1.   Cynthia Reger lost her job when her banking consulting firm trimmed its ranks this week.

2.   He retired at reduced rank this week because he had an affair with a civilian five years ago.

3.   His humility was not uncommon in executive ranks this week.

4.   While Clinton remains popular with many Irish-Americans, there have been two high-profile breakings in rank this week, for two very different reasons.

5.   However, no less than four ministers broke rank this week, saying they were against Britain joining a single European currency under any circumstances.