Organization:
The Imperial Military is made up of 5 branches:
From Left to Right: Enlisted member of the 9th Regiment "The Imperial Wall", Enlisted member of the Air Cavalry, Officer in the 9th Regiment, Enlisted member of the 3rd Regiment of Dragoons "The Queen's Own", Officer in the 3rd Reg Dragoons, Officer in the 5th Regiment, Enlisted member of the 7th Loyalist Regiment.
Command structure:
Typical Company:
Ranks
Rank Designation
For enlisted, NCO's are denoted by the addition of cording and "knots" to the shoulder of their uniform coats. They may also have similar knotwork attached to their vests or shirts when weather requires a change of uniform. Their caps are also typically lined with white or silver piping and/or knotwork. Unlike Officers, it is important that their rank be easily identified by enlisted and officers alike.
For officers, there is no formal display of rank. However, the higher the officer, typically the more ornate the uniform coat and hat. This display of wealth often is paired with the expense of the commission. However, there is nothing stopping a senior Brigadier General from donning a relatively plain coat of appropriate color and cut.
Unique to officers is the inclusion of gold or platinum threads throughout the lacing and piping of their coat and hat. It is expected among the officer corps to know each fellow officer and their rank without the use of clear markings to assist. Every Major, for example, is expected to know all of the officers in their chain of command by sight and personality. Socially, these men and women gather frequently and are close enough that clear markings to separate a Brigadier general from an Ensign would be superfluous.
Advancement/ Promotion
Enlisted Ranks:
Enlisted men and women can earn promotion to NCO status through displays of good soldiering, provided there is room within the unit. A unit will never have more than 1 NCO for every 5 troops, however there is no limit of corporals or sergeants. In the event that a company has more than one sergeant, one will be designated as "First".
For a Regiment there will also be one NCO designated as the Master Sergeant of the Regiment. This is the highest honor/ rank an enlisted trooper may achieve. They are responsible for all of the unit's manuals of arms, training, and discipline as well as taking command of the regiment for drill exercises. For example, if the regiment brought together in full strength to be inspected by the Empress, the Master Sergeant of the Regiment will command the regiment's marching and formations. However in combat, command is taken by the Senior Officer (typically a Major); the Master Sergeant will be on hand to advise.
Officers:
Commissions are purchased from the Empress and her agents. To purchase a rank within the military, a position must first be available. The candidate must also demonstrate loyalty to the Empress, the Empire and it's causes, typically through the endorsement of the retiring officer. Other acts of goodwill to the Empire and it's citizenry can factor towards this. Finally, the NCO staff of any unit to be commanded has the right to veto, by unanimous vote, any officer candidate offered at the Company or Regimental level. The regimental Master Sergeant of the Regiment has, in theory, the right of veto to the sale of commission to any regimental officer. While this gives extreme power to the Master Sergeant, it is rarely used.
Promotions through merit regularly occur. When first granted, the term "Brevet" is applied to Lieutenants and Captains until their commission may be settled in the Imperial court. Thus, "Brevet Captain Wilson" would have been elevated to Captain through valorous action but has not yet officially purchased their commission. Elevations above Colonel do not follow this convention but are still expected to be received and officially promoted by the Empress or her agents.
Upon death or retirement, an officer's estate is entitled to a portion of the commission's value when sold. This sale may establish a trust upon which the retiree or widow(er) may draw a stipend for living.