Planetary Defense Force

"Defenders of the Sphere"

(Leader)
We're the defenders of the sphere,
Protecting homes, protecting here!
(All)
From the ground to the cosmic sea,
We stand tall, for humanity!
(Leader)
From Venus to Mars and beyond,
Our duty calls, our hearts respond!
(All)
With strength and honor, we take our stand,
For freedom's cause, across the land!
(Leader)
We're the shield that guards the gate,
For peace and justice, we create!
(All)
Our footsteps echo, through the night,
Defending all, with all our might!
(Leader)
Planetary Defense, we're the pride,
United we march, side by side!
(All)
For our worlds, for our right,
We defend, with all our might!
Alternative Version: "Guardians of the Cosmos"
(Leader)
We're the guardians of the cosmos wide,
Protecting all, with hearts inside!
(All)
From star to star, we make our way,
Defending life, night and day!
(Leader)
With courage high, with hearts ablaze,
We stand for justice, in every place!
(All)
Our spirit unbroken, our will unshaken,
For peace and freedom, our souls awaken!"

~PSC Official Manual, Cadence No. 8

Composition

Manpower

Per the Pan Solar Consortium Charter, Planetary Defense Forces are expected to field 1% of its fighting age population as PDF, with 15% of that being trained as infantry and the remaining 85% be support and logistics staff. There are no exemptions from this rule except Luna. Planets with military-averse cultures such as Venus and small moons such as Enceladus have trouble fielding a force sizable enough to both meet the requirement and fulfill regular duties.
A planet of 10 billion people or more is considered to have fulfilled their obligation if they have formed up a Grand Army at just under 2 million men.

Equipment

PDFs generally use Laser Weapons and Monocrys Uniforms. If they have armor at all, it's rarely more than a Clamshell and a helmet.
Despite the lack of gear for the ground infantry, most PDFs of sufficient size and priority also field a variety of Hovercraft, Stompers, and even Cataphracts.

Structure

PDFs serve as a military force under the direct command of the Planetary Technocrat, who appoints Marshals from among the Technocrat list available to them. These Marshals form a general staff from the most meritorious PDF soldiers, and below that are a fairly typical rank structure, depending on how many men are available.
From the bottom up, six Troopers form a Team under a Team leader, six Teams form a Line under a Lieutenant, six Lines form a Block beneath a Captain, six Blocks form a Corps under a Major, six Corps form a Brigade under a Colonel, six Brigades form an Army under a General, six Armies form an Army Command under a Commander, six Army Command form a Grand Army under a Grand Marshal (Usually the appointed Technocrat). Regardless of how many men a planet or moon can muster, the highest rank answers directly to the general staff and the Marshal.

Tactics

PDFs' tactics are fairly simple; form creeping defensive lines with infantry and either rush forward or retreat as opportunities or necessities present themselves. Most PDFs prefer to avoid salients and won't penetrate enemy lines without turning to expand a breach first, and if an enemy is outnumbered or isolated then the PDF will prefer to surround them. PDFs hire mercenaries or rely on commando support from the Solar Defense Fleet or to pick off high value targets or take important locations, or the Solar Clone Corps to relieve them on the line.

Training

PDF training varies wildly between planets, but Pan-Solar Consortium guidance recommend a 6 week training course of marksmanship, tactics, discipline, and population control, and a further four weeks for specialty training such as crewman, medic, or logistics officer.

Type

Security

Overall training Level

Trained

Assumed Veterancy

Trained