Space Forces Command

Space Forces Command
Headquarters:	Central Command, Sanctuary, Arc System
Language(s):	Common
Founded:	2020 CE
Status:	Active

The Space Forces Command (SFC) is the primary military branch responsible for the ships controlled by The Initiative.

Space Forces Command

The Space Forces Command (SFC), more commonly referred to as the navy or 'The Fleet', operates almost solely in space, although it maintains numerous land-based facilities. These include planetary dry-docks, shipyards, training facilities, spaceports, et cetera. It also maintains orbital versions of these, in conjunction with System Defense Force.

In space the SFC operates several mobile factories, to resupply the fleet, as well as mobile command centers.

FIST

Fleet Insertion/Strike Teams are the primary special forces wing of the Space Forces Command. Their missions range from boarding and sabotage or capture of high value targets to counter-boarding operations and supporting regular SFC forces in their duties.

Spaceborne Infantry

Simply know as "Spaceborne Infantry", commonly referred to as 'Infantry' or 'Marines', they filled a variety of roles. They specialize in boarding and anti-boarding operations, but are trained to assault land-based targets, whether via dropping in through an armored suit through the atmosphere, or launching an invasion with backup from shuttles. Additionally, they provide security on the ships to which they are assigned, serving as MPs should the need arise. They report to their detachment commander, who reports directly to the ships captain, or the AF commander for the flotilla, depending on the situation. Most of their units carry technical specialists who cross-train in fleet jobs, allowing them to serve as ships crew, as well as to operate captured vessels, without having to rely on getting fleet personnel over.

MIST

Marine Insertion/Strike Teams are the primarily special forces wing of the Spaceborne Infantry. While their duties are primarily land-based, hitting land-based targets, disabling enemy anti-air/space defenses, and securing spaceports for landing forces, MISTs occasionally find themselves included in boarding operations.

System Defense Force

“	You will be the protector of Earth and all her colonies.	”
	— Halo 3

The System Defense Force is responsible for patrolling the Arc System and other systems under the Initiative's control.

The SDF is comprised primarily of escort-level craft, and comprises the bulk of their military craft. It defends The Initiative's home system, and serves as a coastguard, providing assistance for freighters and other in-system craft handling industrial operations (ie: asteroid mining, space-based construction). In addition to these duties, it also maintains the orbital platforms over the various planets, as well as the orbital-based weapons systems that defend the planets.

Civilian System Patrol

The Civilian System Patrol (CSP) is a civilian auxiliary to the SDF, comprised primarily of private vehicles that are lightly armed and armored, that, in times of emergencies, can be commandeered (or volunteer) to assist the military. Additionally, they serve as the primary civilian transit for military goods and personnel. During peacetime, they work as a secondary patrol looking for ships in distress. During times of war, these vessels and their crews are given military ranks according to their effective positions (none exceeding the rank of Captain unless qualified to hold a higher rank).

Training

General Crew Training

Standard training for members of a warship's crew include a broad amount of basic cross-training in other positions aboard the ship, allowing personnel to respond to posts that might not be theirs in an emergency. Incentives are given for personnel going and expanding their knowledge beyond the basics required by the cross-training programs. On top of this, all members of the crew are expected to be able to assist in maintaining the basic systems (with oversight from specialists) on basic systems supporting their habitation and work areas, in the event of failures requiring immediate attention. Additional training includes boarding and counter-boarding operations, and basic repairs to general systems.

Ships Navigators

Ships navigators, while trained to operate using electronic equipment, are also, for the rare emergency, trained to navigate home utilizing solely star charts. Ships periodically print off hard-copy snapshots of the local stars, in order to give the navigators the most up-to-date co-ordinates. Additionally, hard-copy manuals (in case of a power failure) exist to teach other members of the crew the essentials.

Gunnery Crew

Like other all others aboard the ship, the gunnery crew are trained to do their job without the benefit of most things, ranging from artificial gravity to gunnery computers, ensuring they are able to do their job under the most trying of circumstances, should those systems fail. Before being fully rated to operate a gun battery, each member of the gunnery team must show at least an ability to complete at least the most basic firing calculations, in addition to being able to do everything from reload the battery manually, do basic repairs/maintenance, to the fabrication of more munitions in the ship's machine shop. Further instruction for members of the gunnery crew include the basic theories and concepts, allowing them to understand and make use of a variety of similar technologies, as well as understand their upkeep and repairs.

All members of a gunnery crew, are required to undergo psychological evaluations every three months, to ensure that they will not misuse the weapons for which they are responsible.

Equipment

Space Forces Equipment

Standard equipment for a member of a warship's crew are their flight suits, which are designed to become airtight if there is a lack of oxygen in the compartment, and if the crewmember attaches the standardized helmets and gauntlets stored in every compartment, drawing on stored air for a short period. On top of that, all crewmembers are issued EVA-capable armor at enlistment, which they carry with them through all of their duty postings. This is a heavier version of the standard "survival suit" (aka their standard flight suit), which is usually stored in their duty compartment when they are on duty, or in their berthing compartment, subject to the discretion of their CO.

Spaceborne Infantry Equipment

Spaceborne Infantry (SI) utilize the same powered armor as the Ground Forces Command (GFC) and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) brethren. Primarily they use Mark 1 SMG for the close quarters combat expected on a ship. Due, however, to the nature of fighting aboard a space-craft, the rifles carry a simple computer to judge the correct voltage required by the accelerator coils. It allows the soldier to fire, without fear of punching through the hull of the craft.

As a backup weapon, they use the Mark 1 Sidearm. Atop this, they are issued various melee weapons.