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 >= 2.750
Admiral 2.749 - 2.500
Vice Admiral 2.499 - 2.250
Rear Admiral 2.249 - 2.000
Commodore 1.999 - 1.750
Captain 1.749 - 1.500
Commander 1.499 - 1.400
Lieutnant Commander 1.399 - 1.300
Lieutnant 1.299 - 1.200
Lieutnant Junior Grade 1.199 - 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 - .550
Petty Officer Second Class .549 -.450
Petty Officer Third Class .449 - .400
Specialist honorary title
Crewman .399 - .300
Crewman Apprentice .299 - .200
Crewman Recruit < .200
75 total battles needed to get into the military ranking system. At least 150 Battles have to be conducted before an empire can be promoted to an officers rank. At least 250 Battles have to be conducted before a empire can be promoted to a admirals 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 Apprentice
250 Fleet Service Medal (fm)
500 Navy Star of Duty (ns) honorary promotion to the rank of Crewman
750 Distinguished Service Medal (dm)
1000 Nayvīs Great Cross of Duty (gc)
1500 Honorable Service Medal of the Fleet (hs) honorary promotion to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Fleet
2000 Federationīs Knight Insignia (ki) Officers patent is awarded, promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Junior Grade
2500 promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Commander
3000 promotion to the rank of Captain
... to be continued and improved ! ;-)

Victory Medals
Total Battles won Award Remarks
75 Starfigher Ribbon (sr)
150 Medal of Bravery (mb) honorary promotion to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class
250 Honor Medal of the Fleet (hf)
500 The Navy Cross (nc) Officers patent is awarded, promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Junior Grade
750 Starwarrior Insignia (sw)
1000 Distinguished Bravery Medal of the Fleet (db) promotion to the rank of Lieutnant Commander
1500 Federationīs Knight Insignia (ki)
2000 Federationīs Paladin Insignia (pi) promotion to the rank of Captain
2500 The Admirality Wings (aw) promotion to the rank of Commodore
3000 Star of the Federation (sf) promotion to the rank of Admiral
... to be continued and improved.

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
Bronze Star
(bs)
 5 consecutive wins(*)
Silver Star
(ss)
 8 consecutive wins
Golden Star
(gs)
 12 consecutive wins
Platinum Star
(ps)
 18 consecutive wins
Award for what ?
participation in FedWars
Campaign Ribbon
(cr(&#))
 3 battles against fedwar enemies
#1 - War against Catastrophia[BOC]
#2 - War against The Phoenix Guard
Campaign Medal
(cm(&#))
 7 battles against fedwar enemies
#1 - War against Catastrophia[BOC]
#2 - War against The Phoenix Guard
Campaign Cross
(cc(&#))
 12 battles against fedwar enemies
#1 - War against Catastrophia[BOC]
#2 - War against The Phoenix Guard
Silver Cross of the Navy (sc) 5 wins (against empires of hostile Federations)
Golden Cross of the Navy (gc) +10 wins (see above. is awarded for the 15th combat won in a FedWar
Platinum Cross of the Navy (gc) +10 wins (e.g. 25 wins total)
Warhammer Medal (wm) +10 wins (35)
Solar Insignia (si) + 15 wins (50)