Private First Class

Inner Sphere Military Ranks
Enlisted
Field Officer
General Officer
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.

SLDF

This rank wasn't used by the first SLDF.[1] 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)[2] Insignia (Second SLDF)[3]
Private First Class N/A SLDF-Private.png

Lyran Commonwealth and Lyran Alliance

In the LAAF, a Private First Class has served for at least six months.[4] 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 PrivateFirstClassLAAF.png

Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery

Prior to Theodore Kurita's ascention to the Coordinatorship, the DCMS called this rank Lance Corporal.[5] After Theodore's reforms however, the rank was given a new Japanese name: Gunjin.[6] 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-mech.png Gunjin-asf.png Gunjin-infantry.png Gunjin-armor.png Gunjin-artillery.png Gunjin
(Lance Corporal)
Gunjin-naval.png Gunjin-tech.png

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.[7]

AFFS Ranks by Branch of service
Rank MechWarrior AeroSpace Fighter Infantry Armor Naval Crew Technical
Service
Administrative Medical Legal Logistics/
Transportation
Private First Class PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-MW.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-ASF.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Infantry.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Armor.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Naval.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Technical.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Admin.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Medical.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Legal.png PrivateFirstClass-AFFS-Logistics.png

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.[8]

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

FWLM Military Rank Insignia
Rank Insignia
Private, First Class PrivateFirstClassFWL.png

The Clans

As is the case with most enlisted ranks, the Clans do not use the rank of Private First Class.[9] 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.[10]

Free Rasalhague Republic

The KungsArmé doesn't use this rank.[11]

Periphery Powers

Magistracy of Canopus

This rank isn't used by the Magistracy Armed Forces.[12]

Taurian Defense Force

This rank isn't used by the Taurian Defense Force.[13]

Marian Hegemony

The Hegemony Armed Forces, with their focus on recreating the Roman Empire, do not use this rank.[14]

Outworlds Alliance

Private First Class isn't one of the eight ranks recognized by the Alliance Military Corps.[15]

Notes

  • Ranks, when not preceding a name, are not capitalized.[16]
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.[16]


References

  1. The Star League, p. 112
  2. The Star League, p. 113
  3. Field Manual: ComStar, p.??[citation needed]
  4. Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 30
  5. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 125
  6. Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 20
  7. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 27
  8. Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 22
  9. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 11
  10. Field Manual: ComStar, p. ??[citation needed]
  11. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 66
  12. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 24
  13. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 53
  14. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 73
  15. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 88
  16. 16.0 16.1 Per Line Developer Ray Arrastia, 02Aug2022 (screencap)

Bibliography