No kidding, I read a '50s science fiction book where the space crew entry rank was rocketeer, and the generic nickname for enlisted personnel was "Rocky." Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet by Blake Savage.
US Space Force Ranks? [Speculation]
- Thread starter Chaos Descending
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No kidding, I read a '50s science fiction book where the space crew entry rank was rocketeer, and the generic nickname for enlisted personnel was "Rocky." Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet by Blake Savage.
I just realized this whole thread is *full* of rank speculation.
(Sorry, it's been a rough week...
)
(Sorry, it's been a rough week...
)Man, I remember reading that one myself when I was a kid back in the Seventies. My elementary school library had a paperback copy in it's collection, and years later I ran into an original hardcover copy at a used bookstore. I didn't buy it, but it might be interesting to reread it today.
Me too, but at the city library. The copyright has apparently lapsed, free e-book here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20147
Thanks, I'll check it out.
The Air Force is an offshoot of the USArmy.
The ranks all are very similar.
I'd think the ranks would be very similar to Airforce ranks.
The ranks all are very similar.
I'd think the ranks would be very similar to Airforce ranks.
On the other hand, USSF may choose to establish a more separate identity/culture from the USAF. A very important consideration at the inception of a new organization, IMO.
I think simplifying the system to something like the system used by British Army could work:
Private (held by recruits and "rookie" soldiers, no insignia, E1-2);
Lance Corporal (Fireteam Leader, internally E3 but E4 to E5 for US equivalence, one chevron);
Corporal (Section Leader; internally E4, but E5 to E6 for US equivalence, two chevrons);
Sergeant (Platoon 2-i-C, internally E6 but up to E7 by equivalence*, three chevrons),
Staff/Colour Sergeant (Company/Battalion Staff, 2-i-C in some specialist units like the MPs, mostly E7 equivalent, three chevrons with device);
Warrant Officer Class 2 (Drill Sergeants, Company SGM and similar, custom device);
Warrant Officer Class 1 (SGM Instructor, Regimental (and above as needed) SGM, Garrison SGM; Bandmaster/Conductor and similar, custom device).
*Mostly British Army, Marine Sergeants may also act Troop Commanders roughly equivalent to Platoon Leader.
I still doubt it. Keep in mind, 90-something percent of USSF personnel are just sliding over from existing USAF space and missile wings. They are used to the rank system they have, and people are generally resistant to major changes like that. The officers on the top, who will make the big decisions, really don't want anything that might confuse their status. Everybody knows what a general is, and they like it that way. It's not like the formation of the RAF, when they had to take on the more complex integration of people from the completely different personnel systems of the the Army and Navy.
I'm not sure how those infantry unit positions would relate to the highly technical, IT-type jobs that will make up the Space Force.
A fair point. I'll admit that I started with the Army for easier comparison due to mostly having similar ranks and insignia, just less of them. For comparison, the Royal Navy and Marines are fairly similar, but actually (sometimes) have even less ranks:
E1 to E2: Able Seaman/Marine (Army Private)
E3: Not appointed/Lance Corporal (Army Lance Corporal [E3, nominal E4-5])
E4: Leading Hand/Corporal (Army Corporal [E4, nominal E5-6])
E5 to E6: Petty Officer/Sergeant (Army Sergeant, [E5-6, nominal up to E7])
E7: Chief Petty Officer/Staff or Colour Sergeant (Army Staff SGT [E7])
E8: No Longer Appointed/Warrant Officer Class 2 (Army WO2 [E8])
E9: Warrant Officer/Warrant Officer Class 1 (Army WO1 [E9])
Perhaps some sort of system similar to the naval ranks/rates are set-up might be applicable. Or if you want to keep it more generalized, the old US Army "Specialist" grades.
Either the 1955-59 system:
E1-E3: No longer appointed.
E4: Specialist 3rd Class (1955-59).
E5: Specialist 2nd Class (1955-59).
E6: Specialist 1st Class (1955-59).
E7: Master Specialist (1955-59).
Or the 1959 to 1985 (with or without the 1968 or 1978 revisions) system:
E1-E3: No longer appointed.
E4: Specialist 4 (1959-1985).
E5: Specialist 5 (1959-1985).
E6: Specialist 6 (1959-1985).
E7: Specialist 7 (1959-1978?).
E8: Specialist 8 (1959-1968).
E9: Specialist 9 (1959-1968).
The earlier systems wouldn't really have any significant advantages over existing systems, and the later systems don't have the coverage.
Yeah, something along those lines. Note that in the later system, the Army still has a parallel line of ranks from E-4 to E-9 for NCOs in leadership positions ("hard stripes"): Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant Fist Class, Master/First Sergeant, Sergeant Major/Command Sergeant Major.
The Senior Enlisted Advisor for USSF has been appointed. And there a a few details about an interim rank insignia for the position:
Full article here: https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Art...irst-senior-enlisted-advisor-for-the-us-space
Found an interesting bit over on Reddit. Don't know if this got posted here or not so sorry for the double post:
The USAF Academy class of 2020 graduates tomorrow. I understand that 88 of those graduating are due to be commissioned as officers in USSF. Interestingly, the USSF currently only has two people directly assigned: General Raymond, the CSO, and SEA Towberman.
https://www.military.com/daily-news...aduates-are-heading-straight-space-force.html
https://www.military.com/daily-news...aduates-are-heading-straight-space-force.html
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So here's the Senior Enlisted Advisor's rank insignia:
https://www.aerotechnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/space-force-chief2.jpg
https://www.aerotechnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/space-force-chief2.jpg
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