Clan Tarentum's Military incorporates all active and reserve forces deployed within Yridia and by Clan Tarentum. The branches are:
- Clan Tarentum Army
- Clan Tarentum Navy
- Yridia Civilian Defense Force
All branches fall under the jurisdiction of the Marshal of the Armies of Tarentum, who then answers to The Prince
Brief History
Ostensibly the youngest service of any of the Clans, 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 X, 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.
Organization
The three distinct branches of the Tarenti military act as the offensive and defensive projection of the Yridian System and Clan 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 constibulary. 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.
Command Structure
Overall command of the entire military rests with the Marshal (currently Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae). At his discretion, he can step into a combat situation and assume total command of the theater. Beneath him are Joint Warfare Command (JWC) and the Combat Commanders. JWC is responsible for readiness of troops, strategic planning and act as advisors to the Marshal. A representative each of the Army, Navy and YCDF is appointed to the JWC. Combat Commanders are responsible for specific theaters of operation known as Unified Combat Commands (UCC). There are currently two UCC's - Yridian Space (Task Force Piranha and I Corps) under Rear Admiral Sith Bloodfyre and Home Command (II Corps and PLT Aegis) under Governor-General Rekio Corsair.
File:TarMil Organizational Flow Chart.jpg
Rank Structure
Please see Clan 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 Clan Tarentum's domain
- YCDF - Militia and constibulary not under the direct jurisdiction of the Army.
Army
The Army is the offensive ground arm of Clan Tarentum. 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.
- Auxilliary - Engineers, artillerymen, medics and general support.
Army High Command
Army High Command is charged with coordinating between theaters and acting on intelligence. They are responsible for planning operations and disseminating necessary information down to the necessary commands, and presenting information up the chain of command to the JWC and the Marshal. AHC is comprised of the Army Chief of Staff (who is also the JWC representative for the Army) and the section heads for normal Army structure (designated A1) and Army Intelligence (A2). The section head for the normal Army is normally the senior most General. The Army Chief of Staff is chosen by the Marshal, as is the head of Army Intelligence. Rounding out AHC are the Governor-General and senior staff officers assigned by Combat Commanders to represent them.
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.
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.
Naval High Command
Naval High Command is responsible for coordinating between fleets, squadrons and the respective naval theaters. Naval High Command is also responsible for structuring and restructuring Naval Units as necessary. NHC is comprised of the Naval Chief of Staff (appointed by the Marshal), as well as the section heads for normal Naval Command (N1) and Naval Intelligence (N2). Like the Naval and Army Chief of Staff, as well as the head of Army Intelligence, the head of Naval Intelligence is also chosen by the Marshal. Rounding out NHC are senior staff officers appointed by Combat Commanders to represent them, and the members of the Admirality Board.
Admiralty Board
When senior flag officers of exemplary service step down, they are given the option to serve on the Admiralty Board. Given Yridia's remote location, and the small force it must work with, the option was extended, to meet the need for skilled officers. Members of the Board must have been at least a Vice-Admiral upon retirement, and served in combat. They act in an advisory role to NHC, but are also charged with reviewing and dispensing Naval justice. The head of the Admiralty Board is the "Lord High Admiral." Members of the Board are termed "Lord Admiral." The current Lord High Admiral is Master Zero Tarentae.
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 guerilla cell. In this event, each cell will receive its orders strictly from High Command (Governor-General, JWC, Marshal or 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.