Ordinary Starhand
A starhand with at least a year of starfaring experience - answers to Able Starhands
Qualifications
Ordinary Starhands must know their way around a ship and be familiar with most common tasks.
Requirements
An Ordinary Starhand is either rated as such after a year as Landsfolk, or if they enlist or are pressed into service with at least a year of starfaring experience under their belt.
Appointment
A Navy starhand is promoted to Ordinary when their term of service and familiarity with starfaring is recognized by a superior officer or watch commander.
Duties
Ordinaries are assigned to a watch, which maintains its hierarchy consisting of a watch captain in charge of a particular area of the ship. They perform most of the basic duties aboardships.
Responsibilities
Ordinaries are often called upon to supervise and train Landsfolk, so that they don't get themselves, or the rest of the crew, killed.
Benefits
Ordinaries in the Navy are paid 22 Galaxies (platinum), 16 Novae (gold) and 3 Starbursts (silver) per year. Like all Naval starhands, their food and accommodations while on active duty are provided, but these benefits are not provided when their ship is not in active service.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Ordinaries are issued a standard work uniform that includes navy-blue trousers, white canvas work shirt, sea boots, blue bandana, a silver-grey scarf, and a Starmetal Talisman in a brass belt buckle to provide them a short period of air and pressure, should they happen to fall overboard.
The rank insignia of an Ordinary Starhand is a copper anchor patch, worn at the top of the shirt sleeve.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
It is difficult to be dismissed from the Navy at this level of service. Usually, dismissal is a result of inappropriate actions, perhaps following a court martial, or for unfitness for service through physical or mental defect.
History
"Ordinary Starhand" started as a description of a sailor's rating on seafaring ships, and carried into the stars as the sailors did. Over time, it became an officially recognized rank within the Avalonian Navy as well.
Avalonian Imperial Navy Flag by Diane Morrison - ship by Aaron Siddall
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Basic uniform of Ordinary Starhands
Type
Civic, Military, Generic
Status
Active
Creation
Avalonian Oath of Service
Form of Address
Ordinary
Equates to
Lance-Corporal
Source of Authority
Star Command
Length of Term
Approximately three years
Reports directly to
Related Organizations
It's a really interesting idea that they have to be promoted to this rank in order to gain a watch. I guess because they are more experienced and trusted.