hello archon

Upon reaching Level 50, Coalition Members will automatically begin receiving Coalition Standards for every 5th additional Level attained. The rate at which Standards are earned will increase over time, as follows:

Level 50 – 1 Coalition Standard

Level 55 – 2 Coalition Standards

Level 60 – 3 Coalition Standards

Level 65 – 4 Coalition Standards 

Level 70 – 5 Coalition Standards

coalition standards are things you gain in the game and it starts when you reached lvl 50. 

When you would look to your coalition and press 'expansion' than you shall find a green bar. That bar has to be filled up with the 'coalition standards'. When you reached the end of that bar, then your coalition can recruit one more member extra. 

To expand the coalition you need 

a) resources

b) coalition standards. 

both can work indenpented from each other. With resources you expand your coalition with 10 extra places.