Corporal

The first real military rank with command responsibilities, a Corporal is frequently responsible for leading infantry squads, work details, acting as assistant vehicle commanders, or administrative sections. The naval equivalent does the same thing, assisting a WarShip gunnery officer or naval work detail.

Star League Defense Forces[edit]

A corporal in the SLDF typically had to serve for a year, which made them more experienced than their House counterparts. Typically this is the highest rank a soldier or sailor would reach. Their rank insignia was similar to that of a Private, but had the top and bottom sections colored green instead of white.^[1]

The rank insignia for a second SLDF corporal was the same as the first SLDF counterpart, but it replaces the green with black.^[2]

SLDF Rank insignia

Rank	Insignia (First SLDF)[3]	Insignia (Second SLDF)[4]
Corporal

Lyran Commonwealth and Lyran Alliance[edit]

In the LAAF, like most militaries, a corporal will command an infantry squad or a heavy weapon element of an infantry squad.^[5] Their rank insignia is sometimes known as the "Hunter's Point."

The LAAF, like the LCAF before it, also uses the rank of Senior Corporal. Soldiers with this rank are vehicle commanders and lead infantry squads. In addition, they are mentored by LAAF Sergeants to improve their command and leadership skills.^[5] A Senior Corporal's insignia is identical to a Corporal's, but has a black triangle.

LAAF Military Rank Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Corporal
Senior Corporal

Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery[edit]

Prior to Theodore Kurita's ascension to the Coordinatorship, the DCMS called this rank Corporal.^[6] After Theodore's reforms however, the rank was given a new Japanese name: Go-cho.^[7]

In each case, the DCMS used a stylized kanji number "3" in lavender as their rank insignia. The branch of service is shown via the background color of the pin.

DCMS Officer Ranks by branch of service

DCMS Ranks						DCA Ranks
Rank	MechWarrior	Aerospace pilot	Infantry	Armor	Artillery	Rank	Naval crew Draconis Combine Admiralty	Technical service
Go-cho (Corporal)						Go-cho (Corporal)

Armed Forces of the Federated Suns[edit]

In the AFFS, Corporals are the first level of command responsibility, heading up work details, infantry squads, and occasionally vehicle crews. Usually a Private is promoted to this rank after 12 months of service.^[8] This is also the first rank where the soldier begins to collect Death Compensation, a life insurance policy.^[9] Corporals wear two Scars as their rank insignia, color coordinated with their branch.

AFFS Ranks by Branch of service

Rank	MechWarrior	Aerospace pilot	Infantry	Armor	Naval crew	Technical service	Administrative	Medical	Legal	Logistics/ Transportation
Corporal

Capellan Confederation Armed Forces[edit]

In the CCAF, a Corporal serves as an infantry squad leader or armored vehicle commander. The rank is also given to other specialists such as corpsmen and technicians. The device is a green bar, divided into three parts by brass lines. After Xin Sheng the rank was renamed to San-ben-bing.^[10][11]

CCAF Military Ranks

CCAF Rank	Warrior House rank	Insignia
San-ben-bing (Corporal)	N/A

Free Worlds League[edit]

In the FWLM a Corporal typically command infantry squads or serve as vehicle drivers and gunners. Occasionally they may pilot a BattleMech. If a FWLM Corporal pilots a 'Mech, they typically are called "MechWarrior" instead of Corporal. The FWLM Navy equivalent, Petty Officer, Second Class typically lead work details or head up small sections.^[12]

A FWLM Corporal/Petty Officer Second Class uses three gold chevrons edged in purple as their rank insignia.

FWLM Military Rank Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Corporal

Prior to the Andurien Secession in 3030 and the passage of the Military Reorganization Act of 3046, the Duchy of Andurien's Defenders of Andurien regiments also used the rank of thegn (pronounced thane). These soldiers were officially no higher than corporals, but had more experience and were likely to be listened to by senior officers.^[13]

The Clans[edit]

As is the case with most enlisted ranks, the Clans do not use the rank of Corporal.^[14] Point Commander is the first official level of command authority. However, in certain formations that consist of a large number of warriors (solahma conventional infantry platoons or WarShip crews for example) or when dealing with Inner Sphere military forces, a clear chain of command is needed. As such a senior Warrior can be designated by the Point Commander as Point 1, Point 2, Point 3, Point 4, or Point 5. The lowest of these ranks, Point 1 and Point 2 could be considered equivalent to an Inner Sphere Corporal.

Clan Blood Spirit[edit]

Clan Blood Spirit Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Cloud Cobra[edit]

Clan Cloud Cobra Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Coyote[edit]

Clan Coyote Military Rank Insignia^[15]

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Diamond Shark[edit]

Clan Diamond Shark Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Fire Mandrill[edit]

Clan Fire Mandrill Military Rank Insignia^[16]

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Ghost Bear[edit]

Clan Ghost Bear Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Goliath Scorpion[edit]

Clan Goliath Scorpion Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Hell's Horses[edit]

Clan Hell's Horses Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Ice Hellion[edit]

Clan Ice Hellion Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Jade Falcon[edit]

Clan Jade Falcon Point Rank Insignia by Service Branch^[17]

Rank	MechWarrior	Aerospace pilot	Elemental	Freeborn
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Point 5

Clan Nova Cat (SLDF)[edit]

Clan Nova Cat Military Rank Insignia^[18]

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Smoke Jaguar[edit]

Clan Smoke Jaguar Military Rank Insignia^[19]

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Snow Raven[edit]

Clan Snow Raven Rank Insignia by service branch^[20]

Rank	MechWarrior	Aerospace pilot	Elemental	Naval crew	Armor	Infantry	Support
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Point 5

Clan Star Adder[edit]

Clan Star Adder Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Steel Viper[edit]

Clan Steel Viper Military Rank Insignia

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

Clan Wolf/Clan Wolf-in-Exile[edit]

Clan Wolf/Clan Wolf-in-Exile Military Rank Insignia^[21]

Point positions
Point 1	Point 2	Point 3	Point 4	Point 5

ComStar/Word of Blake[edit]

Due to their unique base six structure, neither ComStar nor the Word of Blake Militia use this rank. A senior Acolyte would fill this position.^[4]

Free Rasalhague Republic[edit]

In the KungsArmé this rank is known by its Swedish name, Korpral. A Kavellrist is a korpral who pilots a BattleMech. Korprals can also pilot aerospace fighters.^[22] These soldiers wear a blue patch with an orange cross with small orange squares appearing in all corners as their rank insignia.

KungsArmé Military Rank Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Korpral (Kavellrist)

Periphery Powers[edit]

Magistracy of Canopus[edit]

This rank isn't used by the Magistracy Armed Forces.^[23]

Taurian Defense Force[edit]

In the Taurian Defense Force, a Corporal is the leader of an infantry maniple, consisting of five troopers, or serves as a tank commander. Among the other branches, Corporal denotes a junior specialist, such as technician or corpsman. A silver ring with a red center serves as the rank insignia.

One step up from Corporal is Section Leader. Section leaders command a squad of two infantry maniples or lead an armor maniple of two tanks. Otherwise it denotes a senior specialist in the other branches. Section leaders wear a silver ring with a single "horn" on the left side.^[24][25][26]

Taurian Defense Force Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Corporal
Section Leader

Marian Hegemony[edit]

The Hegemony Armed Forces, with their focus on recreating the Roman Empire, do not use this rank. The Latin name for the soldiers who hold this rank in the HAF is Miles probatus.^[27] An inverted silver chevron is their symbol of rank.

Marian Legions Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Miles probatus

Outworlds Alliance[edit]

The Alliance Military Corps uses Protector for soldiers who command infantry squads and lead work details.^[28] Typically a Defender is promoted to Protector after a year's service. Their rank insignia is two of the Defender's green circles placed side by side.

Alliance Military Corps Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Protector

Aurigan Coalition[edit]

In the Aurigan Coalition Military, Corporal is the rank given to:^[29]

• In infantry: corporals lead five-trooper units called fireteams.
• In armor units: corporals serve as tank commanders.
• In all other branches: a corporal denotes the junior grade of one or more specialist positions (techs, medical personnel, ...)

One step above, in the ACM, Section Leader is the rank given to:^[29]

• In infantry: The leader of two fireteams (two five-trooper units).
• In armor units: the leader of two armored fighting vehicles
• In all other branches: a corporal denotes a senior specialist positions (techs, medical personnel, ...)

Notes[edit]

• Ranks, when not preceding a name, are not capitalized.^[30]

Ex: The major stood and rendered a salute to General DeChavilier.

• Non-English ranks, with the exception of those used by the Federated Suns or Lyrans, are italicized.^[30]

• For more information, see BattleTechWiki:Manual of Style

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]