Officer Commission: What counts as the "first term"?

[Strategiusz]

When the requirements for an officer commission mention the "first term," does this refer to the character's very first career term ever, or the first term served in that specific career?

And to clarify, would attending university count as that "first term," potentially disqualifying a character from a commission later on?

 

[mavikfelna]

When the requirements for an officer commission mention the "first term," does this refer to the character's very first career term ever, or the first term served in that specific career?

And to clarify, would attending university count as that "first term," potentially disqualifying a character from a commission later on?

First Qualifying Term is how I've always read it. But if you go into another career first, I think it would depend on the career the commission qualifies for if it would be accepted later or not.

 

[Saladman]

First Qualifying Term is how I've always read it.

This is how I read it also; it's in your first term in that military career, not overall character creation.

And to clarify, would attending university count as that "first term," potentially disqualifying a character from a commission later on?

As above, so no, but even if it did it would be trumped by the graduation benefit of "[University] Graduation allows a commission roll to be taken before the first term of a military career, so long as it is the first career chosen after university. Success will mean the Traveller enters the career at officer rank 1." (pg 16)

Mongoose Publishing typically does not restate everywhere information that occurs once somewhere. You (or a well-meaning player used to other systems) can be led astray by trying to parse one or a few sentences in isolation without having read the chapter once. (But you did find something some players miss or just don't like, the Soc 9+ requirement to try for commission in your first term. Except it's so easily obviated by University or Military Academy.)

But if you go into another career first, I think it would depend on the career the commission qualifies for if it would be accepted later or not.

I don't understand what you're saying here.

 

[Condottiere]

The first three terms are somewhat manipulatable.

 

[Limpin Legin]

I read it says first career term attempted in that specific career. Both conditions need to be true.

Graduation allows automatic entry into the military career the academy is tied to, so long as it is the first career attempted by the Traveller after graduation.

CRB, pg 16
i) automatic entry into the military career the academy is tied to
AND
ii) so long as [the career chosen] is the first career attempted by the Traveller after graduation.

 

[mavikfelna]

I don't understand what you're saying here.

If you graduate from the academy but choose to serve a different career than the one the commission bonus is valid for, like spending a term in the Merchant career and then switching careers to the one the commission bonus is valid for. I would judge you lose the bonus in such a case, but it doesn't appear to be covered by the rules.
Sorry I was being unclear. Was answering a slightly different question than the one asked because of the university/academy mention.