Blackhelm Confederate Marine Corps

Blackhelm Confederate Marine Corps
Active	1997 – present (Current form)
Country	Blackhelm Confederacy
Allegiance	Blackhelm Confederate Senate
Type	Army
Size	128,000 active 80,000 in reserves
Headquarters	Ministry of the Marine Corps, Paradise City
Commanders
Current commander	General Marius Greylark

The Blackhelm Confederate Marine Corps, known colloquially as the Corvidae , is the Blackhelm Confederacy's amphibious light infantry force, and are responsible for providing Confederate power projection across the globe. The Marines were formed in 1997 during the reformation of the military in the wake of the collapse of the Empire of Exponent, but they can trace their origins back to Roman Empire and to the first naval infantry in Hesperidesia, founded in 87AD.

As a highly specialised and adaptable light infantry force, the Marines are trained for rapid deployment worldwide and capable of dealing with a wide range of threats. The Corps operates in all environments and climates, though particular expertise and training is spent on amphibious warfare, jungle warfare, mountain warfare, expeditionary warfare, and its commitment to the EATA's Rapid Reaction Force.

History

The very first naval infantry units in the Empire of Exponent were organized by the Empire's founder, Valerius I in 87AD, shortly after the creation of the empire, to launch attacks on the villages of rival tribal groups along the Fontus river.

Official formation

Although naval infantry had regularly been used by the Empire of Exponent, the Corvidae as they are known today were not officially created as a distinct branch of the Imperial armed forces until 1546, when they were deployed during the Conquest of Al-Raha.

Post-Imperial era

Following the collapse of the Empire and the creation of the Blackhelm Confederacy, the new Confederate government reformed the Marine Corps. The new corps was heavily focused on expeditionary warfare, rather than the specialized naval actions that they were utilized for during the Imperial era.

Current Deployment

While the vast majority of Blackhelm Confederate Marine Divisions are based within Confederate territory, the 2nd Blackhelm Confederate Marine division is currently deployed to Terre Azure as part of the Blackhelm Confederate Forces Terre Azure (BCFTA).

Organization

The Blackhelm Confederate Marine Corps is an all-volunteer force, and does not utilize conscripted personnel to fill its ranks. To join the Marine Corps, conscripted personnel, at the end of their conscription-period, must sign a contract with the Marine Corps dedicating at minimum 2-year enlistment periods.

Additionally, recruits can choose to volunteer into the Marine Corps prior to conscription or at any time after their release, as long as they are not yet 30-years-of-age when they enroll.

All personnel must volunteer on their own, although Marine Corps recruiters typically visit conscript divisions to find recruits.

Equipment

Pistols

Name	Type	Cartridge	Origin	Photo	Notes
RAP-440	Pistol	.40 Smith&Wesson	Blackhelm Confederacy		Standard service side arm

Assault Rifles

Name	Type	Cartridge	Origin	Photo	Notes
AR-3	Bullpup Assault Rifle	7.62x39mm	Blackhelm Confederacy		30-round magazine. Main service rifle of the Confederate Marine Corps.

Rocket and missile systems

Name	Type	Diameter	Origin	Photo	Notes
GPRL-81	Incendiary rocket launcher	80mm	Khyragus		Re-loadable quad launcher used to fire incendiary and chemical warheads.
PCP-15	Anti-tank rocket launcher	99mm	Blackhelm Confederacy		Re-loadable launcher with a variety of munitions available.
Te-23 Pardus	Anti-tank missile	127 mm	Blackhelm Confederacy		Multipurpose long-range beam-riding precision guided missile launched from several Confederate military vehicles.

Vehicles

Name	Type	Quantity	Origin	Photo	Notes
Or-21 Light Tactical Vehicle	Light Utility Vehicle	~250,000	Blackhelm Confederacy
CCN-72	Amphibious Light Tank	4,325	Empire of Exponent