Uniform Standards

Note that the system presented here is a synthesis of incomplete material in The Imperial Sourcebook, the films, novels and other sources. Every attempt has been made to maximize the comprehensive scope and conciseness of the system. I have attempted to include all known data at face value, however in the few cases where items in non-canonical references render a consistent system impossible corrections are made. With the mountains of available data, only a few basic postulates are required to guide the deduction of this system of rank insignia.

The ranks of real-world military services are identical to those of the Imperial Armed Forces. This is essential because in effect the ranks are a translation from the fictional universe into ours. If the ranks were ordered differently then their names would be meaningless to us. (Additional ranks are required at higher levels in order to cope with the vastly increased population scale of the Galactic Empire.)

The zoo of rank badges and cylinder configurations is reducible via a small number of algebraic rules.

Only the color of badge squares, their vertical pairing and the total number of rank cylinders determine rank. The order in which squares are horizontally laid is of minor or no effect.

Officers of different services who are of the same status will have identical standardized insignia.

The insignia system must preserve the hierarchal order of characters seen in the films and other STAR WARS fiction. (For instance an officer working in a lowly docking bay station cannot be a general or admiral.)

Features of The Empire Strikes Back Officer Insignia.

Red and blue squares are present.

Squares of different color are placed in different rows.

Red and blue squares are associated vertically in one-one pairs.

The number of red squares equals the number of blue squares. Consequently the total number of all squares is even.

Greater rank is indicated by greater number of red/blue square pairs.

There is a maximum of six red/blue pairs. This is greater than the number of distinct officer rank levels necessary for any realistic military force. Therefore the complete insignia must consist of the combination of badge features and the number of rank cylinders.

Some badges have gaps between the pairs. The presence of gaps does not necessarily have any rank implications. General Veers' shipboard uniform has a gapped badge; his combat armor lacks badge gaps. Gaps are purely aesthetic.

Features of A New Hope Officer Insignia.

The rank badges seen in A New Hope are richer in their variety than those seen in the other films. An examination of these rank badges reveals subtleties of the system of Imperial Military insignia which are not evident in the more symmetric badges of later fiction. The interpretation of a handful of problematic badges from this film imposes tight constraints on theories of the insignia system. In particular the following observations can be made:

The number of red and blue squares need not be equal.

No particular color is necessary.

The total number of all squares is almost always an even number.

Red and blue squares are not equivalent. Aggregate red and blue values are counted independently. Although Admiral Motti has only two blue and four red, he has the same rank within the Navy as an admiral who has four of each.

Blue squares do not accumulate value in the same fashion as red squares. An officer with four blue squares is a lieutenant, such as Lieutenant Tanbris. A Navy officer with four red squares is at least a commodore or admiral, such as Admiral Motti.

Rank cylinders make an important contribution to the insignia. A different number of cylinders might indicate a slightly different rank amongst those who have the same badge.

Red squares are not exclusively associated with one branch of service over the other. Admiral Motti and General Tagge both are primarily decorated with red squares although they are in Navy and Army respectively.

Yellow squares are not exactly equivalent to blue or red squares alone. For some purposes they seem to mimic the properties of either red or blue.

Yellow squares do not have an aggregate value less than an equivalent number of red squares. Otherwise Tarkin's badge would have the same aggregate value as a Fleet Admiral.

Below is a presentation of the standardized insignia of the normal officer ranks of the Order of Battle. It should be understood that some officer badges will fall between those given. There are in effect more than two dozen sublevels in total, and only about seventeen are used by regular named ranks. Where an officer's insignia indicates an intermediate rank he may take the title of the regular rank immediately above or below, whilst being of marginally lower or higher seniority than his peers.

Unlimited Imperium - Imperium maius, Only the Supreme Commander currently holds this level of Imperium although he has the authority to bestow it upon other officers if he chooses. An officer with unlimited Imperium has the same degree of authority as an officer with full Imperium but without limitation. The rules of conduct and any boundaries set by the officer's rank or position cannot hinder his actions. Unlimited Imperium can only be revoked by the Supreme Commander.

Full Imperium - Officers with full Imperium have the authority to act without High Command's consent just like officers with partial Imperium can except they can do so while carrying their orders. While an officer with partial Imperium must wait until their orders are carried out, an officer with full Imperium can pursue his or her personal goals and the immediate goals of the Second Imperium at the same time.

Partial Imperium - Officers with partial Imperium have the authority to act without the consent of High Command but only after their current orders and/or assignments have been carried out. In other words, they are free to use their position to pursue personal goals or personal gain but only after the immediate goals of the Second Imperium.

No Imperium - The actions of an officer with no Imperium are restricted to carrying out specific orders sent through the chain of command - and nothing else. When not carrying out orders, they are to stand by and await further instructions. Note: In terms of Imperium, the following of orders is considered the same as seeking consent from High Command because all orders originate from High Command. However, consent can be granted in other ways. Note: These officers still have a security rating and are authorized to make command decisions in the field.

No Imperium - The actions of an officer with no Imperium are restricted to carrying out specific orders sent through the chain of command - and nothing else. When not carrying out orders, they are to stand by and await further instructions. Note: In terms of Imperium, the following of orders is considered the same as seeking consent from High Command because all orders originate from High Command. However, consent can be granted in other ways. Note: These officers still have command authority, but must be directly monitored by superior officers. If all superior officers have been killed or disabled, these officers should be considered a two cylinder officer until direct communication can be restored to the chain of command

No Imperium - The actions of an officer with no Imperium are restricted to carrying out specific orders sent through the chain of command - and nothing else. When not carrying out orders, they are to stand by and await further instructions. Note: In terms of Imperium, the following of orders is considered the same as seeking consent from High Command because all orders originate from High Command. However, consent can be granted in other ways. These officers have NO command authority or clearance and must wait for orders. However, as said above if all superior officers have been killed or disabled, and he or she is the superior officer in the field, then he or she should be immediately assumed as brevetted to two cylinders till direct contact can be established to the chain of command.

Level	Cylinders	Rank Flashes	Cylinders	Title
-				Supreme Commander Trask K'Tar (Emperor)
0				Lord/Lady Admiral Alvina Magusen
1				High Commander Jennifer Christman
2				General Gilga Frim
3				Major General (Wing Commander)
4				Commander (Squadron Commander)
5				Major (Squadron Executive Officer)
6				Captain (Element Leader)
7				Lieutenant (Non-Player Characters Only)
8				Cadet (Unassigned Officers)

A medal is the physical representation of appreciation for an act or service rendered to the Empire by an individual. As such they carry a certain amount or respect. Medals are awarded by the Supreme Commander, High Commander or Fleet Executive Officer if the High Commander is not present. Medals are worn on all uniforms except the flight suit three eighths of an inch under the rank.

The Imperial Blood Medallion

Awarded to all personnel after successfully escaping from captivity.

The Imperial Eagle

(The ISFC equivalent to the Medal of Honor.)

To be awarded this medal, the pilot must be recommended for it by no less then seven witnesses to his courage, devotion and selflessness. Only one medal may be awarded every decade.
(Game decade, not real decade.)

Imperial Recruiting Claw

The Recruiting Claw is awarded to those pilots who recruit five new pilots for the starfighter or marine corps. Along with this medal (and the recruiting bonus gained form recruiting new personnel) is a 1,200 credit bonus along with a 3 day all expenses paid liberty to the "Bosun's Hotel" on the water planet "Sigel"

The Solar Eclipse

Awarded to battle commanders for new squadron, wing, battle-group or fleet battle maneuvers in the field after successful demonstration of tactic.

Eye of Horus

The Eye of Horus is awarded to those individuals who serve the empire by assisting Imperial Intelligence or as members of the honor guard.

Veteran

(Veterans of Campaigns)

This medal is awarded to all War Veterans regardless of who the enemy was. These men and women offered the ultimate sacrifice to their brethren and thus have been recognized for their courage and skill.

The Imperial Medal of Honor.


Medal Awarded Second Time	Medal Awarded Third Time	Medal Awarded Fourth Time

		Achievement Ribbon			Campaign Service
		Commendation Ribbon			Liberation Citation
		Distinguished Service Ribbon			Branch Merit Citation
		Good Conduct Ribbon			Joint Services Merit Citation
		Elrood Sector Defense Ribbon			Emperor's Unit Citation