Rank and Military Courtesy
Mojave Rangers are a volunteer civilian security and emergency services unit operating in a hostile area under Martial Law. Mojave Rangers do not hold rank in the NCR Army and function as local volunteers exactly like a pre-war volunteer fire department or rescue squad.
Mojave Rangers maintain basic military courtesy, and courtesy in general, but do not salute or perform close order drill, beyond ceremonies or inspections, and are not expected or required to participate in larger NCR Army operations outside their local Area of Operations.
Close Order Drill was developed to move large groups of heavily-armed, semi-trained men with loaded weapons safely and efficiently from one place to the next. Mojave Rangers have a basic inspection formation which is also used for rank promotion and other ceremonies and a voluntary Color Guard for ceremonies.
The salute was developed as a way for warriors to acknowledge one another and stems from the raising of the visor on a Knight’s helmet to signify that they aren’t about to attack one another. In modern military tradition troopers salute officers when passing outdoors and for other reasons.
Troopers do not salute in combat zones because saluting identifies the officers for snipers. Until the completion of the NCR’s Mojave Pacification Campaign the Mojave is a very active and hostile combat zone.
Promotion Ceremony
The Fort Phase ends with a short promotion ceremony where trooper’s success is acknowledged and trainees are promoted to Private E-2 and awarded their first rank insignia.