Along those lines I understand and generally agree, but it would make more sense then to not use ensigns and lieutenants for the entry level ranks. It confounds both the in-game lore as well as even OOC logic. A corporation would not hire veterans and then effectively reset their ranks by using the exact same ranks...so perhaps, much like public safety:
Pilot
Flight Leader (Lieutenant)
Lt. Commander
Commander
Captain
along those lines if it was naval oriented.
As both a RL Marine and a RP Marine, I could deal with that rank structure as plausible since I'd still have my rank and status as a Marine separate, and I'd see these as corporate titles for a private security force.
I think its just the lieutenant/ensign ranks that are the hardest to swallow. It seems too - rookie-ish for the actual nature of what we'd be doing. Just like in a real corporation or civil service post, you'd be hiring experienced people into experienced positions. So they'd be making a lateral move and get a posting accordingly. Since we're extrapolating on that and trying to come up with a system to designate time/contribute to the outfit, it makes sense to have some rank structure, but it should allow for some level of dignity since everyone will ultimately start "low".
Also I think we should separate billets from ranks. In my estimation ranks should be a 6 month per rank + merit type of thing, so it will take a few years to climb. But billets are functions of team management which enables us not to have to promote people just to give them a job or vice versa. Billets are your job in security, your rank is recognition of service in your job and to the corporation. Plus billets will change often I think, since teams will need to be dynamic and not static.