Another take on Spectrum ranks...

[Mary]

An idea came to me out of the blue, if you'll pardon the pun.

Many of us have written fanfic involving different Spectrum color-coded officers and also non-color-coded ones (usually based in ground installations). We all seem to have taken a similar approach and I wanted to point it out. It *could* be the answer we've been looking for regarding the strange rank structure in Spectrum, and here it has been under our collective noses the whole time!

I was thinking of the male rank designations on Cloudbase in the original series, namely one colonel, a bunch of captains and a lieutenant. (I seem to remember from the annuals or another canon source that Fawn's official rank is "Captain," although he outranks everyone when they are patients in "his" Sickbay).

But we ALSO know that there are other color-coded officers, namely a Captain Indigo who happened to be on the ground during Spectrum Strikes Back. We seem to have assumed he's a ground-based officer because we never saw him on Cloudbase in previous episodes. Indeed, many of us have developed our own color-coded officers on the ground.

We all know the "rank" names used by Spectrum don't make sense. With all the generals and admirals floating around , would a "mere colonel" be called upon to be commander-in-chief of a worldwide security organization? I sincerely doubt it. But yet Spectrum's CinC, a retired World Navy admiral, is called "Colonel" White. The same goes for "Lieutenant" Green, who basically is the guy who RUNS Cloudbase's communications and computers. If it weren't for this "lowly lieutenant" running things, who knows what shape Cloudbase would be in -- or even if it would still be a base "in the clouds"...? I don't remember any rank for Seymour being mentioned in his backstory but since he was communications chief at Marineville Tower I doubt if he was only a lieutenant.

And let's not forget the "Captains" pulled from the ranks of army colonels, naval commanders and so on... Although one could make the argument that the naval rank of captain is equivalent to the army/air force rank of full colonel, I don't think Anderson et al were thinking that hard.

Here is my hypothesis:
Commander-in-chief of Spectrum: Colonel White
Field Commanders: Captains
Support Officers: Lieutenants

The colonel one, of course, is obvious.

Captains would command operations in the field; as in our own forum, the Cloudbase captains would outrank the other color-coded captains, who would in turn outrank any captains not possessing a color-code.

Lieutenants would be in command of administrative/support rather than operational matters. As with the captains above, Cloudbase color-coded lieutenants (Green definitely, maybe some others off-camera) would outrank the others and so on. However, I do think Green is "lieutenant-in-chief" of the other Cloudbase color lieutenants...

I also think there is another color-code rank, that of Major, for those in charge of Spectrum's major ground installations such as London HQ. The captains would probably report to the commanding officer of said installations when first assigned a command during an operation, and from there draw the personnel and materiel they need to complete their mission.

Case in point: In Traitor, the CO of Koala Base is a Major Stone. IMO, this is his color-code rather than his surname, and that while on duty at the training base he prefers the basic Spectrum uniform to his tunic/boots combination (not an unusual manner of dress in today's military, where sweaters with rank insignia and T-shirts with the unit crest are frequently worn with standard uniform dress in the field).

Many of us however, myself included, have invented characters in charge of ground installations with their Christian names rather than codes. Perhaps it's an option for the majors since they often come into contact with the public? Your thoughts appreciated...

(I'm not going to attempt anything similar with Angels or other female staff, so if anyone wants to run with the idea be my guest!

[Marion]

That's a nice idea, Mary - and it makes good sense. I suspected that the 'ranks' used on Cloudbase were not indicative of the genuine authority of the agent - but of a class of agents: Field Agents, Technical Agents etc.
However, with Major Stone - I do believe ( I haven't watched the episode for a while) that Scarlet and Blue defer to him at Koala Base - well, they don't order him about and they ask permission to do things. Could be merely politeness - they are on his turf, after all.
I checked up on Green's WASP credentials. He is described as a 'junior hydrophones operator' who went on to become 'sole commander of the communications installations at the Marineville Control Tower'. he did that so well that the WASPs 'created a new communications section, manned by 20 skilled operators... directly under the command of Green'. 'Spectrum suggested he should join the organisation...and he took up his new position as Chief Controller of Spectrum' (1967 annual)
Given that he is Chief Controller of Spectrum - his rank of Lieutenant does sound a little odd.
With the Captains themselves, I had an idea (written about long ago in a scribbled note book story ) that each of them has an area of responsibility in the organisation. Scarlet is the armaments supremo with a team of red hued 'Lieutenants' who check the weapons, order the bullets etc etc. Magenta would be the Computer boss - with his own 'pink' subordinates; Ochre would be security, Grey - the liasion man with the other armed & security forces and Blue got aeroplanes. (That idea I have hinted at in some of my posted stories - where Blue is the Cloudbase 'contact' for the Standy-by Angels Team). I used that premise to justify Indigo's stint on the ground because he was the R&D supremo, who managed and fronted the technical services. When they developed the Mysteron detector and gun - and were ready to demonstrate it to the World big-wigs - it was obvious that Indigo would be there - organising the presentation etc.
Regarding the Angels themselves - I suspect they are junior to the Colour Captains - but ought to be senior to the Lieutenants - as they would rank as field agents, rather than technical or support staff.

[Mary]

However, with Major Stone - I do believe ( I haven't watched the episode for a while) that Scarlet and Blue defer to him at Koala Base - well, they don't order him about and they ask permission to do things. Could be merely politeness - they are on his turf, after all.

That was what I was trying to say, Marion. In the army and air force (and yes, the Marines, don't want to forget them or we might just regret it! ) majors outrank captains but are inferior to colonels. (Major would be equivalent to lieutenant-commander, for those more familiar with naval/coast guard ranks) I think it is the same here; I think the Spectrum color captains report to the majors when they are assigned a mission. The captains draw the personnel/materiel from that major's command, and the major oversees the captain's mission. (Whether the major and captain see eye-to-eye ON the mission could be the subject of debate -- or possible future fanfic... )

Also keep in mind that in the upper ranks the officers tend to have a somewhat more relaxed working relationship with fellow officers; the straight-backed, salute anything that moves, do-what-I-say-or-drop-down-and-give-me-20-pushups attitude is reserved for the enlisted ranks....

Regarding your idea about each captain being in charge of a specialty is something I've kicked around as well but just couldn't seem to get it to work based on the fact that Scarlet and Blue just seem to get assigned everything that comes along. Add to that the fact that both Magenta AND Green are the computer wizards, and Blue is not only good with airplanes but also probably with financial matters, having studied at Harvard (a Harvard Business School MBA is one of the most respected degrees in the financial world)...

Perhaps it was originally intended that way until the Mysterons threw the proverbial monkey wrench in the works?

[Marion]

Yes, I should have said much the same in my first post (but I got called away and decided to post what I had written already rather than lose it altogther ) that the allocation of 'departments' had sort of slipped sideways when the Mysterons came on the scene.
Given that Scarlet and Blue were partners - and they get to go almost everywhere - their departments would have to manage alone or with 'alternative' reporting lines.
Whilst I am confessing - I shall also admit that I gave Blue admin/finance too - but I get told off for favouritism - so I was keeping that quiet I am so glad someone else mentioned it

[Captain Indigo]

Marion, that's favouritism. You always give Blue the good jobs...
the question must be asked though... What would Scarlet have been in charge of?

[Marion]

Well, Lieutenant Indigo, that depends on whether your idea of a 'good job' is oodles of paperwork and lots of sums... I rather thought Blue had got the short straw there . However, for the purpose of this very old (1990's) ficlet - he had to be busy and there is nowt like administration for keeping you occupied
Captain Scarlet was in charge of armaments: weapons, guns, and all sorts - throughout Spectrum. The supply, provision, maintenance and control of said armaments and the records showing who had what and where the things were. Not very exciting, but essential - and it meant he got to play with all the different types - for the same reason as Blue had to be busy in the story - Scarlet had to be the one with time on his hands...
I am not sure it was even a very feasible idea long-term - once the Mysterons were on the scene - but it amused me at the time, and - as I told Mary - I was amazed anyone else had even thought along the same lines

[mb2000]

Scarlet is the armaments supremo with a team of red hued 'Lieutenants' who check the weapons, order the bullets etc etc. Magenta would be the Computer boss - with his own 'pink' subordinates; Ochre would be security, Grey - the liasion man with the other armed & security forces and Blue got aeroplanes.

If this were the case, wouldn't it make more sense to have the Head of Department as the main colour? For example, Captain Scarlet would be Captain Red, with a Lieutenant Scarlet working under him. Red would be the main colour with scarlet and such (the shades of red) being lower. The same would go for Ochre, would would be Yellow, with an Ochre and Orange etc serving under him.

But what about Captain Grey's colour? He is half-way between Colonel White and Captain Black.

[Marion]

I didn't say it made any sense - I just said it was an idea I had when I needed a certain scenario for a story!
I have a fanfic I am working on that explains why some of the captains have 'fancier' names than the basic colours of the Spectrum - it all started when Trainee-Agent Purple's uniform ran in the wash...

[Captain Indigo]

You mean in 60 years, they still haven't managed to invent a dye that won't run?

[Marion]

No, I mean in 60 years men still can't work washing machines....

[chrisbishop]

According to Clya Brown in Washing Day (one of last year stories for the Christmas Challenge) the Mysterons ARE able to work a washing machine...

Does that mean the Mysterons are of female gender!?

[Marion]

Well you know what they say - the female of the species is deadlier than the male.....
Maybe that's why they got the strop with Captain Black for blowing up their city - they may have just finished the decorating... and he marches in and messes everything up.
Alternatively they might have been having a REALLY bad hair day...

[Mary]

Scarlet is the armaments supremo with a team of red hued 'Lieutenants' who check the weapons, order the bullets etc etc. Magenta would be the Computer boss - with his own 'pink' subordinates; Ochre would be security, Grey - the liasion man with the other armed & security forces and Blue got aeroplanes.

If this were the case, wouldn't it make more sense to have the Head of Department as the main colour? For example, Captain Scarlet would be Captain Red, with a Lieutenant Scarlet working under him. Red would be the main colour with scarlet and such (the shades of red) being lower. The same would go for Ochre, would would be Yellow, with an Ochre and Orange etc serving under him.

But what about Captain Grey's colour? He is half-way between Colonel White and Captain Black.

In my long-abandoned attempt to make some sense of the colors, I felt that Spectrum's senior staff should have consisted of operational or "department heads" with color-codes reflecting the colors of the basic visible spectrum (red. orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple), headed by White (the combination of all the colors in the visible spectrum i.e. light) with an important post going to Black (the combination of the PIGMENTS in the spectrum, as I seem to remember). Which would mean colors like Grey, Brown et al would have been given more of a support function.

But then that of course makes the "Spectrum" in the series make no sense; e.g. Green (certainly a vital visible-spectrum color!) is "only" a lieutenant, in charge of communications but not operating in the field ; Grey appears to be on equal footing with the other captains ; and I always thought Magenta was too close to red to have an important role in the series (sorry, Magenta fans ). Ochre in that respect doesn't fit in either, but I know if I were a brave guy *I* wouldn't want to be saddled with being "yellow"! I can just see Sam Spade slapping him around...

[Devon]

Marion, I should be upset at that remark but I won't be. I can use the washer and drier and not fade, run, mess up or shrink anything for that matter. It's the dishwasher I have trouble with Not enough buttons. Remotes, NP... dishwashers

My own take on the ranks though is lame I figure. Colonel White though by a normal rank can still equate to being Admiral and since the Mysterons are around, he might be Admiral of the Fleet a war time rank only....and THE sole highest rank around. Captains, I equated with Scarlets rank of Colonel, And that covers Ochres Rank through WGPS, Grey was probably close to Captain which is kosher to Colonel. Lieutenents would rank at about Major or Commander, or even Lieutenant Commander depending on branch of service, meaning they can still pick on Green but that would have made his ranking through WASP more workable.

[Sage]

Honestly haven't really considered the issue, but you've all presented most excellent theories.

My own ideas....

Obviously White is head honcho. The 'title' used is arbitary, can't get any higher that chief of spectrum answerable only to the world president.

I guess the captains are meant to be equal, but to me at least there is a distinct hierachy within Cloudbase ...
Scarlet
(unquestioning offered the best jobs/responsiblity)
Blue
(always second choice)
Hmm then I start dredging the realms of fanon.
Grey
(always seems the most sensible, and being a navy man, favouritism on the part of the Colonel perhaps)
Ochre
(must know his stuff, but is generally ignored)
Magenta
(Gets bum jobs, and irriates the Colonel)

Fawn is probably a law unto himself. As mentioned before rank wise he is persumably equal to Captains. Though in practise more like God.

As for Green, that's tough. He should by rights be equal to Captains (after all the guy practically runs the freaking show). So yes I think it just a differentiation between those in the field and suppourt staff.

Never given the others any thought, might have to 'borrow' the other ideas going round (gotta love the fanon)