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The map says an O-1 outranks an E-7; the territory says a wise O-1 takes cues from their E-7.

Or:

MAXIM 2: A sergeant in motion outranks a lieutenant who doesn't know what's going on.

MAXIM 3: An ordnance technician at a dead run outranks everybody.

Yes, the chain of command is an abstraction. Actual authority is something else.