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An unusual command rank outside the normal promotions ladder  is that of '''Warmaster''', the commander of [[Crusade|Crusades]].  This rank is not reachable by any conventional means and is only bestowed by agreement of the High Lords themselves.  It is unlikely that more than one Warmaster would exist at any one time in the entire Imperium and many centuries may pass without anyone holding this exalted position.<sup>3</sup>     
 
An unusual command rank outside the normal promotions ladder  is that of '''Warmaster''', the commander of [[Crusade|Crusades]].  This rank is not reachable by any conventional means and is only bestowed by agreement of the High Lords themselves.  It is unlikely that more than one Warmaster would exist at any one time in the entire Imperium and many centuries may pass without anyone holding this exalted position.<sup>3</sup>     
  
The highest 'conventional' rank reachable in the Guard is that of '''Lord General Militant''' (or equivalent), the highest rank above the General Staff corps and one which brings with it command of armies of almost limitless number.  The General Staff itself is a highly striated and decentralised formation, with it's officers present in every major (and many minor) battle theatre in the Imperium.  There are many variations of General Officer rank, but by nature an Imperial Guard '''General''' is likely to command battlegroups of multi-regiment force.  Regimental Officers are normally holders of the rank of '''Colonel''', with each regiment's officer corps split into various senior, junior and non-commissioned positions.<sup>3</sup>
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The highest 'conventional' rank reachable in the Guard is that of '''Lord General Militant''' (or equivalent), the highest rank above the General Staff corps and one which brings with it command of armies of almost limitless number.  The General Staff itself is a highly striated and decentralised formation, with its officers present in every major (and many minor) battle theatre in the Imperium.  There are many variations of General Officer rank, but by nature an Imperial Guard '''General''' is likely to command battlegroups of multi-regiment force.  Regimental Officers are normally holders of the rank of '''Colonel''', with each regiment's officer corps split into various senior, junior and non-commissioned positions.<sup>3</sup>
  
Operating in parallel to this command tree is that of the other Imperial organisations the Guard comes into contact with, principally that of the [[Commissariat]].  Commissars are integral parts of the Imperial Guard command echelons, with every regiment having at least one Commissar attached to it, and likely more.  Commissars are also normally included in any General Staff grouping.  For details of the Commisariat and its own ranking-structure, see the following article.
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Operating in parallel to this command tree is that of the other Imperial organisations the Guard comes into contact with, principally that of the [[Commissariat]].  Commissars are integral parts of the Imperial Guard command echelons, with every regiment having at least one Commissar attached to it, and likely more.  Commissars are also normally included in any General Staff grouping.  For details of the Commisariat and its own ranking-structure, see the following article:
 
*[[Commissar]]
 
*[[Commissar]]
  

Revision as of 23:15, 3 August 2011

Imperial Guard and PDFs Vehicles - Weapons - Wargear - Hierarchy - Regiments - Psychic Powers
Tallarn officers
See also: Imperial Navy Hierarchy

The hierarchy of the Imperial Guard is complex, but not so much that it cannot be understood; the main issues of confusion arise from the sheer variety of terminology employed by the Guard and the lack of uniform standardisation across units. For example, the rank of Sergeant in Tallarn regiments is also known as Duf'adar1, and the size and composition of a Tallarn Imperial Guard Company is unlikely to match that of a company of the Tanith 1st.

Bearing this in mind, the ranks and responsibilities of the Imperial Guard are outlined below.

Organisation

The Imperial Guard are ultimately controlled by the masters of the Departmento Munitorum, who themselves are members of the High Lords of Terra. The relevant High Lords in this case are the Chancellor of the Estate Imperium, the Master of the Administratum and perhaps most importantly, the Lord Commander Militant of the Imperial Guard. Subordinate to him are the Lord Commanders of each of the five Segmentae of the Imperium, ultimately in charge of all military operations in his own Segmentum. Accordingly there are Lords Commander Solar, Pacificus, Tempestus, Obscurus and Ultima.2.p.7

An unusual command rank outside the normal promotions ladder is that of Warmaster, the commander of Crusades. This rank is not reachable by any conventional means and is only bestowed by agreement of the High Lords themselves. It is unlikely that more than one Warmaster would exist at any one time in the entire Imperium and many centuries may pass without anyone holding this exalted position.3

The highest 'conventional' rank reachable in the Guard is that of Lord General Militant (or equivalent), the highest rank above the General Staff corps and one which brings with it command of armies of almost limitless number. The General Staff itself is a highly striated and decentralised formation, with its officers present in every major (and many minor) battle theatre in the Imperium. There are many variations of General Officer rank, but by nature an Imperial Guard General is likely to command battlegroups of multi-regiment force. Regimental Officers are normally holders of the rank of Colonel, with each regiment's officer corps split into various senior, junior and non-commissioned positions.3

Operating in parallel to this command tree is that of the other Imperial organisations the Guard comes into contact with, principally that of the Commissariat. Commissars are integral parts of the Imperial Guard command echelons, with every regiment having at least one Commissar attached to it, and likely more. Commissars are also normally included in any General Staff grouping. For details of the Commisariat and its own ranking-structure, see the following article:

High Command

At its highest level the Imperial Guard is commanded by the Lord Commander Militant of the Imperial Guard, a member of the High Lords of Terra. The wishes of the High Lords are passed from the Lord Commander Militant to his subordinates, the Lord Commanders Segmentum, who notionally control the actions of the Imperial Guard within their Segementum. In practice, however, the immense difficulties involved in exercising command-and-control over such distances means that actual direction of Guard forces is orchestrated by officers lower down the command tree.2

Lord Commander Militant of the Imperial Guard

This is the highest rank of the strategic staff of the Departmento Munitorum. A powerful official, he is often appointed to a position on the High Lords of Terra, the governing body of the Imperium.4

Lord Commander

A subordinate strategic rank, five Lord Commanders are each responsible for the Guard forces in each of the Imperium's segmentums.2.p.7

Warmaster

Historically, Warmaster was the title bestowed upon the most favoured Primarch, Horus of the Luna Wolves Space Marine Legion, by the Emperor. The granting of this title was to recognise that Horus was to act as the Emperor's proxy during the latter part of the Great Crusade. Eventually, the Luna Wolves were renamed the Sons of Horus to better reflect the prestige of the Warmaster's title.5 Now, it stands as the one of the most powerful ranks in the Imperial Guard, second only to the rank of Lord Commander Militant of the Imperial Guard.4

Warmasters are created when a Crusade is being planned and resources from multiple sectors are needed. Supreme overall command is necessary as internal strife and corruption might make assembling the material required and co-operating in the field difficult for members of the same rank. The rank is not available unless granted by the High Lords of Terra and such an individual is said to be given the powers by the Emperor himself. There is rarely more than one Warmaster operating within the Imperium at any one time, due to the extreme powers given to them.

Other names for this rank include Lord Solar, or just Solar - the title held by Macharius in his crusade at the beginning of the 41st millennium. Some consider 'Warmaster' a cursed title because of the ties to Horus and the Horus Heresy, which tore the Imperium in two. In this light, 'Lord Solar' is considered a more prestigious and desirable title, but fundamentally, the two ranks are interchangeable.3

Notable Warmasters

Lord General Militant

The Lord General Militant is the highest conventional field rank in the Imperial Guard. They are in charge of whole battlegroups of Imperial Guard regiments and are assigned to their combat theatres by the Departmento Munitorum. Their recommendation to both the rank and active command is based on family ties and previous experience and service. They also receive extra training in order to be able to handle the vast numbers of personnel given over to their command. A General Staff is formed around the Lord General Militant from both the regiments tithed to his command and specialists issued by the Munitorum. There is only ever one Lord General Militant active in a sector.

Notable Lords General Militant

General Staff

The General Staff of the Imperial Guard is not a coherent organisation; the term is principally used to describe all officers who serve in the command echelons above those of regimental level. Most commanding officers in the staff category carry some form of General's rank, but more junior officers can also be found in the General Staff; they are drawn from regiments to act as aides and administrative assistants. They do not exercise individual authority and merely act as conduits between their superiors and other officers. A position common in the General Staff is that of Imperial Tactician, a non-command rank that nevertheless is vital. Trained staff officers, Tacticians help to devise and organise battle plans and strategy.6

Lord General

The highest rank available inside the General Staff, and one with a multitude of official designations. Not much is accurately known about this position as it appears flexible in nature, with the holders taking on the responsibilities assigned to them by their commander.

This position is also known as Lord Marshal, Captain-General and also Lord Castellan.2 It is important not to confuse the rank of Lord General with that of Lord General Militant.

Notable Lords General

General

A General is a staff officer normally responsible for leading a multi-regiment battlegroup. Generals are appointed to the position by the Departmento Munitorum from regimental officers judged the most competent.

Notable Generals

  • Sejanus - aide to Lord Solar Macharius
  • Sturnn - Commander of the Cadian 412th during the Lorn V campaign.8

Regimental Officers

Cadian officers

According to the Tactica Imperium, regimental leaders range in rank from Colonel to Lieutenant. In practice however, the individual regiments making up the vast Imperial Guard are drawn from so many different human worlds, and in turn, many different cultures, that between different regiments the actual name given to an officer rank can vary heavily.

Regimental officers hail from the same world as the troops they command, assuming officer rank at the initial formation of the regiment. Prior to this, they may have held positions of leadership within the Planetary Defence Force from which members of the regiment may have been drawn. In some cases, such as when a regiment is formed from a hive world gang, officers are the former leaders of the gang. A guardsman's loyalty is naturally to the colonel of his regiment and the other regimental officers, who all have a common world of origin. Regimental officers are advised not to throw the lives of their men away with impunity; those who needlessly sacrifice the men under their command are likely to end up in the Penal Legions.

Colonel

A Colonel is typically the commanding officer of a regiment. Imperial Guard Colonels are entirely responsible for the troops and equipment under their command. Colonels may be assigned to command additional troops or responsibilities depending on the threat-level present in the combat theatre. This position is also known as Lieutenant-Colonel.

Whilst the rank of Colonel has several alternate names, a particularly unusual rank with the equivalent military responsibility is that of Colonel-Commissar. As far is as known, this dual military/political rank has only been held by one man, Ibram Gaunt6.

Notable Colonels

Major

The second-in-command of a regiment6. This rank (or equivalent) does not appear particularly universal.

Notable Majors

Captain

Captains act as combat unit commanders, being more of a 'fighting role' than a leading one. They are the most common regimental senior officer. Captains are often thought of as Company commanders.3

Notable Captains

Lieutenant

The most junior officer on the battlefield commanding Imperial Guard forces. They are generally thought as platoon leaders and have access to advanced technology and equipment from the Imperial Guard armoury.3

Notable Lieutenants

Non-Commissioned Officers

Sergeants, Corporals and other NCO ranks act as small unit commanders, as well as providing almost constant oversight of the main body of Guardsmen within a regiment. They carry out any tasks assigned to them by their officers and are essential to the running of the regiment. Sergeants who prove to be exceptionally capable and experienced may be referred to as Veteran Sergeants. These NCOs can find themselves in command of much less experienced troops, lending their experience to other members of their squad, or perhaps may be the leader of a unit of Guardsmen who are themselves hardened, veteran soldiers. Veteran Sergeants are often allowed to possess equipment normally rated officer-only, either as issued gear or as items recovered from the battlefield.3

Notable Senior Non-Commissioned Officers

Guardsman

The standard troopers of the Imperial Guard perform a large variety of roles which are explored in depth in the following article:

Sources


Imperial Guard Infantry
Command Company Command SquadPlatoon Command SquadScion Command SquadTank CommanderRegimental AdvisorsCommissarPrimaris PsykerTech-priest EnginseerPriest
Specialists Master of OrdnanceBreacherScoutMedicVox-OperatorWeapons SpecialistSharpshooterOperator
Troops Infantry SquadHeavy Weapons SquadSpecial Weapons SquadArmoured Fist SquadVeteran SquadScions SquadCanidsPenal Legion TroopersOgryn SquadRatling SquadPsyker Battle SquadRough Rider SquadField Ordnance BatteryJump TrooperH-Grade Combat Servitor