Because the game has grown so much since its conception, many of my fellow legion mates and leaders of other legions that I have talked to, feel that there is now a need for 2 more ranks in the legion system aside from: Member, Officer, Leader. Base battles have changed the game entirely, and thus this is most of the reason why these ranks need to be added. Here are my two suggestions:

Rank: Recruit
*This rank is a provisional rank only, that you can bring a member into the legion and have it so they cannot do damage to any alerted elites, invade shared planets, attack bases, view or even interact with the legion base. Every legion out there has had a problem member that does too much damage on an easy base, while the leadership is screaming to STOP ATTACKING! In this case, most of the SOP for this case is to kick the member out of the legion and let them reapply. This seems a bit harsh for a simple mis-communication. Why not have this rank for purposes of giving the leadership and officer corps a way to control their legion? This rank would still benefit from the chat of the legion, they wouldn't lose time in the legion, they would still build time in the legion, they also would benefit from the legion planet protection bonus. Members promoted up from this rank would get all benefits back as if they were never the lower rank at all, but without losing time in the legion and not having to wait on week long timers. This is also a provisional rank that we would use, so that a member could be forced into reading things like the legion bylaws to be promoted up to member, this makes sure that each member in the legion cannot claim ignorance to legion policies and procedures. This adds a level up much needed control into the legion that the leadership could greatly benefit from. As I said, no penalties from demotion to this rank, other than they cannot participate as a member. Their base attack or NPC attack buttons would grey out and wouldn't become Red again until promoted back to member. They would lose no time in legion, or if they just joined would build time in legion at this rank.

Rank: Veteran
This rank is a direct result of the base system. The veteran rank is not an officer, but merely someone who gets a couple extra privileges. They have no access to officer coms, and no power to promote/demote/kick/*invite members (with one stipulation) I would suggest, just like at any country club or fraternal organization, that veteran members be allow to "suggest" membership to people outside the legion, that like any organization the sponsorship of a veteran can go a long way. This would be an invite to join the legion pending officer or leader approval, and we could see who gave the invite. Veterans would also have the ability to use base abilities for the purpose of making sure the daily production buff is hit, or defending the base at a time when no other officers or leaders are around. This makes it so that the leadership of the legion doesn't look so top heavy, and adds extra help during off peak hours for base defense. This also would scrub veterans from the duties of an officer/leader and dealing with legion politics/drama, and just let them focus on helping if they can, but with a few extra privileges. *Let's face it, there are some members you love to death, but you wouldn't want them speaking for you across officer comms to another legion. I would possibly suggest adding the option that veterans could lock bases as well, but leaving it as a toggle option.

I honestly believe that adding these two legion ranks would enhance the game for everyone, and in the long run, bring even more people into the game. Basing has changed the game entirely, it's time the legion rank system had an update.

Sincerely,
Grindstone

not a bad idea, but its still just down to officer/leadership roles and jobs to get those problem players under control.
many legions have a penalty for over hitting bases, X amount of exo clamps or credits, repeat offenders get booted. they dont like it, then they werent a team player and its no loss.

the only other position i would like to see would be called "visitor", which would be used by traders mostly. Sometimes it is easy to lose track of who is a new recruit and who is merely there for a trade.

that also sounds good. im not to sure about the recruit one but i like the veteran idea for sure.

+1 for adding the ranks of Veteran and Trader.

Make the option toggle-able for Leaders to assign the rank as it fits.

+1 good idea.

I would really like a spot for traders but then I wonder if Dan ever really intended for us to trade planets like we do.

A trading slot would be cool, but they're not doing any harm chilling in your legion, as for the original two, well the recruit means that your no longer a member any more only a buff on your planets, and the veteran is pointless.