Brotherhood of Steel hierarchy (Midwest)

The Brotherhood of Steel in the Midwest relies on a strict hierarchy, which has been heavily modified from its Western origins to accommodate the different political and economic context in which the splinter chapter operates - particularly the aggressive expansionism and influx of raw recruits from lands it conquers.
__TOC__
==Ranking system==
Military	Civilian
* Initiate
* Senior initiate
* Squire
* Senior squire
* Junior knight
* Knight
* Senior knight
* Knight commander
* Junior paladin
* Paladin
* Paladin commander
* Paladin lord
* General
* Elder	
* Civilian
* Scribe
* Elder
The Midwestern branch has a rank system that differs from the original Brotherhood ranks. In the Midwest, the scribes act as both scientists and engineers, taking the place of both western scribes and knights. Midwestern knights are just a military rank lower in the hierarchy than paladins, and given lower quality power armor if any at all. The inquisitors are the Brotherhood's law enforcement and intelligence. The "general" rank seems to be made from the real life general rank, and the "commanding officer" is the military leader of the Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel and also the only one rank higher than generals, responsible for giving mission orders to everyone, and also the only one that can give their opinion on the elders' politics. Also, the assignment into a commanding officer is done by the elders and only a general can become a commanding officer. Like all Brotherhood of Steel, the Midwestern elders are the leaders and the thinkers of all decisions.
==Combat ranks==
===Recruit===
Officially not members of the Brotherhood proper, recruits must first complete Intiate TestsBunker guard: " I doubt they'll pass the Initiate Tests."(Bunker 01.txt) and basic training to be promoted to Initiate. Only 15% of recruits complete basic training and join the Brotherhood as initiates.Simon Barnaky: "At ease, Initiate. My name is General Barnaky. I will be giving you your orders before every mission. But, before that, I'd like to personally welcome you aboard. Considering that the Brotherhood Basic Training attrition rate is eighty five percent, you should be very proud of yourself. Now, on to business." 
===Initiate===
In the Midwestern division, initiates are members who have completed initial training (and are thus one step above recruits), and the lowest rank that can be assigned to combat duty. Life expectancy improves somewhat as an initiate, with Paladin Ryczek considering it a point of pride that out of 50 initiates he trained, 14 or 28%, lived long enough to serve the Brotherhood.Fallout Tactics intro Training is limited: Even initiates trained as medics receive as little as two weeks of instruction before being pressed into service.Initiate Timothy: " Whoa! They didn't cover that in my two-week training. "(Bunker 01.txt)
Initiates graduating at the top of the class may be granted the special position of Captain, in charge of new Initiate classes.Shauri: "My greetings Hero! Guess what? I made it past Initiate training! Not many of our tribe did and I was at the top of the class.
It is memories of you and your squad that gave me the strength to meet each challenge. Now they made me Captain of the new Initiate class! I'm even in charge of Tiduk!"(Bunker 03.txt)
===Senior initiate===
Senior initiates are on the verge of completing their initiation into the Brotherhood.
===Squire===
Squires are members of the Brotherhood who have completed their initiation. This grants them the privilege of learning the highest objectives of the Brotherhood. In 2197, this was the recovery of Vault 0 once the Brotherhood established its power by following the Illinois river south and establishing its rule.Fallout Tactics chapter cutscenes, Chapter 1
===Senior squire===
Senior squires are squires which are ready to become knights and are taught all the requirements and oaths to be a knight of the Brotherhood of Steel.
===Junior knight===
The first rank among the knights, issued to senior squires who demonstrate competence. In the Midwestern division, "knight" is a strictly military rank and the scribes are the ones responsible for manufacturing technology there.
===Knight===
The standard knight rank, representing a competent fighter.
===Senior knight===
Experienced knights may be promoted to a position of seniority, overseeing the activities of their juniors.
===Knight commander===
Knight commanders are the highest ranking knights in the Eastern Brotherhood. 
===Junior paladin===
The initial rank for a knight promoted to paladin status.
===Paladin===
The "base" rank of veteran soldiers of the Eastern Brotherhood, granted access to power armor and the finest weapons available. 
===Paladin commander===
Paladin commanders are senior paladins tasked with leading other forces into the fray.
===Paladin lord===
Paladin lords are paladins who lead special operations outside of the main Brotherhood of Steel military. They only report to the high elder and Elder Council. Their operations are sometimes kept secret from the generals because they often clash with Brotherhood military regulations. They are given specially selected squads that will follow the paladin lords without question and are forbidden to talk about their missions to other members of the Brotherhood.
===General===
Generals control all of the Brotherhood's military. They report to the high elder and the Elder Council and will only make a move if it's approved by them. They obtain the title of general by showing outstanding performance in military tactics and combat. They help decide the titles of the most promising recruits from initiates and squires all the way up to knight and paladin commanders.
==Scribes==
Scribes are tasked with creating and keeping records of the technology recovered and used by the Brotherhood and experimenting with new weapons and other useful devices to be used in the field by the knights and paladins. Scribes rarely leave the safety of the BoS bunkers, but they are sometimes called into the field to examine a piece of technology or perform a task beyond the skills of the Brotherhood soldiers. The attitude of many scribes in the Brotherhood can be described as techno-centric. While a great number study history and cultures, the majority of scribes focus their studies on subjects related to the acquisition, repair, or creation of technology.The Vault Dweller: "{345}{}{What is the Brotherhood's main purpose?}"John Maxson: "{172}{Gen_21}{Our main goal is to survive. The Scribes copy old plans for weapons or design new ones, and the Knights make the guns from 'em. Most guns come from us.}"(MAXSON.MSG)The Vault Dweller: "{1009}{}{Scribes}"John Maxson: "{1109}{Gen_61}{Well, Scribes copy down the weapon specs. We've got information all the way back to my granddad. Sometimes a scribe comes up with a new idea for a weapon. Hehehe. Doesn't happen too often. They all answer to Vree.}"(MAXSON.MSG)
Some scribes in the Midwest chapter organize themselves into unions similarly named to American labor unions.Page 1, Fallout Tactics Manual
==Elders==
====Elder====
The elders form the Brotherhood's ruling council. Individual elders may also be experts in certain areas and provide services, such as Celsius, the head of frontline medicine in the Eastern Brotherhood's bunkers.
==Special ranks and positions==
===Auditor General===
A high-ranking position for members with excellent attention for details and math skills, responsible for carrying audits, collecting dues for the Brotherhood, and recovering stolen equipment - usually after other members have rendered it accessible. Known members include Caldriss Hemlock, formerly a Brotherhood assassin.MIS 17 Speech.txt: "Caldriss was one of the Brotherhood's deadliest assassins before his retirement from active duty. A calculating man with an eye for details, he has since found a use for his attention to details by working as an auditor and collector of dues for the Brotherhood."
===Inquisitor===
A characteristic element of the Eastern Brotherhood of Steel, inquisitors are roughly equivalent to a secret police unit. Feared even by members in good standing,Bunker 03.txt: "B03_Guard02_A05 = { Our Inquisitors scare me. I'm not kidding.}" inquisitors are in charge of processing prisoners of war, captives,Bunker 04.txt: "B04_Brother01_D00 = { Do you think the Reavers like our Inquisitors? Hah hah. }
B04_Brother01_D01 = { Work camp till you die, baby! }
B04_Brother01_D02 = { Our laws are the only laws. }" and even people liberated by squads in the field, to identify and isolate threats to the Brotherhood. If someone is found to be an asset, they are released into Brotherhood service, though they seldom retain pleasant memories of their time with the inquisitors.Dyson: "Your Brotherhood has been wonderful to me... after I finished with your Inquisitors."(Bunker 02.txt)
The inquisitors are also charged with silencing dissidents and suppressing embarrassments to the Brotherhood. This includes rounding up friends and families of anyone who challenges the Brotherhood's autocratic rule, for the purposes of internment, interrogation, and eventually hard labor or execution.MIS 17 Speech.txt: "The scoundrels' bodies will be displayed in proper crucifixion outside the town of Quincy, along with the guards that were on watch. Our Inquisitors have also rounded up known friends and family of the criminals to an internment camp. If they have information about any weak links in our security, we will find out. If they don't, they will be placed in a labour camp to prevent the spread of rumors and ensure proper security."
The inquisitors are mentioned in Fallout Tactics and were to appear in Fallout Tactics 2, the canceled sequel.
==Gallery==
Scribe.jpg|Scribe concept art (Midwestern Brotherhood, Fallout Tactics)
Scribe_Female.jpg|Female scribe concept art (Midwestern Brotherhood, Fallout Tactics)
Rank.png|Rank Vault boy
==References==
Ranks
de:Stählerne Bruderschaft
fr:Rangs de la Confrérie de l'Acier
it:Gradi della Confraternita d'acciaio