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So, as the title says, working on the background of my army...Now I don't go full Narrative by any means, but I do try to have some internal logic to the army and make it fit the setting

So when Roboute Guilliman (Big Bob) returned, he head the tails of the Shadow Wolves and how they gave their lives. Deciding to honor them he created a resurrect their chapter. As such the chapter is composed of entirely Space Marines. Simple enough, works well, etc...

The chapter is extremely tactical and brings its retainers to war with them (Imperial Guardsman basically). Using them primarily as screens, long range support, etc...

NOW THE BIG PROBLEM I HAVE: I am leaning towards one of the retainers being the Warlord, I picture him as a tactician who's job on the field is to communicate the "big Picture" to the troops, not so much "leading" the army as coordinating it...would this make sense in the fluff?

Where would this stuff break cannon? Opposed to "slide between the cracks"

I don't know too much about the Shadow Wolves and their interactions with humans. But I don't see too much of an issue. The relationship between Space Marines and their Human allies varies between chapters with some respecting them, others thinking them irrelevant and others still simply use them as bait. But from what you've said I expect they are closer to the mutual respect kind or at least using them as tools. Basically Space Marines are under no real obligation to follow orders given to them by outsiders. But they do follow advice. If the way you're viewing it is the Warlord is a high ranking strategist feeding information and helping organise, then absolutely that makes sense. I mean a good example would be Creeds practical leadership over the defence of Cadia put him in charge of Space Marines, which they accepted for pragmatic reasons. I mean why would a Space Marine Captain on the front line not listen to an Imperial Guard officer in the back line with broader up to date tactical information for advice on the overall war effort? Especially if they are pragmatic and tactically minded. Listen to the guy who has the info and use that to make decisions.

Got a bit rambly so short answer: Yes I think It can make sense for certain Chapters to give temporary command to an attached Officer to hold down the fort while they take the fight to the enemy.

 Lion of Caliban wrote:
I don't know too much about the Shadow Wolves and their interactions with humans. But I don't see too much of an issue. The relationship between Space Marines and their Human allies varies between chapters with some respecting them, others thinking them irrelevant and others still simply use them as bait. But from what you've said I expect they are closer to the mutual respect kind or at least using them as tools. Basically Space Marines are under no real obligation to follow orders given to them by outsiders. But they do follow advice. If the way you're viewing it is the Warlord is a high ranking strategist feeding information and helping organise, then absolutely that makes sense. I mean a good example would be Creeds practical leadership over the defence of Cadia put him in charge of Space Marines, which they accepted for pragmatic reasons. I mean why would a Space Marine Captain on the front line not listen to an Imperial Guard officer in the back line with broader up to date tactical information for advice on the overall war effort? Especially if they are pragmatic and tactically minded. Listen to the guy who has the info and use that to make decisions.

Got a bit rambly so short answer: Yes I think It can make sense for certain Chapters to give temporary command to an attached Officer to hold down the fort while they take the fight to the enemy.

Thank you for this. I have been working on it a little bit more on my webpage http://jawedel01.wixsite.com/kountry-gaming/w40k-shadow-wolves If you want to see how I am coming (some photos of WIP as well)