| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Engineer/Gunner at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Crewman |
| 1 | Advanced training in a specialist field |
| 1 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner rank 1 |
| 1 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 2 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 22 |
| 2 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 2 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner rank 2 |
| 2 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 3 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 26 |
| 3 | Commanding officer takes an interest in your career. |
| 3 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner rank 3 |
| 3 | Is now a Petty Officer, 2nd class |
| 4 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 30 |
| 4 | Scarred. Fully recovered. |
| 5 | Became a Physician at age 34 |
| 5 | Caught cheating in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 5 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 5 | Gain an Enemy |
| 6 | Continued as Physician at age 38 |
| 6 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 6 | Nearly killed. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 6 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 7 | Continued as Physician at age 42 |
| 7 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 8 | Continued as Physician at age 46 |
| 8 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |