United Federation of Nations Marine Corps
The UFN Marine Corps is a branch of the Navy of the United Federation of Nations responsible for conducting land-based expeditionary combat operations, using the mobility provided by the UFN Navy to rapidly deliver forces. Marines are also charged with the defense of Navy vessels and installations from hostile forces. While structured under the High Command, the UFN Marine Corps operates closely with the UFN Naval Command and has some authority within the office.
The Marine Corps is largely under the authority of the UFN' High Command (HIGHCOM) , responsible for managing ground-based operations of the Marine Corps, the UFN Air Force, and the UFN Army. However, due to the Marines' expeditionary nature, the branch has some levy with the UFN Fleet Command, particularly in the Navy-dominated UFN HIGGCOM where the Marines have only a token representation. The branch also maintains its own UFN Marine Corps of Engineers command. As well as possessing infantry, armored, and air units, the UFN Marine Corps is based around Marine Expeditionary Forces, which contain at least one division-sized unit of Marines. Because of its role as an "amphibious", space-deployed force, the Marine Corps enjoys a close relationship with the UFN Navy, with Marine complements being deployed on most warships. The Marine Corps, along with the Navy, was headquartered at the Fleet Command Headquarters on Reach, until the facility's destruction and the planet's fall in 2552.
In addition to conventional forces, the Marine Corps maintain special forces in the form of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers under the Naval Special Warfare Command. ODSTs drop into hostile areas via SOEIVs prior to the main invasion. They attempt to complete some of the most difficult tasks in hostile areas, such as clearing enemy ground forces or establishing landing zones for incoming Pelicans.
Structure
The Marine Corps is largely under the authority of the UFN' High Command (HIGHCOM) , responsible for managing ground-based operations of the Marine Corps, the UFN Air Force, and the UFN Army. However, due to the Marines' expeditionary nature, the branch has some levy with the UFN Fleet Command, particularly in the Navy-dominated UFN HIGGCOM where the Marines have only a token representation. The branch also maintains its own UFN Marine Corps of Engineers command. As well as possessing infantry, armored, and air units, the UFN Marine Corps is based around Marine Expeditionary Forces, which contain at least one division-sized unit of Marines. Because of its role as an "amphibious", space-deployed force, the Marine Corps enjoys a close relationship with the UFN Navy, with Marine complements being deployed on most warships. The Marine Corps, along with the Navy, was headquartered at the Fleet Command Headquarters on Reach, until the facility's destruction and the planet's fall in 2552.
In addition to conventional forces, the Marine Corps maintain special forces in the form of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers under the Naval Special Warfare Command. ODSTs drop into hostile areas via SOEIVs prior to the main invasion. They attempt to complete some of the most difficult tasks in hostile areas, such as clearing enemy ground forces or establishing landing zones for incoming Pelicans.
Assets
Marine Corps Dress Uniforms are worn on formal or ceremonial occasions, and are similar to those worn by their 20th and 21st Century predecessors in the United States Marine Corps. A variety of dress uniforms exist, including a white-and-black uniform, an all-green uniform, and an all-black funerary uniform.
In the field, Marines usually wear passively camouflaged uniforms with usually green M52B body armor. Lightweight, though durable, the armor is surprisingly resilient. Marines don Ushuaia Armory's CH252 helmets equipped with a heads-up display and radio system. These helmets are mounted with recorders, and certain models feature holographic text-displaying eyepieces or ballistic goggles. Some Marines have been known to employ the "Rex" VISR for using in tracking down targets, such as Jiralhanae holdouts on Tribute and Earth. In addition to helmets, Marines on field operations in more humid locales sometimes choose to wear boonie covers, or those in colder environments don visored and thicker helmets. Marine NCOs are easily recognized by the cover they wear complete with the UFN insignia, although they oftentimes substitute this soft cover for a more practical protective helmet; post-war NCOs often wear a variant with a fully sealed helmet that is otherwise worn by scouts. Marines sometimes don small helmet communications microphones or black-phased sunglasses on their helmets, and others carry backpacks. Marines sometimes wear black gloves to protect their hands and improve their grip on their weapons. Some Marines sport orange visors which attach to the brim of their helmets. Marines operating in cold environments wear environmentally-tailored armor, with insulated snow camouflage utilities and full body armor as well as insulated and visored helmets with something analogous to a balaclava. Marines also wear the lightweight and protective VZG7 armored boots, the standard footwear of the Marine Corps since the middle of the 26th century.
Equipment
The standard issue weapon for UFN Marine Corps is Misriah Armory's MA5 assault rifle series, which can be outfitted with an M301 grenade launcher or an underslung shotgun. Marines were issued with the MA5B variant or the MA5C variant, with the former being nearly universally phased out and replaced by the latter in late 2552. After the end of the Human-Covenant War, both previous variants were phased out and replaced by the MA5D. The BR55 battle rifle and its heavy barreled variant are used both as standard service rifles and as marksman's weapons. Their successor models, the BR85 and BR85HB variants were introduced in the postwar period, with the majority of the Corps favoring the more recent versions as the best models of the battle rifle. Furthermore, the UFN Marine Corps has adopted the M395 DMR, though previous models have been eclipsed in the Marines by the prominence of the BR55 battle rifle and its variants. The M392 DMR also remains in service with Marine reserve units. The Corps issues several models of the M6 handgun series, with its standard sidearm being the M6H as of 2555, with the improved M6H2 entering service by 2557. Special operations and vehicle crews are issued M7 submachine guns, with ODSTs typically using the suppressed model. Snipers operate the SRS99C-S2 AM and SRS99D-S2 AM, and more recently the SRS99-S5 AM, sniper rifle variants for anti-materiel and anti-personnel operations. The M99 Special Application Scoped Rifle was also formerly used as a dedicated anti-materiel weapon. Standard UFN sniper teams consists of two operators; a spotter and a sniper. The M45 and M90 shotguns are often utilized in close-quarters engagements. Once the weapon that defined the Marine Corps as the United Federation of Nations' spaceborne force-in-readiness, the Marine Corps has relegated the shotgun to less-visible duties with boarding parties, though the shotgun still remains an important weapon of close-quarters warfare. The M739 SAW was also adopted in squad-support role. Anti-armor fire is provided by the M41 "SPNKR" rocket launcher, and more recently the M57 Pilum. The Marines also uses the M6 Spartan Laser, though typically only ODSTs were issued these weapons prior to 2552 due to the high costs of the Spartan Laser at the time. The Marine Corps also utilizes the XM510 grenade launcher. Suppressive fire is provided by the M247 machine gun, the M247H machine gun, the AIE-486H machine gun, and mounted versions of the M41 "Vulcan". The M6634 and M7057, two variants of the NA4 flamethrower, are sometimes used in an anti-infantry role by specialists known as Hellbringers. The M9 fragmentation grenade is the standard-issue hand grenade of the UNSC Marine Corps. Several specialized grenades, as well as numerous types of landmines and explosive charges, are also used by Marine infantry. By 2557, the M363 sticky detonator and ARC-920 railgun have been added to the heavy weapons armory of the UNSC Marine Corps.Ground vehicles
The Marine Corps makes heavy use of the M12 Force Application Vehicle, or Warthog, which is used for armored patrols, personnel mobility, and combat fire-support. The Warthog is produced in several variants. The most common of these variants is the M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle, which is armed with an M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, or the later M46 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun. Postwar Marines have begun to utilize the re-armed M12B model of Warthog, equipped with the M343A2 chaingun. Light anti-vehicle support is provided by the M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle, armed with either the M68 Gauss Cannon or the more recent M555 Gauss cannon, the M12A1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle, which is mounted with a 102mm SC-HE Rocket Turret, and the M12R Light Anti-Armor Vehicle, which features an M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System or updated M80 Multiple Launch Rocket System. The M831 Troop Transport serves as a fast, lightly armored transport vehicle. The M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle is commonly used for scouting and light target interdiction. For heavy engagements, the Marine Corps operates the older M808B and more recent M808C variants of the M808 "Scorpion" Main Battle Tank, which is armed with an M512 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon and a pintle-mounted M247T Medium Machine Gun (M808C) or coaxial M231 Machine Gun (M808B). More recently following the Requiem Conflict, however, the Marine Corps has begun to adopt the updated M820 Scorpion Main Battle Tank, which is armed with a 150mm M990 electrothermal-chemical smoothbore cannon and an as-of-yet unidentified pintle-mounted heavy machine gun. The Marines also deployed the heavier dual-M310 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon wielding M850 "Grizzly" Main Battle Tank throughout the Insurrection and Human-Covenant War. The M9 Wolverine Main Anti-Air Tank (MAAT) is the Corps' primary mobile anti-air asset. The SP42 Cobra Main Battle Tank fills the role of tank destroyer and anti-fortification light artillery support. The M312 Heavy Recovery Vehicle and M313 Heavy Recovery Vehicle provides heavy materiel recovery and troop transport. Less standard vehicles also saw service with the Marine Corps during the Human-Covenant War. The M-145D Rhino was outfitted with a reverse-engineered plasma mortar. The Gremlin Combat Support Vehicle is used to disable enemy vehicles with its onboard EMP weapon. The Cyclops support exoskeleton was used both repair duties and logistical support, as well as in combat, though it was eventually retired from service. In recent years, the Mantis has been utilized by the Marines, with the Corps having contracted Materials Group to produce a refit package to allow alternate loadouts on the walker.Aircraft
The Marine Corps' most common aircraft is the Pelican dropship. The Pelican is used as a multirole aerodyne which is capable of carrying numerous armament configurations, including Scorpion anti-tank missiles, Anvil II air-to-surface missiles, as well as a chin-mounted 7.62mm machine gun, or a 40mm or 70mm autocannon. The Pelican can also be outfitted with an M247 or AIE-486H machine gun in its troop bay. The UFN Marine Corps operates the GA-TL1 Longsword as its primary fighter/interceptor and as a tactical bomber. The Corps also operates the Shortsword-class Bomber, which serves as a close air support aircraft. The Marines utilize the AV-14 Hornet as a light attack craft and gunship. Earlier in the war, the Marines also utilized the AV-22 Sparrowhawk as a close air support gunship, though it was largely retired from service due to problems with its propulsion system. Currently, the AV-49 Wasp supplements the Marine Corps' existing stocks of AV-14 and AV-22 aircraft. Heavy air-to-ground support is provided by the AC-220 Vulture gunship. Marine air units are usually intended to support ground forces or to drop off vital equipment for the Marines, either in close-air-support or air interdiction roles
"Semper Fidelis"
Type
Military, Marine Corps
Alternative Names
Marines- UFN Marines- Federation Marines
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Parent Organization
Notable Members
Comments