The fleetīs ranking system is basically based on the combat experience measured by Win/Loss-ratio.
Promotions are also awarded if a player reaches certain numbers of battles conducted and/or battles won.

Player Ranking Overview

Rank Insignia Description Win/Loss Ratio Remarks
Fleet Admiral >= 4.000
Admiral 3.999 - 3.250
Vice Admiral 3.249 - 2.800
Rear Admiral 2.799 - 2.500
Commodore 2.499 - 2.000
Captain 1.999 - 1.750
Commander 1.749 - 1.500
Lieutnant Commander 1.499 - 1.350
Lieutnant 1.349 - 1.250
Lieutnant Junior Grade 1.249 - 1.100
Ensign 1.099 - 1.000
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Fleet honorary title
Master Chief Petty Officer .999 - .900
Senior Chief Petty Officer .899 - .800
Chief Petty Officer .799 - .650
Midshipman honorary title
Petty Officer First Class .649 - .500
Petty Officer Second Class .499 -.400
Petty Officer Third Class .399 - .350
Specialist honorary title
Crewman .349 - .200
Crewman Apprentice .199 - .050
Crewman Recruit < .050
At least 25 conducted battles are needed for a empire to get into the military ranking system. At least 50 Battles have to be conducted before a empire can be promoted to a non-commissioned officer (Petty Officer 3rd Class and above) rank. Disratings will happen if for each 0.100 points lost in win/loss ratio.

Decorations
Player are awarded decorations for certain military achievements. As combat experence is combat experience, no matter of a battle is won or lost, there are two different categories of awards :

Battle Medals
Total Battles
conducted		 Award (abbr.) Remark
100 Militia Medal (mm) combined with a promotion to the rank of Crewman
250 Fleet Service Medal (fm)
333 honorary promotion to the rank of Specialist
500 Distinguished Service Medal (dm)
750 honorary promotion to the rank of Midshipman
1000 Federation Service Medal (fs)
1500 honorary promotion to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Fleet
2500 Honorable Service Medal of the Fleet (hs) Officers patent is awarded, promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Junior Grade
3500 Federationīs Knight Insignia (ki) promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Commander
5000 Asphalt Ministry Medal (am) promotion to the rank of Captain

Victory Medals
Total Battles won Award Remarks
50 Starfigher Ribbon (sr)
100 Medal of Bravery (mb) honorary promotion to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class
250 Honor Medal of the Fleet (hf)
333 Officers patent is awarded, promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Junior Grade
500 Starwarrior Insignia (sw)
750 Distinguished Bravery Medal of the Fleet (db) promotion to the rank of Lieutnant
1000 Supernova Medal (sn)
1500 Black Hole Medal (bh) promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Commander
2000 Federationīs Knight Insignia (ki) promotion to the rank of Commander
2500 Federationīs Paladin Insignia (pi) promotion to the rank of Captain
3000 The Admirality Wings (aw) promotion to the rank of Commodore
4000 Asphalt Sacrificial Medal (as) promotion to the rank of Admiral
In addition to that, medals are also awarded for campaigns - i.e. a number of consecutive fought and won battles.
Campaign Medals
... can be awarded repeatedly...
Award for what ?
consecutive wins
Orionīs Arrow (oa) 4 consecutive wins(*)
Sword of Orion (so) 8 consecutive wins
Great Cross of the Orion Nebula co 15 consecutive wins
Orionīs Crest oc 25 consecutive wins