Mercenary command/mechwarrior ranks/titles?

[Black_Knyght]

Trying to decides what rank/title system to use for my Mercenary Company, and looking for suggestions. For a company-sized unit, what would be the associated ranks as shown below?

Here is a rough model as an example:

Code: [Select]

MERCENARY BATTLEMECH COMPANY:
Command Lance: Capt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Lt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek

Second Lance: Lt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek

Third Lance: Lt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek
Sgt. John Smith BTL-M3K Battlemek

[Nav_Alpha]

That looks spot on.
Captains typically command companies in the BT universe.
Lieutenants command lances.
And you'll typically have an LT as the XO.

Some people give the XO their own lance to command. But I think that's silly - your 2IC isn't there to fight his own unit. He's there as a backstop for the commander, etc.
So I think you've got it.

On the sergeant front - graduates of an academy typically come out as a sergeant. While owner operator types or
Maybe militia apprenticeship graduates are your privates and corporals

When/if this unit expands - make one of your lance commanders into a captain, give their own company and your CO can bump up to major

[Archangel]

The only item I would like to add is that the Company XO may not be in the same lance as the captain.  Both to reduce the chance of both being killed at the same time and allows them to coordinate maneuvers trusting the other to do what they have to do with minimal communications.

[PurpleDragon]

Since this is a mercenary unit, do not feel like you have to go with conventions.  Of course, going with conventions may make things easier for your toons in the GM's universe. 

I generally assign 2LT to platoons not containing 'mechs.  Then 1LT to lances (the 'mech is the difference).  CPT = company command; MAJ = Battalion and so on. 

I have differing mechwarrior rankings based on skill level otherwise:
MCDT ('mech cadet)
JMW (junior mechwarrior)
MW (mechwarrior)
SMW (senior mechwarrior)
CMW (Chief mechwarrior)
MMW (master mechwarrior)

These ranks are on the same level as Warrant Officers. 
If I need higher ranks based on skill level then I promote them to officer status.