echelon

noun

• 1a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society:the upper echelons of the business world
• [often with modifier] a part of a military force differentiated by position in battle or by function:the rear echelon

• 2 Military a formation of troops, ships, aircraft, or vehicles in parallel rows with the end of each row projecting further than the one in front.

verb

• arrange in an echelon formation: (as noun echeloning)the echeloning of fire teams