NOVEL NEXT Preface Three – Marine Ranks and Base Naming System
Marine Ranks
Chore Boy – Exists in all theaters but never leave port in the New World. Primarily serves as a recruitment role for children who otherwise may die of poverty or start a life of crime. Promoted to Seaman or Mate at 16. Signs a promissory service contract of eight years. Start specialized field duty training at 13.
Seaman – Recruit/First Class. This Rank is specifically for Blue Sea Marines and makes up the vast majority of enlisted sailors.
Petty Officer – Petty/Chief/Master.
This is the lowest rank in the Grand Line and New World. The exact title with which a petty officer is addressed depends on their specialty - a Petty Officer Third Class serving as a Chef’s Mate, for example, would have the full title of Culinary Mate Third Class. Chief Petty Officer, for example, would be Navigator’s Mate Second Class. Master Petty Officer, for example, would be Logistics Mate First Class.
Warrant Officer - Command authority within their field of expertise and hold a variety of positions. They are addressed by Officer, for example, ‘Gunner Officer (name)’ ‘Logistics Officer (name)’ ‘Culinary Officer (name)’.
Ensign – Lowest level Commissioned Officer. Responsible for leading a crew of seamen or petty officers. They are addressed by Ensign (name).
Lieutenant – Lieutenant Junior Grade/Lieutenant/Lieutenant Commander.
This is the primary fighting force in the Grand Line and New World. In loss of higher command, a Lieutenant may take command. Special Operators (primary Marine combatants), Gunners, Intelligence Specialists make up the vast majority of Lieutenant. They are addressed by Lieutenant or LT.
Commander – Lowest Senior Commissioned Officer. First level of Commissioned Officer in charge of a ship. A Commander is most often promoted from LT Commander although promotion from lower ranks may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience. They often command warships on set patrol routes. They are addressed by Commander (name).
Captain – Second Lowest, and most diverse, Senior Commissioned Officer. Although mostly seen in charge of warships patrolling for Pirates, Captains may also be in charge of Marine Bases. Patrols are usually not set as Captains actively search for Pirate Crews. As long as there are no higher-ranking Marines on board, the Captain is the leader of the ship. Typically seen as a strong officer who is a force to be reckoned with. It is common to see Devil Fruit users at this level. They are addressed by Captain (Name).
Commodore – Fifth highest rank in the Marines. Usually only seen in Local Headquarters. Unlike Captains, Commodores may or may not be combatants. Commodores oversee several Marine Bases and determine appropriate Bounties for most pirate groups. Have command over all lower ranks in their areas of operation. Addressed by Commodore (name).
Rear Admiral
– Forth highest rank in the Marines. Duties are similar to Commodores, but on a wider scale. Rear Admirals are usually, but not always, powerful fighters. As the lowest level of the Admiralty, they have command over all lower ranked Marines where they are stationed unless specifically designated otherwise. Addressed as Rear Admiral (name).Vice Admiral – Third highest rank in the Marines. Similar to Captains, Vice Admirals have a wide range of duties. Unlike Captains, Vice Admirals have command over all lower ranked Marines in areas where they are stationed. They are the strongest cadre of fighters in the Marines and are in charge of Buster Call fleets. All Vice Admirals are able to use at least one form of Haki. Addressed as Vice Admiral (name).
Admiral – Second highest rank in the Marines. Only three may exist at any given time and hold the collective title of ‘Greatest Military Powers’. Admirals have command over all lower ranks and may change dedicated orders. They are the faces of the Marines battle power, and all have Alias’s. Candidates must be approved by both Fleet Admiral and Five Elders. Admirals can unilaterally call for a Buster Call. Addressed as Admiral (Alias).
Fleet Admiral – Highest rank in the Marines and commander of the entire organization. Must be approved by the Five Elders. Addressed as Fleet Admiral (Name).
Marine Jobs
Pure combatants who are not commissioned offers are designated Special Operator and Gunner. All Marines may need to fight, but pure combatants are those who board enemy ships and make first landing in unknown/hostile territory. It is rare for a skilled non-officer to also be a combatant.
Various other jobs include but are not limited to Culinary, Navigator, Logistics (Purser for those in payroll), Helmsman, Machinist, Surgeon, Carpenter, Boatswain, Sailmaker, Intelligence, and Quartermaster.
Base Naming System:
Marine designations typically follow (Sea Name) (Potential Major Site) (Location). For example, Base NW-BM4 would be ‘Base New World – Big Mom 4’. Base GL-PO5 would be Base Grand Line – Path One 5, indicating it is the 5th base on path 1 in the Grand Line. (Remember there are SEVEN major paths in the Grand Line)
Not all bases have the major site designation. For example, Base SB-T would be Base South Blue – Timber.