Ranks exist in USS Sequoia and THE FLEET as a way to recognize accomplishment, long-term dedication, and good conduct within the organization. However, they confer no special privileges within the organization. Rank may be revoked or reduced in response to poor conduct or inactivity. Members have the right to know (either verbally or in writing) if they will be demoted in rank and for what reason. This can be done by the Commanding Officer or First Officer (Captain Isabel Roybal or Lieutenant Commander Jocelyn Cliff, respectively), who will meet and discuss the situation with the given crew member.

Civilian Designations and Automatic Ranks

21st Century Citizen

Any person who interacts with THE FLEET or USS Sequoia in any way (including by joining the Facebook group or signing up for the mailing list) attains this designation by default.

Fleet Guest

If you do not wish to pursue promotion, or otherwise don’t want to identify as a participating member of THE FLEET or USS Sequoia for any reason, you may request to be referred to as a “Fleet Guest”.

Crewman (Third Class)

Any member over the age of 15 who has either attended any USS Sequoia event (online or in person) or has joined the Discord will automatically qualify for this rank.

Junior Cadet Ranks

Any member who would qualify for a rank of Crewman (Third Class) or higher but is under the age of 15 will instead be given a Junior Cadet rank.

  • Any member under the age of 12 will be given a rank of Junior Cadet (1st Year).
  • Any member over the age of 12 but under the age of 13 will be given a rank of Junior Cadet (2nd Year).
  • Any member over the age of 13 but under the age of 14 will be given a rank of Junior Cadet (3rd Year).
  • Any member over the age of 14 but under the age of 15 will be given a rank of Junior Cadet (4th Year).

Ranks from other ships in THE FLEET:

A member who has already been promoted up to Lieutenant Junior Grade on another ship in THE FLEET will retain that rank upon transfer to USS Sequoia. Members with higher ranks than that may only retain their previous rank if they’ve held it for at least six months prior to transfer. Founding members of USS Sequoia are exempted from this requirement. If there are fewer than five Senior Officers on USS Sequoia, and a member transfers with the intent to become a Senior Officer, they may also be exempted from this requirement, at the Commanding Officer or Admiralty’s discretion.

Merit-based Ranks

Promotion beyond any of the above automatic ranks depends on whether you own a uniform in the Strange New Worlds style that meets USS Sequoia guidelines. Members without a uniform will be promoted along the Enlisted track:

Crewman (Third Class) > Crewman (Second Class) > Crewman (First Class) > Petty Officer > Chief Petty Officer

Members with a uniform will be promoted along the Officer track:

Crewman (Third Class) > Ensign > Lieutenant Junior Grade > Lieutenant > Lieutenant Commander > Commander > Captain

If you have already been promoted along the Enlisted Track but then acquire a qualifying uniform afterwards, you will be immediately qualified for promotion to the equivalent rank in the Officer Track.

     
 

Ensign / Crewman (Second Class)

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a promotion to this rank:

  • You have chosen a department
  • Outside of Senior Staff, department choices do not imply any special skills or any volunteered duties with THE FLEET. Your selected department can be changed at any time
  • Valid departments:
  • Command (Gold Shirt)
  • Communications (Red Shirt)
  • Councilor (Blue Shirt)
  • Engineering (Red Shirt)
  • Medical (Light Blue or White Shirt)
  • Navigation (Red Shirt)
  • Operations (Red Shirt)
  • Science (Blue Shirt)
  • Supply (Red Shirt)
  • Tactical/Security (Red Shirt)
  • Section 31 (████████; Shirt) (Requires approval from ████████)
You have working knowledge of USS Sequoia and its activities
  • You have knowledge of other ships in the Pacific Station squadron
  • This requirement is included for consistency with other ships in THE FLEET. However, as of 1/1/2025, USS Sequoia is not in a squadron, and is the only ship in the Pacific Station region
You have general knowledge of THE FLEET
Your conduct within THE FLEET has been of an acceptable standard

The Commanding Officer or First Officer of USS Sequoia (Captain Isabel Roybal or Lieutenant Commander Jocelyn Cliff, respectively) will make the determination of whether a member has the required knowledge, meets conduct standards, and qualifies for promotion.

  
     
     
 

Lieutenant Junior Grade / Crewman (First Class)

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a promotion to this rank:

You continue to meet all the requirements for promotion to Ensign or Crewman (Second Class)
You have engaged the group on social media
You have attended and interacted with other members in at least one event per month for three consecutive months
Your conduct within THE FLEET has been of an acceptable standard

Your department head (Senior Staff of USS Sequoia in a matching department), or the Commanding Officer or First Officer of USS Sequoia (Captain Isabel Roybal or Lieutenant Commander Jocelyn Cliff, respectively) will make the determination of whether a member has the required knowledge, meets conduct standards, and qualifies for promotion.

  
     
     
 

Lieutenant / Petty Officer

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a promotion to this rank:

You continue to meet all the requirements for promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade or Crewman (First Class)
You have attended at least one charity event held by USS Sequoia within a rolling twelve month period
  • You have hosted at least one event for USS Sequoia
  • Hosting in this case is defined as having held primary responsibility for the planning and/or execution of an event that has been publicly advertised to and attended by other members of USS Sequoia.
You have been an active member of THE FLEET for at least nine months
Your conduct within THE FLEET has been of an acceptable standard

The Commanding Officer or First Officer of USS Sequoia (Captain Isabel Roybal or Lieutenant Commander Jocelyn Cliff, respectively) will make the determination of whether a member has the required knowledge, meets conduct standards, and qualifies for promotion.

  
     
     
 

Lieutenant Commander / Chief Petty Officer

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a promotion to this rank:

You continue to meet all the requirements for promotion to Lieutenant or Petty Officer
You have accepted assigned responsibilities within USS Sequoia
You have fulfilled your responsibilities at a satisfactory quality level and delivered at agreed-upon deadlines
You have been an active member of THE FLEET for at least twelve months
Your conduct within THE FLEET has been of an acceptable standard

The Commanding Officer of USS Sequoia (Captain Isabel Roybal) will make the determination of whether a member has the required knowledge, meets conduct standards, and qualifies for promotion.

  
     

The enlisted track ends at this point. You must have a qualifying uniform for promotion to any higher ranks

     
 

Commander

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a promotion to this rank:

You continue to meet all the requirements for promotion to Lieutenant Commander
You own a uniform in the Strange New Worlds style meeting USS Sequoia guidelines
You have passed a quiz on the contents of THE FLEET handbook
You have been an active member of THE FLEET for at least twelve months
Your conduct within THE FLEET has been of an acceptable standard

In addition, there must be an available spot within the Pacific Station regional group for someone of Commander rank

A member of THE FLEET Admiralty will make the determination of whether a member has the required knowledge, meets conduct standards, and qualifies for promotion

  
     
     
 

Captain (and higher)

Promotion to this rank and beyond can only be done at the discretion of THE FLEET Admiralty