Angel Garrison

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The Archangel Raphael

The leaders of The Host of Heaven are the archangels, including Michael and Raphael. Castiel described them as being Heaven's most fearsome weapon. Angels are organized into smaller hierarchical units called angel garrisons, and receive commands from these higher authorities. As the name suggests, they appear to operate like a military organization. Angels are described as warriors of God. Other lower ranking angels exist, such as Cherubs, who are weaker than angels and archangels. A 'cupid' encountered by Sam and Dean is described as a "cherub, 3rd class". Whether these other angels are organized into garrisons is unknown.

Only one garrison - that to which Castiel belongs in Season 4 - has been described in any detail. While Michael commands the entire Host, individual garrisons have their own leadership structure responsible for giving orders and enforcing authority. Castiel is originally the supervisor of a 'specialist' in the garrison named Uriel. However, Castiel is demoted by their commanders after beginning to empathize with humans. Their superiors temporarily promote Uriel over Castiel. Seven angels from Castiel's garrison are eventually killed by Uriel.^{4.16 On The Head Of A Pin}

Balthazar is an angel who fought alongside Castiel during the last angelic war. This highly suggests that, he was part of Castiel's garrison.

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The Angel Castiel

One of their superiors is identified as Zachariah. It is also discovered that Anna was previously a leader within the garrison, and of Castiel and Uriel, while they were stationed together on Earth. Anna chose to leave her post and become human over her frustration with with the dictates of the Host and her desire for free will. Castiel also clashes with the garrison's leadership, and with the leadership of Heaven, when he tries to warn Dean about the Apocalypse. Higher-ranking angels forcibly remove him from his vessel, and subject him to a re-education period in Heaven. Castiel returns to his position for a time, but decides to abandon it in a last attempt to help Dean prevent the Apocalypse. When angels choose to sever their connection with Heaven, they lose some of their abilities. Zachariah also has difficulties with Heaven's leadership. His continual failure to force Dean's consent to serve as Michael's vessel leads to his dismissal. He expects to be destroyed by his superiors, but is given a final opportunity to secure Dean. He fails, and Dean kills him.

Another angel who may have been a member of this garrison is Balthazar, who is described as having fought alongside Castiel during the last angelic war. He was believed to have died, but in fact faked his death and took a number of powerful artifacts from Heaven before going to live on Earth. For information on other rebel angels, see Fallen Angels.

Whether or not garrison based organization remains in place following the derailment of the Apocalypse is unknown. Castiel reveals that Heaven split into factions following the loss of Michael, and there has been significant disorder. Some angels are now serving as soldiers of Raphael, others are trying to defend Heaven from them, and still others have left the fight altogether.

Major Episodes:

4.10 Heaven And Hell - Anna Milton is revealed to be a fallen angel, and formerly a leader within the garrison.

4.16 On The Head Of A Pin - Castiel's empathy towards Dean was questioned by his superiors. His superiors temporarily give the angel Uriel command over Castiel.

4.17 It's A Terrible Life - Zachariah reveals himself as Castiel's superior, and suggests that he also responsible for what happens with Dean.

4.20 The Rapture - Castiel engaged in an angel on angel battle with some of his superiors. After this angelic battle, Cass was taken up to Heaven for teachings on obedience, leaving his vessel, Jimmy Novak, unconscious where he was found by Sam and Dean. When he returns, he appears obedient to Heaven's orders. Apparently Cass wanted to warn the Winchesters about Zachariah's plan to allow the Apocalypse to continue, which ultimately resulted in the freeing of Lucifer.

4.21 When The Levee Breaks - Castiel aids in Anna's capture.

5.02 Good God Y'All - Following his rebellion, Castiel is cut off from Heaven and has lost much of his power; he is unable to heal Bobby.

5.13 The Song Remains The Same - Anna manages to escape from Heaven, and goes back in time to prevent Sam's birth, where she gives orders to a younger Uriel on the pretense of being his superior in the future as well as the past. She is eventually destroyed by Michael.

5.18 Point Of No Return - Zachariah is removed from his position, but reinstated on condition that he at last make Dean consent. Dean kills him.

5.22 Swan Song - After Michael to trapped, Castiel returns to Heaven, speculating that chaos will reign in the absence of Heaven's leader.

6.03 The Third Man - Balthazar has left Heaven and his position to explore life on Earth. The angels are at war.