The server keeps track of your playtime and counts how many hours you have played in a particular role (Pilot, captain, CSE, etc.).
You can view your progress in OOC - View Tracked Playtime.
This means that if you want to get a second rank in the position of pilot, then you need to play 10 hours in this position. The total amount of time spent on the server is not taken into account. You will need to spend a large amount of time in each position to get their maximum ranks.
Groundside ranks : Marines Role Starting After 10hrs After 25 hours After 100hrs After 300hrs After 1000hrs Field Commander Lieutenant (LT) Major (MAJ) Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Squad Leader Sergeant (SGT) Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Gunnery Sergeant (GYSGT) Squad Smartgunner Lance Corporal (LCPL) Corporal (CPL) Sergeant (SGT) Squad Engineer Lance Corporal (LCPL) Corporal (CPL) Sergeant (SGT) Squad Corpsman Lance Corporal (LCPL) Corporal (CPL) Sergeant (SGT) Squad Marine Private (PVT) Private First Class (PFC) Lance Corporal (LCPL) Section Corporal (SCPL) Master Sergeant (MSGT) Shipside Role Starting After 10hrs After 25 hours After 50 hours After 100hrs After 125hrs After 300hrs Captain Captain (CPT) Commodore (COMM) Rear Admiral (RADM) Staff Officer Lieutenant (LT) Lietenant Commander (LCDR) Commander (CDR) Chief Ship Engineer Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Lieutenant (LT) Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Chief Medical Officer Chief Health Officer (CHO) Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Synthetic Mark I (Mk.I) Mark II (Mk.II) Mark III (Mk.III) Pilot Officer Warrant Officer (WO) Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Ensign (ENS) Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Requsitions Officer Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Warrant Officer (WO) Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Ensign (ENS) Medical Officer Medical Resident (RES) Medical Doctor (MD) Ship Technician Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Liaison Corporate Intern (Int) Corporate Associate (Assoc) Corporate Partner (Ptnr) Corporate Analyst (Anlst) Corporate Supervisor (Spvr) Researcher Doctor (Dr.) Professor (PROF)