Since we will all be operating under the military banner of the UEE; do you think that there will be a military rank structure within the PU? Will there be a structured; all the while driven by self-initiative, predictable career progression? Since the PU is the stage of the single player campaign of Squadron 42, will we all start out as a rookie fighter pilot, a member of Squadron $2, and through our own ability and skill achieve promotion within the UEE?
This would be similar to the PC game Descent: Free Space. In this game, you were a rookie pilot, but depending on how you performed in your assigned missions, you could earn promotions and/ or commendations for skill or bravery against the enemy if you achieved certain objectives during the missions.
I’m curious if Star Citizen will have a similar system.
For sure there will be military ranks, but when you leave service and are not in active service, the rank becomes inactive. You are likely to be able to use your military rank to your advantage even outside service, for example calling in favours and appealing to a cameraderie when interacting with an npc.
If I remember correctly, a military career within UEE is said to be a real possibility for players. Active military ranks will play a role for sure and will grant you access to certain locations, that are not available legally to common folk. Abusing this privilege and getting caught will likely cause you to lose your status.
Last I recall them mentioning in 10FTC or RTV, you will not be in the military in the live PU. You might for example get on the Advocacy’s good list and get special bounties and such but active rank in the military in the PU probably not.
Keep in mind SQ42 is an optional single player game, not required to play in PU but can give you a more fleshed out character. Also, they’ve said in the past they want to give a non-military (i.e. criminal) option for character bacground.