Chain That Binds



The Chain That Binds is a Brotherhood of Steel policy dictating a strict hierarchy and succession of leaders through which command is exercised and executed.

Background
This line of authority along which orders are passed requires all members of the Brotherhood to obey a superior's orders and maintain a chain of command when issuing them. The order is described as being held together by links, each one supporting the next link. In short, the faction personnel give orders only to those directly below them in the chain of command and receive orders only from those directly above them.

Subverting the Chain That Binds can result in the offender being demoted or stripped of their title, such as in the case of former Elder Kenneth Jones, as well as the avenue that Edgar Hardin can take in removing Elder Nolan McNamara, although not always implemented in practice. For example, High Elder John Maxson freely issued orders to the Initiate known as the Vault Dweller, without repercussions.

The policy itself has existed since before 2103, and was one of the first things drilled by the Brotherhood First Expeditionary Force into hopefuls and initiates recruited to bolster its ranks in Appalachia. It was also the reason behind Knight Daniel Shin's conflict with Paladin Leila Rahmani, as he believed she violated the Chain by moving away from the common doctrine of the Brotherhood of Steel.

Appearances
The Chain That Binds is mentioned in Fallout: New Vegas and in Fallout 76, introduced in the One Wasteland For All update and further elaborated upon in Steel Dawn.

Behind the scenes
The Chain That Binds is the Brotherhood interpretation of the standard chain of command.