
The insignia of an ensign (Japanese: 少尉 shōi) consisted of separate epaulettes and chest plates with a cane shaped flourish, with one bar on the end of each shoulder. Graduates of the officer academy typically received this rank when they began their service. The insignia of a warrant officer (Japanese: 准尉 jun'i) consisted of separate epaulettes and chest plates with a cane shaped flourish, with no bars on the end of each shoulder. The insignia of a petty officer first class (Japanese: 曹長 sōchō) consisted of epaulettes with one bar on the shoulders and two stripes on the cuffs of their sleeves. The insignia of a petty officer second class (Japanese: 軍曹 gunsō) consisted of epaulettes with one bar on the shoulders and three stripes on the cuffs of their sleeves. The insignia of a leading spaceman (Japanese: 伍長 gochō) consisted of epaulettes with no bars on the shoulders and three stripes on the cuffs of their sleeves. The insignia of an able spaceman (Japanese: 上等兵 jōtōhei) consisted of epaulettes with no bars on the shoulders and two stripes on the cuffs of their sleeves. ( HBSHBL: ' Candidate for Succeeding a Count's Family') Conscripts serving their 2 years of mandatory military service upon reaching the age of 20 would be promoted to this rank after surviving one year of service. The insignia of a spaceman first class (Japanese: 一等兵 ittōhei) consisted of epaulettes with no bars on the shoulders and one stripe on the cuffs of their sleeves. This was the starting rank for conscripts serving their 2 years of mandatory military service upon reaching the age of 20. The insignia of a spaceman second class (Japanese: 二等兵 nitōhei) consisted of epaulettes with no bars on the shoulders and no stripes on the cuffs of their sleeves.
