Military Ranks
Chain of command
The NCR Army has chosen to emulate the rank and file of the pre-War United States military, as well as the division into officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel. Advancement can be swift, especially in active combat zones. It usually takes four years for a soldier to reach the rank of captain, but a vacancy may result in an early promotion. Going beyond the call of duty and demonstrating exceptional leadership may also result in accelerated promotion.
General. The highest rank in the Army, responsible for commanding entire theaters. For example, General Lee Oliver commands the Mojave Campaign).
Colonel. These officers typically command entire portions of the region, delegated by superior officers, and not always neatly delineated. For example, Colonel Cassandra Moore commands the garrison stationed at the Hoover Dam, while James Hsu is responsible for troops in the New Vegas area, operating out of Camp McCarran. Their areas of responsibility overlap and Moore may deal with security threats in areas formally under Hsu's command, like Freeside.
Major. These officers may lead large combat operations (such as the ill-fated Bitter Springs policing action), forward operating bases (eg. Camp Forlorn Hope under Major Polatli), strategic outposts (eg. Mojave Outpost under Major Knight), and special assignments, like relief for refugees or bounty missions.
Captain. Typically commanding full companies, captains may also assist superior officers in various affairs, such as overseeing logistics (eg. Cpt. Ronald Curtis), enforcing discipline among troops (such as Captain Pappas of the military police), and commanding refugee camps (such as Captain Gilles and Captain Parker).
Lieutenant. Divided into a "full" lieutenant and the junior second lieutenant, officers bearing this rank lead NCR Army units in battle, ranging from specialist squads (such as Lieutenant Gorobets who is in charge of 1st Recon's Alpha Team and other Camp McCarran sniper teams), to entire companies and garrisons (such as Lieutenant Hayes[5] and Lieutenant Haggerty) Lieutenant officers may also be assigned to specific duties, such as policing, internal security, and patrols (such as Lieutenant Boyd, Lieutenant Romanowski, or Lieutenant Monroe). Medical officers may also be granted the rank of lieutenant (such as Lieutenant Markland).
Non-commissioned officers are officers who have not chosen to pursue a commission and promotion to higher levels of authority. In the Mojave Campaign, many NCOs are career soldiers, and frequently are on their second tour. Sergeants typically assist commissioned officers, such as their company and platoon commanders, in their duties, including disciplinary action. In some contexts, a sergeant's rank is a formality, bringing with it no extra responsibilities or powers (eg. Sgt. Bitter-Root in Alpha Team).
Master Sergeant.
First Sergeant.
Staff Sergeant. Aside from assisting officers (including carrying out disciplinary punishments like flogging), staff sergeants may also be responsible for compiling reports.
Sergeant. Sergeants are the most common non-commissioned officers. Like other grades of sergeants, they assist commissioned officers in the field, and may also be assigned squads to carry out specific assignments, such as establishing forward camps (Sergeant Banner), managing supplies (Sergeant Contreras), or leading squads in combat operations (Sergeant Lee). Some sergeants may exercise authority comparable to a commissioned officer: Sergeant McCredie at Camp Golf leads the Army component of the garrison, in lieu of a lieutenant or captain.
Enlisted ranks form the bulk of the New California Republic Army.
Technical Sergeant. A high enlisted rank, technical sergeants may be responsible for operation of sensitive equipment and compiling reports, without subordinates (such as Technical Sergeant Reyes).
Corporal. Senior enlisted troops, corporals are leaders responsible for their squads, ensuring their readiness and executing orders from non-commissioned officers. As senior personnel, corporals may also be assigned to positions of special responsibility, such as that of a mess officer (Corporal Farber). In some contexts, the rank carries no extra powers, beyond indicating seniority (such as Corporal's Sterling and Betsy).
Private First Class. The rank signifies an experienced enlisted soldier.
Private. The most basic and most numerous rank in the New California Republic Army. Privates make the bulk of the Army, bearing the brunt of the risk associated with its operations. This is compensated for by Army benefits. While monthly pay is low, a completed tour of duty and honorable discharge entitles a veteran to various Army benefits and makes securing a job easier. The Army distinguishes between two Private ranks: PVT, the "base" private, and PV2, signifying a trained soldier.