TIE Corps rank system

Although a Member's overall status within the Fleet will be entirely determined by their position, the following military ranks are presented to further stratify the Emperor's Hammer TIE Corps and give something for members to strive to attain. The position of a member will always take precedence over conflicting ranks (i.e. a Flight Leader who is a Lieutenant Colonel (LC) does not outrank a Squadron Commander who is a Captain). The primary use of the ranks will be to determine minimum standards for the various positions.

A member may retain a rank achieved in a previous assignment to a higher command position even if his current position does not warrant a promotion to that rank.

Current

In 2006 (15 ABY), the rank panels were updated to be more consistent and to be part of a larger Emperor's Hammer-wide system. The system was primarily designed by the Fleet Commander and the original images created by Zeth Durron.

In the Naval components (including Emperor's Hammer main fleet and the TIE Corps), blue pips form the basis of the rank badge, with red and/or yellow pips replacing blue at the bottom to denote level of rank. In the Ground components (including the Hammer's Fist), red pips from the basis of the rank badge, with blue and/or yellow pips replacing red at the bottom to denote level of rank.

Officers also wear a variable number of code cylinders associated with their rank. The web site and tailoring tool depict these cylinders automatically.

Flag/Admiralty Ranks of the Emperor's Hammer and TIE Corps
Grand Admiral		Grand Admiral (GA) is a flag rank within the Emperor's Hammer main fleet. In the main fleet, the rank is almost totally reserved for the Fleet Commander, but Astatine was briefly holder of the rank whilst still Executive Officer. Ronin was promoted to this rank in NL14. There have only ever been Four Grand Admirals in the Emperor's Hammer - Ronin, Astatine, Cyric, and the current Fleet Commander Rapier.
Sector Admiral		Sector Admiral (SA) is a flag rank within the Emperor's Hammer main fleet. This rank is reserved solely for the Executive Officer. Members having achieved this rank include: Havok Kamjin Maverick Lap'lamiz Kawolski Yoni
High Admiral		High Admiral (HA) is a flag rank within the Emperor's Hammer main fleet and TIE Corps. This rank is the highest achievable without becoming the Executive Officer. Members who are already Fleet Admirals, who have achieved almost all merit awards and who are universally respected by Command Officers and normal membership alike are promoted to High Admiral. In the main fleet, the rank is awarded to exceptional Command Officers. In the TIE Corps, High Admiral is the highest rank. It is used solely as a promotion rank to promote an exceptional TIE Corps Commander. In the past, only three High Admirals could be active at one time, similar to the Dark Jedi Primarch rank in the Dark Brotherhood. Members having achieved this rank include: Anahorn Dempsey Ari Daniel Bonini Elwood the Brave Ender mBind Frodo March Jedgar O. Paladin Keiran Idanian Pete Mitchell Plif Royal Striker Zsinj
Fleet Admiral		Fleet Admiral (FA) is a flag rank within the Emperor's Hammer main fleet and TIE Corps. In the main fleet, Admirals who have shown consistent performance over a long period of time are promoted to the coveted rank of Fleet Admiral. It is usually used to promote only Command Officers. In the TIE Corps, it is used as a promotion rank for the TIE Corps Commander, Strategic Operations Officer, and Combat Operations Officer.
Admiral		Admiral (AD) is a flag rank within the Emperor's Hammer main fleet and TIE Corps. In the main fleet, Admiral is used as a promotion rank for a variety of positions, including Command officers, Command Attachés, and Imperial Advisors. It also served in the past as the appointment rank for Command Officers. In the TIE Corps, it is used as a promotion rank for the TIE Corps Commander, Strategic Operations Officer, and Combat Operations Officer, as well as the currently unused Battlegroup Commander position.
Vice Admiral		Vice Admiral (VA) is a flag rank within the Emperor's Hammer main fleet and TIE Corps. The rank of Vice Admiral has multiple uses. In the main fleet, it may be used as the appointment rank for Command Officers at the Fleet Commander's discretion, as well as a promotion rank for Command Attachés and Imperial Advisors. In the TIE Corps, it is used as the appointment rank for the TIE Corps Commander. It has also been used as the appointment rank for the currently unused Battlegroup Commander position.
Rear Admiral		Rear Admiral (RA) is a flag rank within the Emperor's Hammer main fleet and TIE Corps. This is the first level of flag/Admiralty rank. In the main fleet, is used as the appointment rank for Command Officers, Command Attachés and Imperial Advisors. In the TIE Corps, it is used as the appointment rank for Commodores, and both the Strategic Operations Officer and Combat Operations Officer. Although it is directly senior to General, it is not possible to be promoted to this rank.
Line Ranks of the TIE Corps
General		General (GN) is the highest line rank in the TIE Corps. Exceptional Squadron Commanders and Wing Commanders may be promoted to the rank of General. The rank is of special prestige due to the length and quality of service required to achieve the rank. In the past, the rank was reserved for Wing Commanders or Squadron Commanders of the Elite Squadrons.
Colonel		Colonel (COL) is the second-highest line rank in the TIE Corps. Members of this rank are typically Squadron Commanders. It was also common for Wing Commanders to hold this rank, but the position is currently out of use. Active Lieutenant Colonels in a Flight Leader role or higher may be promoted to Colonel. Promotion to this rank is achieved by time in grade, but the promotion is only awarded at the discretion of the member's superiors. Colonels were, in the past, unusually common because members that retired from a position that afforded them a higher rank were reduced to Colonel when joining a squadron. This was the case even if appointed to Wing Commander, as the rank of General was considered to be of high prestige.
Lieutenant Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel (LC) is the third-highest line rank in the TIE Corps. Members of this rank are typically Squadron Commanders. It was also common for Wing Commanders to hold this rank, but the position is currently out of use. Active Majors in a Flight Leader role or higher may be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Promotion to this rank is achieved by time in grade, but the promotion is only awarded at the discretion of the member's superiors.
Major		Major (MAJ) is a rank in the TIE Corps. Major is the highest rank that a Flight Member may be promoted to. Members of this rank are usually Squadron Commanders. It is also the minimum rank for the currently unused Wing Commander position. Promotion to this rank is achieved by time in grade, but the promotion is only awarded at the discretion of the member's superiors. As with the rank of Commander, members appointed to Wing Commander but of a lower rank are awarded the rank on appointment.
Captain		Captain (CPT) is a rank in the TIE Corps. Members of this rank are often Flight Members, Flight Leaders, or Squadron Commanders. It is typically awarded to a Squadron Commander who has proven themselves, but can be awarded to exceptional Flight Members and Flight Leaders as well.
Commander		Commander (CM) is a rank in the TIE Corps. Members of this rank are typically Flight Members or Flight Leaders. It is also the minimum rank for Squadron Commanders. Pilots of a lower rank that are appointed to Squadron Commander (CMDR) are also promoted to Commander and will retain that rank as long as they complete at least one Tour of Duty as a CMDR.
Lieutenant Commander		Lieutenant Commander (LCM) is a rank in the TIE Corps. Active Lieutenants that have completed the TIE Corps Core course from the Imperial University (IU) may be promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
Lieutenant		Lieutenant (LT) is the second-lowest rank assigned to TIE Corps members. A Lieutenant is typically a Flight Member, but some are appointed as Flight Leaders. Sub-Lieutenants that complete one of the requirements listed in the TIE Corps Pilot Manual will be promoted to Lieutenant. Unlike other more senior ranks in the TIE Corps, there is no time in previous rank requirement.
Sub-Lieutenant		Sub-Lieutenant (SL) is the lowest rank assigned to members of the TIE Corps. It is the starting rank for newly assigned Flight Members who have completed Cadet training. No other positions may be assigned to members of this rank.
Cadet		Cadet (CT) is the initial rank for prospective TIE Corps pilots.

Historical Revisions

NL21 Edition

Newsletter 21 first announced rank insignia for use by Emperor's Hammer members, designed by Havok. The ranks used were:

Grand Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Major General
Lieutenant General
Brigadier General
General
Colonel
Lieutenent Colonel
Major
Commander
Captain
Lieutenant

It should be noted that at this time, active pilots were assigned with the rank of General (taken from the TIE Fighter game) and thus, only the ranks of General or higher were used.

NL48 Edition

On or around NL48 (Jan 1998), FO Kawolski proposed an updating of the rank system. The rank system is as follows:

Grand Admiral
Sector Admiral
High Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
General
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant
Cadet

In NL49, the rank of High Admiral was created and awarded to Paladin and Khyron.

Side by Side Comparison

Color Key
	Fleet Command rank
	Flag rank
	Line rank

NL 21 Edition		NL 48 Edition		Current
Grand Admiral		Grand Admiral		Grand Admiral
		Sector Admiral		Sector Admiral
		High Admiral		High Admiral
Fleet Admiral		Fleet Admiral		Fleet Admiral
Admiral		Admiral		Admiral
Vice Admiral		Vice Admiral		Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral		Rear Admiral		Rear Admiral
Major Gen		General		General
Lt Gen		Colonel		Colonel
Brig Gen		Lt Colonel		Lt Colonel
General		Major		Major
Colonel		Captain		Captain
Lt Colonel		Commander		Commander
Major		Lt Commander		Lt Commander
Commander		Lieutenant		Lieutenant
Captain		Sub-Lt		Sub-Lt
Lt		Cadet		Cadet