Clouded Horizons:Esthar Garden Ranks

Esthar Garden, like any military organization, has a firm chain of command and seniority in place for organizational and instruction purposes. Entry-level students into the Garden program have their choice of specializations, some of which have different organizational trees than others. The primary Garden programs - SeeD, Combat, Magic, and Alchemic specializations - follow the same ranking hierarchy, while cadets who choose to join the more focused training courses such as Sniper's Row, the Steel Battalion, and the Emerald Divide Medical Division.

Commissioned Track

Members in this chain of command are the students and hired officials seeking a commission into the Sentry organization as field agents or command officials.

Junior Grade

Junior Sentry initially focus on adapting to Sentry requirements, achieving occupational proficiency, and becoming productive members of the organization.

• Cadet (S-1)

Cadets are entry members of Sentry. They require maximum supervision. Initially, they focus on their educational studies and on the transition from a civilian into the Sentry lifestyle. The appropriate term of reference is "Cadet."

• Cadet First Class (S-2)

Cadet First Class are acclimated members of Sentry who are prepared to accept Sentry training and begin preparing for the Sentry Field Exam. Appropriate terms of address are "Cadet" or "Cadet First Class."

• Senior Cadet (S-3)

Senior Cadets are members of Sentry who have completed their primary and some secondary education and training. They have met the requirements to take a classification, such as Alchemy Specialist. In addition, their primary responsibilities are geared towards completing their educational requirements in order to take the Field Exam and become Sentry officers. Appropriate terms of address are "Cadet" or "Senior Cadet."

Officer Grade

Officers focus on mission accomplishment, typically by entering directly into open or covert operations. Having completed their initial and job training, they are expected to enter the field, or to lead field officers, in the performance of their duties.

• Lieutenant (S-4)

Lieutenants are first-level Sentry officers who primarily operate in the field. They utilie theuir frontline training to operate in any environment imaginable. Lieutenants are also classified as being either generalist or specialists in their field. Appropriate terms of address are "Lieutenant" or "Sentry."

• Captain (S-5)

Captains are Sentry with field experience who continue to operate in the field. All captains are required to have at least one specialization and additional, extended training. Special operations training normally becomes available at this rank. Appropriate terms of address are "Captain" or "Sentry."

• Major (S-6)

Majors are talented, highly experienced Sentry officers. They are tasked withg leading a squad of up to five other Sentry officers omn assignments and contracts. They often retain their field status. Instructor training normally becomes available at this rank. Appropriate terms of address arte "Major," "Sentry," or "Squad Leader."

• Colonel (S-7)

Colonels are top-notch Sentry who typically operate in an administrative capacity. During large-scale field operations, they direct multiple squads, relaying mission-critical information between the field teams and the command staff. Appropriate terms of of address are "Colonel," "Sentry," or "Squadron Commander."

Command Grade

The Command Grade consists of Sentry commanders who oversee and train Sentry officers and instructors. This grade is also known more formally as the "Republic of the Sphere."

• Knight Templar (S-8)

Knight Templar are Sentry officers who are recognized as a cut above their peers and have been chosen to command hand-picked squads. They are most noticeable during Field Exams. Knight Templar are unique officers who operate not unlike special operations in the performance of their duties, and are typically called in for missions that either require a delicate touch and formal appearance, or as the rolling thunder before the storm. Only eleven Sentry may serve in this capacity at a time. Appropriate forms of address are "Knight Templar" or "Knight of the Sphere."

• Paladin Exemplar (S-9)

Paladin Exemplar are the commanding officers who train Sentry instructors. They are considered the finest examples of what Sentry stands for, known for an unreproachable integrity, infallible endurance, and excellence in everything they do. Each leads a department, such as special operations or magical studies. They must also undergo additional specialized training. Currently, only four may serve at a time. Appropriate forms of address are "Paladin Exemplar," "Paladin of the Sphere," or "Instructor Major."

• Lord Excelsior (S-10)

Lord Excelsior is the title granted to the director of Sentry operations. The Lord Excelsior is responsible for providing the Paladin Exemplar with the strategic vision of the Sentry Commandant, ensuring the Sentry ideal is ready to adapt to the times, allocating mission-critical resources, and overseeing the tactical deployment of operatives during large-scale operations. This position is given to the most proficient field operator in the organization, one who displays the finest example of the Sentry ideals in terms of combat maturity, personal knowledge and character, unique knoweldge, and more. Appropriate forms of address are "Lord Excelsior," "General of the Sphere," or "Combat Commander."

• Sentry Commandant (S-11)

The Sentry Commandant is the title of the executive director of Sentry operations. The Sentry Commandant is responsible for maintaining morale, appointing Sentry to senior commisioned positions (such as Paladin Exemplar), finalizing contracts for the Headmaster to approve, and dozens of other miscellaneous administrative work. They handle relations between military officials and paramilitary organizations who seek Sentry's services. Appropriate forms of address are "Sentry Commandant" or "Sentry Commander."

Services Track

Members in this chain of command are the civilians, contractors, and uncommissioned Sentry members who run the day-to-day operations required to handle the massive logistical nightmare of running such an organization.

• Apprentice (C-1)

Apprentices are civilians or sentry who are interested in non-combat work. Typically students or interns of Technicians, this position has significant on-the-job training requirements.

• Technician (C-2)

Technicians are the employees who directly work within the organization. Cooks, janitors, finance officials, and more hold this position. Typically, they are denoted by their position titles, such as "Cook" or "Flight Line Operator."

• Liaison (C-3)

Liaisons manage various departments within the organization, overseeing and directing technicians under their employ. They report directly to the Headmaster.

• Headmaster (C-4)

The Headmaster is the authority on all matters that deal with the organization, especially anything that requires the management and reallocatin of resources, any contracts that need to be signed off, and any official interactions between governments and other large political bodies. The headmaster is a civilian who must have undergone and successfully completed Sentry training or its equivalent.