General Ships Crew
The ship's crew performs the widest variety of functions when compared to the other sections. Although they come from relatively low station they are the backbone of any Æthership. The diversity of the ship's crew ranges from the expertise of a seasoned helmsman to the swabs who clean the gangways and scrape the hull. The organization of ship's crew falls directly under the first mate and the officers reporting to him or her. Many shipsmen are assigned to general duties which could be just about anything including being assigned to another section for a specific task. The shipsmen are usually jacks of all trades and can be called to perform any task not requiring special training. Shipsmen when added to the crew are assigned general duty until they demonstrate an aptitude or interest in something more specific. If there exists an talent or capacity the shipsman may become a steward and eventually a yeoman. A skill at piloting ship's craft may land a shipsman at the helm. Having a flare with a telæthergraph may eventually land a shipsman in the signal room. There are numerous paths to advancement when you're at the bottom looking up.
Life as a member of the ship's crew is a challenging existence. Duty shifts last 10 hours. Your accommodations are the meanest on the ship. You are answerable, it seems, to all but your mess mates. Your pay is meager and shore leave is all too infrequent. But the benefits of Æther Fleet pention, the adventure of dashing between the planets and the simplicity of a structured life in the military is enough to attract men and women and aliens from across the solar system. When compared to the life on a whaler or a freighter it is comparatively good.
Ship'smen like all other crewmen are paid monthly but unlike other sections they can only access a portion of their pay while outside their home port. This practice goes back to Earth's old wet navy and was designed to help the British tar from squandering his hard earned money.
Uniform:
The standard shipmans uniform consists of a white pull over tunic with blue trim. The V collar extends back into a square nap. The sleeves are quarter length with stripes on the cuff denoting years of service. Standard trousers and boots complete the ensemble. Being assigned certain tasks may require certain changes to the standard tar's uniform. Cold weather, sleeveless and long sleeved variations are also known.
Life as a member of the ship's crew is a challenging existence. Duty shifts last 10 hours. Your accommodations are the meanest on the ship. You are answerable, it seems, to all but your mess mates. Your pay is meager and shore leave is all too infrequent. But the benefits of Æther Fleet pention, the adventure of dashing between the planets and the simplicity of a structured life in the military is enough to attract men and women and aliens from across the solar system. When compared to the life on a whaler or a freighter it is comparatively good.
Ship'smen like all other crewmen are paid monthly but unlike other sections they can only access a portion of their pay while outside their home port. This practice goes back to Earth's old wet navy and was designed to help the British tar from squandering his hard earned money.
Uniform:
The standard shipmans uniform consists of a white pull over tunic with blue trim. The V collar extends back into a square nap. The sleeves are quarter length with stripes on the cuff denoting years of service. Standard trousers and boots complete the ensemble. Being assigned certain tasks may require certain changes to the standard tar's uniform. Cold weather, sleeveless and long sleeved variations are also known.