The Republic Merchant Fleet, also known as the Merchant Navy or simply as “RMF” was a fleet of civilian-owned merchant ships operated by either the Republic government or the private sector. It engaged in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable space of the Galactic Republic. Some critics claimed that the Republic Merchant Fleet was a paramilitary organization, but officially, the Republic Merchant Fleet was not part of the Republic Armed Forces.
The Merchant Fleet was a uniformed service for the Galactic Republic and an auxiliary fleet for the Navy, but not an armed service, except in times of war when Merchant Fleet personnel were considered military personnel so that under the laws of war, they could not be executed as spies if they were serving on a battlefield. This also guaranteed veteran status to Merchant Fleet members who served during a war, so that they could receive the veteran's benefits.
The members received the same training and equipment as their Navy counterparts. Also, many services members of the Navy, Army and Marines started to work for the Merchant Fleet after their service time ended, but the Republic Merchant Fleet fell under the direction of the Ministry of Transportation, not the Ministry of Defense, even in times of war.
The Merchant Fleet was responsible for transporting cargo and passengers during peacetime. In time of war, the Merchant Freet acted as an auxiliary fleet for the Navy, and could be called upon to deliver troops and supplies for the Armed Forces or Jedi Order. Separate from the other military services, members who served in the Marchant Fleet were considered to be among the best-trained and best-equipped troops for logistical duties.
Merchant Fleet moved cargo and passengers between planets within the Galactic Republic, operated and maintained deep space bulk transport ships, evac ships, hospital ships landing crafts, lighters, light freighters, luxury liners, maintenance haulers, mobile repair bases, passenger freighters, passenger liners, small passenger ships, spaceboats, tankers, trade frigates, transport ships, tug ships and yachts.
Organization and ranks
Basic unit structure
The Merchant Fleet used the structure as the Navy when was separated from the it. Over the years however the Merchant Fleet modified the structure due the their needs. Roughly was the Merchant Fleet organized into Administrative divisions, Flotillas, Transport groups and Fleets. Most of the time however the ships operated on a individual for the different navy compartments direct under the command of a navy admiral . The organizational system was as follows:
Unit | Commanding officer rank | Duties |
---|---|---|
Merchant Fleet Starfighter Squadrons
Starting in 1,000 BBY, during the reorganization prior to Great Peace of the Republic, the Merchant Fleet created the own starfighters squadron.
Up until then, Republic Merchant ships relied on starfighter support from the Navy and the Marines. However the armed forces where dissolved in 1,000 BBY and could no longer provide starfighters support to the Merchant Fleet. The Merchant Fleet was forced to create their own starfighter squadron to protected there Fleet. The starfighter squadrons got equipped with the Aurek-class tactical strikefighter.
The first wave of pilots came from the Navy and Marine starfighter squadron. At some point however the Merchant Fleet needed to start to train their own fighter pilots. The Merchant Fleet starfighter squadrons were readied and organized similar terms to the once Navy counterparts. The squadrons also used specific callsigns when communicating within the unit and with the rest of the fleet or ship they were attached to.
Ranks
The Merchant Fleet used the same rank system as the Navy when was separated from the it. Over the years however the Merchant Fleet added an removed some ranks due the their needs. After the Army Logistics Support Corps became part of the Merchant Fleet the rank system evolved once more, adding ranks from the Army.
However using a separate ranking system has some disadvantages when operating alongside Navy, Army and Marine personnel. The Merchant Fleet had Enlisted ranks, Junior Non-Commissioned Officer ranks, Warrant Officer, Officers and Flag Officers.
Enlisted ranks
The lowest rank within the Merchant Fleet is the Recruit. This rank is hold by all newly-enlisted members of the Merchant Fleet during basic training. After graduated from basic training a recruit is promoted to Crewman Third Class. Members who have some pre-enlisted experiences in medical, engineer and some other fields are promoted to Specialist Third Class rank after basic training.
Merchant Fleet | Navy Rank | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Recruit | Recruit | Held until graduating from Basic Training. |
Crewman Third Class (CTC) | Apprentice Crewer | Held by members who have graduated from Basic Training and are undergoing advanced onboard training. |
Specialist Third Class (STC) | none | Held by members who have graduated from Basic Training and who qualified in special fields (medical, engineer etc.) same paygrade as CSC but not the same responsibilities. |
Crewman Second Class (CSC) | Crewer | Held by members who have completed advanced onboard training. Normally reach after six months time-in-grade of CTC. This rank is also held by members who have followed a two years course at an JROTC school. |
Specialist Second Class (SSC) | none | Held by members who qualified in special fields (medical, engineer etc.) same paygrade as CFC but not the same responsibilities. Normally reach after six months time-in-grade of STC. This rank is also held by members who have followed a two years course at an JROTC school and who qualified in special fields. |
Crewman First Class (CFC) | Senior Crewer | CSC are normally promoted to CFC after twelve months time-in-grade. This rank is also held by members who have followed a four years course at an JROTC school. |
Specialist First Class (SFC) | none | Held by members who qualified in special skills (medical, engineer etc.) same paygrade as SCM but not the same responsibilities. SSC are Normally promoted to SFC after twelve months time-in-grade. This rank is also held by members who have followed a four years course at an JROTC school and who qualified in special fields. |
Senior Crewman (SCM) | none | CFC are normally promoted to SCM after eighteen months time-in-grade.
SFC are normally following up JNCO training within 12 months time-in-grade and are rarely promoted to SCM. |
Non-Commissioned Officer
The non-commissioned officer corps is often referred to as "the backbone" of the Merchant Fleet, as they are the primary and most visible leaders for most of its members. Additionally, they are the leaders primarily responsible for executing the organization's mission and for training the junior members so they are prepared to execute the missions. NCO training and education typically includes leadership and management as well as service-specific and combat training.
Senior NCOs are considered the primary link between enlisted personnel and the commissioned officers in the organization. Their advice and guidance is particularly important for junior officers, who begin their careers in a position of authority but generally lack practical experience.
Junior Non-Commissioned Officer
Junior Non-Commissioned Officers are the lowest NCO ranks within the Merchant Fleet. The JNCO ranks are reached after completing basic leadership and management training course (BLMTC). The JNCO ranks are normally only used for members in non-combat units. Members who are serving in frontline units follow up the advanced leadership and management training course and are promoted to a NCO rank instead.
Merchant Fleet | Navy Rank | Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
Lance Petty Officer (LPO) | Petty Officer Third Class | First JNCO rank; also called "busted Petty Officer". A member is promoted to this rank after completing the BLMTC but not the service-specific training. |
Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) | Petty Officer Second Class | Second JNCO rank. Normally reach after completing the service-specific training. SFC are promoted to PO3 after completing the BLMTC. |
Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) | Petty Officer First Class | Third JNCO rank. A PO3 can be promoted to PO2 after twelve months time-in-grade. |
Non-Commissioned Officer
JNCO are promoted to NCO ranks after completing advanced leadership and management training course (ALMTC). Members who are serving in frontline units skip the JNCO ranks an follow up the ALMTC directly.
Merchant Fleet | Navy Rank | Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
Petty Officer First Class (PO1) | None | First NCO rank. A member is promoted to this rank after completing the ALMTC. |
Lance Chief Petty Officer (LCP) | None | Second NCO rank |
Chief Petty Officer (CPO) | Chief Petty Officer | Third NCO rank |
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer
Merchant Fleet | Navy Rank | Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
Senior Chief Petty Officer (SPO) | Senior Chief Petty Officer | Fourth NCO rank |
Master Chief Petty Officer (MPO) | Master Chief Petty Officer | Fifth NCO rank, same paygrade as FMO but not the same responsibilities. |
First Chief Petty Officer (FMO) | None | Sixth NCO rank |
Command Master Chief Petty Officer (CMC) | Command Master Chief Petty Officer | Seventh NCO rank, same paygrade as CFC but not the same responsibilities. |
Command First Chief Petty Officer(CFC) | None | Eighth NCO rank |
Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer (FMC) | Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer | Ninth NCO rank, same paygrade as FFC but not the same responsibilities. |
Fleet First Chief Petty Officer(FFC) | Sector Master Chief Petty Officer | Tenth and highest regular NCO rank |
Chief Petty Officer of the Republic Merchant Fleet (MFC) | Chief Petty Officer of the Republic Navy | Highest possible NCO rank |
Officer
Warrant Officer
Merchant Fleet | Navy Rank | Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
Warrant Officer (WO5) | Warrant Officer | First Warrant Officer rank. Pilots with this rank are called Flight Officer (FO4). |
Chief Warrant Officer Fourth Degree (CO4) | Chief Warrant Officer Fourth Degree | Second Warrant Officer rank. Pilots with this rank are called Chief Flight Officer Fourth Degree (FO4). |
Chief Warrant Officer Third Degree (CO3) | Chief Warrant Officer Third Degree | Third Warrant Officer rank. Pilots with this rank are called Chief Flight Officer Third Degree(FO3). |
Chief Warrant Officer Second Degree (CO2) | Chief Warrant Officer Second Degree | Fourth Warrant Officer rank. Pilots with this rank are called Chief Flight Officer Second Degree(FO2). |
Chief Warrant Officer First Degree (CO1) | Chief Warrant Officer First Degree | Fifth Warrant Officer rank. Pilots with this rank are called Chief Flight Officer First Degree(FO1). |
Officer
Merchant Fleet | Navy Rank | Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
Officer cadet | Officer cadet | Held until graduation from the Academy or ROTC. |
Ensign (ENS) | Ensign | Lowest officer rank held by Academy and ROTC graduates |
Lieutenant Junior Grade (LJG) | None | Second officer rank |
Lieutenant Senior Grade (LT) | Lieutenant Junior Grade | Third officer rank |
Captain (CPT) | Lieutenant Senior Grade | Fourth officer rank. |
Major (MAJ) | Lieutenant Commander | Fifth officer rank |
Lieutenant Colonel (LCL) | Commander | Sixth officer rank |
Colonel (COL) | Captain | Seventh officer rank |
Commander (CMD) | Fleet Captain | Eighth officer rank |
Flag Officer
Merchant Fleet | Navy Rank | Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|---|
Commodore (CMD) | Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | First flag officer rank. |
Rear Admiral (RAD) | Rear Admiral (Upper Half) | Second flag officer rank. |
Lieutenant Admiral (LAD) | Vice Admiral | Third flag officer rank. |
Admiral (AMD) | Admiral | Fourth flag officer rank. |
Behind the scenes
The Republic Merchant Fleet is heavily based upon the United States Merchant Marine, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The ranks who have been used are inspired by the ranks who have been used the TV series Battlestar Galactica.