Lord Knight Supreme Paladin The Lord Knight Supreme Paladin the highest Flag Officer, equivalent in the Marine Corp to a 4-star General. In the role of Supreme Commander the first among this rank is the Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff is in command of the overall operations of the LSM and directly assists the Lord Knight of the Cross. The Chief of Staff is appointed by the Lord Knight of the Cross with the ratification of the Council of Lords. The Chief of Staff shall include a gold frame device on his rank ribbon (lower ranking Flag Officers who are appointed as Chief of Staff when there are no Supreme Paladins shall also have the gold frame device attached to his rank ribbon). In the role Supreme Paladin the Chief of Staff is the commander of the Order of Chivalry, and chief defender of the Faith. He assists the Lord Knight Visitor with his duties to interpret, enforce, and adjudicate breaches of the Code within their respective commands. His prime responsibilities as Paladin are to command and lead the Knights to defend and protect the innocent, uphold Church law and teaching, defend faith, truth, goodness, and justice against evil and the devil. Other Supreme Paladins are appointed by the Council of Lords, as needed, to assist the Lord Knight of the Cross and the Chief of Staff in their duties over the whole of LSM. The number of Supreme Paladins who may be appointed is thus limited to the need. This rank is reserved to men, preferably consecrated brothers.