Supreme Commander

The rank Supreme Commander is one of the highest ranks used by the Covenant Navy. The rank is only known to be issued to the Sangheili. They command large fleets and armadas. Despite the high status of the title, a Supreme Commander is likely lower in rank than an Imperial Admiral.

For most of the Covenant's history, this rank was held by the Sangheili race until the Great Schism, when the Jiralhanae assumed most of the Covenant's higher ranks.

Description
Supreme Commanders command large Covenant fleets, such as the Fleet of Particular Justice, which was formerly led by Thel 'Vadamee before he was stripped of his rank due to his failure at Installation 04. Lesser fleets may be commanded by Fleet Masters, who are of a lower rank than the Supreme Commander.

During the Great Schism, it is possible that the Jiralhanae took these positions from the Sangheili, as the majority of the Sangheili's other posts were taken over. However, no Jiralhanae Supreme Commanders have been mentioned. Some Sangheili Supreme Commanders may have escaped to fight the Jiralhanae, although it is also possible that they were executed, similarly to the Councilors.

Appearance
When commanding a fleet, Supreme Commanders wear purple armor with a purple cloak that wraps around and over the shoulder pauldrons. The armor also features an ornate helmet. It is likely that this non-standard armor serves a ceremonial purpose. The Supreme Commander's unusual helmet looks somewhat similar to that of the Sangheili Combat Harness. However, when Thel 'Vadamee appears before the Covenant High Council, he sports golden Zealot armor. This may signify that the cloak is only used when commanding fleets, or that he chose not to wear his cloak before the Council as a sign of modesty.

Trivia

 * The rank of Supreme Commander is likely only held by Zealots, as the term "Zealot" appears to be a blanket rank covering various positions, and Thel wore a Zealot armor suit when he was in the Council Chamber.