Cobra hierarchy?

[smutty]

I'm trying to assemble my Cobra army by rank from officers down and I can't figure where Vipers are tp Blue shirts. Are Tele-Vipers higher graded than Regular Vipers? How about Snow Serpents? CGs? Is a CG officer higher than a blue shirt officer? It seems a HISS driver is the same a a blue shirt officer? Has anyone ever seen or made a list?
I need help!
Thanks.

[lehsreh]

[COLOR=Red]well CG's are the elite, so there the highest of any army builder. that being the case, even a normal Cg would outrank a blueshirt officer. also, if you read the filecards, the snow serpent would outrank the blueshirts too. actually they would outrank most of the troops as they had to first go through the blueshirts and eels. by the filecards a viper wouldnt actually outrank a blueshirt, but by their jobs they would be more important. the blueshirts are more the guards of the HQ, whereas vipers are the troops on the offense. i would think that a tela-viper is on the exact same level of a blueshirt, but with a specialty. just as in the army you have privates and whatever, some do tech work, some work on stuff. if there both of the same rank, a tech would have as much rank as a sergent of any other area, but who would be in charge would depend on the problem

this is just my idea from the filecards and such. i have the complete rank system of the joes based on their grades if you ever want it.
[/COLOR]

[Rambo]

[QUOTE=lehsreh] i have the complete rank system of the joes based on their grades if you ever want it.
[/QUOTE]


[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I want it[/COLOR]

[Bayer]

IMO - Vipers are Elite Infantry, with their own officers who answer to the CG's and general staff. Blue shirts are the cannon fodder of Cobra. The CG's are too value to squander in any capacity other than special projects or enmasse (for those hostile takeovers). Then you have specialist corps. like Televipers, Technovipers, EELs etc.

[Self-Modifier]

I've always liked the theory that Cobra Troopers (blueshirts) and Vipers are equivalent to one another. Vipers are just the infantry versions of troopers, outfitted for more hostile missions. Officers would be above all of them, and Siegies would be at the top.

I figure Tele-Vipers are just troopers who know how to use communications equipment. I know the Snow Serpent filecard says he's an Eel, but I prefer the TV show version, where Snow Serpents are just Cobra troopers in cold weather gear (as seen on occasion when Serpents have their helmets off and have trooper masks and helmets on instead). Honestly, I think it would be best if Eels were just troopers in diving gear, too. I just don't see how a "ruthless terrorist organization" would have various branches to their armed forces like a country does.

As for all the other various speciality Vipers-- I use them occasionally, but for the most part I'm not a huge fan. And while I think regular Vipers look cool, I much prefer standard troopers and officers over everything else. They really give off that "underground militia" vibe that Cobra tended to display in the early days.

[ToneGunsRevisited]

To me COBRA works like CORPS. The Tele Vipers doesn't answear to infantry, they have a rank inside themselfs. And so do the others like, Vipers, CGs, C.L.A.W.S. Vipers, Blueshirts and so one. Vipers are the Heavy Infantry and the Blueshirts are the Soft Infantry. But all of them can be mixed and the one calling the mission is the one who will create the chain of command based on the mission ahead.

I army build, or I try to a number of 4 grunts with at least one officer. So I've always a squad of 5.

[lehsreh]

[QUOTE=ToneGunsRevisited]

I army build, or I try to a number of 4 grunts with at least one officer. So I've always a squad of 5.[/QUOTE]

[COLOR=Red]exactly what i do, that way you have enough for a good pic, but dont spend so much that i feel bad about it. and what you said about the specific mission is what to consider for the leader(you didnt word it that way), that is what i was trying to say when i went on and on.

on a side thought, who here has flagg(the son) being a higher rank then hawk? i, myself do not as in the file card hawk outranks him.[/COLOR]

[Bayer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ToneGunsRevisited

I army build, or I try to a number of 4 grunts with at least one officer. So I've always a squad of 5.

Quote:
lehsreh
exactly what i do, that way you have enough for a good pic, but dont spend so much that i feel bad about it. and what you said about the specific mission is what to consider for the leader(you didn't word it that way), that is what i was trying to say when i went on and on.

I know what I said before but in the pics I've posted if you look close, all my Viper squads are seven men and a televiper (Six vipers and either a sergeant or a Viper officer, and a televiper for communications). At the moment (for my Joeverse) a Viper company is four squads with three sergeants and an officer.

[dakullprt]

[QUOTE=smutty]I'm trying to assemble my Cobra army by rank from officers down and I can't figure where Vipers are tp Blue shirts. Are Tele-Vipers higher graded than Regular Vipers? How about Snow Serpents? CGs? Is a CG officer higher than a blue shirt officer? It seems a HISS driver is the same a a blue shirt officer? Has anyone ever seen or made a list?
I need help!
Thanks.[/QUOTE]

You can use the filecards as a guideline but you're better off just making somthing up.

The old Viper vs Blushirt question, I use to view the Viper as Marines of the US, with about 5 more weeks of training. Now I use the VvV Viper as Cobra Navel Infantry, and the reg Viper mold as battle ready trooper.

Where do my Cg's fit in, I use them pretty much as the filecard says. They are Cobras CiA. Shadow guard or I call them they Onyx Guard I use them as Cobras FBI. CG's also fill the role of Russia's political officers also.

Tele viper is just your run of the mill Viper with special gear(see. ME version)

EEls and Snow serpents are members of my Cobra Navel Infantry. With the Eels belonging to the fleet for special ops. The Snow serpents are an elite Regiment of Navel Infantry.

Range Vipers I use exactly as the Green Berets.

As far as ranking them go I think each rank is going to have self contain rank structure.

[ender098]

Well, here's how MY Cobra Hierarchy works;

Cobra Commander (Supreme Leader)
_________________________________________________________________


Colonel Vargas Cobra generals Crimson Twins
| | |
Shadow Guard Neo Vipers Crimson Guard Commanders
| |
Ninja Vipers__Specialist Vipers Crimson Guard Immortals
(Techno,frag,etc) |
| Crimson Guards
|
|
Vipers (Viper Corps)_______CLAWS
|
|
Night Watch/Blue Shirts____V-Troopers (razor,sand Scorp)
|
Toxo Vipers
|
BATS


The Shadow Guard and Crimson Guard report to Cobra Commander directly. The other units are part of the Cobra Army group. Each group has it's own officers and NCO's that report to the cobra generals. Even though the skill levels are different, no unit has command authority over a lower. Each command is independant. Blue Shirt Commanders report to the Cobra Generals just as Alley Viper Platoons. This keeps Cobra segmented and it's harder to organize a rebellion. The Air and sea Corps fall under another Branch and are commanded by a Cobra Air General and a Cobra Admiral. Dreadnoks, Mercs (Skull Squad,etc.) and other independant units are tacked into the Army group and receive orders from either the Cobra General or Cobra Commander himself. (For Example, Major Bludd may be tasked to be a General, so Skull Squad would fall under him at the top. However another mission may have him doing "black Ops" and he would fall in around the Viper Corps level and take orders from a General)

Any questions on how mine works or even a "Well, how about if....." I'll be more than happy to answer!

[ender098]

EWWW! That looks like crap! oh well....here's the way it goes;

Cobra Commander is at the top.

one chain is Col Vargas and his shadow gaurd. (on the left)

the second chain is the Crimson Twins and the CG's in rank order (Commanders, Immortals and CG's) (on the right)

Center is the Army Corps starting with a Cobra General,

neo Vipers,

Specialist vipers (Frag/Flak/eels/Snow Serpents) and Ninja Vipers

the Viper Corps with the CLAWS as an adjacent Command (CLAWS are Heavy Vipers in my verse!

Nightwatch/Blueshirts and V-troopers

Toxovipers

BATS


I have this in a Word document I can post in the "FILES" section if anyone wants it. It shows the adjacencies better!

[lehsreh]

[QUOTE=ender098]EWWW! That looks like crap! oh well....here's the way it goes;
[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Red]lol, yeah, i couldnt make heads or tails of that.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=ender098]
I have this in a Word document I can post in the "FILES" section if anyone wants it. It shows the adjacencies better![/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Red]i have the joe rank, as done by all their filecards(i went through each and everyone) in word document as well if anyone wants it. i dont know if it helps, youll have to ask rambo.[/COLOR]

[Sonneilon]

Based on Cobra-only forces (not Dreadnoks, not MARs, mercs are so-so)

Cobra Commander
Commander Vlasko (custom)
Interrogator

Crimson Guards (CC's personal body guard, also used for Tomax & Xamot; not battlefield troops

NeoVipers (when the best are needed)

Vipers (When you need guys that are on a more sensitive mission or battle)

BlueShirts (Used for everything)

Speciality troops of a certain base class get slight priority over the average version. ie; IF a squad of Vipers are hanging out with the Snow Serpents in the Snow Serpents hood, then the SSs are of higher rank simply cuz it's their turf. HOWEVER, if the Snow Serpents are chilling with the Vipers in a steamin', bloody swamp in a TerrorDrome, then the Vipers get rank.

Kinda like, who is the better Joe in the snow? Snow Job or Bazooka?

BATs are an entirely different organization. They are often used as fodder and tend to be more loyal to Overkill.

Overkill. The mad scientist of Cobra. His stroke only goes so far.

Baroness. The intelligence officer, she has no real powers of leadership but like Major Bludd or Ghost Bear, she will lead troops into battle if she must. She is NOT a fighter. She's better hanging out in the background and barking orders, like Cobra Commander.

This is, of course, part of my 'verse. ;)

[Rambo]

Hershel work is very interesting. Here it is:

[COLOR=Red]Colton 0-10 (Army Chief of Staff, General)
Keel-Haul 0-9 (Vice Admiral)
Hawk 0-6, 0-7, 0-8 (Major General)
Flagg 0-7 (Brigadier General)
Courage 0-6 (Colonel)
Payload 0-6
Sure Fire 0-5 (Lieutenant Colonel)
Sky Striker 0-5
Ghost Rider 0-4 (Major)
Bullet Proof 0-4
Major Storm 0-4
Major Barrage 0-4
Ace 0-3, 0-4, 0-3, 0-4, 0-3 (Captain)
Doc 0-3
Countdown 0-3
Grid Iron 0-3
Psyche-Out 0-2, 0-3
Updraft 0-3
Maverick 0-3
Rapid Fire 0-3
Windmill 0-3
Cutter 0-2 (Lieutenant, Junior Grade)
Slipstream 0-2 (1st Lieutenant, same as cutter, different service)
Falcon 0-2
Super Trooper 0-2
Dog Fight 0-2
Sub-Zero 0-2
Steeler 0-1 (2nd Lieutenant)
Thunder Wing 0-1
Wet Down W0-5 (Master Warrant Officer)
Torpedo W0-4, W0-5, W0-4 (Warrant Officer 4)
Wild Bill CW-4 (Chief Warrant Officer, same as Torpedo, different service)
Flint E-6, W-3, W0-2 (Warrant Officer 2)
Lift-Ticket W0-2
Altitude E-9, W0-2
Mercer E-5, E-9 (Sergeant Major, not counting 06 con figure where he was E-5)
Duke E-8, E-9, E-8 (First Sergeant or Master Sergeant)
Storm Shadow E-8 (only one file card had him with a rank)
Blizzard E-7, E-8
Airwave E-8
Drop Zone E-8
Sky Dive E-8
Mace E-8
Brawler E-8, E-6, E-8
Double Blast E-8
Gung-Ho E-7, E-9 (Sergeant Major), E-7, E-9, E-7 (Gunnery Sergeant, Marines)
Rock-N-Roll E-5, E-6, E-9, E-7 (Sergeant First Class)
Stalker E-5, E-7, E-8, E-7
Snake Eyes E-5, E-7, E-8, E-7, E-5, E-7
Snow Job E-6, E-7
Deep Six E-7 (Chief Petty Officer, Navy)
Airborn E-7 (Master Sergeant, Air Force)
Lady Jaye E-4, E-7 (all other females are E-4 or E-5 except Volga)
Shipwreck E-7, E-8 (Senior Chief Petty Officer), E-7 (CPO, Chief Petty Officer, Navy)
Sgt. Slaughter E-7
Beach Head E-6, E-7
Letherneck E-7 (Gunnery Sergeant, Marines)
Dodger E-7 87
Armadillo E-7 88
Hot-Seat E-7 89
Long Range E-7 89
Salvo E-7 90
Cold Front E-7 90
Static Line E-7 90
Tracker E-7 91
T'Jbang E-7 92
Side Track E-7 00
Crossfire E-7 01[/COLOR]

[Lava Boss]

I've decided that Cobra Commander just creates new troop types on a whim. Or his underlings do, and he approves.

I used to follow the file cards. But early on they made Cobra Officers, Stinger and Hiss drivers O-4's! What the heck? A jeep driver is a Major? A 2-man tank operator is, too?

The blue shirt and Viper thing isn't hard for me.

Now, CLAWS, HEAT Viper and Fast Blast Vipers get odd. Now there's a Bazooka Trooper coming...meaning blue shirts have weps "specialists", too.

Frogmen: Eels, Hydro Vipers, Morays and Undertows...too many divers

Flamethrowers: Incinerators, Shock Vipers, and there's a desert Cobra trooper flamethrower coming. A lot for a limited use weapon.

Ninjas...so many, I chalk most up to being mercs, except Ninja Troopers/Vipers who are trained Cobras.

[smutty]

I used to follow the file cards. But early on they made Cobra Officers, Stinger and Hiss drivers O-4's! What the heck? A jeep driver is a Major? A 2-man tank operator is, too?

BAM!!! My biggest problem! How does this work? A HISS drivers an 05? That makes a HISS commander higher?

Does a Blue Shirt Officer outrank a Viper?

So rank these in order for me:
Blue Shirt OFC
Hiss Cmdr
Hiss Driver (red)
Hiss Driver (urban camo)
Stinger Driver


This started quite a discussion huh?
Thanks all.

[Self-Modifier]

[QUOTE=Rambo]Hershel work is very interesting. Here it is:

[COLOR=Red]
Keel-Haul 0-9 (Vice Admiral)
Hawk 0-6, 0-7, 0-8 (Major General)
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Slightly off-topic, but... Keel-Haul outranks Hawk? That's kind of funny...

(yes, I realize they're in different branches of the service and one would rarely, if ever, be "pulling rank" on the other anyway, but still...)

[lehsreh]

[QUOTE=Self-Modifier]Slightly off-topic, but... Keel-Haul outranks Hawk? That's kind of funny...

(yes, I realize they're in different branches of the service and one would rarely, if ever, be "pulling rank" on the other anyway, but still...)[/QUOTE]

[COLOR=Red]yeah, when i went through every year and looked at all the ranks, i came across a lot of surprises. gung-ho outranked duke for a year or 2, and hawk outranks the new flagg.[/COLOR]

[Lava Boss]

That makes sense. As Flagg Jr. would be pretty young to even make it to general. I mean, his dad didn't look that old.

Some one pointed out once that there's an old Hasbro fan club newsletter that introduces Duke, and says he calls the shots, even to officers like Ace.

GI JOE Fan club 1983 newsletter (http://www.yojoe.com/archive/fanclubs/83/newsletter1.shtml)

His arrogance matches up with the comic book version. ;)

[Rambo]

[QUOTE=Lava Boss]... Some one pointed out once that there's an old Hasbro fan club newsletter that introduces Duke, and says he calls the shots, even to officers like Ace.

His arrogance matches up with the comic book version. ;)[/QUOTE]


You're right! Duke doesnt know the IMHO cliché.

[ThinkTank]

Say what you will about Duke, but when he's around, he is the boss, period. Since Gi Joe is not a typical military outfit, they don't necessarily have to go by rank anyway. The focus is getting the job done, and Duke knows how, rank be damned.