would like to see some confirmation that federal rank progression is at least possible.

[lifeschool-amiga]

Rank is easy in Fed space. Go to Ab Lincoln or Micky Gorb station and align yourself with Federal Congress. Do all missions for them, give donations, bring back goods. Before 1.3 it was a matter of taking on all delivery missions and finding the product nearby. But in 1.3 all you have to do is take on a few drug running missions (skull and arrow) and you'll leap up in rank and get the progression. Same with Sirius Corp. I went and collected x2 Corp missions from Luyten's Star and my rep went to allied and I got the permit. As long as local rep is Allied it gives rep missions, while galaxy faction rep does nothing.