Family structure
The mafia family was broken up into five main ranks with a consigliere for the boss. Each rank had specific jobs and responsibilities in order to keep the family in business. Every rank had different jobs that varied vastly from the other ranks. These jobs ranged from protecting the boss, to collecting outstanding payments from people, to making decisions that effected how the family conducted its business.
The Boss
The boss was the highest rank in the American Mafia. Their responsibilities included:
The boss, also known as the Don was a very important part of the American Mafia and was well respected and feared. They were similar to the CEO of a company and there was only one Boss per family.
- Overseeing the happenings within a certain family
- Collecting most of the money made by their family
- Making the decisions regarding the family
The boss, also known as the Don was a very important part of the American Mafia and was well respected and feared. They were similar to the CEO of a company and there was only one Boss per family.
The Underboss
The Underboss was the second in command and their job included:
- handling disputes without the involvement of the boss
- being trained to take over the position of the boss
The Underboss usually became the new boss after the current one died. There was only one Underboss per family.
Capos
The capos were ranked below the Under boss and their responsibilities included:
- being in charge of their own department of the Mafia
- making money for the boss
- being in charge of the soldiers that were to report to them
Soldiers
Similar to the Capos the number per family also depended on the size and power of the family. Also the number of soldiers that reported to each Capo depended on how powerful the capo was and how big the area was that the Capo was in charge of. Some of the responsibilities of each soldier was:
The soldiers of the family did not make a lot of money, and didn't have a lot of power within the family. The soldiers were the lowest rank of actual members of the mafia, and were important to keeping the family safe and in power.
- to do all of the dirty work for the family
- collect outstanding payments
- track down people who have wronged the mafia
- do whatever it takes to protect the higher-ranking members
The soldiers of the family did not make a lot of money, and didn't have a lot of power within the family. The soldiers were the lowest rank of actual members of the mafia, and were important to keeping the family safe and in power.
Associates
The associates of the Mafia were not technically members or part of the family, and were the lowest rank with respect to the Mafia. These people were kept around because they were useful in some way. Associates could be called upon whenever and where ever to complete any task that the Mafia asked them to do. Mainly they were enlisted to carry out the Mafia's illegal activities. Associates could be anyone, and were anyone ranging from a powerful politician to a common business owner, or even a poor immigrant who worked in a factory.
the consigilere
The Consigliere was considered the Bosses right hand man. Although the Consigliere was not a official rank of the mafia family they still had a lot of power and their job included:
Not all families had a Consigliere but was very important to the Boss and the family. There was usually only one Consigliere per family and they are not to be mistaken for second in command, they are only an adviser.
- advising the Boss on what was right for the family
- telling the Boss something they didn't want to hear
- not being afraid of telling the Boss the truth
Not all families had a Consigliere but was very important to the Boss and the family. There was usually only one Consigliere per family and they are not to be mistaken for second in command, they are only an adviser.