Pauldrons were colored pieces of padded material worn by some clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic, and later by stormtroopers of the Imperial Armed Forces. The pauldron designated either a rank or an area of expertise. Occasionally, during times of internal struggle within the Galactic Empire, the colors and markings on pauldrons were used to signify allegiance to specific leaders or factions. For clones, while they were indeed used to show rank, pauldrons could also be customizations to their armor. Over the period of the Clone Wars, the pauldron design changed frequently. Some clone trooper commanders wore two, such as Fives. Some protruded more than others; shape and size also varied.