52 minutes ago, EliasWindrider said:

In the case of obligation, if you start with 10 obligation you can take another 10 obligation to get 10 *starting* xp. But obligation can be taken immediately after character creation to get you credits, so you can have your 10 xp and extra money for starting gear. This isn't true for duty or morality as far as I know.

That's where the similarity between the mechanics breaks down. Obligation is a "loan" mechanic, combined with the stress of having said loan, while Duty and your climbing Contribution rank form a requisition/reward/ra-ra-Rebellion mechanic. Morality will eventfully increase your Wound or Strain Threshold in a semi-permanent manner, and also can flip a DP to your side every session.

But that's all during play, as you say.