If the First Order takes over the galaxy and Ren becomes Emperor, with Hux as his second in command, his right hand man, as someone who can rule in Ren´s absence … what would Hux offical title be? still Grand Marshal? a different military rank or just vice …. emperor?
Hey! Actual military person here!
See, if we’re going by the rank as similar to something in real life, the problem with the rank of Grand Marshal is that seems to be a primarily ceremonial or a civilian rank. Grand Marshal as a military rank seems to be more of a thing in Asian, and since the First Order seems to be more modeled on western militaries, I’m gonna say that isn’t a great thing?
A better, more accurate title would actually be Field Marshal… but the problem is that a Field Marshal is usually appointed when someone needs to be the Most Rank in multiple service branches (so above the top rank in army, navy, air, etc). As far as I can tell the First Order is all one branch. At least that’s the only way I can figure out how Hux outranks Phasma, even though Phasma is in charge of all the Stormtroopers and commands what I’m pretty sure is at least a division. (Rant for another day, but if Phasma is a captain but is in charge of a division, literally the rest of the military brass would be lieutenants, and that’s a recipe for disaster.) In a better, more consistent military, Phasma would be a general and Hux would be some flavor of admiral.
But since Air/Space and Ground aren’t commanded separately, like they should be, the weird part is that Hux doesn’t actually need to change his rank at all. In the US Army, the Army Chief of Staff, the highest rank an officer can hold in peacetime, is still addressed as “General LastName” (rn it’s General Mark Milley, I think?) and does not have an additional rank signifier. Still a four-star general, is what I’m saying. Another star on his chest or a change to his title is irrelevant. We all know who the Chief of Staff is. Alternately, since the First Order is at war literally all the time, Hux could be something like a five-star General of the Army. There’s only ever one five-star general at a time, ever.
I will point out, though, that Hux seems like he would be Concerned about some additional signifier just so everyone knows Who’s In Charge Here.
Alternately, since I am 100% here for the Kylux ships, Hux could also have the title of Imperial Consort when he’s actively ruling in Ren’s place.
(tbh I’m a little unclear what the same-gender partner of the Emperor would be titled? He’s not an empress, but generally the partner of the ruler has a lower title amended with “consort.” Ergo Prince Phillip, consort to Queen Elizabeth. So Hux might be King Hux, Imperial Consort. Not super sure how rank and power are described in the Star Wars universe though, so his title might be something else.)
Hux can’t be a co-emperor, because then he would have as much power as Ren, and that’s generally considered undesirable. Someone has to outrank everyone else, after all, or who would make the final decision?
Whatever you decide to use, I’m curious about it. Hit me up when you’re done.
Wow, I am blown away by your detailed answer! thank you very much for taking your time to shed some light into the matter!
All I found out is that the rank of Grand marshal is the highest conjectural rank of the TIE fighter forces in the universe of Star Wars, equivalent to a grand admiral of the Imperial Navy. But that’s of course in the empire and you’re right, the FO seems to be all one branch.
I am absolutely loving the idea of the additional Imperal Consort. That’s definitely something I can use 8)
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