While my toys are still just my toys, the years of cartoons and comics have had some influence on my imagination in regards to Cobra.
This is some of my Cobra hierarchy and some folks I consider more private contractors for Cobra/ Crimson Guard.
Cobra Commander is Cobra, he's got money and resources, and my Commander is more than willing to get into the fray. CC has almost gotten a sort of king treatment, the Cobra Imperial Procession set is a good example of this. It came with a throne. Serpentor likes thrones, my Commander prefers money and power.
Big Boa is a super mercenary commando in my world. He helps trains and advises. Lt. Claymore is a tough trooper that often leads ground troops.
Copperhead is a contractor, he's made his gains over the years, coming out with his own Moray. He still smuggles and runs things for Cobra. Wild Weasel is much the same way, except he takes his game to the air, owning one of the last remaining known Hurricane prototype VTOL craft in existence.
Destro, Dr. Mindbender, and others simply cannot be trusted by Cobra Commander. They were more than willing to turn on the Cobra organization and have shown this over the years. So, where many may consider certain characters "core" to Cobra, I do not.
Scrap-iron has "moved-up." He is the weapons designer for Cobras own arms manufacturing section. Still focusing on armor-defeating munitions, Scrap-iron test, evaluates, and improves on most everything in the Cobra arsenal, rivaling Destro himself!
Croc Master is a relative unknown. He's proven his loyalty to the Commander over the years, mostly by skulking around the grounds and keeping his nose and ears to the ground. Not a leader of security in so much as he knows who's in his territory, who's friendly, and who's foe.
Also in the mix, but not limited to, are Interrogator, Decimator, Night Vulture, Slice, and Dice, and Dr. Lewis.