| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Crewman |
| 1 | A romantic relationship ends badly. Gain a Rival or Enemy. |
| 2 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 22 |
| 2 | Given advanced training in a specialist field |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Is now a Senior Crewman |
| 3 | Voluntarily left Merchant Marine |
| 3 | Became a Surveyor at age 26 |
| 3 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 3 | Psychologically damaged by your time in the scouts. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Is now a Scout |
| 4 | Continued as Surveyor at age 30 |
| 4 | You survey an alien world. |
| 5 | Continued as Surveyor at age 34 |
| 5 | You spend a great deal of time on the fringes of Charted Space. |
| 5 | Gain a contact in an alien race. |
| 5 | Forced to muster out. |
| 6 | Became a Wanderer at age 38 |
| 6 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 7 | Switched to Free Trader at age 42 |
| 7 | Embroiled in legal trouble. |
| 8 | Voluntarily left Free Trader |
| 8 | Became a Flight at age 46 |
| 8 | Is now a Crewman |
| 8 | Severely injured. Fully recovered. Owe 1,250 for medical bills. |
| 8 | Promoted to Flight rank 1 |
| 8 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 9 | Voluntarily left Flight |
| 9 | Became a Journalist at age 50 |
| 9 | Works is especially well received and popular, making you a minor celebrity |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Is now a Freelancer |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |