A Member’s Journey: Progression Stages
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Bravo Fleet’s progression system includes many milestones for members to reach as they complete activities and participate in our community’s offerings. You will advance through these stages by fulfilling milestones, participating in the activities you enjoy, and engaging with the community. Unlike other organisations, which might use ranks or awards to reward good conduct or popularity sporadically, Bravo Fleet’s progression system rewards all activity equally, ensuring that advancement isn’t about who you know but what you do. This guide describes how one advances through the rank system and the perks associated with each stage.
A definition and list of criteria for each rank is available on the BFMS Ranks page.
MEMBER PROGRESSION CHART - CADET TO FLEET CAPTAIN
| Stage | Rank | Time in Grade | Command Unlocks |
| Cadet Grades | Cadet Freshman Grade | No Minimum | |
| Cadet Sophomore Grade | No Minimum | ||
| Cadet Junior Grade | No Minimum | ||
| Cadet Senior Grade | No Minimum | ||
| Junior Officer | Midshipman | 1 week minimum | California-class, Affliate Command slots |
| Ensign | 1 week minimum | ||
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | 1 week minimum | ||
| Lieutenant | 2 weeks minimum | ||
| Senior Officer | Lieutenant Commander | 4 months minimum | |
| Commander | 6 months minimum | ||
| Captain | 12 months minimum | Division/Squadron System | |
| Fleet Captain | 12 months minimum |
Note: Flag officer ranks are not included in this chart, because they can only be earned through substantial contributions to the fleet in leadership roles. The total minimum time in cadet and line officer ranks is just over 37 months, or just over three years, before advancing to flag rank.
For specifics related to the Prestige and Command system please refer to the Logistics office policy.
STAGE 1: JUNIOR OFFICER
| Stage | Rank | Time in Grade | Command Unlock |
| Cadet Grades | Cadet Freshman Grade | No Minimum | |
| Cadet Sophomore Grade | No Minimum | ||
| Cadet Junior Grade | No Minimum | ||
| Cadet Senior Grade | No Minimum | ||
| Junior Officer | Midshipman | 1 week minimum | California-class, Affiliate Command Slots |
| Ensign | 1 week minimum | ||
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | 1 week minimum | ||
| Lieutenant | 2 weeks minimum |
The four cadet ranks are designed to be completed in a day or less, as the milestones associated with these ranks are related to learning about the fleet and getting started with activities. The majority of members advance through this stage by chatting on our Discord server, following the fleet on social media, joining our Star Trek: Online fleet, and/or completing Bravo Fleet Academy coursework. At this stage, members are mentored directly by members of the Task Force Senior Staff to answer questions about the progression system and to help them find the path that is most appropriate for them to advance. A misconception about the Cadet ranks is that you are restricted to writing cadet characters while you are in the cadet ranks as a member, but you are more than able to write for the character you hope to use as your eventual captain character.
Upon reaching the rank of Midshipman, you gain access to the Primary Command system with your very own starship (a California-class), which you are free to choose from our starship registry. Each of the task forces has a slightly different theme, representing the various mandates of the Fourth Fleet. Your task force is your tribe, your house (a la Game of Thrones or Harry Potter) and your clan within the fleet. Participating in fleet actions will earn kudos for your TF, and your TF will put on events for you as well.
Your dossier will be housed in one of your Task Force’s Task Groups, where someone from the Task Force's Senior Staff will continue to be your mentor as you explore what activities you like best and as you become more active in the fleet. The TFSS will help you strategise about how to meet the stated junior officer milestones. You may also have an additional mentor assigned by the TF staff from within your TF.
STAGE 2: SENIOR OFFICER
| Stage | Rank | Time in Grade | Command Unlock |
| Senior Officer | Lieutenant Commander | 4 months minimum | |
| Commander | 6 months minimum | ||
| Captain | 12 months minimum | Division/Squadron System | |
| Fleet Captain | 12 months minimum |
The four senior line officer ranks are where you will spend the majority of your time in the Bravo Fleet. Upon promotion to Lieutenant Commander, you are able to request a different starship of your very own. Senior Officer promotions do not have stated milestones like Junior Officer ranks but rather are earned through general activity and the accumulation of merit awards. Ranks at the stage unlock greater access to the Primary Command system.
Advancement beyond senior line officer ranks and into flag officer ranks is achieved through fleet leadership. Most of our staff members are drawn from the senior officer level, as your experience now allows you to mentor others, which is the cornerstone of our organisation.