I have tried to understand how players "earn" a rank, I.e. Captain. I have run across players fairly new to WarGear and with few games under their belt RANKED much higher than I expected. Looked for some explanation but found none. Only comment that I uncovered was that some boards promote higher rank. Not that it is a big deal but JYST WONDERING!!
Your rank is based on the number of Championship Points you have earned.
http://www.wargear.net/wiki/doku.php?id=achievements
You earn Champ points for being in the top ten players on any given board.
http://www.wargear.net/wiki/doku.php?id=general:help:rankings
Those new players you saw must have done well on a board that either just came out, or doesn't have many players - and have earned some CP
Thanks, Ratsy!