

Equipped with the best military technology the Brotherhood has to offer, they are some of the most fearsome foes in the wasteland. Paladins - The primary combat force of the Brotherhood, in charge of all security and outside activities. Eastern chapters have offloaded engineering duties to Scribes, focusing Knights on logistics and combat operations, reflecting their proactive focus. Those that focus on combat training, may be eligible to become Paladins, the protectors of the Brotherhood.

Knights also perform patrols, scouting assignments, and support the Paladins in offensive operations.

They maintain the Brotherhood's stockpile of technology, repair and providing technical services where they are needed, as well as producing new weapons to replenish stocks and provide trading goods. Knights - Craftsmen and foot soldiers of the Brotherhood. In eastern chapters, Scribes have taken over the duties of Knights, becoming responsible for research and engineering activities of the Brotherhood. Scribes - Scientists, responsible for researching and reverse engineering recovered technologies, maintaining the Brotherhood's scientific knowledge, and even experimenting with new ones (though the Brotherhood's focus on preservation means this is rather rare).There are three Scribe orders within the Brotherhood, focusing on different types of technology: the Order of the Sword (offensive), the Shield (defensive), and the Quill (civilian). Initiates - The youngest and/or least experienced members of the Brotherhood, whose sole purpose is training and learning to become a valued member of either the Knights or the Scribes. The hierarchy of the West Coast division is:

As of 2287, Arthur Maxson is the Supreme Elder of the Brotherhood of Steel, as appointed by the elders in the West Coast division.
