Joining factions and ranking

[Brixmon]

I know this might be a stupid question, but is it possible to 'join' a faction and be able to RP as one of the ranks that doesn't stick you with a tiny fighter that couldn't kill an idling Startracker if it tried? I mean I'd like to start out RPing as, say, a Hacker with acess to a Sabre or something of that nature. Being stuck with the worst of the worst when you're just starting seems a little bit boring, especially when you could easily afford a VHF with good weapons. Also, is there some kind of special thing I need to do to join a faction or is it just IFF? Anything on the forum that needs to happen before I can be considered a member of a faction?
Thanks in advance.