The ranking system works using a combination of Skill Level and XP. You gain one xp for each game you play (except Doublexp Weekends and Ranked Big Team Slayer). You gain one skill every now and then in a RANKED game. (Note you can go down skill from losing games every now and then, and the spaces between each skill as you progress become wider, much like RS Exp).
Enlisted Ranks are ranks without any skill needed. These are: Recruit, Apprentice, Private, Corporal, Sergeant and Gunnery Sergeant. You proceed up these as you get more xp. Note: You dont need any skill for these ranks. You can have these ranks when at 1-9 Skill.
At 10 skill, things change. You become a spartan officer. At 10 Highest skill, you're a Lieutenant. At 20, a Captain. At 30, A Major. At 35, A Commander. At 40, A Colonel. At 45, A Brigadier. At 50, A General.
The type of rank you are varys due to the amount of XP you have. E.g. at 10 Highest skill, you're a Lieutenant, but you can either be a Lieutenant, a Lieutenant Grade 2, a Lieutenant Grade 3, or a First Lieutenant. At 10 High Skill and 70 Exp, you're a Lieutenant; At 85 a Lieutenant grade 2; At 200 a Lieutenant grade 3; At 400 a First Lieutenant.
For a full list of rankings, visit my rank history. If you go over a rank you can see what's required for each one.
My Rank History:
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Halo3/RankHist...yer=ChEYNeY%20C~Mugger84