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.

 

[rinku]

Relevant texts are:





It's clear that a Graduate gets to try for Commission before they commence the actual career, and pre-career education CAN be done as late as 3rd overall term. So I tend to go with "First term of the career" over "first overall term". But others may say that's a special circumstance, and that otherwise you have to be young or connected to get that commission. Which is not an unreasonable view.

I WOULD point out that previous Traveller editions allowed commissions at any age. So for continuity purposes as well, probably go with "Career term". (edit: However it would seem that the services are mostly selecting officer candidates by age, so that comes back to overall terms anyway).

However, Army and Marines have a battlefield commission event (on a 12), so those do cater for the situation of an old soldier finding themselves in officer training with the kids. Navy must be a bit more rigid in that regard... although if SOC9+ and thus allowed to try for it, their 12 result gives automatic success.

 

[Condottiere]

Since terms aren't broken up into annual assignments, it does tend to lose some of the nuances.

You don't attend some of the military schools that are meant to sharpen up certain skill sets, and odds of getting mustanged seem rather low.

 

[swordtart]

Navy must be a bit more rigid in that regard... although if SOC9+ and thus allowed to try for it, their 12 result gives automatic success.

This bit confused me. Can you explain what you mean?

 

[rinku]

This bit confused me. Can you explain what you mean?

All three careers have an event result of 12 that gives automatic advancement. In the case of Army and Marines it grants automatic Commission or Promotion.



The wording is different for Navy in that it just allows you to pass your next promoition or commission roll.



If it's past first term and the character doesn't have SOC 9+, they can't roll for Commission. So the Navy are more snobbish. On the other hand, Navy also allow +SOC on personal development, so there's always hope. Some scrub that took a few terms to climb the social ladder and then rolled a 12 CAN join the ranks of the proud.

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

I'd be tempted to add a roll for military medals, adds some extra character (and wars stories for "how I really got this purple heart").

 

[MasterGwydion]

I'd be tempted to add a roll for military medals, adds some extra character (and wars stories for "how I really got this purple heart").

I do miss rolling for medals in the other editions.

 

[rinku]

It could easily be bolted on to the Events and Mishaps.

 

[swordtart]

It could easily be bolted on to the Events and Mishaps.

That's the way I do it. Plus campaign medals for certain normal events. Plus badges for achieving levels in combat related skills. If someone in the military is wearing their full awards and medals you could read them like a CV.

 

[Condottiere]

Medals did alter promotion chances, in exchange for survival.

Plus, odds for getting laid during leave.

 

[rinku]

Plus, odds for getting laid during leave.

That falls under Life Events, mostly

 

[Condottiere]

You might want to score more than, possibly, once every four years.