Corporal

Inner Sphere Military Ranks
Enlisted
Field Officer
General Officer
For specific ranks see Military Ranks


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.

SLDF[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 SLDF-Corporal-1stSL.png SLDF-Corporal-2ndSL.png

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 CorporalLAAF.png
Senior Corporal SeniorCorporalLAAF.png

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)
Gocho-mech.png Gocho-asf.png Gocho-infantry.png Gocho-armor.png Gocho-artillery.png Go-cho
(Corporal)
Gocho-naval.png Gocho-tech.png

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 CorporalMW.png CorporalASF.png CorporalInfantry.png CorporalArmor.png CorporalNaval.png CorporalTech.png CorporalAdmin.png CorporalMedical.png CorporalLegal.png CorporalLogistics.png

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 Sanbenbing.png

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 CorporalFWL.png

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
Blood-Spirits-Point1.png Blood-Spirits-Point2.png Blood-Spirits-Point3.png Blood-Spirits-Point4.png Blood-Spirits-Point5.png

Clan Cloud Cobra[edit]

Clan Cloud Cobra Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
CloudCobra-Point1.png CloudCobra-Point2.png CloudCobra-Point3.png CloudCobra-Point4.png CloudCobra-Point5.png

Clan Coyote[edit]

Clan Coyote Military Rank Insignia[15]
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
Coyote-Point1.png Coyote-Point2.png Coyote-Point3.png Coyote-Point4.png Coyote-Point5.png

Clan Diamond Shark[edit]

Clan Diamond Shark Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
DiamondShark-Point1.png DiamondShark-Point2.png DiamondShark-Point3.png DiamondShark-Point4.png DiamondShark-Point5.png

Clan Fire Mandrill[edit]

Clan Fire Mandrill Military Rank Insignia[16]
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
FireMandrill-Point-1.png FireMandrill-Point-2.png FireMandrill-Point-3.png FireMandrill-Point-4.png FireMandrill-Point-5.png

Clan Ghost Bear[edit]

Clan Ghost Bear Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
GhostBear-Point1.png GhostBear-Point2.png GhostBear-Point3.png GhostBear-Point4.png GhostBear-Point5.png

Clan Goliath Scorpion[edit]

Clan Goliath Scorpion Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
GoliathScorpion-Point1.png GoliathScorpion-Point2.png GoliathScorpion-Point3.png GoliathScorpion-Point4.png GoliathScorpion-Point5.png

Clan Hell's Horses[edit]

Clan Hell's Horses Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
HellsHorses-Point1.png HellsHorses-Point2.png HellsHorses-Point3.png HellsHorses-Point4.png HellsHorses-Point5.png

Clan Ice Hellion[edit]

Clan Ice Hellion Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
IceHellion-Point1.png IceHellion-Point2.png IceHellion-Point3.png IceHellion-Point4.png IceHellion-Point5.png

Clan Jade Falcon[edit]

Clan Jade Falcon Point Rank Insignia by Service Branch[17]
Rank MechWarrior Aerospace pilot Elemental Freeborn
Point 1 JadeFalcon-TBMW-Point1.png JadeFalcon-TBASF-Point1.png JadeFalcon-TBElemental-Point1.png JadeFalcon-FB-Point1.png
Point 2 JadeFalcon-TBMW-Point2.png JadeFalcon-TBASF-Point2.png JadeFalcon-TBElemental-Point2.png JadeFalcon-FB-Point2.png
Point 3 JadeFalcon-TBMW-Point3.png JadeFalcon-TBASF-Point3.png JadeFalcon-TBElemental-Point3.png JadeFalcon-FB-Point3.png
Point 4 JadeFalcon-TBMW-Point4.png JadeFalcon-TBASF-Point4.png JadeFalcon-TBElemental-Point4.png JadeFalcon-FB-Point4.png
Point 5 JadeFalcon-TBMW-Point5.png JadeFalcon-TBASF-Point5.png JadeFalcon-TBElemental-Point5.png JadeFalcon-FB-Point5.png

Clan Nova Cat (SLDF)[edit]

Clan Nova Cat Military Rank Insignia[18]
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
NovaCat-Point1.png NovaCat-Point2.png NovaCat-Point3.png NovaCat-Point4.png NovaCat-Point5.png

Clan Smoke Jaguar[edit]

Clan Smoke Jaguar Military Rank Insignia[19]
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
SmokeJaguar-Point1.png SmokeJaguar-Point2.png SmokeJaguar-Point3.png SmokeJaguar-Point4.png SmokeJaguar-Point5.png

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 SnowRaven-Point1-MW.png SnowRaven-Point1-ASF.png SnowRaven-Point1-Elemental.png SnowRaven-Point1-Naval.png SnowRaven-Point1-Armor.png SnowRaven-Point1-Infantry.png SnowRaven-Point1-Support.png
Point 2 SnowRaven-Point2-MW.png SnowRaven-Point2-ASF.png SnowRaven-Point2-Elemental.png SnowRaven-Point2-Naval.png SnowRaven-Point2-Armor.png SnowRaven-Point2-Infantry.png SnowRaven-Point2-Support.png
Point 3 SnowRaven-Point3-MW.png SnowRaven-Point3-ASF.png SnowRaven-Point3-Elemental.png SnowRaven-Point3-Naval.png SnowRaven-Point3-Armor.png SnowRaven-Point3-Infantry.png SnowRaven-Point3-Support.png
Point 4 SnowRaven-Point4-MW.png SnowRaven-Point4-ASF.png SnowRaven-Point4-Elemental.png SnowRaven-Point4-Naval.png SnowRaven-Point4-Armor.png SnowRaven-Point4-Infantry.png SnowRaven-Point4-Support.png
Point 5 SnowRaven-Point5-MW.png SnowRaven-Point5-ASF.png SnowRaven-Point5-Elemental.png SnowRaven-Point5-Naval.png SnowRaven-Point5-Armor.png SnowRaven-Point5-Infantry.png SnowRaven-Point5-Support.png

Clan Star Adder[edit]

Clan Star Adder Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
Star-Adder-Point-1.png Star-Adder-Point-2.png Star-Adder-Point-3.png Star-Adder-Point-4.png Star-Adder-Point-5.png

Clan Steel Viper[edit]

Clan Steel Viper Military Rank Insignia
Point positions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5
SteelViper-Point1.png SteelViper-Point2.png SteelViper-Point3.png SteelViper-Point4.png SteelViper-Point5.png

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
Wolf-Point1.png Wolf-Point2.png Wolf-Point3.png Wolf-Point4.png Wolf-Point5.png

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) FreeRasalhague-Korpral.png

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 TaurianConcordat-Corporal.png
Section Leader TaurianConcordat-SectionLeader.png

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 MH-MilesProbatus.png

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 OA-Protector.png

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]


References[edit]

  1. The Star League, p. 112
  2. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 81
  3. The Star League, p. 113
  4. 4.0 4.1 Field Manual: ComStar[citation needed]
  5. 5.0 5.1 Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 30
  6. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 125
  7. Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 20
  8. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 27
  9. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 123
  10. House Liao (The Capellan Confederation), p. 71
  11. Handbook: House Liao, p. 111
  12. Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 22
  13. House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 85
  14. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 11
  15. Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 48
  16. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 45
  17. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 97
  18. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 112
  19. MechWarrior: The BattleTech Role Playing Game, Second Edition, Color plate section
  20. Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 127
  21. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 45
  22. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 66
  23. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 24
  24. The Periphery, p. 74
  25. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 53
  26. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 113
  27. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 73
  28. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 88
  29. 29.0 29.1 House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition), p. 25
  30. 30.0 30.1 Per Line Developer Ray Arrastia, 02Aug2022 (screencap)

Bibliography[edit]