Talon officer ranks and roles

## Overview

During the many eons of Talon military conquest, the ranks and roles that belong to the Talon War machine officers has remained much the same. Although over the many eras the names and languages of said ranks have changed and evolved, the core structure and formality of the pure Talon chain of command has remained the same. The structure involves 4 ranks, all having their own set staff positions and responsibilities. Although the higher levels of Talon command may stray further from the battlefield, they all comply to the ancient law of the Paladin's creed. The Paladins creed being; no matter what rank, position or power all Talons' have the right to raise their sabre's in close combat without any attempt to be stopped.

## Design

The design of the rank insignias has been around for many eons. It is a simple but effective design. The design is based around the first ever Talon Command Sabre to ever be crafted in Talon history. In the days where the sabre was more akin to a dagger rather than a sabre/sword. This sabre is used by the Talon War machine as a symbol of purity, authority and power. With each rank comes an additional 2 pips to symbolise the increments of rank and authority. However the rank of Colonel features 2 crossed sabres, upon promotion a Colonel is presented with a secondary sabre, which is far more decorated and prestigious then the original. This sabre is used as a parade item rather then a combat tool.

## Lieutenant Paladin (LTP)

Fresh from the academies of Grand Talos, The Lieutenant Paladin is young and eager with a belly full of fire. Upon graduation, a Talon cadet is granted the rank of Lieutenant Paladin and commissioned into the Empire’s War machine. These Junior officers serve primarily as Detachment Commanders, leading their detachments of non-pure Talon soldiers into the front lines. No matter the danger, environment or survival chance the Lieutenant Paladin will always deploy as a front line officer, it is in these circumstances that the weak are separated and left to perish in the fires of battle, while the strong continue on.

However LTP’s are not to be taken as amateurs, in order to reach a commission in the Talon empire, one must have completed a minimum of 20 earth-years in a number of academies. Learning everything there is needed to know what it takes to not only serve as an officer in the Talon empire but also how to survive as one. They are well educated and well qualified in their fields.

## Paladin (PLD)

 Harnessing many decades of service to the Talon War machine, Paladins are the backbone of the Talon officers. Carrying many victories on their chests, Paladins have charged through many deadly crusades, cheating death and the threat of defeat with them. They lead without question and without hesitation. It is this rank that a Talon officer may begin to take on staffing roles and administration, which is less focused on the management of non-pure but instead the management of junior Lieutenant Paladins’ and their detachments. For the most part Paladins are found in the front line, commanding much larger and valuable detachments that a single Lieutenant Paladin may find to be cumbersome.

Traditionally, most Paladins will take time off to study the art of discipline. Attending an academy on Grand Talos, Paladins will study to become disciplinary masters, a staff role that is only held by those of the rank of Paladin. It is widely known that this rank can be held for an enormous amount of time; a lot of Talon are found to become ‘career Paladins’. Career Paladins will usually remain in this rank for the foreseeable future for many reasons including; wishing to focus on the mastery of discipline or to remain in a functional front line role. Paladin is the final rank that focuses mostly in front line combat, as higher ranks become more focused on administration and management.
In the eyes of the non-pure, a Paladin is the most feared rank of the Talon officers. It is a Paladin who will often oversee the standards and discipline of troopers and their officers on a larger scale. If a Paladin must be called in to deal with matters, heads will roll by the dozen…

## Captain (CAPT)

The rank of Captain is the first step into entering the politics of the Talon War machine. In this position many doors become unlocked, there are many avenues that a Talon officer may go down with most of them including administration and management. To see a captain in the front lines is very rare, however there are some that still find themselves deployed into the fray, serving as senior field commanders, leading multiple large scale detachments from the ground.

At this stage in a Talon’s service they become very driven and motivated, as they now begin to see the top. Focusing on climbing the ladder further, many Captain’s will drop their previous service in their respected cores and seek positions in the Doctrine of Administration hoping to get a foot in the door of military politics and management. While others who wish not to climb the ladder as quick will remain in their cores and become masterful in their field. Some may even return to Grand Talos to teach in the academies, passing on their knowledge to the next generations of Talon officers.

A Captain is an elite in his own right, usually harnessing service years into the century. Focused on nothing more than ensuring peak efficiency of all those below him.

## Colonel (COL)

With many centuries of service to the Talon War machine, the rank of colonel is the final step in becoming a Talon overseer. At this stage, the officer has left the grueling front line environment and now takes command from the comfort of his many command centers. While those below him command detachments with sword and valor, the Colonel single handedly commands hundreds of thousands of assets during entire operations. His task is primarily in the war efforts of his sectorial regiment; planning, managing, organising all cores and doctrines involved in operations.

In the later periods of his service as a Colonel, he will find himself next to the Sectorial commander, assisting him in the management of the Sectorial regiment. It is in this stage that the Colonel begins to learn what it is to be an overseer of the Talon War machine.

Most Colonels will belong to the Doctrine of administration, however there are special cases where some may remain in their respected cores dealing in matters specifically to the core. It is rare for officers below the rank of Colonel to be involved in their work, however Captains are often seen assisting them in the command of operations however they are more of a student than an advisory.

## Officer Roles:

### Lieutenant Paladin:

* **Detachment Commander:** As a Detachment Commander, the officer must ensure that all administration and management tasks in the detachment are kept up to date. He must ensure that the detachment is continuously battle ready, healthy and armed. When on operations and in battle, the Detachment Commander will lead from the front with his troops.

### Paladin:

* **Detachment Commander:** As a Detachment Commander, the officer must ensure that all administration and management tasks in the detachment are kept up to date. He must ensure that the detachment is continuously battle ready, healthy and armed. When on operations and in battle, the Detachment Commander will lead from the front with his troops.
* **Staff Officers:** Senior officers who do not belong to a specific detachment, instead they cover multiple detachments acting as an administration officer. Usually holding the rank of either Captain or Paladin.
* **Disciplinary Masters:** Paladins who have dedicated their service to the art of discipline. Managing standards of discipline and etiquette of the detachments he supervises. Standards not only for the non-pure but for pure Talons as well, acting as a direct supervisor for young Lieutenant Paladins who need to be kicked into line. Many of the most feared pure Talons originated from the ranks of the disciplinary masters. There are many levels of Disciplinary masters, from detachment level all the way to Solar level.

### Captain:

* **Detachment Commander:** For a Captain to find himself in command of a detachment would mean that the detachment was either enormous in size or value. Although it is rare, sometimes the task is so vital that it requires an officer of enormous ability and experience.
* **Senior Field Commanders:** Captains who can still be found on the front lines will adopt this role. A senior field commander is tasked with the command of all assets and personnel in the field. In most cases he will serve as a direct link between the forces on the ground and skirmish commander himself.
* **Staff officers:** Senior officers who do not belong to a specific detachment, instead they cover multiple detachments acting as an administration officer. Usually holding the rank of either Captain or Paladin.
* **Fortress Commander:** Traditionally held by Captains, the role of a Fortress Commander is one of the most prestigious that this rank can hold. To be a Fortress Commander requires many years studying at one of the many administrative academies on Grand Talos. Once graduated the now fully qualified Fortress Commander will be assigned to a Fortress, where he will be under full administrative command. Managing and directing all personal and assets of the respective Fortress.
* **Skirmish/operation staff officer:** Captains appointment to the Skirmish/operations Commander (Colonel) to assist in the overall management of operations. Usually given to those who are on the brink of being promoted to Colonel.

### Colonel:

* **Skirmish/operations Commander:** In full command of an operation/skirmish and all of the assets involved. In charge of directing, managing, planning and commanding an operation no matter the size or length. Given missions and tasks by the Sectorial Commander, the Skirmish Commander must organise all resources, assets and personnel involved and command those assets to victory.
* **Vice Sectorial Commander:** Taken under the wing by the Sectorial Commander (Brigadier) the vice is tasked with assisting the Sectorial commander with management tasks involved in commanding a Sectorial regiment. Often given to Colonels on the brink of a promotion into a Talon overseer and soon to be commanding his own Sectorial Regiment.