Belfrasian Marines

Republic Marines
File:Belfras Royal Marines.png Logo of the Republic Marines
Country	Belfras
Type	Marines
Size	25,000
Part of	Republic Navy
Headquarters	Alexandria
Nickname(s)	"Tobies"
Motto(s)	"Timent Tridente" "Fear the Trident"
Commanders
Commandant of the Marines	Gen. Michael Brightworth
Assistant Commandant	Gen. Samuel Knight Jr.
Secretary of Defence	Clarence Daily
Insignia
Republic Naval ensign, flown at Marine garrisons
Shoulder flash of the Marines, sporting the trident.	File:BelfrasMarineFlash.png

The Corps of Republic Marines (RM) are the Belfrasian Republic's amphibious light infantry force which serves within the Armed Forces as a deputy branch of the Republic Navy. The Marines were formed in 1798 following the War of Independence against Sieuxerr and Etruria. Prior to their formal formation, the Marines operated alongside the rebelling naval forces of both colonial powers and participated in many battles along the coastline, as well as one engagement further in-land against a heavily entrenched fortification.

The Marines are a highly specialised and adaptable light infantry force capable of rapid world-wide deployments and dealing with a wide range of threats both in an amphibious environment and further in-land. The Corps was rated 'Special Operations Capable' in 1997 and have operated as the military's primary expeditionary warfare unit. The Marines are formed into light infantry units and are reinforced with necessary Army units, primarily artillery or armour-related, as necessary. A vast majority of higher-tier special forces units, the Myrmidon Special Operations Group included, recruit from within the Marines ranks and utilise them as a support unit often.

Operationally the Marines are often employed aboard Naval warships around the world either in a Fleet Protection Stance (FPS) for boarding/counter-boarding operations or aboard the navy's amphibious warfare vessels for amphibious/expeditionary warfare. The vast majority of combat operations the Republic has been involved in since the 1960s has seen the Marines be deployed ahead of the larger Army units as a scouting force to weaken the enemy or ascertain intelligence. Their secondary role once the Army has deployed is to go behind enemy lines to sabotage enemy efforts as and where possible. It is this secondary role, along with their special operations missions, that led to the motto "Fear the trident" being born.

Organization

See also: ORBAT

Expeditionary Warfare Command

See also: Expeditionary Warfare Command

The basic organizational unit of the Expeditionary Warfare Command is the Expeditionary Unit. The Expeditionary Unit, or EU, is generally considered either a landing force or a special operations unit. The force, typically commanded by a colonel, is capable of conducting limited, specialized, and a specific number of missions away from a larger supply chain for fifteen to twenty days whilst being in a constant combat environment. The EU is often tasked onto a Amphibious Warfare vessel. The EU is made up of a Marines battalion which is then reinforced with specially trained Army units, such as aviation squadrons, logistics battalions, and an artillery battalion. Formed on a permanent basis in contrast to it's larger counterparts, the Expeditionary Unit forms the operational basis of the Marines.

In a theoretical invasion of a country by the sea, the marines' EU would be the first to land. They would either utilize a pre-establshed Forward Operations Base (FOB) or operate from Naval amphibious warfare vessels to conduct their operations. They would be responsible for conducting special operations against enemy targets to annihilate ground-to-air, anti-tank, or heavy fortifications prior to a main invasion by larger Expeditionary Forces. Once the figurative or literal breach-head is secured and army personnel are landing, the Expeditionary Unit would then proceed in-land to continue special operations against enemy positions to weaken, route, or deny the enemy supply lines or strategic positions if capable.

The Expeditionary Brigade (EB) is larger than an Expeditionary Unit but still smaller than an Expeditionary Force. The EB, which varies in size depending on the mission it is formed for, is a temporary force of Marines and Army personnel. The Expeditionary Brigade is formed around a Marines regiment which is reinforced similarly to the Expeditionary Unit with highly modular logistics and air combat groups attached to it under a joint command umbrella. This allows the Expeditionary Brigade to design itself to counter a particular threat with he ability to operate in combat environments for extended periods of time before requiring resupply and further reinforcement. The strategic function of the Expeditionary Brigade is to function as part of an initial invasion effort or alone as required.

An Expeditionary Force, or (EF), is a division-size modular force designed for combat overseas. The Expeditionary Force stands as the largest unit in the Expeditionary Warfare Command and allows the Armed Forces to form combat units for overseas operations away from reliable supply lines. Under circumstances requiring the Expeditionary Force to be constructed, the Marines forms an Expeditionary Brigade within the EF whilst Army forces build the rest of the force.

Independent Operational Elements

See also: Independent Operational Elements

Members of a Raider Squadron being airlifted from the water in a training exercise.

Specialized, fluid special operations units within the Marines comes in the form of the Independent Operational Elements or (IOE). The operations of an IOE differs depending on it's primary attachment, either Expeditionary Warfare Groups or Naval flotillas. They're capable of conducting amphibious and ground reconnaissance and 'direct action' operations, such as search and seizure of vessels, capture and elimination missions along with hostage rescue as required.

Designed to operate separately from a larger organizational body for periods of time, the IOE can perform deep reconnaissance for Expeditionary groups akin to Army Pathfinders. They're capable of deep reconnaissance, direct action, and control of support munitions. The reconnaissance-specialized units of the IOE are capable of conducting battle damage assessments, remote observation and sensor operations and remote terminal guidance - sneaking into an area of operations and using eyes-on to guide in tactical and strategic-level munitions onto a target. Their reconnaissance roles also include pre- and post-assault reconnaissance and direct intelligence gathering methods alongside the RIA. A typical example of a reconnaissance operation became evident in the South Akkadiya Ocean War when an IOE was deployed for a Identify-and-Report and Battle Damage Assessment operation for a Belfrasian/Belhavian naval strike against a Tulese air base.

The Independent Operational Elements are also capable of conducting Direct Action. When assigned to Naval flotillas, the Marines are capable of conducting Maritime Search & Seizure operations alongside Naval Interdiction Teams (NIT). In this, they are capable of forcefully boarding an uncooperative vessel to bring it under Belfrasian control through the use of force, an eventuality that potentially surpasses a NIT's capabilities.

In the augmentation of ground-based expeditionary groups, the IOE is capable of deploying advanced sniper units capable of long-range target elimination and reconnaissance. In the most basic operational sense, the units deploy away from the Expeditionary group in concealed sniping or observation sites to provide information or to engage targets as and when necessary. They differ to normal Marine snipers in that they do not operate in conjunction with or purposefully in support of other units and often operate away from other units for periods lasting up to a week as necessary.

Other 'Direct Action' operations by the IOE also include seizures and occupation of sea-based or shore-based facilities, the rescue of hostages or captured personnel in or around water environments and support operations for special forces and other Marine units. Elements are also often deployed to conduct rapid hit-and-run attacks against shore establishments or in support of other units in Raider Squadrons. Utilizing specially designed craft, they're capable of deploying into an area of operations, conducting their operation, and being extracted by air with their watercraft with rapid precision. To this effect, the Raider Squadrons of the IOE are used in close conjunction with the Myrmidon Special Operations Group for water-based infiltration and extraction.

Special Reconnaissance Unit

See also: Special Reconnaissance Unit

The Special Reconnaissance Unit or SRU was formed in 1956. At first it was a sub-unit of the Independent Operation Elements trained for very deep reconnaissance lasting up to a month. The operations conducted by the Special Reconnaissance Unit often have them partnered with RIA Direct Action Operators (DAO) and the Myrmidon Special Operations Group. The Special Reconnaissance Unit operates both ground and water-based deep reconnaissance with an emphasis on fast arrival, low footprint recon missions that can last up to a month inside of enemy territory with minimal chance of resupply whilst in the field. In the past, they've deployed via small submarines known as 'mini-subs' to conduct intelligence gathering operations, parachuting into an area and conducting foot-based reconnaissance for three weeks and finally utilizing special purpose vehicles to conduct rapid mobility insertion into enemy territory either in support of Myrmidon units or to then conduct foot reconnaissance when on scene.

Special Reconnaissance Marines are usually fully qualified in bush craft and hunting to acquire food and to survive should supplies run low whilst on deployment. Marines of the SRU often find themselves tasked to Expeditionary Groups and deployed well in advance of arrival to conduct a detailed reconnaissance of target areas for both further reconnaissance by an Independent Operation Element and for pre-assault elimination by bombardment.

Personnel

Uniforms

Historically, the uniforms of the Marines matched those of the Army although practicality often called for changes between uniforms. The wear and tear experienced aboard a Naval warship often ruined and stained the historically famous red coat, which would leave Marines without their standard uniform coat when they reached shore or participated in battle as spares of their uniforms took valuable room aboard a vessel. The uniforms of the Marines would often be packed away shortly after boarding and the soldiers would instead wear the sturdy clothing of the sailors. In naval battles, this worked to the Marines' advantage as enemy sharpshooters would be unable to distinguish Marine sharpshooters in the smog and heat of battle.

The modern Marine has three main uniforms: Dress, service, and battle. The dress uniform would be worn with a variance of a single red stripe down each trouser leg for officers and plain black trousers for enlisted. The slate black uniform was first introduced in the early 1900s to replace the completely white uniform, that would go on to become the Staff officers' standard dress uniform instead. Women Marines are not permitted to wear a skirt, but are allowed simple, silver or gold earrings with no hanging accessories. The rank chevrons for Enlisted personnel are shown on the shoulder in red with a gold edge whilst commissioned officers of the Marines have an alternative gold rank patch on their shoulders with gold rank accessories. Regardless of the rank, special commendations that warrant uniform-altering accessories are to be worn in full view for recognition. An evening dress is also included for the dress uniform assemble for Marines, with the simple black trousers and a red upper dinner jacket having been initially designed as such at the original creation of the Royal Marines. It is in this evening dress that female Marines are permitted access to a full length skirt.

The Royal Marines previously utilized it's own distinct service dress, but in 1923 abandoned it in exchange for adopting the Army's service dress. Whilst the Army's service dress comes in multiple variances, the Royal Marines stick to the utilization of the standard temperate khaki service dress as the equivalent to a business suit.

Finally, the Battle Dress of the Royal Marines is identical to that utilized by the Army. This was originally conceived when the battle dress was initially released to the Armed Forces as both a way to help distinguish friends and foes and as a way to help share out improvements on a quicker basis.

Commissioned Officers

Taking it's organizational structure from the Army, the Marines have a multitude of paths into earning a commission. Candidates are capable of attending the Royal Military College, the Reserve Officer's Training Regiment, or through the Officer Candidate Academy after a tenure as an enlisted Marine. Certain professions within the Royal Marines such as physicians, pharmacists, dentists, lawyers, and chaplains are commissioned directly into the Marines and possess unique insignia, rank names, and powers.

Most commissioned officers are promoted based on a requirement system. Officer's are informed that they are to be promoted, either through acts in the field, time, general experience, or requirement, and may accept or refuse. In most cases, however, refusal almost always results in being removed from command in favor of an officer willing to accept the promotion. This has been at the base of several controversies over the history of the army, but it has always been argued that it's selection of officers has always bred excellent results in the field.

Senior officers, or generals, are always addressed as 'General (Last Name)' regardless of exact rank. Likewise, colonels and lieutenants are referred to as 'Colonel (Last Name)' and 'Lieutenant (Last Name)' respectively, regardless of exact ranks.

Pay Grade	AO-C	AO-1	AO-2	AO-3	AO-4	AO-5	AO-6	AO-7	AO-8	AO-9	AO-10
Insignia	<imgur w=60>nJmIAkP.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>GjSEU1G.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>4uZ4M9u.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>AMTOcPY.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>o6x25MV.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>2DOeayu.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>IsXKsur.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>yfPROz2.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>GZNp6zM.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>HG5Aroc.png</imgur>	<imgur w=60>KixNBsI.png</imgur>
Title	Officer Candidate Officer Cadet	Second Lieutenant	First Lieutenant	Captain	Major	Lieutenant Colonel	Colonel	Brigadier General	Major General	Lieutenant General	General
Abbreviation	CAN CAD	2LT	1LT	CPT	MAJ	LTCOL	COL	BRIG	MAJGEN	LTGEN	GEN
Note: A General is made 'Field Marshal' during war-time.

Warrant Officers

Pay Grade	WO1	WO2	WO3	WO4	WO5
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Title	Junior Warrant Officer	Warrant Officer One	Warrant Officer Two	Chief Warrant Officer	Command Warrant Officer
Abbreviation	JWO	WO1	WO2	CWO	COMWO

Enlisted Personnel

Enlisted personnel up to Pay Grade E-4 are referred to simply as 'Marine' when not addressing them directly. Similar to the Army, Lance Corporals and Corporals are called upon to jointly lead a section of men.

MoD Pay Grade	E-1	E-2	E-3	E-3+1	E-4	E-5	E-6	E-7	E-8	E-9
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Title	Private	Lance Corporal	Corporal	Master Corporal	Sergeant	Staff Sergeant Colour Sergeant	Master Sergeant	Sergeant Major	Command Sergeant Major	Sergeant Major of the Marines
Abbreviation	PVT	LCPL	CPL	MCPL	SGT	SSG CSG	MSG	SGM	CSM	SMA
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Training

Marine snipers train with their weapons.

For a standard, non-special forces grade force, the Royal Marines undergo one of the longest and most demanding training programs in the world. Basic training, or Phase I, lasts thirty-two weeks for Marines and fifty-two weeks for officers. A series of interviews, medical evaluations, eyesight test, psychometric tests and a fitness test are all a part of the tests a potential Marine has to pass in order to progress to a four-day selection course at HMAB Argued. Following the completion of the four-day course, candidates are then inducted as Potential Marines and begin Phase I training. For the first thirty-two weeks, enlisted and officer recruits train together and are pre-selected into what unit they will join in order to begin team building with their end-goal in mind. Unlike training for the Army, the Marines undergo a serries of physical and psychological endurance tests designed to break down civilian mindsets and to replace it with military professionalism and the elite mindset the Royal Marines are known for.

Among the vast amount of skills Royal Marines learn are advanced weapons handling, marksmanship and advanced hand-to-hand combat that has evolved throughout the long period of existence the Royal Marines has enjoyed. Fieldcraft skills such as field survival, stalking targets, camouflaging themselves and their equipment, and escape and evasion tactics are taught amongst underwater skills. All of the essential Royal Marines skills are taught, with recruits training alongside serving Marines in live amphibious landings and night-time operations whilst also learning advanced communication, signals and explosive training. The ideology of the Royal Marines is to ensure every man is capable of doing every job they could, so that whilst a Marine might be designated a radio operator, it's merely for being given that equipment rather than training specialization. During live operations in the past, Marines that are injured often find their jobs quickly filled by their squad-mates with only a little drop in skill on account of experience.

Throughout his career, a Royal Marine can specialize further to qualify themselves for leadership roles or for positions amongst the specialized operation units within the Royal Marines. Candidates from the Royal Marines are often seen being tested for roles amongst the many Special Forces unit's of the Armed Forces and advanced training for non-combat roles that guarantee a pay bonus and further possibilities of promotion and selection.

Equipment

Infantry
Armour
Artillery
Aviation
Vessels