> In the US, at least, they were given the rank of captain for the purpose > of lodging and mess, but they couldn't command troops or carry weapons. They > didn't wear and rank or unit insignia, just a patch identifying them as a > war correspondent. I'm treating this as Military Rank with a 50% > limitation.
* In 3E (and hence GURPS WWII), courtesy rank would be 1 point per level. 2 to 4 points per level are cases where the rank has some formal basis, but where real troops are likely to ignore some or all of it. 4 points might be a captain from a supply unit in a game with many frontline infantry characters -- the rank is real, but a tough sergeant would be less than enthusiastic about taking tactical orders. 3 points could be rank from a clearly secondary service, like a Coast Guard lieutenant in a navy-based game. * A duty must be imposed by outside forces, while a sense of duty can only come from within. Drafted soldiers are a good example, refusing orders can get them shot and so can refusing to serve to start with, at least in less liberal systems. On the other hand, duty also applies for characters who freely entered a situation which subsequently requires them to take a risk. A cop, a fireman, or a noble taking feudal oaths are all bound by their duty until formally released. By that standard, a war correspondent gains a duty the moment he enters the landing craft or transport plane on D-Day, but he would loose it again the moment he gets back to a secure division HQ. _______________________________________________ GurpsNet-L mailing list <[email protected]> http://mail.sjgames.com/mailman/listinfo/gurpsnet-l
