Granted. Although the ranks aren't dependent on each other, so I don't consider it a "balance" issue. I understand that trade especially seems far to quick and easy - that's not to say Combat should be made faster. It's "Elite" after all. Happy to receive feedback on this, as with everything else.
Fair enough, heres my personal feelings on these as feedback:
Trade - With mining, this is far too easy. I guess with the recent mining changes its a bit more difficult. But still feels cheating slightly to be able to 'mine' your way to trade elite in a few play sessions.
Exploration - slightly on the easy side. Could do with being made a touch more difficult. And def something to consider if exploration payout gets buffed as it will become easier again.
Combat - Difficult. The grind is indeed very long. Even before todays scout nerf i was thinking it should be shortened somehow. Happy for it to be more difficult than Trade and Exploration, but at the moment it just seems miles harder.
CQC - Almost impossible. The grind to achieve this is the mother of all video game grinds. I think it puts a lot of people off as unless your willing to invest a year of your life or more just playing CQC, you will not progress far along the ranks. It does need a reduction. (also consider buffing credit payouts and also adding arx for CQC as additional incentives)