| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Line/Crew at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Crewman |
| 1 | You join a gambling circle on board. |
| 1 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 1 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 2 | Voluntarily left Line/Crew |
| 2 | Became a Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 4 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Cheated in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 4 | Gain an Enemy |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Birth or Death involving a family member or close friend. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 6 | Forced to muster out. |
| 7 | Switched to Engineer/Gunner at age 42 |
| 7 | Nearly killed. |
| 8 | Returned to Line/Crew at age 46 |
| 8 | Refuse to abuse your position for profit |
| 8 | Attempt at commissioned failed. |
| 8 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 2 |
| 8 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 9 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 50 |
| 9 | Special assignment or duty on board ship. |
| 9 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 3 |
| 9 | Is now a Petty Officer, 2nd class |
| 10 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 54 |
| 10 | Advanced training in a specialist field |
| 10 | Attempt at commissioned failed. |