JohnB's Games

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====== Military Officer Ranks ======


{{ :pathfinder:social_guidelines:rankinsignia.png |}}

Officers command members of the Army, Navy, Civil Guard and any other military or para-military unit.   This list is based on naval ranks, which (IMO) makes for a simple and straightforward system, and does not differentiate between commissioned and non-commissioned officers. 

In the following descriptions, the numbers of troops commanded by each rank are much lower than might be expected in a modern  military organisation.  In some respects this represents the smaller sizes of early armies, although the numbers given represent regular troops - and are can be swelled by irregular and militia troops.  Ensigns also serve as Unit 'Sergeants' in  training establishments.

**NOTE:**  These are normally NPC positions.  PCs are much too busy adventuring and running their own affairs to hold adown a military rank.

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===== Squad Officer =====


**Overview:** Many Squad Officers have come up through the ranks and have the same basic stats and classes as the men they command. Sergeant is the most common rank name, although some aboard ship a Squad Officer may be known  a Petty Officer. Like most military units, a squad is only broadly defined.  However, it normally consists of 5-15 people - although some could be ancillary troops.  The larger the unit, the higher ranking the commander.  This is equal to 1 defence point in the Campaign System.

**Sergeant:** A sergeant controls a single unit of troops, of up to ten troops, in day-to-day activities.  They ensure discipline and that orders are carried out, but they are not expected to take any serious leadership decisions. A Sergeant might take control of a unit of watchmen, a military patrol or the crew of a ship's boat, serving under a senior officer.   A  Sergeant's rank is indicated by a broken bar.   
 
**Senior Sergeant:** A Senior Sergeant's rank is indicated by a solid bar, and is generally appointed to a semi-independent command (such as a watch tower) or an overseer's role in a large unit.

**Ensign:** Some people (often from wealthy or noble families) are singled out for early promotion.  These trainee officers often have a level of Aristocrat or a PC class in their makeup, although they are generally at the same level, and of similar ability, as their troops. They are often posted to larger units, where they serve as an Ensign and are given responsibility for the unit's flag and "staff" personnel.  In training establishments, Ensigns often get their first taste of command as 'Sergeant' to a unit of trainees.


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===== Unit Officers =====


Generally known as a //Lieutenant//, their rank is indicated by two bars.  If there is more than one Lieutenant in a unit they are known 1st Lt, 2nd Lt, 3rd Lt etc in order of seniority.   Like Senior Sergeants, Lieutenants might serve as officers in large units, or be assigned a semi-independent role, perhaps in command of a fort, or acting as the military commander for a small holding, under the command of a senior officer or PC.

A Lieutenant can command three sergeants and their troops (perhaps up to 50 people all together). A Ship's Officer might take control of a landing party, command a captured vessel on the trip back to port, or take a watch on a larger ship.  On land a lieutenant might be in charge of the castle's Barbican, an Outpost, a town district or even just one watch.   They can meet limited objectives (such as patrol rosters, and unit management) without direct supervision.

Unless you are a Landed Noble, or leader of a large mercenary company, this is probably the highest ranking officer you will probably need to employ - as you will be able to fulfil the Commander's role.


A Lieutenant is generally one level higher than any of the troops they command, and often have a level of expert, aristocrat, or a PC class,  in their build.  However, all troops expect their officer to have at least one level of a full BAB combat class.  A lieutenant will expect to earn about 4x what their men earn.

++++  Examples | 
**Watch Officer:** In charge of a mixed unit of Watchmen and Guards.  In a small town might be the most senior officer, in a large town might be the ‘Duty Officer’ , in a large city might be the duty officer for one district.  Etc.
Lieutenant:  Warrior 3 / Expert 1:
Studded Leather Armour: Light Mace, Dagger.
Expects to earn 16-20 gp a month.\\
**Outpost Commander** In charge of a Rural Outpost and a couple of nearby Watch Towers but reports to the local Commander.
Lieutenant:  Warrior 3 / Aristocrat 1:
Breast Plate: Short Sword, Dagger.
Expects to earn 16-20 gp a month.\\
 **Naval Officer: ** A Naval Lt in charge of a landing party will be tasked with securing an area of beach and leading their troops inland.  S/he may have a crew of  5xSeamen and 10xMarines, under their command. 
Lieutenant: Expert 3 / Aristocrat 1:
Studded Leather Armour: Short Sword.
Expects to earn 22-26 gp a month.
++++

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===== Unit Commanders =====


//Lieutenant Commander:// A Lt Cdr is a Senior Lieutenant who can command up to three Lieutenants, andhas a small command group led by an Ensign. They are designated by 2 solid bars topped by a broken bar, and expect to earn about 6x what their men earn.  A Lt Commander's Staff Section could include an Ensign, Batman (personal servant), Messenger, Chaplain and secretary.  A Lt Commander might be responsible for a Rural Fort, a small vessel acting independently or oversee a sub-command for a captain.

//Commander:// A commander is generally in charge of something significant, takes a lot of responsibility and command up to 3 Lieutenants, as well as their own troops (12dp altogether)  a HQ Unit (under a sergeant) and a command group (under an Ensign)  - max 100+ troops. They are designated by three solid bars and  expect to earn up to 8-10x what their men earn.  A Commander's Staff Section could include an Ensign, Batman (personal servant), Messengers, personal guards and a secretary or two.  A commander might be responsible for all of the troops in a fairly large town or large castle, or command one type troops in a large city's army. 

They will always be at least one level higher than the highest level lieutenant in their command and often have levels of aristocrat, or PC classes,  in their build. 


//Captain:// A captain (or rarely, a Colonel) is represented by four solid bars and commands all of the troops that come within one company.   The company could be a mercenary company, all the troops of a small nation state, or just one troop type for a regional army. As well as a personal command this could encompass the troops of up to five Commanders  or about 500 troops all together.  However, not many Captains have  anywhere near that many troops under their command - Many mercenary Companies are much smaller and their 'Captain' might only have the same skills and prestige as a Lt Cdr. 

Captains expect to earn something like 100gp per month.

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===== Senior Officers =====


**General:**  Generals are very rare, and only the largest nations have a general in charge of their forces.  It takes a significant nation to have more that one general in charge of their troops.  However, when smaller armies come together, one of the Captain's is often 'promoted' to the position of Captain-General.  In extreme cases, when large armies, each with their own general, come together -  a Lord General might be appointed.   If every you have that large an army -  you need to be incredibly wealthy  to employ a general.  Generals wear stars to signify their rank.