Chapter 1: Let Me Try Uploading

Common Soldier (Private Second Class): After six months of military training, adult men from commoner backgrounds are granted the rank of Common Soldier, the lowest military rank in the Empire. They make up the main body of the Imperial Garrison, and most garrison infantry are drawn from this rank.

Clerk Soldier (Private First Class): A Common Soldier is promoted to Clerk Soldier either by accumulating merit in service or after serving for one year without major infractions; outstanding performance in basic training may also warrant this promotion. Clerk Soldier is the second lowest rank and denotes a veteran among the garrison troops. Both Common Soldier and Clerk Soldier are enlisted ranks, and the transition is considered a half-step promotion.

Public Soldier (Corporal): Public Soldier is the lowest non-commissioned officer rank in the Empire and requires merit-based promotion. To advance from enlisted to non-commissioned status, a soldier must serve three years without major faults and display exceptional merit. Noble-born men, upon completing a year of military training, are granted this rank. Public Soldiers typically serve as squad leaders among the garrison infantry and hold the lowest rank in the Imperial Guard or among cavalry.

Armored Soldier (Sergeant): This is the second non-commissioned officer rank, usually assigned to platoon leaders among the garrison infantry or to squad leaders among the cavalry. It is also the lowest rank in the Military Police and Special Service units. Generally, when comparing ranks across units, cavalry are considered one grade above infantry, the Imperial Guard is one grade above the garrison, and the Military Police or Special Service units are two grades above the garrison for the purpose of enforcing discipline. Merit-based units are one grade above regular units, and these differences are cumulative: for example, a cavalryman in the Imperial Guard outranks a garrison infantryman by two grades; a cavalryman in the Military Police or Special Services outranks a garrison infantryman by three grades; and a cavalryman in a distinguished Special Service unit may outrank a regular garrison infantryman by four grades. Other branches follow similar rules.

Elite Soldier (Master Sergeant): The highest non-commissioned officer rank in the Empire and the highest rank attainable without formal military academy education. Typically, this rank is held by deputy standard-bearers among the garrison infantry. Those wishing to advance further must apply for advanced military academy training, which requires significant merit and passing stringent political vetting. Elite Soldier is a quasi-officer rank and marks the pinnacle of most common-born soldiers' careers.

Valiant Subaltern (Second Lieutenant): The lowest commissioned officer rank in the Empire and the beginning of an officer’s career; typically assigned to standard-bearers in the garrison infantry. Noble-born cadets are granted this rank after four years at the Imperial Military Academy, while common soldiers who have reached Elite Soldier and are approved for further study may receive it after two years of additional training.

Intrepid Subaltern (First Lieutenant): The second commissioned officer rank, generally assigned as platoon leaders among the garrison infantry. Further details omitted.

Martial Subaltern (Captain): The highest subaltern officer rank, usually serving as company commanders among the garrison infantry. This is the threshold between junior and senior officers. Nobles receive comprehensive academy training, enabling direct promotion upon accumulating merit, while commoners must reapply and undergo further training to advance.

Valiant Captain (Major): The lowest field officer rank in the Empire and the entry to the senior officer corps. Both nobles and commoners are generally granted noble titles from this rank onward. Typically, they command garrison infantry brigades.

Intrepid Captain (Lieutenant Colonel): The second field officer rank, usually commanding regiments of ten thousand troops—the largest formation in the garrison—under peacetime local military command and wartime integration into corps led by the Imperial Guard.

Martial Captain (Colonel): The highest field officer rank, signifying that one foot is already in the door to the general staff. Colonels commanding garrison troops are usually cavalry regimental commanders or infantry regimental commanders with distinguished service, awaiting further promotion after passing rigorous examinations.

Deputy General (Brigadier General): The lowest general officer rank in the Empire. A colonel who passes the required tests is automatically promoted, whether from the garrison or the Imperial Guard. With this rank, an officer is eligible to command an army of fifty thousand, often founding a new Imperial Guard unit, commanding an elite cavalry regiment, leading a special forces unit, or serving as deputy to a corps commander.

Associate General (Major General): The second general officer rank. Although the unit sizes for Deputy and Associate Generals are similar, the latter holds higher command authority in special circumstances. Upon reaching this rank, officers are typically granted personal titles, such as Pacifier of the Barbarians, Conqueror of the Rebels, Suppressor of Pirates, Guardian of the Seas, Subduer of Waves, Champion of Valor, Herald of Faith, and many others.

Central General (Lieutenant General): The third general officer rank. In large-scale campaigns, corps composed of one or more Imperial Guard armies, along with numerous garrison regiments and special units, are commanded by generals of at least this rank. Above this rank, there are no formal limits to the size of command, though higher ranks confer priority in authority. Common titles include Master of the Army, Protector of the Troops, Pacifier of the Forces, Tiger of Might, Feathered Forest, and others. The Feathered Forest Central General is responsible for palace security, while positions such as Agricultural Commander or Garrison Commander exist on remote frontiers.

Grand General (General): The fourth general officer rank, with four permanent positions—Generals of the Four Expeditions, Four Garrisons, and Four Pacifications, such as Grand General of the Western Expedition. When all twelve Grand General posts are filled, subsequent promotions add the officer’s personal title before the rank, such as Master of the Army Grand General.

Great General (Marshal): The fifth and highest standard general officer rank. The Empire maintains four permanent marshal positions—Commander of Chariots, Commander of Cavalry, Protector of the Nation, and Supporter of the Nation. When these posts are filled, promotions add the officer’s personal title, such as Marshal of the Western Expedition.

Marshal-in-Chief: Not a permanent position, this rank is bestowed as an extraordinary honor for unparalleled military achievement.

Supreme Marshal: The Emperor of the Empire holds this title as commander-in-chief of all armed forces. When a prince is named heir, he is first granted the position of Supreme Marshal.