Colonial Militry Forces Introduction
Large scale warfare in the colonies is relatively rare. Whilst Earth nations have gone to war in space, these have been minor territorial skirmishes, largely over disputed planets with rich resources, and have been settled relatively quickly with mediation from the UN and the ICC.
Low intensity warfare, colonial secessionism, terrorism and proxy attacks by Corporate forces against rival companies are much more common, and all have to be dealt with by Colonial ground forces raised from Earth. Combatants in inter-corporate conflicts try to keep these disputes discrete to avoid attracting the attention of the ICC and National Governments, but where this fails, government Army and Marine forces often have to intervene.
Xenofauna Control
Humanity has yet to have contacted any intelligent Alien races (despite rumours circulating to the contrary), but many planets contain less developed alien fauna. Some of these lower forms of animal life are inherently hostile and pose a threat to both personnel and property. As a result, pest control operations to remove indigenous predators and vermin are common missions for both National and Corporate Security forces. Such ‘Bug Hunts’ are messy, time consuming and frustrating, but seldom pose much danger to well-equipped troops.
Force Composition
The ability to move forces quickly and easily to hot spots is vital, and so most Colonial units rely primarily on infantry components, with light air portable vehicles to support them. These are largely wheeled or tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicles that combine transport and firepower in an efficient and easy to transport package. Artillery and air support roles are usually combined in the ‘Dropships’ or Combat Shuttles all units require to ferry them to and from the planet surface.
Earth National Governments
The impetus for space exploration and expansion has largely been driven by commercial organisations and Multinational Corporations in their rush to exploit the natural resources of the galaxy. National Governments have, to an extent, been forced to play catch up, if only to try to keep an eye on what Corporations are doing out in the furthest reaches of the galaxy.
Many governments are expending more money than they can afford on this new space race, and that includes maintaining military forces for use in the off-world colonies. Service in colonial forces is seldom glamorous or well paid. Funding, particularly for infantry is tight, and equipment is often ageing or inferior to that used by Corporate security forces. Some countries like the US have resorted to conscription to fill its ranks, while others like the Soviet Union and Germany still maintain a program of National Service. Only a few nations such as the UK employ purely professional armies of volunteers, and these are smaller as a result.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Naval Infantry (also known as 'The Black Death’) or Soviet Marines, (or ‘Naval Infantry’ as they are more correctly known), form the spearhead of the Soviet Navy, and have been at the forefront of revolutionary warfare since 1917.
Soviet doctrine differs from the US and other forces in that they favour quantity over quality. The size of the Soviet Union means that the Red Navy and Naval Infantry can deploy large numbers of personnel at will. Naval Infantry units also employ more heavy armour and artillery in combat operations, leading to the design of the huge ‘Zubr’ Class drop ships, capable of carrying multiple tanks and hundreds of troops.
This larger and more unwieldy force structure means Soviet forces are slower to deploy than the more agile and lightly equipped US Colonial Marines, but when they do arrive they are more than equipped to deliver an overwhelming hammer blow.
In a throwback to World War 2, the Naval Infantry has returned to the all-black combat uniform that led to them being named ‘The Black Death’ by the Germans. However, it is likely that the decision to use black has more to do with concealing the dirt and oil stains accumulated on the notoriously badly constructed and grimy Soviet Naval vessels…
United Kingdom
The Colonial Royal Marines, ‘By Land, By Space’, a small nation seen by much of the rest of the world as ‘punching above its weight’, the UK has been ambitious, and some might say reckless, in pushing further out in to the galaxy in search of resources to support its flagging economy.
Although the Royal Navy is small in comparison to its American and Soviet counterparts, its aggressive and adventurous traditions have pushed it to explore further even than many Corporate exploitation vessels. This has led to the establishment of some far-flung colonies which are out of contact with Earth for years at a time.
The Royal Marines remain the planetary fighting arm of the senior service and are specialists in hostile environment combat. The UK maintains only three RM units; 40, 42 and 45 Commando. Troops from these Commandos are regularly seconded to form smaller ‘Naval Parties’ on Royal Navy star ships, or to serve as garrisons on far flung colonial outposts.
The modest size of the Royal Navy often makes it difficult to deploy Royal Marines on short notice, and so the British government often makes use of an ancient legal measure called ‘STUFT’ (Ships Taken Up From Trade). Using this law, the government can draft in civilian starships registered in the UK and co-opt them to move the Royal Marines to their destination. This has led to the Royal Marines being known as the ‘uber commandos’ (although never within earshot…)
Federal European Republic
The European Republic utilises the multinational CFB (Colonial Forces Brigade) to police and protect worlds and colonies in the European sphere. Each nation’s military operates independently to secure their own territory but can call on other nations in the Republic to assist in larger operations if within their treaty obligations. The two largest forces operating in space are from France and Germany:
France: Légion Coloniale 'Marche ou crève’
Established in 1831 to police its earth-bound colonies, the Légion étrangère (Foreign Legion) was the obvious choice to protect French possessions in outer space. Renamed the Légion Coloniale, it now serves as the prime projection of power in the French sector.
The Légion is a well-balanced rapid deployment force, focused around mechanised infantry in their unique 6 wheeled armoured fighting vehicles. The Légion is unusual as it accepts recruits from any nation, and even more unusual as recruits swear allegiance to ‘The Légion’ rather than France itself. This has instilled a fierce loyalty and esprit de corps that occasionally causes friction with other European units.
Germany: Fallschirmjäger ‘Green Devils’
The Fallschirmjäger, (Paratroopers) have been Germany’s primary rapid deployment force for over a century. Re-trained and re-equipped for extra-solar operations, they exhibit a daring and aggression that can at times appear foolhardy.
More lightly armed and equipped than many other CFB forces, the Fallschirmjager pride themselves in being able to deploy to trouble spots quicker than virtually any other colonial force, using small but very fast Kreigsmarine Strike Cruisers.
The Fallschirmjäger often employ ‘drop pods’ for assault landings. Each tiny reentry vehicle can carry up to 5 troops and deliver them on to a planet surface in an alarming but efficient way. All Fallschirmjäger light vehicles, (like the Wiesel-4 AFV), can also be delivered planet side by Drop Pod, and recovered along with the infantry by traditional Dropship.
Multinational Corporations
Corporations have always employed security personnel, but the fierce intercorporate competition in the off-world colonies has led to the creation of paramilitary forces that can rival Army or Marine units.
Corporate Security Operators are responsible for general safety and security at Company facilities, the prevention of industrial espionage and protection of Intellectual Property. Off world, they ensure Corporate facilities remain free of xenofauna and in some cases provide the police force to control employees in far flung Colonies. Corporate Security is also tasked with protecting planetary claims and mineral deposits from claim jumping rivals.
Corporate Security Forces have to be more versatile than their Army and Marine Corps counterparts, since their job descriptions and postings can vary wildly. A Corporate Security Operator might have to be in a suit and tie one day as close protection for a VIP, and in SWAT gear the next day to conduct a hostage rescue. In many cases, the smaller the Security Force, the better trained and more versatile they have to be.
Bigger Multinationals like Weyland Yutani and Con-Am maintain large standing Security Forces. Whilst these are described as an internal security organisation, they are in fact a paramilitary private army.
Corporate Security Operators have access to the latest state of the art weapons and equipment. Their pay and pension plans are far better than the government could offer, and this can attract applicants who might otherwise enlist in the Army or Marines.
Likewise, many Corporate Security Operators are ex-forces or ex-law enforcement, who can bring their experience and skills to the private sector for a high level of financial gain.
Private Military Contractors
For smaller Corporations who cannot afford to maintain their own standing Security Force, it makes more financial sense to hire external organisations, known as Private Military Contractors. A far cry from the ‘mercenaries’ of centuries gone by, PMCs nowadays have to be (on the surface at least) well trained, professional and responsible, to ensure repeat business and good PR.
PMC companies must be government licensed to operate in the Colonies, although many ‘fly by night’ PMC firms can acquire licenses by bribery using some of the more ‘amenable’ governments like Panama and Lichtenstein.
Private Military Contractors offer the same services as Corporate Security, but sometimes with staff of a mixed quality. Most PMC companies are staffed by experienced ex-forces or ex-law enforcement, but some companies do hire contractors of dubious quality.
The size of a PMC Company varies. The more reputable might have 300 contractors on staff, and be able to field their own AFVs and Aircraft. Others might only have 50 employees, and rely on their employer to provide transportation, uniforms and weapons.
In general, PMC companies rely on their Corporate employers to provide interstellar transportation to and from the Colonies.