Tarentum Military

Tarentum's Military incorporates all active and reserve forces deployed within Yridia and by Tarentum. The branches are:

• Tarentum Army
• Tarentum Navy
• Yridia Civilian Defense Force

Each branch fall under the jurisdiction of their specific Commanding Officer, either the High General or Fleet Admiral, who answer to the Marshal; the Marshal of the Armies of Tarentum ultimately answers to The Prince of Yridia (the Quaestor of Tarentum).

Brief History

Ostensibly the youngest service of any of the Brotherhood's military units, the history of Tarentum's military runs parallel to the history of not only the Brotherhood, but the Emperor's Hammer. Initially the troops available to House Tarentum were the pilots of Tau, and their retainers. With the acquisition of the VSD Corsair, the first capital ship awarded to any unit within the Brotherhood, Tarentum saw a need to have some standing military. Utilizing his command resources, Oberst shuffled mid-level and junior technicians, officers and crewers to the Corsair from the Infiltrator Wing. While serving as a Command Attache within the Hammer, Master Zero would further bolster the troops. As the years passed, the Clan would add more ships to its nascent fleet - eventually seeking to expand its influence within the Yridia System. Where the Clan once sought to remain insular, ignoring the goings on of the feudal people on Yridia II and the criminals of Yridia IX, the position would slowly change to one of bringing all elements of the system slowly under their control.

Eventually, the Exodus would form the basis and impetus for the extreme changes in the Clan's outlook and disposition. The Clan leadership would work in concert to bring the entire system under its grasp, forming a parliamentary government that authorized the formation and deployment of the military - beginning with the consolidation of all capital ships into the Navy and the beginnings of the Army and YCDF. That work has evolved into what is known as the Army of Tarentum and Tarentum Navy within House Tarentum.

Organization

The three distinct branches of the Tarentum military act as the offensive and defensive projection of the Yridian System and Tarentum. The Army and Navy serve in their classic roles, with the Yridia Civilian Defense Force (YCDF) occupying a specialized niche within Yridia.

Regular Service

All Yridian citizens over the age of seventeen are obligated to serve in either the Army or Navy for a minimum of four years. Some exceptions are made against service for physical or religious reasons. The one blanket exception to service are students who have been noted for academic distinction and show an aptitude and inclination for the sciences. Once the four year term of service is concluded, personnel are then obligated to serve for another eight years in the Yridian Civilian Defense Force. These postings tend to be light, and act more as local constabulary. In fact, most YCDF personnel are free to pursue other careers and even higher education during these postings as duties tend to be incredibly light. Almost ninety percent of the officer corps have undergone University education during their YCDF deployment.

Reserve Service

After the initial twelve years, all personnel are considered Reserve status until the age of forty-five (medical and personnel marked as necessary may have their reserve status extended beyond forty-five, but no further beyond sixty years). Reserves are usually called up once a year to serve for three weeks. In crisis, Reservists can be called up in one of two ways - either immediately deployed to YCDF or to the main Army/Navy.

Standing Service

Following either the initial four years, personnel can volunteer for extended tours (in five year blocks) with the Army or Navy. This can service can bypass YCDF deployment, but will not bypass Reservist status until the forty-five year age limit has been reached.

Officers

The requirement for all officers is a University-level education, either provided by a University or the Military Academy on Yridia III. The exception to this rule are battlefield commissions. Any non-commissioned officer (NCO) promoted during a time of crisis will hold their rank until the military crisis has been resolved. The former NCO then has a choice between enrolling in the Academy or surrendering their commission. Most NCOs choose to enter the Academy, but the few who do surrender their rank suffer only the loss of rank. The Military, in fact, will continue to pay them, and increase their pay based, on the officer's scale.

Rank Structure

Please see Tarentum Ranks for information on rank structure of both NCOs and Officers, and more detail on both.

Branches

The military is composed of three distinct branches:

• Army - including personnel aboard ships and ground troops.
• Navy - includes all ships under Tarentum's domain
• YCDF - Militia and constibulary not under the direct jurisdiction of the Army.

Army

The Army is the offensive ground arm of Tarentum, headed by the High General as selected by the Marshal, with final authorization by the Prince. If an objective must be taken, and cannot simply be blasted out of existence from orbit, or if a protracted defense must be conducted, the Army is called in to do it. The Army fulfills many roles, from fielding the large tanks to building bridges, cisterns and defensive structures. If it's planetside, the Army handles it.

Structure

The Army is sub-divided into four specialized areas:

• Heavy - These are the tanks and armor components.
• Infantry - Ground troops, either hot dropped in or carried in APCs or other vehicles.
• Skirmish - Fast assault units that conduct scouting, surveillance and other support.
• Auxiliary - Engineers, artillerymen, medics and general support.

Units

The Army is subdivided into many units. The primary combat operational unit is the Division. While Corps and Army Groups exist and are possible, these are largely administrative collections, designed to outline a specific theater of command and provide clear command structure.

• Army Group - A collection of two or more Corps, containing a minimum of 80,000 men. Army Groups are usually commanded by a full General.
• Corps - A collection of two or more Divisions, containing anywhere from 20,000 - 50,000 men. Corps are usually commanded by a Lieutenant General.
• Division - A collection of three or more brigades, with anywhere from 8,000 - 15,000 men. The Division is the largest tactical unit in Tarentum's Army. Divisions can have more, modular brigades attached for special deployment, and are usually commanded by a Major General.
• Brigade - The workhorse of the Army, the Brigade is comprised of several battalions or regiments and is comprised of 3,000 - 5,000 men. Brigades can be temporarily detached from its home Division, to lend support other nearby units. Brigades are usually commanded by Brigadier Generals.
• Regiment - More an administrative grouping than a true unit, Regiments that are fielded whole are usually made up of 2 or more Battalions and have 2,000 - 3,000 troops. Those Regiments that are fielded whole are commanded by a Colonel.
• Battalion - The battalion is made up of 5 or more companies and houses about 300-1,000 troops. Each battalion is commanded by a Major. Senior battalion commanders are usually Lt. Colonels.
• Company - Designated A - J (depending on the number of companies in the Battalion), each company can have anywhere between 50-200 soldiers. A Company commander is almost always a Captain.
• Platoon - Platoons are comprised of two or more squads, each with about 30 soldiers. Platoons are usually led by a 2nd Lieutenant.
• Squad - A squad is made up of 2 or more teams. Each squad is led by a Staff Sergeant and has 10-15 men.
• Fireteam - A fire team is the smallest unit in the Army. Each Fire team can be commanded by Corporal. A fire team is at least 5 men.

Navy

The Navy comprises all spaceborne vehicles - capital ships, transports, starfighters and freighters. It is commanded by the Fleet Admiral, who, like the High General is selected by the Marshal and Prince.

Structure

The Navy is split into two service branches:

• Naval - These are all capital ships, freighters, shuttles and transports.
• Fighter - The starfighters and bombers of the Clan.

Units

Fighter Command

• Air Group - A collection of 3 or more squadrons. The full Air Group of a Task Force is coordinated by the Commander, Air Group (CAG). Assisting him are Deputy Commanders (DCAG) aboard any fighter bearing capital ships in the Task Force.
• Air Squadron - The standard tactical deployment of fighters. 12 fighters make up a squadron. Each squadron is commanded by a squadron commander who is usually at least a Lieutenant.
• Flight Group - The smallest deployment of fighters, a Flight Group is commanded by a Flight Leader who is at least a Lieutenant Junior Grade.

Naval Command

• Fleet - The largest operational naval unit. A fleet usually comprises 2 or more battlegroups. A fleet is usually commanded by a full Admiral.
• Battlegroup - A battlegroup is a war time coordination and deployment of ships - usually 2 or more squadrons. A battlegroup is normally commanded by a Vice Admiral.
• Squadron - A naval squadron is the most common deployment of ships with over 30 cruiser class ships forming the main battle line. A squadron is normally commanded by a Rear Admiral.
• Task Force - The work horse of the Navy, a Task Force is usually deployed and moved as needed to project Naval power. A Task Force is usually specialized - Carrier Task Force, Cruiser Task Force, etc. A Carrier Task Force is formed around at least 1 fleet carrier and one escort carrier, with accompanying capital ships. A Cruiser Task Force is usually 7-10 cruisers, with at least 1 Heavy Cruiser and 2 Medium Cruisers. A Task Force is usually commanded by a Commodore or Senior (Post) Captain.

YCDF

The Yridia Civil Defense Force is the Clan's answer to defense of the system when resources are stretched thin. As part of mandatory service from the age of 21 to 29, Yridian citizens serve as constables, law enforcement and militia troops. Deployment is usually to either the hometown of the serving troop or to University cities. The YCDF exists to aid the Clan and civilian populace in the following 4 ways - Preparation, Mitigation, Response and Recovery.

Organization

The YCDF is organized into 200 man precincts, each headed by Precinct Captain. Precincts are then sub-divided into 10 man teams called "patrols." A patrol is headed up by an Inspector. Each member of a patrol is a Constable. Precincts can be grouped together to form a Civil Force. Each Civil Force corresponds to a metropolitan area, and is headed by an Inspector General. Civil Forces are as large as necessary to ensure and maintain order. For example, the Civil Force of Taras may be upwards of 20 precincts, while that same number may be deployed to defend just a portion of a port on Yridia X, and only 1 precinct would be necessary for a small farming community.

Training & Equipment

As they are still members of the military, YCDF members are still expected to maintain top physical performance and combat training is continuous. YCDF will be afforded equipment as if they were the standing military, having access to military grade weapons, vehicles and armor.

Role

The YCDF are first responders. If war is declared, the YCDF is mustered to maintain local order, while reserves are brought in to fill roles within the standing military. In the event of invasion, the YCDF splinters into its local precinct, and is expected to act as a guerrilla cell. In this event, each cell will receive its orders strictly from High Command (Governor-General, JWC, Marshal or House/Clan Summit). The role of each cell will be to disrupt enemy communications, supply and harass units and garrisons. Multiple cells can coordinate to achieve these objectives, and cells can be brought under the auspices of a given Division commander at the behest of Home Command or higher authority.