Dark Angels - Company Command: Deathwing Command Squads - The highest-ranking members of the Chapter's Inner Circle are sometimes accompanied by a Command Squad of Veterans drawn from the Deathwing, the elite 1st Company. Such a hand-picked formation of the most veteran Deathwing Terminators makes a formidable unit, ideal for service as a bodyguard or to be assigned special duties by a Librarian or Interrogator-Chaplain. They can be equipped for any role from the Chapter's Armoury and often include specialists such as Standard Bearers, Apothecaries or even the Deathwing Company Champion. Belial, the current Grand Master of the Deathwing, has personally led many a Deathwing Command Squad straight into the heart of battle, forging a breach in enemy lines and crushing opposing leaders.Dark Angels Command Squads - Dark Angels company officers are often accompanied by a Dark Angels Command Squad -- a hand-picked unit of the five most able company Veterans. The Codex Astartes sanctions the formation of these units largely as bodyguards for key masters of the Chapter. Dark Angels officers use their Command Squads in a variety of roles, such as forming Honour Guards to spearhead attacks, shoring up defensive lines, or achieving special missions. Because of their elite nature, Command Squads can draw upon The Rock's full arsenal of weaponry and wargear. The most prominent addition to any Command Squad is the Standard Bearer, for he carries one of his company's much-revered banners. Since The Rock was made the Dark Angels' headquarters, the solemn Great Hall has been lined with proud company standards, along with ceremonial banners, heraldic pennants and, in pride of place, the Chapter relics known as the Sacred Standards. Every Son of the Lion, from Neophyte to the most battle-scarred Veteran, will fight even harder beneath the presence of such a Chapter icon. Whether it is a Company Master leading a Command Squad with its Company Standard into the thick of the fighting, or the bearer of a Sacred Standard marking the Dark Angels' hold over a rallying point, the heraldry of the Dark Angels is a call to war that is known and feared across the galaxy. Some Command Squads contain an Apothecary to care for those of his brethren wounded in battle. This battlefield medic will make use of his Narthecium -- a field kit which contains all the technology, stim-packs and sacred unguents needed to patch wounds -- allowing his brethren to return to the fight. Not all the wounded can be saved, but between their ceramite power armour, superhuman constitutions and bioengineered self-regenerative properties, only the most horrific of wounds are mortal for the Astartes. When an Apothecary finds one past hope, he will calm the dying, perhaps helping them to find the Emperor's Peace with a quick cut, and take out his Reductor from the Narthecium. This special device will be used to remove the Progenoid Glands from the dead Astartes' body. The genetic secrets within these organs will be used to create future generations of Dark Angels. A Command Squad can also contain a Company Champion. In the Dark Angels Chapter, each company has unique rituals -- most often some combination of duels, tests of strength and mental battles intended to see who can maintain their self-control the longest. The winners of such competitions represent their company during the ceremonies held in the Great Hall of The Rock. These individuals embody the honour of their company, representing their brothers in the mysteries of the rites just as they do in war. On the battlefield, it is a Company Champion's task to personally confront enemy warlords and captains, leaving the Company Master free to coordinate the wider battle. Should the Dark Angels encounter their ancient rivals the Space Wolves during their missions, it is a Company Champion who will face the Space Wolves' chosen champion in ritual combat, reenacting the epic clash fought between their respective primarchs during the Great Crusade nearly 10,000 standard years ago.Company Veterans - The Dark Angels are a solemn Chapter, not given to acts of self-aggrandisement, but that is not to say that the Dark Angels do not recognise their brethren who perform extreme deeds of bravery. After each engagement, following the solemn ceremonies for those lost in battle, the tribute-rites of merit are performed. To be acknowledged before the assembled might of the Dark Angels is a proud and humbling moment -- for each of the battle-brothers is, in their own right, a hero of many battles. Taking after the company masters, Veterans renounce the garish. Not for them the gold-encrusted armour of an Honour Guard or the ostentatious plume to denote to all onlookers their exalted station. Instead, only the keenest eye can perhaps discern a ceremonial robe or catch the odd gleam from some antiquated and honoured wargear gifted to them for their acts of bravery. On the battlefield, however, it is easy to mark Company Veterans -- for they fight as a band of heroes.Company & Chapter Ancients - The most prominent member of company command is the Standard Bearer or Ancient, for he carries one of the company's much-revered banners. Since The Rock was made the Dark Angels' base of operations, the solemn Great Hall has been lined with proud company standards, along with ceremonial banners, heraldic pennants and, in pride of place, the Sacred Standards. Every son of the Lion, from Neophyte to the most battle-scarred Veteran, will fight even harder beneath the august presence of such a Chapter icon. The most honoured of all Company Ancients is promoted to Chapter Ancient, and is tasked with carrying a banner from the days of the Great Crusade. Many are the acts of extreme heroism that have been performed by Dark Angels in the shadow of such ancient standards, and their symbols are known throughout the galaxy.Company Champions -  A company's command unit can also contain a Company Champion. In the Dark Angels Chapter, each company has unique rituals -- most often some combination of duels, contests of strength, and mind battles of self-control. The winners of such competitions represent their company during the ceremonies held in the Great Hall of The Rock. These individuals embody the honour of their company, representing their brothers in the mysteries of rites as they do in war. On the battlefield, it is a Company Champion's task to confront enemy warlords and captains, leaving the Company Master free to conduct the wider battle. Should the Dark Angels encounter Space Wolves during their missions, it is a Company Champion who will face the Space Wolves' champion in ritual combat, re-enacting the epic clash fought between their respective primarchs nearly ten thousand Terran years ago.