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The Holy MMoid Empire
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Rank Structure
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of the
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Holy MMoid Imperial Army
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prepared by Prof. G. Wampus Pinchépinkie, Ph.D.
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For the Bureau of Training of the Terran Federated Navy
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BuTra Inst 34,025.204D
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Background
At the time of the formation of the Holy MMoid Imperial Army (HMIA) in 35 PU (Post Unification, approximately 1787 AD Terran), a completely new and rationalized rank structure was put in place. This organization was based on a modification of the Prime Queen's original army, and partly on the needs of the new planetary wide army. It is a logical and internally consistent organization, which has needed and undergone few modifications in almost two and one-half centuries.
Combat & Support Organization
In any MMoid army unit, and throughout the entire HMIA there are two distinct and almost totally separate organizations. For labeling purposes, these are the "Combat Organization" and the "Support Organization." Within the HMIA, the distinction of the "Combat Organization" does not exist, as these personnel are considered to be the HMIA, and the Support Organization assists the HMIA. For practical purposes, both organizations are part of the HMIA.
The Combat Organization contains only Warrior MMoid Types. These Warriors form the command and fighting structure of the HMIA. Only Warriors are permitted to be in any command position which exercises control over any Warriors. In all combat units, Warriors are the commanders, and man the weapons. Warriors supervise training, form command staffs, plus man and command defensive installations. Only under the most extreme and unusual of circumstances would a MMoid army Warrior perform maintenance or repair on any piece of equipment. This limited use of Warriors in pure combat or command positions recognizes their unique psychological attitude toward warfare, and reduces the number of such personnel needed, since Warriors are one of the smaller MMoid Types in terms of total numbers within the race.
The Support Organization contains Administrator/Scientists, Artist/Technicians, and Worker MMoid Types, but never any Warriors. This organization has a structure similar to that of the Combat Organization, but totally separate from it. The organization performs construction, maintenance, and repair work on equipment, bases, and ships. It also operates the HMIA's logistic and supply system, the research and development system, the administration system, and the medical system (see BuTra Inst 34,025.205, General Organization of the Holy MMoid Imperial Army for details of these systems). In any organization or command within the HMIA, the Support Organization has a complete chain-of-command which reports to the Warrior commander of the organization or command.
Rank Relations
Although compared to the enlisted, officer, and general officer groups within the Terran Federated Army (TFA), the relationships between the ranks in the HMIA in no way resemble the relationships between officers and enlisted personnel, and the entire concept would be totally foreign to the MMoids.
All young MMoids joining the HMIA enter as Trainees (noting that there are separate Trainee programs for the Combat and Support Organizations). Advancement is based primarily on demonstrated capabilities, but may, as in any organization, include personal contacts and external influences. Capable personnel in the "enlisted" ranks are in no way inhibited from advancing to higher ranks.
An alternative entry path to the MMoid military service which is often used in times of crisis and rapid expansion, is for experienced, older MMoids to join the HMIA (similar to war time recruitment in the TFA). After an indoctrination period, such individuals enter at an rank appropriate to their skills, although it is extremely unlikely that they will be given a rank higher than a lower level Great Leader, and they are less likely to advance to senior command positions (history suggests that the way to achieve the senior "general" positions is to join as a Trainee and rise through the ranks).
This system of having personnel advance up through the ranks to senior positions insures that "generals" have an extensive knowledge of the military service, but also means that MMoid senior command personnel tend, as least in peace time, to be rather old by TFA standards. During war, the advancement rate, due to expansion and combat losses, allows younger personnel to be brought into the higher levels of command.
General Concept
As with most things associated with the MMoid race, ranks and rates are divided into groups of nine and three. There are twenty seven standard ranks in the HMIA, plus three "trainee" ranks. These ranks are divided into three major groups, known as "Tasks," which very loosely correspond to the enlisted, junior/senior officer, and general officer groups found in the TFA. Each of these groups is further subdivided into three groups of three ranks each. The groups of three ranks are termed "Levels," and their subdivisions are "Experiences."
Insignia
Three basic symbols are used to indicate rank; one for the individual's Task, one for Level, and one for Experience. Each of these symbols has three versions, thus allowing a total of twenty seven different combinations. Support personnel use a similar system of rank identification, but with altered symbols to distinguish them from Warriors.
Except for Trainees, all personnel wear one each of the Task, Level, and Experience insignia. The insignia are worn in a vertical row, with the Task symbol at the top, the Level symbol below that, and the Experience symbol at the bottom. Trainees wear only the Experience symbol.
A single set of army rank insignia are always worn on the front of a MMoid's shell, centered between the eye stalks and the mouth opening. Insignia were originally painted onto a MMoid's shell, however, at present self adhesive appliquès are used.
The nested diamonds used in MMoid army Task rank insignia indicate that the rank is for a Warrior. The squares used for Support Organization insignia are arbitrary symbols introduced when the HMIA was formed. The small triangles used for the Level insignia for Warrior ranks are stylized claws from the hand of a Warrior. The rectangles used for Support Organization Level insignia appear to be an arbitrary variation on the claw symbol. The "hash" marks used for Experience were introduced when the HMIA was formed, and are thought to be representations of the slashing wounds inflicted by a Warrior's claw. The color variations between the Combat and Support Organizations in the hash marks seems to be an arbitrary distinction caused by the Warrior's unwillingness to have other MMoid Types shared their symbolism.
Trainees
Officially, Trainees are not ranked within the HMIA. Training begins at a MMoid period in life roughly equivalent to that of high school for a Terran child, although the individual is not locked into this career until starting the last three years of the full Trainee period. The total Training period is nine years, divided into units of three years. Rank insignia are worn only occasionally during this time, and then usually just for formal ceremonies.
Holy MMoid Imperial Army Trainee Rank Insignia
Warrior
Basic
Trainee
(No TFA
Equivalent)
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Warrior
Intermediate
Trainee
(No TFA
Equivalent)
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Warrior
Advance
Trainee
(No TFA
Equivalent)
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Support
Basic
Trainee
(No TFA
Equivalent)
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Support
Intermediate
Trainee
(No TFA
Equivalent)
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Support
Advance
Trainee
(No TFA
Equivalent)
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"Enlisted" Ranks
Upon completing training, a MMoid in the HMIA is given the rank of Warrior of the 3rd Rank. The rank numbers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) are derived from ancient and traditional usage. Apparently, the rank numbers indicated in which row of a line of warriors an individual would be placed, based on his experience, with the most experienced warriors in front (i.e., the 1st Rank).
The Striker and Slayer levels of the HMIA are somewhat analogous to corporals and sergeants in Terran armies. The Experience indicators of "Few," "Some," and "Many" are rough but adequate translations of the MMoid terms (the actual terms include concepts of increased honor and responsibility not conveyed by these simple words; but brevity must rule here).
The Helper and Supporter levels of Support personnel are direct translations of the MMoid terms, and tend to convey the creators' (who were Warriors) disdain for non-Warrior MMoids in the military service. While this attitude has declined significantly in the HMIA, as Warriors have come to realize the impossibility of creating and maintaining an advanced army without such individuals, Warriors still look down on all Support Organization personnel, regardless of rank, as second class members of the military service. Conversely, non-military Administrator/Scientist, Artist/Technician, and Worker MMoid Types tend to hold members of their MMoid Types in the HMIA in higher respect, realizing that such individuals must suffer the disdain of their Warrior companions for the good of the race as a whole. The most common MMoid Type in this group of ranks is the Worker, as few have the capability to advance above the Supporter level. Artist/Technician MMoid Types generally advance to the upper level of his rank, and possibly beyond. Administrator/Scientist MMoid Types typically advance quickly through these ranks.
Holy MMoid Imperial Army "Enlisted" Rank Insignia
Warrior
of the
3rd Rank
(Recruit)
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Warrior
of the
2nd Rank
(Private)
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Warrior
of the
1st Rank
(Private,
1st Class)
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Laborer
(3rd
Class)
(Recruit)
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Laborer
(2nd
Class)
(Private)
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Laborer
(1st
Class)
(Private,
1st Class)
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Striker
of
Few
(Lance
Corporal)
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Striker
of
Some
(Corporal)
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Striker
of
Many
(Sergeant)
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Helper
of
Few
(Lance
Corporal)
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Helper
of
Some
(Corporal)
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Helper
of
Many
(Sergeant)
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Slayer
of
Few
(Staff
Sergeant)
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Slayer
of
Some
(Sergeant
1st Class)
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Slayer
of
Many
(Master
Sergeant)
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Supporter
of
Few
(Staff
Sergeant)
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Supporter
of
Some
(Sergeant
1st Class)
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Supporter
of
Many
(Master
Sergeant)
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"Officer" Ranks
Promotion from the upper "enlisted" ranks puts a MMoid into the "Officer" ranks. For Warriors, these ranks are termed "Leaders", and for Support personnel, these ranks are termed "Masters."
The Over Leader levels are similar to junior officers of the TFA. They are in charge of the equivalent of platoons and companies, and may function as assistants and aides to command officers. These levels are not normally given command of independent units.
High Leaders are roughly equivalent to mid-level officers. They are in charge of units similar to companies and battalions and often hold senior positions on the staffs of general officers. These officers may also command the smallest of bases or garrisons.
Great Leaders are the standard senior command level personnel. They command the equivalent of regiments and brigades. Officers of these ranks also command major bases and garrisons.
Support personnel at the Over Master level tend to be Artist/Technicians and a very few Workers who have shown an ability to act as senior supervisors of other Support personnel. At the level of High Master and above, managerial and administrative skills are most important, and so these positions are commonly filled by individuals of the Administrator/Scientist MMoid Type (this being primarily by natural selection rather than by prohibition).
Holy MMoid Imperial Army "Officer" Rank Insignia
Over Leader
of
Few
(Cadet)
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Over Leader
of
Some
(2nd
Lieutenant)
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Over Leader
of
Many
(1st
Lieutenant)
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Over Master
of
Few
(Cadet)
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Over Master
of
Some
(2nd
Lieutenant)
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Over Master
of
Many
(1st
Lieutenant)
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High Leader
of
Few
(Captain)
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High Leader
of
Some
(Major)
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High Leader
of
Many
(Lieutenant
Colonel)
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High Master
of
Few
(Captain)
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High Master
of
Some
(Major)
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High Master
of
Many
(Lieutenant
Colonel)
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Great Leader
of
Few
(Colonel,
Junior)
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Great Leader
of
Some
(Colonel)
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Great Leader
of
Many
(Colonel,
Senior)
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Great Master
of
Few
(Colonel,
Junior)
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Great Master
of
Some
(Colonel)
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Great Master
of
Many
(Colonel,
Senior)
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"General Officer" Ranks
Attaining the level of Commander is the ultimate achievement for which any MMoid army Warrior can hope. As with Flag Officers or Generals in the TFA, these officers are trusted with the direction of major military formations, with the control of significant sections of the empire, or with vital high level administrative and planning positions.
Officers at the level of Over Commander are typically in command of
divisions, corps, and the largest bases, installations, or garrisons. Officers at this and higher levels are often expected to be capable of independent command and actions, without the necessity of reference to seniors.
The level of High Commander includes officers who command armies and field armies, are in charge of whole solar systems, or run the major administrative departments of the HMIA.
The few individuals who attain the level of Great Commander command the largest field armies, sectors of space, or theaters of operation.
Support personnel at the Over Director and High Director levels are the senior Support officers under similar level Commanders. They act as administrative chiefs of staff, and handle all non-combat related operations of military formations. Great Directors head the non-combat departments of the HMIA, and are responsible for such activities as Research and Development, Medical, and Construction and Training.
Holy MMoid Imperial Army "General Officer" Rank Insignia
Over Commander
of
Troops
(Brigadier
General)
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Over Commander
of
Companies
(Major
General)
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Over Commander
of
Armies
(Major
General)
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Over Director
of
Troops
(Brigadier
General)
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Over Director
of
Companies
(Major
General)
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Over Director
of
Armies
(Major
General)
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High Commander
of
Troops
(Lieutenant
General)
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High Commander
of
Companies
(Lieutenant
General)
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High Commander
of
Armies
(General)
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High Director
of
Troops
(Lieutenant
General)
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High Director
of
Companies
(Lieutenant
General)
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High Director
of
Armies
(General)
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Great Commander
of
Troops
(General)
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Great Commander
of
Companies
(Field
Marshal)
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Great Commander
of
Armies
(Field
Marshal)
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Great Director
of
Troops
(General)
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Great Director
of
Companies
(Field
Marshal)
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Great Director
of
Armies
(Field
Marshal)
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HMIA Council
The "High Command" of the HMIA is the HMIA Council. This body consists of sixteen individuals. By law, the council must include the following:
| 5 |
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Great Commanders of Armies |
| 3 |
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Great Directors of Armies |
| 7 |
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Administrator/Scientists appointed by the Prime Queen Council |
| 1 |
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Administrator/Scientist Priest appointed by the Prime Queen Council |
The Great Commanders and Directors are usually the most senior officers available. They are selected by the other Great Commanders and Great Directors, respectively, in the HMIA. Officers holding these positions no longer exercise active command authority within the HMIA.
The HMIA Council reports directly to the Prime Queen Council.
The eight officers on this Council wear special insignia. A large white "M" shape, similar to that on the back of all MMoids, on a dark blue field is added above their other insignia.
Holy MMoid Imperial Army Council Rank Insignia
Great Commander
of Armies
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Great Director
of Armies
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To The MMoids
