TRMN:Membership Handbook:Ranks

Member Handbook Navigation
Front	Foreword	Organization	Administration	Membership	Set Up of Organization	Chapter Formation	Military & Civilian Academies	Ranks	Peerage	Code of Conduct

Rank & Promotion Policies

Rank Structure

Rank structure with The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honorverse Fan Association, Inc. takes on two distinct forms. Most members choose to role play one of the fictional military elements of the Honorverse. The Elements include: Manticore (Royal Manticoran Navy, Royal Manticoran Marine Corps or Royal Manticoran Army), the Grayson Space Navy, Republic of Haven, Imperial Andermani Empire. There are also several civilian agencies that include Star Kingdom University, Royal Manticoran Astro Control & Royal Manticoran Merchant Marine.

Promotion Policies

Enlisted

Enlisted promotions, up through the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7), are handled by your Commanding Officer. The E-7 promotions, after consultation with the Senior Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (RMN), Senior Chief Petty Officer of the Grayson Navy (GSN), and Sergeant Major of the Army (RMA) to ensure appropriateness of the selected candidate, as per Naval Directive 15SE-02. These promotions are still required to meet the criteria and requirements for promotion laid out in Admiralty Order 1701-01. Regular audits will be performed on all E-7 promotions by BuPers at least once every six months. Any individuals failing to meet the requirements during an audit will be reverted to their original rank.

Promotions to senior chief petty officer (E-8), master chief petty officer (E-9), and senior master chief petty officer (E-10) [plus E-11 for the RMA] are done by written recommendation of the commanding officer, plus the candidate’s academic record and time in grade (TIG) verification submitted to the enlisted promotion board who will either approve or not approve the promotion. Saganami Island Academy may promote enlisted personnel up to and including the rank of SMCPO, within the guidelines established for promotion of those personnel who, due to location, are unable to join a “meeting crew” and recommend the academic ribbons earned.

Warrant Officer

After the initial Monarch’s Warrant is awarded, further warrant promotions are done by written recommendation of the Commanding Officer, plus the candidate’s academic record and TIG verification submitted to the FLA, who will make the final decision concerning the promotion.

Officer

For Ensigns: A Commanding Officer may submit a promotion recommendation to their Fleet Commanding Officer requesting that the Ensign be promoted directly to Lieutenant Junior Grade without submitting it to the Promotion Board. These promotions are still required to meet the criteria and requirements for promotion laid out in Admiralty Order 1701-01. Regular audits will be performed on all Lieutenant Junior Grade promotions by BuPers at least once every six months. Any individual failing to meet the requirements during an audit will revert back to their original rank. All other officer promotion requests through Captain Junior Grade are sent to BuPers to be directed to the proper Officer Promotion Board. Promotion requests are submitted by the candidate’s Commanding Officer, and, must include the following: the written recommendation of the Commanding Officer, a summary of the candidate’s academic record (usually provided by the Sixth Space Lord), and Time in Grade (TIG) verification. Endorsements by other Senior Officers who know the candidate and can attest to their qualifications for promotion are not only recommended, but, are encouraged to be included in the candidate’s promotion package. The proper Officer Promotion Board will be convened by BuPers and all promotion packages received by the deadline will be submitted. The Officer Promotion Board will approve or not approve the promotion.

Flag Officer

Initial promotion to Flag rank is done “By Appointment”. This means that a billet exists that the member will be filling, that the indicated Flag rank is required. In accordance with the appropriate Admiralty Order and Naval Directives, all promotions to Flag rank require that the member has completed the required academic courses for that rank and are brevet promotions until such time as the member has served in that billet for at least one year.

Civilian

Promotions within the civilian ranks are handled a little differently. There are currently two main civilian tracks: Espionage or Ambassadorial. Four more civilian ranks fall under the umbrellas of the two main tracks, or, in some cases, be a track of their own.

Promotion Boards

Enlisted Promotion Board

The Enlisted Promotions Board convenes for enlisted promotions for Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) and Senior Master Chief Petty Officer (E-10). A Commanding Officer may issue a brevet promotion to Chief Petty Officer (E-7) but it may be audited by this promotions board at its next sitting if questions arise. The Enlisted Promotions Board will meet every other month starting in February. This meeting can be conducted either via online means or via phone. A special Enlisted Promotions Board will be convened once a year. Please see the special promotions boards section.

The composition of the Enlisted Promotions Board will be as follows:

• Chair – Senior Master Chief Petty Officer of the RMN
• Admiralty Member – FLA
• Senior Fleet / Corps / Army Commander – This is the commander of the fleet/corps/army in which the enlisted member is assigned (if more than one branch has promotion eligible members, all relevant personnel will be present).
• Senior Noncommissioned Member – The senior noncommissioned member of the appropriate branch will be invited to participate.
• Junior Officer – A Lieutenant Senior Grade (O-3) or lower not in the chain of command above the enlisted member(s) up for promotion.
• Junior Enlisted Member – An enlisted member between Petty Officer 3rd class (E-3) and Chief Petty Officer (E-7) not in the chain of command beneath the enlisted member(s) up for promotion.

The board should always consist of an odd number of members. If enough branches are represented to make the number of members even, one branch will be included in the next cycle. A vote to confirm a promotion must always be a majority vote (e.g. 2 to 1). Should a vote not confirm a promotion, the enlisted candidate must wait three quarters to resubmit.

Warrant Promotions

The Warrant Promotions Board convenes for all Warrant Officer promotions. It does not issue original warrants. Those are issued by the FLA.

The Warrant Promotions Board will meet the first month of every quarter starting with January. This meeting can be conducted either via online means or via phone. A Special Warrant Promotions Board will be convened once a year. Please see the Special Promotions Boards section.

The composition of the Warrant Promotions Board will be as follows:

• Chair – chief of staff of the FLA
• Admiralty Members – FLA and Fifth Space Lord (BuPers)
• Senior Fleet / Corps / Army Commander – This is the commander of the fleet/corps/army in which the member is assigned (If more than one branch has promotion eligible members, all relevant personnel will be present).
• Senior Officer – A Lieutenant Commander (O-4) up through Captain (Junior Grade) (O-6A) of the appropriate branch will be invited to participate.
• Junior Officer – A Lieutenant Senior Grade (O-3) or lower not in the chain of command above the member(s) up for promotion
• Second Junior Officer – A warrant officer if possible; if not, a second Lieutenant (Senior Grade) (O-3) or lower not in the chain of command above the member(s) up for promotion

The board should always consist of an odd number of members. If enough branches are represented to make the number of members even, one branch will be included in the next cycle. A vote to confirm a promotion must always be a majority vote (e.g. 2 to 1). Should a vote not confirm a promotion, the candidate must wait two quarters to resubmit.

Officer One Promotion Board

The Officer One Promotions Board convenes for all promotions Lieutenant Senior Grade and Lieutenant Commanders. The Officer One Promotions Board will meet every other month starting in February. This meeting can be conducted either via online means or via phone. A special Officer Promotions Board will be convened once a year. Please see the Special Promotion Boards section.

The composition of the Officer One Promotions Board will be as follows:

• Chair – Fifth Space Lord (BuPers) or their designee
• Admiralty Members – FLA, Second Space Lord (BuPlan) and Fifth Space Lord (BuPers) (Only if designee used to chair).
• Senior Fleet / Corps / Army Commander – This is the Fleet / Marine Corps / Army Commander to which the member is assigned (If more than one branch has promotion eligible members, all relevant personnel will be present).
• Senior Officer – A Lieutenant Commander up through Captain Junior Grade of the appropriate branch will be invited to participate.
• Junior Officer – A Lieutenant Senior Grade or lower not in the chain of command above the officer(s) up for promotion.
• Second Junior Officer – A Lieutenant Junior Grade or lower not in the chain of command above the officer(s) up for promotion

The board should always consist of an odd number of members. If enough branches are represented to make the number of members even, one branch will be included in the next cycle. A vote to confirm a promotion must always be a majority vote (e.g. 2 to 1). Should a vote not confirm a promotion, the candidate must wait three quarters to resubmit.

Officer Two Promotion Board

The Officer Two Promotions Board convenes for all promotions for Commander and Captain Junior Grade. The Officer Two Promotions Board will meet every other month starting in January. This meeting can be conducted either via online means or via phone. A Special Officer Promotion Board will be convened once a year. Please see the Special Promotions Boards section.

The composition of the Officer Two Promotions Board will be as follows:

• Chair – Fifth Space Lord (BuPers) or their designee
• Admiralty Members – FLA, Third Space Lord (BuShips) and Sixth Space Lord (BuTrain)
• Senior Fleet / Corps / Army Commander – This is the Fleet / Marine Corps / Army Commander to which the member is assigned (If more than one branch has promotion eligible members, all relevant personnel will be present).
• Senior Officer – A Lieutenant Commander up through Captain Junior Grade of the appropriate branch will be invited to participate.
• Junior Officer – A Lieutenant Senior Grade or lower not in the chain of command above the officer(s) up for promotion.
• Second Junior Officer – A Lieutenant Junior Grade or lower not in the chain of command above the officer(s) up for promotion

The board should always consist of an odd number of members. If enough branches are represented to make the number of members even, one branch will be included in the next cycle. A vote to confirm a promotion must always be a majority vote (e.g. 2 to 1). Should a vote not confirm a promotion, the candidate must wait three quarters to resubmit.

Flag Promotion Board

A flag promotions board shall be convened for every flag promotion of Rear Admiral (F-2) and higher.

The Flag Officer Promotions Board will meet every other quarter starting in April. This meeting can be conducted either via online means or via phone. A special officer promotions board will be convened once a year. Please see the Special Promotions Boards section.

The composition of the Flag Officer Promotions Board will be as follows:

• Chair – Chief of Staff for the First Lord of the Admiralty
• Admiralty Member – First Lord of the Admiralty
• Branch Commanders (Quarter 2) – First Space Lord and Marshal of the RMMC
• Branch Commanders (Quarter 4 ) – High Admiral of the GSN and Marshal of the RMA
• Senior Fleet / Corps / Army Commander – This is the commander of the fleet/corps/army in which the member is assigned (If more than one branch has promotion eligible members, all relevant personnel will be present).
• Senior Officer – A Rear Admiral of the Green (F-2) up through Admiral of the Red (F-4) of the appropriate branch will be invited to participate. This person *must* hold a command of their own.
• Officer – A Captain (Junior Grade) (O-6a) up through Commodore (F-1) not in the chain of command above the officer(s) up for promotion. This person may have held a command of their own, or served as a staff officer.
• Junior Officer – A second Captain (Junior Grade) (O-6A) up through Commodore (F-1) not in the chain of command above the officer(s) up for promotion.

The board should always consist of an odd number of members. If enough branches are represented to make the number of members even, one branch will be included in the next cycle. A vote to confirm a promotion must always be a majority vote (e.g. 2 to 1). Should a vote not confirm a promotion, the candidate must wait three quarters to resubmit.

Civil Service Review Board

A civil service review board shall be convened for every civilian promotion above Administrator (C-4), which is not a billet promotion.

The civil service review board will meet during the second month of each quarter starting in February. This meeting can be conducted either online or via phone and applications should be submitted to the chief of staff for the FLA. A special review board will be convened once a year. Please see the Special Promotions Boards section.

The composition of a civil service review board will be as follows:

• Chair – FLA
• Branch Commander – FSL
• Senior Civilian – This is a civilian of C-13 or above who is not in the chain of command of the civilian up for promotion. Preferably they should be of the same track as the candidate.
• Civilian – This is a civilian equal to or greater than the civilian up for promotion. They should not be in the chain of command of the civilian up for promotion. Preferably they should be of the opposite track as the candidate.
• Civilian – This is a civilian equal to or lower than the civilian up for promotion. They should not be in the chain of command of the civilian up for promotion. Preferably they should be of the same track as the candidate.
• Non-Voting Member – The Judge Advocate General or designee.

The board should always consist of an odd number. A vote to confirm a promotion must always be a majority vote (e.g. 2 to 1). Should a vote not confirm a promotion, the candidate must wait at least two quarters to resubmit.

Special Cases

A special promotions board will convene the Friday night before the annual conference to consider all promotions submitted to it for that time period.

The composition of a special promotions board shall be as follows:

• Chair – Most senior Admiral/General present
• Senior Officer – Second most senior Admiral/General/Officer present
• Junior Member – A junior officer or enlisted member

The board should always consist of an odd number. For Civil Service promotions, a civilian should, when possible, replace the junior member. A vote to confirm a promotion must always be a majority vote (e.g. 2 to 1). Should a vote not confirm a promotion, the candidate’s promotion may be resubmitted in time for the next regularly constituted promotions board.

The "Missing Man" Rule

Should a person of appropriate rank not be found, the FLA may pick a replacement of any rank based on availability. As the organization grows, the need for this rule to be invoked should decrease.

Promotion Criteria

Normal

To be eligible for promotion, whether via board review or, for the lower enlisted ranks, promotion by commanding officer, the candidate must have the following:

• The required time in grade
• A score of at least 70 percent on the qualifying exam
• A minimum combined criteria weight of 80 percent
• A billet must exist for:
  • Enlisted members being promoted to chief petty officer (E-7) or higher
  • Warrant officers being promoted to chief warrant officer (W-3) or higher
  • Officers being promoted to lieutenant senior grade (O-3) or higher

The weight of each will be as follows:

• Time in Grade – 25 percent
• Qualifying Exam:
  • 70 percent on Exam – 20 percent
  • 80 percent on Exam – 30 percent
  • 90 percent on Exam – 40 percent
  • 100 percent on Exam – 50 percent
• Commanding officer’s recommendation:
  • Negative recommendation, but application submitted – 5 percent
  • Neutral recommendation – 20 percent
  • Good recommendation – 25 percent
  • Excellent recommendation – 35 percent
• If SWP or branch equivalent complete – 10 percent

Using this scale, it is possible to get promoted with either a 70 percent or a negative recommendation, but such a promotion requires time in grade and a 100 percent score on the qualifying exam.

To be eligible for civilian promotion via board review, the candidate must have the following:

• A majority (at least 75 percent) of the recommended time in grade
• A score of at least 70 percent on the qualifying civil service exam
• A minimum combined criteria weight of 80 percent
• A position:
  • Must exist for a civilian being promoted to C-13 or higher
  • Should exist for a civilian being promoted to C-5 or higher

The weight of each will be as follows:

• Time in Grade:
  • 75 percent of TIG – 15 percent
  • 90 percent of TIG – 20 percent
  • 100 percent of TIG – 25 percent
• Qualifying Exam:
  • 70 percent on Exam – 20 percent
  • 80 percent on Exam – 30 percent
  • 90 percent on Exam – 40 percent
  • 100 percent on Exam – 50 percent
• Supervisors Recommendation:
  • Negative recommendation, but application submitted–5 percent
  • Neutral recommendation–15 percent
  • Good recommendation–20 percent
  • Excellent recommendation–30 percent

Using this scale, it is possible to get promoted with either a 70 percent or a negative recommendation, but such a promotion requires time in grade and a 100 percent score on the qualifying exam

Special

To be eligible for special promotion, whether via board review or, for the lower enlisted ranks, promotion by commanding officer, the candidate must have the following:

• Be no more than half way outside the time in grade window
• A score of at least 90% on the qualifying exam
• A minimum combined criteria weight of 90 percent
• A billet must exist for:
  • enlisted members being promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E-7) or higher
  • Warrant officers being promoted to Chief Warrant 0fficer (W-3) or higher
  • Officers being promoted to Lieutenant (Senior Grade) (O-3) or higher

The weight of each will be as follows:

• Time in Grade–25 percent minus 2 percent for each month outside the window for enlisted members and minus 5 percent for each month outside the window for warrant officers and officers.
• Qualifying Exam:
  • 90 percent on exam–40 percent
  • 100 percent on exam–50 percent
• Commanding Officer’s Recommendation:
  • Negative recommendation, but application submitted–5 percent
  • Neutral recommendation–15 percent
  • Good recommendation–30 percent
  • Excellent recommendation–40 percent

Billet Assignment

In the rare event that any member is promoted due to the billet they are assigned to (e.g. Admiral of the Red for Seventh Space Lord or Rear Admiral of the Red for Commander Home Fleet) they *MUST* have completed all their required courses for that level. If the candidate has not completed his/her courses prior to promotion, he/she will remain at their current rank. If the candidate subsequently completes their courses, they may apply to have their appropriate billet rank instated. This will be solely at the discretion of the appointing officer.

The JAG or JAG-ombudsman will verify the records of the candidate for promotion and, based on the records, TIG and billet (if applicable), provide a positive or negative recommendation to the members of the board.

Submission Deadlines

These are the deadlines for the receipt of promotion request. They can be received before these times, but no later.

Enlisted – One month prior to the promotion board convening Warrant – The last month of the preceding quarter of the promotion board convening. Officer One – One month prior to the promotion board convening Officer Two – One month prior to the promotion board convening Flag – Second month of the preceding quarter to the promotion board convening. Civilian – One month prior to the promotion board convening Special – Two weeks prior to an event where the promotion will be given

Reporting Criteria

Once a board has been held, the Convening Officer or designee has one week to inform BuPers unless a promotion is to be handed out at a TRMN-run convention or if it has been requested to be kept confidential by the Fleet Commander or branch equivalent. In such cases, the information is still to be sent to BuPers within one week, but an effective date is to be included, and BuPers is not to enter the promotion into the database before that date. The Fifth Space Lord will then notify the Commanding Officer of each candidate to inform him/her of the results. If approved, the Fifth Space Lord will instruct the candidate’s Commanding Officer to make the formal promotion announcement. If the candidate’s promotion was not approved, the Fifth Space Lord will notify the candidate’s Commanding Officer and without compromising the Board’s confidentiality, help the Commanding Officer improve the candidate’s chances for the next board.

Demotion

Once a rank is awarded, only a gross violation of another member’s rights or violation of an admiralty order will cause demotion. A promotion panel will meet and a vote of three to two will confirm the demotion. This is only to be used in the most extreme cases. A promotion panel convened for the purpose of demotion must contain five members in good standing.

The exception for a demotion is a reduction to previously earned rank due to not taking or demonstrating a good faith effort in taking tests. These reductions may be done by the FSL for RMN personnel, the Commandant of the RMMC for RMMC personnel, the Marshal of the RMA for RMA, IAN & RHN personnel, the High Admiral of the GSN for GSN personnel, and the FLA for civilian personnel.

A request by a member to demote them will also be considered. Such requests must come in writing and contain an explanation for the request. The FLA, together with the JAG and the senior JAG ombudsman, will make a final decision on if this is to be accepted on a case-by-case basis. This will give you a brief introduction to Peerage in TRMN. We use Peerages to recognize members who have shown a higher

This level of leadership and a commitment to the benefit of the membership and organization, while demonstrating service above and beyond what their rank requires. Peerage is defined as a system of titles of nobility in the Star Kingdom of Manticore, the Imperial Andermani Empire and the Protectorate of Grayson. The term is used both collectively to refer to the entire body