What is going on with these ranks? As a sergeant my trooper was demanding salutes, despite this not being an officer rank. Later in the Trooper line, an NPC ensign (the first officer rank in the Navy) calls a Sergeant (a mid-level non-officer rank in the non-Navy services) "Sir" and acts as though she is his superior.

It would be good if there was a codec entry for Troopers at the start that explained the rank structure, because as a member of the military IRL, I find the use of military ranks and terms in this game very confusing. It wouldn't be a problem if they were made up ranks, like some of the Imperial ranks, but using real world ranks in a non-conventional way with no explanation makes it seem as though it is a writing mistake.

What is going on with these ranks? As a sergeant my trooper was demanding salutes, despite this not being an officer rank. Later in the Trooper line, an NPC ensign (the first officer rank in the Navy) calls a Sergeant (a mid-level non-officer rank in the non-Navy services) "Sir" and acts as though she is his superior.

 

It would be good if there was a codec entry for Troopers at the start that explained the rank structure, because as a member of the military IRL, I find the use of military ranks and terms in this game very confusing. It wouldn't be a problem if they were made up ranks, like some of the Imperial ranks, but using real world ranks in a non-conventional way with no explanation makes it seem as though it is a writing mistake.

Ranks in different cultures and military orginizations mean different things. Marines in boot camp call their Drill Instructor, sir. Army guys such as I was call him Drill Sergeant.

I think playing through the Trooper story will give you plenty of idea on the rank structure.

Im pretty far into Chapter 1, and I created the topic because it isn't clear. Whether or not a private calls their Drill Instructor (or Drill Sergeant) "Sir" is one thing, Ensigns calling Sergeants sir is another. And we know from the story that Sergeant is below LT, because you get promoted to LT from Sergeant, and someone else gets demoted the other way. So is Sergeant and officer rank, between Ensign and LT, where in the US Navy that rank would be LTJG? It does say you went to the Academy and graduated top of your class, so I guess Sergeant is an officer in the Republic military.

Regardless, since they are using real world ranks in a non-standard way, a Codex entry is a small price to ask to clarify.

There is a codex entry, you get it on the trooper at least on Ord Mantell.

Does it actually list the ranks in order? I just checked my Codex, and I have nothing of the sort. There is a description of Havoc Squad and of Republic Special Forces. Nothing about rank structure.

Sergent = NCO = Non-Commisioned OFFICER

Ensign = Commissioned Officer. ie, Ensign gets called Sir by the Sergeant, NOT the other way around.

Pretty sure it does, it descending order, includes two naval ranks to.

Interesting. I have 21/28 codex entries for Ord Mantell. If you could confirm for me that you have a codex entry that shows the ranks and tell me the name of the entry title in the Codex I would greatly appreciate it.

I believe the codex entry for Republic military ranks is in Fort Garnik. You need to inspect a flag (glowing) by a "archway" between the Cantina and the military base (the Trooper specific area). The flag is on the Cantina side of the "archway" on the same side as the cantina.

On the subject of the rank situation. I dont think Star Wars: Old Republic differentiates between Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers. It seems that possibly from basic Trooper on up it is very much like the modern military officers. Even basic Troopers might be more like the modern equivelant of "specialist" and Sergent and up are more similar to Commisioned officers. Or it is just another poorly done military-esque creation.

As an IRL NCO myself, I understand exactly what the OP is talking about, it also irks me on the occasionaly cutscene. Sadly, it looks like it's just poor writing on Bioware's part to include real ranks without fully understanding the rank structure.

(this is for us military types what this picture is to the hardcore Star Wars fans http://www.picselate.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/lotr-star-wars-harry-potter.jpg )

... It does say you went to the Academy and graduated top of your class, so I guess Sergeant is an officer in the Republic military.

 

Regardless, since they are using real world ranks in a non-standard way, a Codex entry is a small price to ask to clarify.

This was the most confusing part, to me. I think in the star wars universe republic troopers (or maybe just ncos) are so highly trained that they have to go through an academy rather than just boot camp and specialist school. Still does not explain why fleet officers are deferring to trooper sergeants.

What is going on with these ranks? As a sergeant my trooper was demanding salutes, despite this not being an officer rank. Later in the Trooper line, an NPC ensign (the first officer rank in the Navy) calls a Sergeant (a mid-level non-officer rank in the non-Navy services) "Sir" and acts as though she is his superior.

 

It would be good if there was a codec entry for Troopers at the start that explained the rank structure, because as a member of the military IRL, I find the use of military ranks and terms in this game very confusing. It wouldn't be a problem if they were made up ranks, like some of the Imperial ranks, but using real world ranks in a non-conventional way with no explanation makes it seem as though it is a writing mistake.

Ok, I found this:

Republic Military Ranks

It looks like even in the codex ensign is above sergeant. So I guess it is just sloppy writing.

In the Republic, Sergeant is below LT and above Ensign. What's the problem again?

The game's codex says otherwise. Is that the case in other lore (say from novels etc.)?

So I went to Ord Mantell and tracked down the referenced flag Lore Object. The ranks, in highest to lowest order are as follows, with Army/Navy if there is a difference:

Supreme Commander

General/Admiral

Colonel/Commodore

Major/Group Captain

Captain

Lieutenant

Ensign

Sergeant/Petty Officer

Corporal

Specialist

Private

It says "Sir" and salutes are given to those above you, with no enlisted/commissioned distinction, so when you have the option to demand a salute as a Sergeant from some Privates that is fine. What is still incorrect is an Ensign calling a Sergeant "Sir," as happens in a trooper quest on Taris.

So I went to Ord Mantell and tracked down the referenced flag Lore Object. The ranks, in highest to lowest order are as follows, with Army/Navy if there is a difference:

 

Supreme Commander

General/Admiral

Colonel/Commodore

Major/Group Captain

Captain

Lieutenant

Ensign

Sergeant/Petty Officer

Corporal

Specialist

Private

 

It says "Sir" and salutes are given to those above you, with no enlisted/commissioned distinction, so when you have the option to demand a salute as a Sergeant from some Privates that is fine. What is still incorrect is an Ensign calling a Sergeant "Sir," as happens in a trooper quest on Taris.

Well check the spoiler below as to why being saluted by an Ensign on Taris would not be surprising.

Ok this is how it works.

Havoc is Special Forces. Special Forces is much different, and are not outranked very often. A ensign may decide to not call him Sir..or may demand a salute..but ensigns are the bottom barrel of the military.

Look at Master Chief from Halo..he is an NCO..Non Commissioned Officer..and gets called Sir plenty..its out of respect.

**Edited** And a Sergeant would never get a salute..from a private..outside of special forces..even though they are still considered officers.

Well check the spoiler below as to why being saluted by an Ensign on Taris would not be surprising.

 

 

When your character leaves Ord Mantell you are giving the rank of Lieutenant in the story line, which out ranks an Ensign (though you can technically keep the Sergent title). So being saluted by an ensign would not be surprising by the time you rach Taris.

It wasn't an Ensign saluting me. No spoilers, but it was an NPC Ensign calling an NPC Sergeant 'Sir' during a later part of the Trooper quest.

The codex lists ranks as such:

Supreme Commander

General (Army), Admiral (Navy)

Colonel (Army), Commodore (Navy)

Major (Army), Group Captain (Navy)

Captain

Lieutenant

Ensign

Sergeant (Army), Petty Officer (Navy)

Corporal

Specialist

Private

You can find it under Organizations as Republic Military Ranks. So yeah, Ensign is above Sergeant in this case.'

Edit: Then I find out it's already been listed... Oops

I can tell you its all screwed up lol. The rank structure was created by a guy who knows a guy who saw a guy watch blackhawk down. Also when your in a special type of unit its relaxed to an extent, especially when its just your own guys. Wraith standing at parade rest all the time eats at me, and the way she acts... I'm still deciding if I can play a trooper because of how wacky it all is.

I like the armor though...

It wasn't an Ensign saluting me. No spoilers, but it was an NPC Ensign calling an NPC Sergeant 'Sir' during a later part of the Trooper quest.

Yes, I just saw this yesterday. An NPC ensign was calling an NPC Sergeant "sir."