MechWarrior (rank)

Depending on the faction, the rank of MechWarrior—the pilot of a BattleMech—can be equivalent to several different pay grades.

Capellan Confederation

MechWarriors start as a sao-wei, the lowest officer rank. Prior to 3061, this rank was known as subcommander. MechWarriors wear a three piece body shell covering shoulders, torso, and waist. Hand and leg protectors protect against chaffing while in the cockpit.

Draconis Combine

A MechWarrior who does not own his ’Mech is a Master Sergeant, one that owns their ’Mech is a Talon Sergeant While inside the cockpit MechWarriors wear a sleeveless and legless battle suit with no rank insignia. Outside the cockpit they wear a noncombat uniform; a dark grey jersey with a red stripe running diagonally across the chest, a dark grey trousers red piping, calf-length black boots, a wide black belt, and a black visor cap with the symbols of their regiment, battalion, and company. Their rank insignia is on the left collar, the symbols of the Combine and their Warlord on their shoulders.

Federated Suns

MechWarriors who graduate a service academy are Sergeants.. They wear a Cooling Undershirt, a short sleeved red undershirt that supplements the cooling vest, and most wear spurs. Their cooling vest and shorts reflect their Brigade: red, white, and blue for Davion Brigade of Guards, gray for Ceti Hussars, two-tone green for Crucis Lancers, and light green for Syrtis Fusiliers. Rank insignia are worn on upper arm epaulettes to prevent the cooling vest from covering shoulder epaulettes.

Free Worlds League

MechWarriors start as an unknown rank. They wear a gold tunic without sleeves or legs, gold boots, and heavy brown gauntlets. Their rank insignia is worn on the left gauntlet. Oriente MechWarriors wear an Oriente gray tunic and boots with their rank on the right shoulder. Andurien MechWarriors wear purple tunics and light blue boots with their rank on their right shoulder.

Lyran Alliance

MechWarriors are typically either a sergeant or, if they are on track to become an officer, a leutnant.

Lyran Commonwealth

MechWarriors start as a leutnant, the lowest officer rank. They wear t-shirts and shorts of differing colors to indicate rank; blue for junior officer, red for senior officer. MechWarriors are issued a laser pistol and throwing knife which are typically worn in an ankle holster.

Clans

MechWarrior is the lowest rank in the Clan military, equivalent to an Aerospace pilot, a vehicle commander, or an Elemental. However, because a single 'Mech constitutes a Point in Clan military structure, technically every Clan MechWarrior is equal in rank to warriors of other branches and Point Commanders in other branches, though only the most vain Clan MechWarriors actually use the title of Point Commander.

Aurigan Coalition

MechWarriors start as a cornet, the lowest officer rank

Taurian Concordat

MechWarriors are Cornets.

Second Star League

In the Second Star League Defense Force, MechWarriors held the rank of sergeant. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 80.</ref>