Ranks

The Colonel is currently the highest rank in the Royal Black Watch, usually reserved for the Regiment Commander and Executive Officer. If the man has an eagle on his sleeve you need to pay attention because they have been around for a long time. Any Colonel may retain the privilege to advise the next Regiment Commander upon retirement, they may also be invited to return for official ceremonies, to conduct official inspections, and to publicly review the progress of the unit through official communications channels

Lieutenant Colonel is the rank held by the most senior officers in the Watch, most Lt Colonels have been around for an excessive number of years and know the workings of the Watch inside and out. A Lt Colonel may be promoted to Colonel by a vote of the Regiment.

Major is the rank most often held by Force Commanders and senior officer at headquarters level. Most officers will spend a long time at Major, however those truly deserving may be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel after 180 days.

Captains are the rank of most Company Commanders and headquarter staff positions, they are the front line officers, generally leading out where they get the most visibility. A Captain in good standing may be promoted to Major 180 days after their date of rank.

The most junior officer rank is the Lieutenant who usually fills Company XO and Platoon Leader positions. A Lieutenant in good standing may be promoted to Captain 90 days after their date of rank.

The Warrant Officer is the lowest actual officer rank, it is used for enlisted who desire to become officers as a 90 day trial period. Upon promotion to Warrant Officer an enlisted member has 90 days to prove themselves officer material, at which time the member will either be demoted back to their former rank or promoted to Lieutenant.

The Command Sergeant Major is the highest enlisted rank in the Watch, only those of the utmost character may ever attain the rank of CSM and their may ever only be one CSM in the Watch at a given time. The CSM is selected by a vote of the entire Enlisted Core of the Watch. The candidates for CSM however, must be approved by the Regiment Commander and Regiment Adjudant. The Sergeant Major resides at the Regiment Command level and is not part of any given company. They enjoy the full backing of the Regiment Commander. They also bring enlisted-level issues to the knowledge of the Watch Officers. When the CSM slot becomes vacant, the Regiment Adjutant holds an election among the enlisted members.

This is the highest enlisted rank possible to attain by one's own merits in one's company. A SFC should be well-versed in the game that they play and be a subject knowledge expert. To attain any higher a SFC must present an astounding image to the guild as a whole and then when and if possible they may be promoted after a comparison guild-wide by all their piers (enlisted) to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

Staff Sergeant is the first rank in the senior NCO tier, this is where your ground pounder and basic line troop leaders will reside. Most company positions require the member to have the rank of Staff Sergeant before they may be placed in the position. Those who show their worth may become a Sergeant First Class, which is the highest enlisted rank one may attain on their own.

Sergeant is the rank were most members of the Watch will spend their entire career. This is the rank for those who have proven themselves time and again but do not desire greater leadership responsibility must rest. Those who are persevering, however, may reach for and attain greater goals, some even earning a promotion to the next higher enlisted tier of senior Non-commisioned Officers (NCO) or with approval from the Regiment Commander attaing the right to become an officer and promoted to Warrant Officer. 90 days is the time needed in Sergeant before promotion, conduct above and beyond not withstanding.

Corporal is the rank that members who know the Watch but are just beginning to attain leadership rights and responsibilities sit. Most Corporals remain at this rank for upto 90 days at which time they become a Sergeant of the Watch.

Private is the lowest full member rank within the Watch. Newly promoted Privates can expect to spend up to 90 days at this rank while they are learning the ins and outs and other nuisances of the Watch. Some Privates my be promoted early to Corporal based on conduct becoming a member of the regiment.

The rank of recruit is the starting point for most members wanting to join the Watch. All new members must start at Recruit and remain there for up to 30 days while their behavior and attitude are evaluated. Once a Recruit has proven themself to be Royal Black Watch material they are promoted to the rank of Private.