When you start out a new character in Wasteland, that character starts out as a Private. As the character gains experience, the character will be promoted when the party radios in to base. It's worth noting that in the first twelve levels, the name of the rank changes at each level. At Sergeant and beyond, however, two or more levels are required to change actual rank. Curiously, in Wasteland, First Lieutenant is considered a lower rank than Second, which is the opposite of progression in the Armed Forces.