Private First Class

Inner Sphere Military Ranks
Enlisted
Recruit Private Corporal Sergeant Master Sergeant
Field Officer
Cadet Lieutenant Captain Major Colonel
General Officer
Lieutenant General Major General General Commanding General
For specific ranks see Military Ranks

A Private First Class (PFC) is sometimes a rank that adds some command responsibility to the wearer's duties, but it is more often used to show if a soldier has leadership potential or time in grade. The Naval equivalent is frequently Able Spaceman.

Star League Defense Forces

This rank wasn't used by the first SLDF. It is used by the Second Star League Defense Forces however. Interestingly the rank insignia for Private and Private First Class is identical.

SLDF Rank insignia

Rank	Insignia (First SLDF)	Insignia (Second SLDF)
Private First Class	N/A

Lyran Commonwealth and Lyran Alliance

In the LAAF, a Private First Class has served for at least six months. Their rank insignia is a modification of a Private's rank insignia, with the left side set to provide a half-spearpoint.

LAAF Military Rank Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Private, First Class

Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery

Prior to Theodore Kurita's ascention to the Coordinatorship, the DCMS called this rank Lance Corporal. After Theodore's reforms however, the rank was given a new Japanese name: Gunjin. Gunjin do not have any additional responsibilities but they do receive some additional pay.

In each case, the DCMS used a stylized katakana number "2" in lavender as their rank insignia. The branch of service is shown via the background color of the pin.

DCMS Officer Ranks by branch of service

DCMS Ranks						DCA Ranks
Rank	MechWarrior	AeroSpace Fighter	Infantry	Armor	Artillery	Rank	Naval Crew Draconis Combine Admiralty	Technical Service
Gunjin (Lance Corporal)						Gunjin (Lance Corporal)

Armed Forces of the Federated Suns

In the AFFS, Private First Class isn't a rank which confers any command authority. Instead it's used by instructors to designate "honors graduates" of basic training. Except for the different rank insignia, the rank confers no special responsibilities or advantages to the bearer.

AFFS Ranks by Branch of service

Rank	MechWarrior	AeroSpace Fighter	Infantry	Armor	Naval Crew	Technical Service	Administrative	Medical	Legal	Logistics/ Transportation
Private First Class

Capellan Confederation Armed Forces

The CCAF doesn't use this rank.

Free Worlds League

In the FWLM a Private First Class (or Able Spaceman) has more than one year of service. The rank adds no additional responsibility to the bearer's duties.

A FWLM PFC uses two gold chevrons edged in purple as their rank insignia.

FWLM Military Rank Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Private, First Class

The Clans

As is the case with most enlisted ranks, the Clans do not use the rank of Private First Class. Point Commander is the first official level of command authority.

ComStar/Word of Blake

Due to their unique base six structure, neither ComStar nor the Word of Blake Militia use this rank. A senior Acolyte would fill this position.

Free Rasalhague Republic

The KungsArmé doesn't use this rank.

Periphery Powers

Magistracy of Canopus

This rank isn't used by the Magistracy Armed Forces.

Taurian Defense Force

This rank isn't used by the Taurian Defense Force.

Marian Hegemony

The Hegemony Armed Forces, with their focus on recreating the Roman Empire, do not use this rank.

Outworlds Alliance

Private First Class isn't one of the eight ranks recognized by the Alliance Military Corps.

Notes

• Ranks, when not preceding a name, are not capitalized.

Ex: The major stood and rendered a salute to General DeChavilier.

• Non-English ranks, with the exception of those used by the Federated Suns or Lyrans, are italicized.

• For more information, see BattleTechWiki:Manual of Style

Bibliography

• Field Manual: ComStar
• Field Manual: Crusader Clans
• Field Manual: Draconis Combine
• Field Manual: Federated Suns
• Field Manual: Free Worlds League
• Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
• Field Manual: Periphery
• House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
• The Star League