For any organization to operate at peak potential, a system of rank within the organization must be adhered to. Ranks are used to identify a chain of command which allows organizational members to effectively and efficiently receive and disseminate information and complete certain projects. A clear chain of command allows organizational members to know exactly who they answer to and allows leaders to know exactly who they are responsible for. Every military service of the world uses a chain of command. So do police departments and even Fortune 500 companies. The American Mafia is no different.
What started in Italy as an organization protecting the estates of absent landlords has transformed and migrated to the U.S.A. as a criminal organization whose sole purpose is to make money for Mafia members. Unlike most chain of commands in use today, if a member low in the chain displeases a member high in the chain, the consequence for those actions can be gruesome and permanent. The Mafia rank structure ensures that money flows up to the boss of the family. Every link in the chain must make payments up the chain. The size of the payments usually depends on the amount of earnings made by the lower links during a given period. The system is very efficient and can allow for most members of the chain to make huge profits.
As with any other organization, members seeking acceptance must first start at the bottom, so that is where this explanation of Mafia ranks will begin:
At the very bottom of the Mafia chain of command are the associates. These individuals can range from street thugs to corrupt politicians. They are not considered full members of the Mafia family but aid the family in various ways. Street thugs may be used to send a violent message to a Mafia rival without a trail leading back to the family and corrupt politicians and cops may be used or bribed to look the other way when the Mafia family does do something less than moral.
Above the associates are the soldiers. These men make up the members of a “crew”. Soldiers are often referred to as “street soldiers” and “enforcers”. They enforce the will of their bosses, run scams, and are sent to collect on defaulted payments of money owed to the family. Generally, a crew of approximately ten soldiers will be overseen by one captain. The number of captains which fall under one family will vary depending on the size of the family. It is the captain’s job to make sure that his soldiers are earning and kicking up the right amount of money to the top. It is also the captain’s job to discipline any of his soldiers should they mess up. These are the mid level supervisors of the crime families.
The captains answer to the under boss, or second in command. This person assists the boss with the business of running the family. The under boss will also step into the position of boss should the boss be unable to perform his duties until a permanent boss can be appointed or elected. The method of selecting a new boss will depend on the family. Some families may allow the under boss to become the new boss permanently, others may require a vote from full members of the family.
The boss is at the very top of the chain of command within the family. Any money that is brought into the organization is funneled to the boss. Unlike most other for profit organizations where money flows down to employees, the Mafia sends all of its profits up to the boss. While it is true that the boss wields the most power within the organization, it behooves a boss to be diplomatic and able to please his subordinates so to avoid the risk of coup by assassination.
One other rank within the family is that of consigliere, or adviser. This person holds no real decision making power within the family but his advice will usually be sought after for big decisions that come up. The consigliere works with the boss for the success of the family. This person is usually a non-partisan member who enjoys the benefits of full membership without any of the real responsibility or risks of leadership.
The above outlined chain of command is only meant to be a general overview. Various Mafia families or new Mafia leadership may create or remove certain positions based on specific requirements at specific times.
