I know this has been discussed before, but has anyone actually sat down and come up with a military grade/rank for Cobra?

I'm checking the wiki, but if there isn't one, maybe there might be enough interest to put one together?

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Here's the thing with that. See unlike the Joes, who have clear ranks on their filecards, most of the Cobras don't have anything like that as established canon. So it's up to each fan how they organize their chain of command.

For instance, I have blueshirts as the low men on the totem pole with Vipers (all the specialty corps) being equals to blueshirt officers in rank. Major Bludd and Firefly aren't part of Cobra but when employed are given command of whatever resources they need for that particular mission. Baroness would be Cobra Commander's second in command with the Twins being over the Crimson Guard. The CGs are pretty much equal in rank to each other, reporting directly to the Twins or to a designated CG per mission. The CGs would carry a higher rank than the Vipers and blueshirt officers but don't necessarily command them. Destro is another independent operator with his own structure within the Iron Grenadiers.

Now there are going to be others who post something completely different based on their own Joeverse.

Since there is no established canon for an organizational chart for Cobra I think coming up with one everyone agreed on would be difficult.

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Well, I think I'm gonna try to come up with an organizational chart, just to see what I can do.

I did do something a while back to explain the various Vipers and Alley-Vipers.

Contrary to the actual v1 Viper filecard, I believe what that says is true if one wants to move up in Cobra as a Viper.

There are blueshirts which are the recruits. Once they complete Cobra basic, they either become cannon fodder (Cobra Soldiers) or if they show initiative they become Cobra Officers. If they show an aptitude for a skill, then they go to the Viper School, which takes them up through the various Viper specialties.

Rather than saying Viper mold two replaces the classic Viper v1 mold, I try to explain what the different versions mean.

I'm gonna be working on this for a while, but I might have some questions about how the Night Watch and Shadow Guards fit it, etc.

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I would say the Night Watch and Shadow Guard are the equivalent of say a SWAT unit or MPs. I'd consider them specialized versions of the Cobra Infantry and CGs (respectively) same as an Alley Viper and Snow Serpent are specialized Vipers.

I must say I am interested in how an organizational chart would look.

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Snow Serpents are cold weather trained EELs not Vipers. Sea Slugs, Ice Vipers, Morays, Lampreys, Hydro Vipers, Decimators, and Secto Vipers all went through EEL training.

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actually, there is. This is the one that was printed in the Devil's Due/ Image Sourcebook (it hasnt been updated to reflect the world war III arc deaths)

COBRA CHAIN OF COMMAND


COMMANDER IN CHIEF
Cobra Commander

WEAPONS SUPPLIER
Destro

INTELLIGENCE
Baroness
Vypra
Chameleon

DESTRO’S PERSONAL TROOPS
General Mayhem
Sergeant Major
Scrap Iron
Metal Head
Annihilators
Ferrets
Iron Grenadiers
Iron Anvils
Nullifiers
T.A.R.G.E.T.S.
Wild Boars

DREADNOK COMMANDER
Zartan

DREADNOKS
Zanya
Zandar
Zarana
Torch
Ripper
Buzzer
Thrasher
Monkeywrench
Road Pig
Gwawgahyde
Zanzibar
Burnout
Demolisher
Crusher
Otis
Cletus
Vance
Roscoe
Joe-Bob
Billy Bob

CONVENTIONAL MILITARY OPERATIONS
Major Bludd

UNCONVENTIONAL MILITARY OPERATIONS
Firefly
Coil Crusher
Razor Claw
Neurotoxin
Blackout


ANIMAL HANDLER
Croc Master II

MEDI-RESEARCH-SCIENCE DIVISION
Dr. Mindbender
Crystal Ball
Heavy Water
Interrogator
Scalpel
Medi Vipers

COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY
Tomax
Xamot
Crimson Guard Commander
Crimson Guard Immortals
Crimson Shadow Guard
Crimson Guards
Crimson Vipers
Cobra Imperial Guard

NINJA COMMANDER
Storm Shadow

NINJAS
Black Dragon
Satan
Red Ninjas
Ninja Vipers
Cobra Ninja Troopers
Slice
Slice II
Dice
Slash
Night Creeper Leader
Night Creepers

ANDROID FORCE COMMANDER
Overkill

ANDROID FORCE
B.A.T.
B.A.A.T.
B.A.T. mark II
B.A.T. mark III
B.A.T. mark IV
B.A.T. mark V
Inferno B.A.T.

NAVAL FORCE COMMANDER
Copperhead

NAVAL FORCE
Bio Vipers
Eels
Electric Eels
Hydro Vipers
Ice Vipers
Lampreys
Morays
Sea Slugs
Secto Vipers
Sub Vipers
Undertow

ARMORED FORCE COMMANDER
Overlord

ARMORED FORCE
Rip It
Decimators
Hiss Drivers
Nitro Vipers
Pitt Vipers
Motor Vipers
Stinger Drivers
Track Vipers
W.O.R.M.S.

SPECIAL FORCE COMMANDER
Armadilha

SPECIAL FORCES
Alley Vipers
Range Vipers
Shadow Vipers
Snow Serpents
Snow Wolves
Swamp Rats
Jungle Vipers
Sand Scorpions
Skullbusters

INFRANTRY TRAINER
Big Boa II

INFRANTRY FORCE
Cobra Officers
C.L.A.W.S.
Desert C.L.A.W.S
Cobra Troopers
Cyber Vipers
Cobra Night Watch
Desert Scorpion
Fast Blast Vipers
Flak-Vipers
Frag-Vipers
Heat Vipers
Sand Vipers
Incinerators
Laser Vipers
Mega Vipers
Monstro Vipers
Neo Viper Commanders
Neo Vipers
Night Vipers
S.A.W. Vipers
Sludge Vipers
Techno Vipers
Tele Vipers
Shock Vipers
Toxo Vipers
Toxo-Zombies
Vipers

AIR FORCE COMMANDER
Wild Weasel

AIR FORCE
Aero Vipers
Air Devils
Astro Vipers
A.V.A.C.S.
Blackstars
Gyro Vipers
Night Vultures
Skycreepers
Star Vipers
Vapors
Viper Pilots

DECEASED/ M.I.A.

Voltar
Fred VII (Cobra Commander II)
Serpentor
Pythona
Nemesis Enforcer
Golobulous
Darklon
Hannibal
Venomous Maximus
Croc Master I
Big Boa
Raptor

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Ive been debating this some what with myself. Heres what I decided.

If its a Viper then it is/was one of Serpentors legions. Serpentor was in control of cobra for about 3 years and restructured everything. He invented the Viper consept thus when he died so should have the Viper title. So any and all Vipers are part of Serpentors crew.

Cobra Commander has his Grunts - The troopers and officers. Then his Intel - CGs. Then his enviromental specialists, Eels Snow Serpants and such.

I also believe Mind Bender was a genetists, While Destro was an inventor. Combining both thier knowledge and Scrap Irons mechanical knowledge They came up with BATS. There for BATS can work for Cobra, Destro and/or Serpentor.

I also believe Cobra Commander is a leader for the down trodden that are tired of working for the Man and want to fight back and gain a piece of the pie that they could never see working blue collar jobs.

I see Serpentor as a power monger, wanting nothing less then total control of all things and may even consider himself a god.

Destro is a profiteer, He wants to make money selling his goods to whomever will buy them. But he has a good code of ethics and honor that restrict him in dealing with some. Such as the US goverment.

Baroness Answers to Destro first and CC Second, as she mixes to much pleasure with her business. Her goals seem to be emotionaly driven and could change as fast as her moods.

But anyhow I see every faction being seperate. And the ranks for each faction is pretty simple. If they have a name they are in command of something, if not then they are fodder.

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I found this chart a few years ago and I think it's pretty neat:

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I recently had time on my hands and this is what I came up with...

Iron Grenadiers:
Destro: Commander/Head Designer
Roddy Piper: PT
Wraith: Infiltration and Theft

Infantry:
Commander: Voltar
Lt: Sgt. Major
Sgt: IG Officers (Purple)
Pvt: Iron Grenadiers
Standard: V1
Heavy Weapons: V2
Recon V3
Specialists: Undertow: Combat Divers

Armor:
Commander: Gen. Mayhem
Lt. Alexander
Sgt. Wild Boar
Pvt. Ferrets

Air Command:
Commander: Darklon
Lt: Metal head
- Iron Anvils: Para-troopers
- Nullifiers: Fixed wing Pilots
- Annihilators: Helo Pilots
- TARGATs: Astronauts


ATHENA: Security Systems
Commander: Baroness
Sgt: ATHENA Officer (Firefly V2/3)
Pvts: ATHENA Trooper (HEAT Viper V2)

Night Creepers:
Commander: Aleph (Night Creeper V6)
Lts: Night Creeper Leaders (NCL V1/2)
Sgts: Night Creeper Masters (NC V1/3)
Specialists: Night Creeper Shadows (V2/3)
Pvts: Night Creeper (v 5/7/8/9/10)

The Skull Squad: Bludd's Dirty Dozen, Mercenary Team
Commander: Major Bludd (Private)
Pvts: Skull Squad Troops (12)

Headhunters: Organized Crime
Commander: Headman
Lt. Gristle
Sgts: Headhunter Storm Troopers
Pvts: Headhunters

Black Dragon Syndicate:
Master: Black Dragon (ninja warrior)
Lt: Kano (of Mortal Combat Fame)
Sgts: Black Dragoons (Black Dragon Ninja V2)
Pvts: Black Dragon Troopers: Commandos
Black Dragon Ninjas: (BDN v1)

Dreadnoks: Anarchist Gang
Boss: Zatran: Master of disguise
Lts: Zarana: Master of disguise
Zandar: Assassin
Sgts: Buzzer: Sociologist/ chainsaws
Ripper: Edged Weapons/ Finance
Torch: Flame Weapons
Pvts: Monkey wrench: Explosives
Thrasher: Mechanic
Zanzibar: Pirate
Road Pig: Muscle
Gnawgyhyde: Poacher/ marksman
Vypra: martial arts
Burnout: Motorcycle mechanic
Crusher: Muscle
Demolisher: Muscle
Machete: Edged weapons
Dread heads: 6 Cousins, cannon fodder

Red Ninja Clan:
Master: Shadow Strike
Lts: Red Ninja Leaders
Viper Twins
Sgts: Red Ninja Zealots (RN V1)
Pvts: Red Ninja Monks (RNV V2)
Red Ninjas (RNV V1/ RN V2/3)

COBRA:
CEO and Military Commander: Cobra Commander
CFO: Raptor – Maverick Financier/Falconer
CIO: Crystal Ball – Intelligence Guru/ Hypnotist

Battle Android Trooper Army:
Commander: Overkill: Cyborg
Lts: Hot wire: Bio-mechanics engineer
Underkills: (Overkill v1/4)
Sgts: Marker BATs: (BAT v9/10/11/13/15)
Mainframe BAT (Overkill 6/7)
Pvts: BAT: (BAT V3/5/6/7/8/14)
BAATs: Heavy Weapons
Inferno BATs: Flame Weapons (IBATs V1, BAT V2/4)
Sky BATs: Air Support (BAT V16/,SBAT V1)
Repair BATS: (BAT V1/17/18, H.H.BATs V1)

Crimson Guard:
Commanders: Tomax / Xamot:
Mjrs: Fred Series (Cobra Commander V3/8/10/22/28)
Crimson Guard Commanders
Lts: Crimson Guard Officers
Crimson Shadow Guards
Sgts: Crimson Guard Squad Leaders
Pvts: Crimson Guardsmen: (CG v1/3/4/5/6/7/9/10/11/12/13)
Crimson Guard Immortals: Heavy Weapons (CGI V1/2)

Serpentor's COIL:
Commander: Serpentor
Mjrs: Venomous Maximus
Overlord
Lts: Hydro Viper: Commander of the Electric Eels
Desert Scorpion: Commander or the Sand Scorpions
Razor Claw: Commander of the Razor troops
COILs Crusher: Commander of the Swamp Rats
COILs Commander: Commander of COILs Troops (Cobra COILs)
Pvts: Razor Trooper: Edged Weapons
Sand Scorpions: Desert troops
Swamp Rats: Swamp Troops/ Security
Electric Eels: Combat Divers
COILs Troopers: Assault Troops (Viper v 12/13/14/ CVG V1)
COILs Commandos: (Convention COILs Troopers)

Python Patrol: Elite Infantry
Commander: Col Sharif (PP Mjr Bludd / stalker head)
Lts: Moccasin: Swamp Fighter (PP Copperhead)
Gathillo: Airborne Trooper
Relampago: Marksman
Specialists:
P.P. Crimson Guard: Intelligence
P.P. Officer: Strategy
P.P. Trooper: Infantry
P.P. Viper: Marine
P.P. Tele Viper: RTO
P.P. HEAT Viper: EOD/Bazooka
P.P. SAW Viper: Machine Gunner
P.P. Rock Viper: Recon
P.P. Laser Viper: Technology
P.P. Lamprey: Sailor

South American Unit:
Commander: Cobra De Aco: “Steel Cobra”: Cyborg
Lts: Mortal: Assassin
Ninja Ku: Stealthy Ninja
Satan: Archer Ninja
Black Buzzer: Terrorist
Flying Scorpions: Airborne trooper
Asa Negra: Urban Gangster
Corrosive: Toxic waste disposal
Sgt: Calaveras “Skull”: Dreadnok
Pvts: Cobra Invisors: Saboteurs

Plague: Special Response Team:
Lts: Guillotine: EEL/ Field Leader
Blackout: Intelligence/ Marksman
Interrogator: Intelligence/ torture
Pvts: Grim skull: Sand Viper/ Medic
Gallows: SAW Viper/ Heavy weapons
Munitia: Hiss Driver/ Bounty Hunter
Incision: Night Creeper/ Infiltration
Ghost bear: Demolitions/ Hand to hand combat


Blueshirt Program: Cobra Recruits: Sign up for your specialty, rise in the ranks from there
Infantry:
Lt: Scar Face
Sgts: Cobra Officers ( v1/1.5/3/4/5/6/7/8/9, CSL V1/2, )
Pvts: Cobra troopers ( V 1/1.5/2/3/5/6/7/8/9/10/14/17)

Intelligence: *
Sgts:Cobra Night Watch Officer (CNWSL V1/2)
Pvts: Cobra Night Watch Trooper (V 1/2/3/4)

Vehicle Operators:
Lt. Rip It
Sgts: Hiss Drivers (HD V1/2, HC V1)
Pvts: Stinger Driver (SD V1, VD V1, Cobra Driver V1)

Air Wing: *
Sgts: Viper Pilots: (Small Craft pilots) (VP v1, CP V1)
Pvts: Air Trooper: (Jet Packs) (CAT V1)

Seaborne Operations: *
Pvts: Cobra Divers ( V1 coming soon!)

Specialists: Punishment
Pvts: Gas Mask Trooper: CBR weapons

VIPER CORPS:
Cobra Air Forces:
Astronauts:
Commander: Black Star
Lts: Star Vipers: Space Pilots
Sgts: Shadow Vipers: Space Tech
Pvts: Astro Vipers (V1/2)
Airborne Troops:
Lt: Sky Creeper
Sgts: Night Vultures: Glider Recon
Pvts: Para -Vipers: HALO Jumpers
Air Devils: Glider Troopers (AD V1, Sand Viper V5)
Helicopter Pilots:*
Sgts: Heli -Vipers: Pilots
Pvts: Gyro Vipers: Co - Pilots

Fixed wing Pilots:
Commander: Wild Weasel
Lt: Vapor: Cyborg pilot
Sgts: AVACs (V1/2) Fighter Pilots
Strato- Vipers: Spy Plane Pilots
Aero – Vipers: Bomber Pilots
Pvts: Air Vipers (CLAWS v4, AV V1): Small Craft (Fang, Trouble bubbles, etc)

Cobra Naval Forces:
Naval Assault:
Commander: Copperhead
Sgts: Morays (V1/2/3/)
Sea Slugs (Tech experts) (V1)
Pvts: Eel (V1/4)
Jaws (Heavy Weapons): (Eel V2/3)

Naval Transportation:
Commander: Decimator
Sgts: Secto -Vipers: Deep Sea Divers (V1)
Sub Vipers: Submarine Pilots (V1)
Pvts: Lamprey: Cobra Sailors ( V1/2/3)

Cobra Armor Cadre: *
Commander:
Lts: WORMS: Tank Commanders
Sgts: Nitro Vipers: Fast Attack Vehicle Drivers
Pvts: Moto – Vipers: Light Armor Vehicle Specialists
Track Vipers: Heavy Armor Vehicle Specialists
Flak Vipers: Gunners

Toxo Viper Brigade:
Commander: Cesspool
Lts: Heavy Waters: Tight suit troopers
Sgts: Sludge Vipers: Toxic Waste processors
Mega Vipers: Mutated Animal Handlers
Pvts: Toxo Vipers (v1/2)
ToxoZombies
Monstro -Vipers

Weapons Development:
Commander: Scrap Iron
Lt: CLAWS Commander
Pvts: CLAWS (All versions, Desert)

Communications:
Commander: Live Wire (CC)
Lts: Cyber Vipers
Sgts: Techno Vipers (V1/2)
Pvts: Tele Vipers (V1/2/4)

Medical Research:
Commander: Dr. Mind-bender
Lt: Scalpel
Sgts: Bio-Vipers: Genetic Research and Development
Pvts: Medi-Vipers: Combat First Aid

Security:
Commander: Croc Master
Lt: Neo Viper Commander
Sgts: Pit Vipers (V1/2)
Pvts: Neo Vipers (V1/2/3)

Combat Infantry: Viper Squads:
Commander: Big Boa
Lts: Viper Elites (BC Viper)
Sgts: Viper Commanders (Including Cobra Officer 97')
Pvts: Viper (All Mold 1 Versions including troops 97')

Combat Support Specialists: *
Commander:
Lts: Novas (Laser Viper V1): Laser Artillery
Carnages: (SAW Viper V1): Heavy Machine Gunners
Fast Blast Vipers (V1/2): EOD
Sgts: Incinerators: Flame Throwers
Laser Vipers: F.O. (V 2)
SAW Vipers: (Mold 2)
HEAT Vipers: Bazooka Troopers (V1)
Frag-Vipers: Grenadiers


aCobra Arctic Forces:
Commander: Deep Freeze - (CC)
Lts: Snow Serpent Commanders
Sgts: Ice Vipers: Cold Weather Drivers (V 1/ 2)
Snow Wolves: Recon: (SW v1, SS V5/6/7
Snow Serpent Officer (V1)
Pvts: Snow Serpents: Arctic Infantry ( V1/7/8/9, SW v2)
Polar Bears: Heavy Weapons (SS V2/3/4) (CC)

Cobra Desert Forces:
Commander: Neurotoxin
Sgts: Sand Viper Drivers (Sand Viper V3) (CC)
Sand Viper Commander (Sand viper V1)
Pvts: Sand Vipers (V2/4)

Cobra LRRP: Must train as a Pvt before you can be promoted to Sgt
Commander: Skull Buster
Sgts: Range Vipers: low tech
Night Vipers: high tech
Pvts: Jungle Vipers: Jungle Survival
Swamp Vipers: Swamp Survival
Rock Vipers: Climbers

Cobra Urban Operations:
Commander: Graffiti – (CC)
Lts: Street Sweepers (VvV Alley Vipers)
Sgts: Sewer Vipers (Alley Viper V 1/2)
Pvts: Alley Vipers (ARAHC Alley Vipers 97-06)

Cobra Covert Ops:
Commander: Fire Fly
Lts: Slice
Dice
Slash
Hack (CC)
Pvts: Ninja Vipers: (V1/2)
Intruders (ARAHC Firefly: Arctic, Red, Jungle, Urban, Crimson, BD , Cobra island)(CC)

Cobra Intelligence:
Commander: Chameleon
Lt: Clay Moore (Shock Viper Commander)
Sgts: Imperial Procession Troops
Pvts: Shock Vipers (V1)

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If someone can find it please scan the booklet that came with the Cobra Commander HOF doll in the early 90's it has a list of Cobra ranks.

That should still be on YoJoe.com.

That's the one. I lost mine a month after getting it. Haven't seen that in years.

It gives all the ranks for Cobra as of 1992.

I always thought might makes right in Cobra. If Destro wants to make a power play, he'll make a power play. Maybe the Twins flex their muscles one day. Baroness another time. If you watch The Germ, even a Crimson Guard can outrank a named Cobra, as a CG was overseeing Destro's experiment.

Why the hell would Firefly be running around with upside-down Flak Viper "kill" markings?