When i first entered the realm of Star Wars RP, and soon Navy RP in the Christmas of 2015 it was a very different time. Serious servers were almost unheard of and Navy RP as we know it today had only just taken it's first steps. I have seen the gamemode develop and branch out into different, unexpected ways, and all this was thanks to Navy RP, in which i have spent upwards of 4000 Hours of my life. Many friendships were made thanks to these servers and experiences and to those of us who still RP i raise my glass.



(Community downtime with the players on a long gone server)

THE IMPERIAL NAVY, WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T
Upon first joining the navy, it may seem like a daunting task, having to learn how to operate all the different consoles and how to command men. In that regard, it is important to note that the navy is not a one-step leap into greatness or even rank privilege. However with hard work and a bit of brains, the navy can be both a fulfilling roleplaying experience and an other wise fun experience.
Do away with all your possible prejudices about navy being boring and full of commanders who only know how to complain about everything, you will find that navy is much more than that, if given a chance.

Console operations are for better or for worse the meat and bones of Navy RP. This sort of roleplay consists of listening to orders and carrying them out in the best possible fashion, with a good mix of protocol and initiative on the players part, so remember, always improvise! (But not too much)

THE CONSOLES, WHAT THEY DO AND ARE
The console layout varies from ship to ship, but usually consist of the following 9, split into three categories.
Weapons (ConWep) - -
Shields (ConShd) - - - - WEAPONS CONSOLES
Sensors (ConSen) - -

Helm (ConHlm) - -
Hyperdrive (ConHyp) - - - - NAVIGATION CONSOLES
Navigation (ConNav) - -

Traffic Control (STC/ATC) - -
Comms (ConCom) - - - - WARFARE CONSOLES
Scanners (ConSca) - -

HOW TO OPERATE CONSOLES: OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND IMPROVISE
Console operations, as mentioned before, are a mix of improvisation and protocol. As such there is no set way on how to input console commands suited for every situation. With that in mind, this guide will provide basic instruction in how to format and come up with good RP.

0.) Basics
Each console is operated through the chatbox by inputting either /advert or /comms into the chat, followed by what you wish to do.

1.) Weapons Consoles
Weapons, also known as ConWep (Console Weapons) is used to charge, fire and target the weapons of the ship. These weapons can range from Turbolasers to Tractor Beams to Missiles. An example of a weapons order is as follows: "Charge the Turbolasers" to which the proper response would be "/comms [ConWep] Charging Turbolaser Cannons"

Shields, also known as ConShd are used to keep the ship protected from incoming enemy fire or debris, they are essentially an invisible forcefield around your ship. Shields can be drained by sustained enemy fire or damage to the shield generators. In a combat scenario it is always wise to drop the shield charge overtime inorder to create an atmosphere of urgency.

Sensors, also known as ConSen are used to scan areas outside the ship, for example to search for enemy ships, planets or other debris. One important thing to note is that Sensors cannot be used to search the inside of your own ship, that function is relegated to Scanners.

2.)Navigation Consoles
Helm, also known as ConHlm is used to steer the ship around when not in hyperspace. From the helm you can change the ships heading and speed among other things. An example of a helm order is as follows: "Take us to that nearby planet, Helm" to which the proper response would be "/comms [ConHlm] Setting course for the nearest planet, cruise speed. Arrival in (X) minutes"

Hyperdrive, also known as ConHyp is used to move the ship over long distances quickly. The hyperdrive notable needs to be charged before it can be used. Before any given hyperspace jump one should always charge it in comms, prefferably in four messages for every 25% charged.

Navigation, also known as ConNav is used to plot hyperspace jumps. While a hyperspace jump can be conducted without a navigational course in emergencies, this may lead to all sorts of trouble. At the end of using the navigation console to plot a course, always remember to send the coordinates to the hyperdrive console!

3.) Warfare Consoles
Traffic Control, also known as STC or ATC (Space Traffic or Air Traffic Control) is used to communicate with ships that are leaving or taking off from your own vessel. Unlike most other consoles, STC has a strict protocol to it, which varies from ship to ship. In the interest of this guide however, a common example will be used.

[Pilot enters his craft and wants to take off]
Pilot: "This is pilot (XXXX) requesting permission to take off for (REASON)"
Navy: "Granted, please transmit your preflight data."
Pilot: "Transmitting preflight data"
Navy: "Preflight data received, you are cleared for takeoff"
Pilot: "Copy, taking off."

[Pilot is in his craft and wants to land]
Pilot: "This is pilot (XXXX) requesting permission to land at (LANDING SITE)"
Navy: "Granted, once landed transmit afterflight data"
Pilot: "Copy, transmitting afterflight data now"
Navy: "Data received, signing off"

Comms, also known as ConCom is used to communicate over long distances with other ships and is used no differently from normal comms.

Scanners, also known as ConSca are used to scan the interior of the ship inorder to find damage or unwelcome visitors. This console can be used to "metagame" in the sense that with it you can check if there is still rebels onboard or not.

In this section i will cover the ranks and uniforms of the Imperial navy. Bare in mind that these vary wildly based on server and are only applicable on the server which this guide was written for, so keep on the lookout for possible discrepancies to your vessel!

The Ranks of the Imperial Navy are as follows:
Grand Admiral
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant
Ensign
Midshipman
Chief Petty Officer
Petty Officer
Junior Petty Officer
Crewman
Junior Crewman

Below are illustrations of different friendly or hostile spacecrafts that you may encounter during your service, take note to memorize as many as you can!

This guide was made for use on Athena Networks Imperial Roleplay, come see the system in action over at https://discord.gg/nJ48BzuqAc, see you there!