TransOrbital Infantry OBSOLETE

Amphibious assault and combined arms continue to be the deciding factor in the success of an offensive campaign. Though technology and innovations have changed the battlefield and introduced new theatres and mediums of warfare, the adage remains true: War is won by boots on the ground. Military Doctrine of the late 22nd and early 23rd century has and will continue to be defined in ways that resemble the era of sail; with long distances and unchartable sectors, the System resembles an amalgamation of the wild west and the pirate plagued carribean.

Amphibious assault is by far one of the most difficult tasks with great risk, and great reward. Destroying an enemy vessel creates a debris field and destroys valuable equipment, but boarding parties can reappropriate their enemies' supplies for their faction's own purpose.

Perception

Purpose

While the United States uses it's Marine Corps to serve as ship-board, orbital station, and Lunar security, the general concept of the Transorbital Infantry assault force is offensive in nature. The Aretian Army is a great example of this concept in regular use. Their methods of fighting range from ship to ship boarding procedures, providing support similar to that of Aircraft in carrier groups of the past, and even ground assaults launched from orbit.

Social Status

While the greater military culture treats Infantry forces in a way analogous to the civilian working class, the civilian world reacts to the unique discipline typical of Assault forces with great respect and deference. This tradition of professionalism, even among the least educated and arguably the least technical roles in these forces, goes back well over six hundred years, with forces like the United States Marine Corps using a uniform similar to those worn near its inception. Military today are given honor once limited to royalty in the past, regardless of service branch or rank.

Demographics

Most Enlisted Infantry begin their career in their early 20s( Mars: 9-10 years), whereas commissioned officers begin somewhat later due to the education required. On Mars, enlistment is somewhat random, though it is more rare in Partner territories like X Corp. that provide and require their populations to attempt the higher level training and pursue commission. Regardless of rank, however, the Warriors of Mars are given the highest respect.

On Earth, however, it is the poor and lower middle class that seek enlistment as an alternative to unemployment, and only the rich, talented, and lucky who qualify for officers' roles. This, coupled with fatigue from the series of wars which brought death and destruction home, has soured public opinion of the military.

In Networked Republics, as well as in the USMC, there are also Emergent Marines, specially qualified for service in the vacuum of space. Occupying retrofitted exoskeletons or dedicated robotic equipment, these Marines prove to be some of the system's most deadly fighters. To oppose such a force, as Martian Legionaries are tasked to do, is a task for the bold.

History

The United States tasks the Marine Corps to continue it's terrestrial purpose into the reaches of space, and as such the mission of the Marine rail squad remains to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or to repel the enemy's assault by fire and close combat, and this mission is replicated in other assault forces. As the age of interplanetary war has commenced, these warriors have also returned to the shipboard security that they were founded to perform.

Operations

Tools

Small arms used by amphibious units have to account for the vacuum of space, and the security role filled by these units calls for non-lethal options as well. Body Modification is more common among Martian soldiers than it is among Marines, but the vast

Arms

VM12 Coil Carbine

The VM12 is a family of coilgun Carbines designed especially for the XFA. The design, based on bulpup firearms, features highly effecient capacitors which allow for extended bursts without the need for a larger power supply than standard. Unfortunately, the cooling system is not able to maintain this rate of fire for long enough to rival the V-270. The VM12 can be fired in multiple modes, with two adjuster switches that toggle the rate of fire (20-round and 5-round bursts, and semiautomatic) and muzzle velocity (Standard, Armor Piercing, and Riot Suppression). The system can also be easily disassembled and mounted on the X25m or X25a exosuits, and controlled with B-mods. Utilized by the XFA as the service rifle.

Colt M-270 Railgun, M-270A Rail Carbine

Utilizing a traditional rifle design with a butstock and pistolgrip, the Colt M-270 is a reliable weapon that resembles designs common in service rifles from the early 21st century. The standard coilgun features a "Cyclic" mode that allows for extended fully automatic fire by use of a larger power pack and cannisters of liquid coolant. The Carbine features a riot surpression mode that uses the same ammunition fired at a much slower muzzle velocity for non-lethal use. Utilized by the USMC as the standard service carbine.

Chrysium 269 Rail Rifle

The older and more popular long range sniper solution, the Chrys269 is used by Martian Special Forces teams and private security firms.

Lamda Model 2 Gauss Rifle

The newer Lamda rifles retain the strange form as their predecessors, but have overcome many of the flaws inherit in the design. Even so, most snipers prefer the Chrys269 or custom made weapons.

Colt 45V Revolver

One of the few firearms still in service, the Colt 45V stands as one of the least efficient offworld weapons available. Only Martian militaries still maintain use of these.

Armour

X Corp. Stark X25m, X25a Exoskeleton, Military Variant and Armor Variant

Filling the role that tanks and armored infantry did in wars long past, the Stark revolutionized individual combat effectiveness. Designed for use by the Praetorian Legion, the exoskeleton found it's way into use by the Alae as production costs went down after recouping R&D expenses. The XCF is unique in the system for having a platform availible for infantry equiped with a power supply, life support, and actuators that together rival the equipment found in high end civilian spacecraft. The Armor variant (X25a) provides modular support for larger weapons, to include some found otherwise only on TransOrbital Warships, as well as an effective Active Protection System.

Marine EVA Armorsuit

A much less sophisticated piece of equipment than the X25, the Armorsuit hasn't seen a major update since the Sytem War. With a rather limited air supply, no physical enhancements beyond dated composite armor plates, and no onboard power supply, the system is extremely lacking.

Modifications

Occipital Marksman's attachment

Communications Neural Interface

Vehiclar Cerebellum link

Provided Services

Amphibious Assault

Off-World Security

Riot Surpression

Alternative Names

Legionary (Mars)
Marine (Earth)

Type

Military

Used By

• Aretian Confederate Army