What does the Rank of King and Admiral Mean?

[Stealthie]

The thing is that you aren't in either navy. You never get ordered to do anything and you aren't obliged to take the naval rank missions (if you want to rank up, you can just wait until you find one that suits your playstyle). At best you are in something equivalent to Air America and not the USAF. Essentially you are a private contractor that sometimes works for whichever power.

This.

When I was doing the naval rank-grind, I always thought of myself as Nick Cage's character from "Lord of War".

It'd certainly be nice if there was more variety, more rewards and the possibility of bad things happening if you were found, say, shooting up Fed's in your Corvette but I don't have any real problem with the idea of being an "middle-man" character.

 

[ElectricZ]

nonsense, FD went out of ideas what titles to use I gues so they took random nonsense ones which make no sense.

To reiterate, the idea of a military ranking system was taken from the previous games (specifically Frontier: Elite II) but just never fully implemented in Elite Dangerous.

From the Frontier: Elite II Manual: (http://www.lemonamiga.com/games/docs.php?id=679)

MILITARY RANK

Both the Federation and the Empire give military ranks for services
rendered although these are known as titles in the Empire. An individual
can gradually progress up the ranks even from purely mercenary missions,
receiving promotions after sustained loyal service. Usually these ranks
are mutually exclusive as each of the superpowers does not tolerate its
officers working for the other power (though work for the independant
worlds is usually allowed).

FEDERAL RANKS IMPERIAL TITLES
None Lieutenant Outsider Viscount
Private Lieutenant Commander Serf Count
Corporal Captain Master Earl
Sergeant Commodore Sir Marquis
Sergeant Major Rear Admiral Squire Duke
Major Admiral Lord Prince
Colonel Baron

They were clearly trying to build on what was set up in Elite II for Elite Dangerous, but for whatever reason never got past putting in the labels and point system for the ranks. That's a shame because Elite II actually had a series of dedicated military missions with genuine objectives that had to be completed before promotion, beyond ED's generic mission labeled as a promotion mission. (Deliver 8 tons of biowaste to become Admiral!)

Frontier has said they'd like to build a mission "someday" but the longer the game goes without fleshing out the system (going on four years now) the harder it will be to do because of the efforts players have already put into it.

 

[Gizzard]

It's disappointing that the military ranks mean little outside of unlocking ships. In Frontier: Elite 2, increased rank gave you access to increasingly dangerous and well-rewarded military missions, such as bombing planetary bases. These were actually quite fun because you'd have to fight your way down to the surface before dropping the special ordinance which is provided when you accept the mission.

I really miss the different mission types, they need to bring that back. Was great being chased by a swarm of ships after bombing or spying on remote bases.

 

[Susanna]

What does it mean for a pilot to attain the rank of Admiral in the Federal Navy or King in the Imperial Navy?

A king is someone who rules a kingdom. What kingdom do pilots rule after earning the rank of king?

An Admiral is someone who commands a group of ships. What Fleet do such pilots command?

Update: where does it say these are honorary ranks? Why can we serve in the Federal and Imperial Navies at the same time?

What does it mean? Nothing at all. It's all made up mumbo jumbo. Think of its as a way of pulling the wool over your eyes

In fact it's so much mumbo jumbo they put two ranking systems in so that you can do it all over again once you have done it the first time!

I'm guessing that with Alliance ships will come an Alliance navy, which means... Doing it all over for a third time! Wahoo! Happy Days! [haha]

 

[Schmack]

Two titles that are completely useless.

King: You have zero subjects, you even have to pay your AI crewmates. Some king you are. Maybe Rodney King.

Admiral: You drop into a convoy USS and no one even acknowledges your presence. Capital ships under the same navy never say a word to you.

It's like someone bought you a trinket at an airport that says "king" or "admiral" for all it's worth.

At the stations "Hey look guys, it's the "king"! Hey king! The throne is that way!!"

"Attention on deck, the Admiral has boarded! One finger salutes all around!"