[b]@Ivory[/b] - Firearms are past the arquebus and matchlock phases, however, due to stringent laws, they are only issued for existing aristocratic retainers, exclusive mounted noble troops, commissioned assassins, Royal Zhayedans or the crack soldiers of the Nezām Corps. Naturally the Sororitas Melitas would certainly prove exempt to this and allowed to carry firearms.

I've suddenly realized that a Lieutenant rank would bridge the massive hole that exists between the Company and Squadron level so I've decided that adding the Valkyrie Apostle rank is the most logical inclusion. Note that a aristocratic title is required for any rank above Valkyrie Apostle so only a woman of noble birth could become a Dame Knight or Grand Baliff. Given that the Order's headquarters resides within Voltas, the promotions of newer Dame Knights and Baliffs is generally complicated due the lack of Valanian female aristocrats. As such, only noble born Sarifen ladies or women of foreign noble birth are afforded election into the higher ranks. You can imagine the resentment within the lower ranks, held in check only by Grand Master Domenica and Knightess Captain Rosellia's presence ... :rolleyes 

Regarding the added information, I actually did the exact opposite in that I copied and pasted the above information to my first post!