| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Line/Crew at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Crewman |
| 1 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 1 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 1 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 1 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 2 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 22 |
| 2 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 2 | Attempt at commissioned failed. |
| 2 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 2 |
| 2 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 3 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 26 |
| 3 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 3 | Attempt at commissioned failed. |
| 4 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 30 |
| 4 | Refuse to abuse your position for profit |
| 4 | Attempt at commissioned failed. |
| 5 | Voluntarily left Line/Crew |
| 5 | Became a Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 7 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 7 | Switched to Physician at age 42 |
| 7 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 8 | Continued as Physician at age 46 |
| 8 | 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. |
| 8 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 8 | Gain an Enemy |