all times which is NOT the case in the 1st RRF. Rank should be a measure of time spent in the unit and the level in the chain of command in reference to the formal activities of the unit.

Rank Structure

We use the following ranks within the 1RRF. The promotion policies and guidelines are below - this section is purely to show what ranks we use and how they are configured:

PV1 through to SPC

These ranks are available to members of the infantry who are not in leadership positions. Rising through these ranks is mostly a matter of time in grade with a small amount of training.

CPL through to SFC

These ranks are available to members of the infantry who are in leadership positions ( fireteam leaders through to platoon sergeants ). Rising through these ranks requires a not insignificant time commitment as well as training requirements.

SFC through to SGM

These ranks are available solely to members of the special forces ODA teams. Normally a SFC would promote into the officer corps however members of the SF teams will instead progress through further NCO ranks and will not move to officer ranks.

WOC through to CW2

These ranks are available to members of the aviation detachment and are used for non leadership roles such as copilots, crew members or ground support.

CW3 through to CW5

These ranks are available to members of the aviation detachment in leadership roles such as pilots or squadron commanders.

2LT through to MAJ

These ranks are available to officers in both the infantry and aviation. These require a significant period of time spent in the NCO or WO ranks as well as additional leadership and tactical training programs. The number of officers in the unit is limited so these ranks are also subject to competative application.

Promotion Policy

Promotions are issued weekly after the weekly Unit Training Excercise.

Promotions should be handed out in abstentia in the event that a member is not in attendance of a given training event.

Each week S1 will prepare for the Unit Commander a summary of all eligible promotions within the unit and will provide notification to the direct chain of command that the member is promotable. Objections to promotion should be raised back through the relevant chain of command within 48 hours of original notification at which time the Unit Commander has the final say on whether the member will promote.

Promotion eligibility is determined on the following criteria:

Time in Service

Each rank has an allocated time in service requirement which must be met to become eligible for promotion.

Training Requirments

Some ranks will require the completion of some qualifications. These will naturally be built up over the course of a member’s time in the unit however leadership should constantly evaluate which training programs will offer the best progression opportunities to their element.

For example a fire team leader may organise an Air Assault training for his team as he knows several of his fireteam members have aspirations to join the ODA teams. As he is aware of this intent he would schedule this training to help them reach their goals within the unit.

Interview when moving corps

When moving from one set of ranks to another - such as SPC to CPL or SFC to 2LT - the member will be subject to an interview by members of the outbound rank structure. For example an NCO promoting to officer will be subject to an interview by at least two members of the officer corps. Both members of the interview panel have a veto on the final decision of the candiate. The two officers should be selected by the Unit Commander in order to provide a fair and unbiased consideration of the candidate.

Ranks in the Reserves

Members in the reserves are subject to the same set of promotion and rank requirements as active duty members. No penalty nor benefit is imposed on members within the reserve corps.

Rank Requirements

Each rank requires all of the eligibility requirements of the rank before it. For example if PV2 requires the basic introductory program all subsequent ranks in the unit also require the completion of this program.

PV1

No requirements

PV2

Training Completed: Basic Introductory Program

PFC

Time in Service: 7 days

SPC

Time in Service: 20 days Training Completed: At least one additional qualification

CPL

Time in Service: 28 days Training Completed: FTL Qualification

SGT

Time in Service: 35 days

SSG

Time in Service: 56 days Training Completed: SL Qualification

SFC

Time in Service: 70 days Training Completed: PSG Qualification

MSG

Time in Service: 150 days Training Completed:

  • ODA Selection Pipeline

SGM

Time in Service: 360 days Training Completed:

  • ODA Selection Pipeline

WOC

No Requirements

WO1

Training Completed: Aviation Introductory Qualification

CW2

Time in Service: 20 days Training Completed: Any one additional aviation training qualification

CW3

Time in Service: 40 days Training Completed: Aircraft Commander Qualification

CW4

Time in Service: 56 days

CW5

Time in Service: 70 days

2LT

Time in Service: 90 days Training Completed:

  • Advanced Leadership Qualification
  • Either Platoon Leader Qualification or Squadron Commander Qualification

1LT

Time in Service: 115 days

CPT

Time in Service: 200 days

MAJ

Time in Service: 360 days Special Nomination - Requires a unaninmous board approval of the promotion