Well with this game, it pays to pace yourself. Until they ramp up the end game content, there is no point in rushing or grinding. I have been playing the game since headstart last Feb 2, and my main is still just a Captain 6. Granted, I have not been able to play for the last four months due to deployment to Iraq, but will be back for the one year anniversay. I fully plan on getting him up to Rear Adm as soon as possible, ONLY due to the fact all the cool ships and items are for RA+. (I will still keep him at Captain rank however as I have no desire to be a RA).
This is one thing that has really disappointed me about the game and is the rank structure. The lack of a Ltjg and Commodore really messed things up. I would happily be a Commodore, but don't want to be a RA. The fact Captains get NOTHING special, even thou Captains were the main character in every series. When you make Captain in rank, it is bitter sweet and merely another rank you have to grind thru to get to RA. Now there are hundreds of RA's and above flying around, scanning 5 rocks samples and the like.... which is totally unrealistic.