| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Star Marine at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Marine |
| 1 | A mission goes wrong and you are stranded behind enemy lines. Ejected from the service. |
| 2 | Became a Surveyor at age 22 |
| 2 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 2 | Severely injured. Fully recovered. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |
| 3 | Continued as Surveyor at age 26 |
| 3 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 3 | Gain 1 Contacts. Gain 2 Enemies. |
| 4 | Became a Broker at age 30 |
| 4 | Severely injured. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |
| 5 | Switched to Courier at age 34 |
| 5 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 5 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 6 | Continued as Courier at age 38 |
| 6 | You discover a world, item or information of worth to the Imperium. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Is now a Scout |
| 7 | Continued as Courier at age 42 |
| 7 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 7 | Nearly killed. Owe 25,000 for medical bills. |
| 7 | Forced to muster out. |
| 8 | Became a Flight at age 46 |
| 8 | Is now a Crewman |
| 8 | Commanding officer takes an interest in your career. |
| 8 | Promoted to Flight rank 1 |
| 8 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 9 | Continued as Flight at age 50 |
| 9 | You join a gambling circle on board. |
| 9 | Forced to muster out. |
| 10 | Became a Barbarian at age 54 |
| 10 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 11 | Switched to Line/Crew at age 58 |
| 11 | You are tormented by or quarrel with an officer or fellow crewman. Gain that character as a Rival. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 62 |
| 12 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 12 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 2 |
| 12 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 66 |
| 13 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 13 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 3 |
| 13 | Is now a Petty Officer, 2nd class |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 70 |
| 14 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 15 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 74 |
| 15 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. |
| 15 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 4 |
| 15 | Is now a Petty Officer, 1st class |
| 16 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |