 "Tercios" compromised 2,500 soldiers distributed among ten companies, each under the leadership of a captain.Free-colored militias under the tercio system were headed by a "sargento mayor" (major) who became the senior operating officer in militias.Under the "sargento mayor" were the junior officers, which included one captain and alferez (lieutenant) per company, who were also aided by an "ayudante" (adjutant) and "subteniente" (second lieutenant) after they were incorporated into the system after 1767.