echelon

noun

• 1a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society:the upper echelons of the business world

• 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: the regiment lined up shoulder to shoulder in three tight echelons [mass noun]:there are two planes, lying in echelon with one another
• [often with modifier] a part of a military force differentiated by position in battle or by function:the rear echelon

verb

• arrange in an echelon formation: the Task Force would take the left, echeloned to be able to sweep in from the west (as noun echeloning)the echeloning of fire teams