H.A.H. the Roman-Ruthenian Pope
Ex officio as Captain-General, Admiral-General, and First Marshal of the Pontifical Imperial State.
Leadership of the Guard
General Staff
The Gonfaloniere of the Church
The senior-most commander within the Guard, with the formal rank of General-in-Chief or Admiral.
This post is typically reserved for a former serving general officer or admiral and forms part of the functional chain of command.
The Honourary Gonfaloniere is a dignified courtesy title that may be given by the Roman-Ruthenian Pope to princely heads of houses. It confers neither military rank, Guard membership, nor command responsibility; consequently, no insignia is authorised for that courtesy office.
Other Offices of General Staff
Chief of Chaplains
General Officers of Divisions
Established as needed—for example, the Division of Medicine.
General Officers
Pontifical Aides-de-Camp
Officers and members assigned to offices of the General Staff
Command distinctions
Flags of Rank
Gonfaloniere of the Church
Naval Flags of Rank
Rear Admiral · Vice Admiral · Admiral
Guard Flags of Rank
Major General · Lieutenant Field Marshal · General-in-Chief
Air Flags of Rank
Major General · Lieutenant Field Marshal · General-in-Chief
Rank structure
Guard and Air Guard
Postnomials: WG. Members of the Airbourne Guard of Honour additionally use ABN, WG.
Other Ranks
Guardsman · Corporal · Sergeant · Marshal
Officers
Lieutenant · Captain
Each unit is generally limited to four Captains and eight Lieutenants. Appointments include aides-de-camp, Headquarters Company command, Assistant Adjutant, and other offices as needed.
Senior Officers
Colonel
Each unit is generally limited to two Colonels: the Deputy Commander and Adjutant.
General Officers
- Major General
The commander of each unit; ordinarily one per unit. - Lieutenant Field Marshal
Rarely awarded to assistants to the Pope or to division commanders after service as Major General. - General-in-Chief
Rarely awarded, typically to assistants to the Pope. - Captain-General and First Marshal
Held by the Roman-Ruthenian Pope ex officio.
Naval service
Ranks of the Naval Guard
Postnomials: WNG.
Other Ranks
Naval Guardsman · Corporal · Sergeant · Marshal
Officers
Lieutenant · Senior Lieutenant
The Naval Guard is generally limited to four Senior Lieutenants and eight Lieutenants, serving in command, staff, and aide-de-camp appointments.
Senior Officers
Captain
Ordinarily limited to two: the Deputy Commander and Adjutant.
Flag Officers
- Rear Admiral
The commander of the Naval Guard, excepting additional officers serving in General Command. - Vice Admiral
Rarely awarded to assistants to the Pope or division commanders after service as Rear Admiral. - Admiral
Rarely awarded, typically to assistants to the Pope. - Admiral-General
Held by the Roman-Ruthenian Pope ex officio.
Dress distinctions
Insignia and Naval Sleeve Lace
Lieutenant: one stripe.
Senior Lieutenant: two stripes.
Captain: four stripes.
Rear Admiral: a 40 mm stripe with a regular stripe and executive curl above it.
Vice Admiral: as Rear Admiral, with a second regular stripe below the wide stripe.
Admiral: as Rear Admiral, with a second regular stripe above the wide stripe.
Admiral-General: as Admiral, with crowned key-and-sword insignia above the curl.
Appointment
The illuminated commission
A traditional commission document. When issued, a ribbon and wax seal bearing the insignia of the Pontifical Imperial State are affixed below.