Random question about Fullmetal Alchemist

[Twitch]

I've been thinking about this for a while, and I haven't really come up with a good answer for it.
In Fullmetal Alchemist, how do the State Alchemists and the military work concerning ranks? It seems that State Alchemists outrank military people, but then doesn't the Fuhrer, who is not a State Alchemist, outrank everyone? So how does that work?

[Kevinroc]

State Alchemists are higher than most but not exactly at the top in terms of military rank.

I believe Ed's rank is the equivalent of "major", which would still put him well below Colonel Roy Mustang (another alchemist) and even Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes (not an alchemist).

State alchemists get a leg up over most recruits but from there they still have to earn their way to the top.