Ground Forces Command (Barrayar)

Ground Forces Command
Lesser Coat of Arms of the Imperial Military Service.
Active	2791 - 2750 as Imperial Militias 2850 - 2901 as Imperial Army 2901 - Present as part of Imperial Service
Country	Barrayar
Part of	Imperial Service
Nickname(s)	Imperial Army

The Ground Forces Command (GROFORCOM), also known informally as the Imperial Army, is the main branch of the Barrayaran Imperial Service responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the Barrayaran military: while the Ground Forces in their present form are about one hundred years old, Barrayaran ground officers trace their antecedents' history through the Imperial Army era back to the time of very early planetary hosts militias. Basics of the organization can be sumarizable into a core-concept, imposed by the relatively low population: relatively few units, but most of them highly trained.
In Barrayar, soldiers can be employed in aiding the government by suppressing demonstrations and riots organised by dangerous political movements or by illegal unions. Barrayaran troops may also take part in the suppression of the occasional serious revolts on Sergyar and Komarr. In order to prevent the Ground Forces line units to become an hated target, the Internal Troops are used for non-disastrous events. The incumbent Chief of the Ground Forces Staff is General Etienne Adamamelon.

Structure

The Central Command of the Ground Forces, based in Vorbarr Sultana, directs activities of land forces framed into Strategic Commands: the GroCentCom has therefore the responsibility to organize, train and equip land forces. It is keen to note that training activities performed by the Central Command are about very specific specialities.
The Central Command of the Ground Forces consists of the Staff of the Ground Troops, and departments for Occupation Forces, Armaments and Rear Services of the Ground Troops.
The Ground Forces consist of eleven Field Armies, which are framed into four major formations, that line up with the four Strategic Commands with combatant roles; the other three SSCs deploy and operate other ground troops, which are not part of Ground Forces Command. ImpSec also operates its own ground forces, but neither these units are part of GROFORCOM.

• Ground Forces Barrayar (GROFORBAR): comprises First, Second and Third Field Armies. The command has responsibility for protection of Barrayar's immediate star system and operates alongside the competent command all major ground training facilities. GROFORBAR is based at ISB Vorkraft Base, near Bonsanklar, Vorkosigan District.
• Ground Forces Komarr (GROFORKOM): comprises Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Field Armies, making KOMCOM the Service Strategic Command with the largest ground forces. The GROFORKOM has the responsibility to provide surveillance and deterrence role on Komarran soil. However, only two Field Armies in rotation are stationed on the planet, while other three Field Armies are deployed on various space stations through the star system. GROFORKOM is head-quartered at ISB Archangels, Vormoncrief District, Barrayar: the Executive Command is located at the Imperial Military Complex, in Solstice, Komarr.
• Ground Forces Sergyar (GROFORSER): comprises Ninth and Tenth Field Armies. GROFORSER has the task of protection and surveillance of the planet of Sergyar. GROFORSER is based at Vorbarr Sultana and has a detached command, at Sergyaran Capital City, Sergyar.
• Expeditionary and Reserve Ground Forces (EXPREFOR GROUND): comprises the Eleventh Field Army. EXPRES GROUND is responsible for all land units sent across the wormhole nexus, including foreign occupation, peace keeping and military aid forces. The Eleventh Field Army is stationed on Komarr, but is not part of rotation system of GROFORKOM Field Armies.

The base of the Ground Forces are the brigades. The active Ground Forces deploy 538 combat brigades, while support services are not directed by GROFORCOM. Division membership is activated only during major campaigns, with the divisional HQs being able to command any brigades. Each brigade is modular in structure, allowing the capability to transfer command within different major formations.
The Ground Forces deploy four types of combat brigades:

• Armoured brigades
• Assault brigades
• Line brigades
• Combat support brigades

Staff organization

Although the Imperial Service is a fully unified operational command, GROFORCOM retains important responsibilities about the majority of ground-related issues, but with concern the logistics and transport. Although it is fully operational unified command, the command of ground forces has important responsibilities, but with concern the logistics and transport. The Central Command of the Ground Forces structure is centred around the Chief of Staff of Ground Forces, who is part of the High Command.

• Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces
  • • Senior Service Security liaison officer
    • Senior Air Command liaison officer
    • Weather Advisory Centre
  • Ground Forces Central Command
  • Commander of the Ground Forces Headquarters
  • Operations Division (detachments from Operations Command of General Staff)
  • Organization Department
  • General of Reconnaissance
  • General of Technical Troops
  • General of Infantry
  • General of the Artillery:
    • General of the Air Defence Artillery
  • General of the fortresses engineers
  • General of Chemical troops
  • General of Signals Corps
  • Inspector General of Armoured Troops
    • Organization Department
    • Chief Automotive Officer
  • General of all the anti-tank troops

Field Armies and Field Armies Groups are organizationally submitted to Ground Forces Command.

Basic branches

The branches of service include motorized infantry, tanks, artillery and rocket forces, troop air defence, special corps (reconnaissance, signals, auto-mobile, and the rear protection), military units, and some logistical establishments.
The Infantry, the most numerous branch of service, constitutes the nucleus of Ground Forces' battle formations. The Armoured Troops are the main impact force of the Ground Forces and a powerful means of armed struggle, intended for the accomplishment of the most important combat tasks, while the Artillery and Rocket Forces provide the Ground Forces' main support fire power.
The Air Defence Artillery are one of the basic weapons for the destruction of enemy air forces and protection of combat forces. They consist of surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and radio-technical units and subdivisions.

• Infantry
  • Light Infantry - light infantry are equipped with high mobility equipment. Armoured Infantry units carry the standard title of "Marching Unit"; in recognition of feats of arms, they may be awarded the title of "Fusiliers" (e.g. 246th Fusiliers Regiment instead of 246th Marching Regiment).
  • Armoured Infantry - armoured infantry are equipped with heavy armoured personnel carriers and are operated linked with large tank formations. Armoured Infantry units carry the standard title of "Foot Guards"; in recognition of feats of arms, they may be awarded the title of "Men-at-Arms" (e.g. 246th Men-at-Arms Regiment instead of 246th Foot Guards Regiment).
  • Mechanised Infantry - mechanised infantry are equipped with armoured personnel carrier; Mechanised Infantry units carry the standard title of "Line Infantry"; in recognition of feats of arms, they may be awarded the title of "Units-of-Foot" (e.g. 135th Battalion-on-Foot instead of 135th Line Infantry Battalion).
  • Airborne Infantry - airborne infantry are trained to be deployed using aircraft. Airborne Infantry units carry the standard title of "Rifles"; in recognition of feats of arms, they may be awarded the title of "Guides" (e.g. 357th Guides Regiment instead of 357th Rifles Regiment).
• Field Artillery
  • Strategic Rocket Troops
  • Air Defence Artillery
• Line Combat Engineers - Line Combat Engineers are tasked to facilitate movement and support of friendly forces while impeding those of the enemy. Typically, a Line Combat Engineer is also trained as an Infantryman, and Line Combat Engineer units frequently fight alongside the infantry. Combat Engineers units carry the standard title of "Sappers"; in recognition of feats of arms, they may be awarded the title of "Pioneers" (e.g. 901st Pioneers Battalion instead of 901st Sappers Battalion).
• Armour: the Armour branch keeps the traditions of the ancient Cavalry Corps:
  • Reconnaissance: several Regiments carry the title of "Hussars", "Dragoons" and "Light Cavalry"; in recognition of feats of arms, they may be awarded the title of "Carabinier" (e.g. 468th Carabinier Regiment instead of 468th Dragoons Regiment).
  • Line Armour: several Regiments carry the title of "Cuirassiers" and "Lancers"; in recognition of feats of arms, they may be awarded the title of "Unit of Ordnance" (e.g. 579th Squadrons Group of Ordnance instead of 579th Lancers Squadrons Group).
• Signal Corps
• Chemical Corps
• Ground Support Aviation

Mechanised Infantry

Mechanised Infantry are the backbone of the Barrayaran ground military, with presence in all scenarios. Members of the infantry corps are professional soldiers trained in a wide variety of combat situations who know they can count on plentiful resources and constant support. They are fine combatants, thoroughly drilled and ready to participate in modern day conflicts, both domestic and foreign.

Guards unit

Guards units are elite units and formations in the Ground Forces of the Imperial Service. These units are awarded Guards status after distinguishing themselves in service, and are considered to have elite status. The Guards designation originated during the Cetagandan War. Units and formations awarded with the Guard title receive special Guards banners to display the status, alongside apposite badges to be worn of the right side of the chest. More often than not, Guards units and formations receive heavy weapons if infantry and elite tactical training, as well a peculiar indoctrination in the defence of the Barrayaran Empire, and are renowned for their ability to remain cool under fire in combat situations where even many other veterans would break. Guards units are highly trained in the use of numerous heavy weapons, and are entrusted with special equipment of high quality.<vr> Those who want to be assigned to a Guards unit, must first prove themselves in the line troops and become hardened veterans before they are assigned to Guards. The Guards also have an impressive ethos of duty and honour, and looked upon with great favour among the standard regiments.

Combat formations

In a military context, a command is a collection of units and formations under the control of a single officer. A formation is a composite military organization that includes a mixture of integrated and operationally attached sub-units, and is usually combat-capable, while a typical unit is a homogeneous military organization that includes service personnel predominantly from a single arm of service.

Military Region

A Military Region is shorthand for the name of a military formation larger than an Army Group and smaller than a Service Strategic Command. In Barrayaran usage, the name of an army group is expressed in geographic adjectives following the abbreviation "GROFOR" (e.g., "GROFOR Barrayar").

Field Army Group

A Field Army Group is a military organization consisting of several Field Armies, which is self-sufficient for indefinite periods. In the Barrayaran military, the Field Army Group is the operational command responsible for ground forces in an area in a particular Service Strategic Command area. The Field Army Group level directly controls relatively few units, mostly just drive transmission unit and usually guard and security.

Field Army

A Field Army, usually referred to simply as an Army, is the military formation superior to a corps and beneath an army group. On Barrayar, the style for naming field armies is word numbers, such as "First Army". A Field Army is composed of a headquarters, and usually controls at least two corps, beneath which are a variable number of divisions. A battle is influenced at the Field Army level by transferring divisions and reinforcements from one corps to another to increase the pressure on the enemy at a critical point.
The Field Army is composed of some Army Corps (usually between three and six). It has at its disposal units consisting of health supplies and reinforcements, because the whole system is its duty to supply. Are also subjected to Field Armies troops outside Corps, which in turn are assigned to the Army Corps to subjected Brigades. Also military police and security units and possibly a Security Division are permanently subjected to Field Armies.

Corps

A Corps is a large formation, composed of eight to twelve Brigades, usually ten, which has the ability to command, control, operational and logistic such as to enable the development of ground military operations in conditions of high autonomy. The Corps manages Divisional commands.

Divisions

Barrayaran Divisions are the basic deployable unit of maneuver in the Ground Forces: they are combined formations and each Division consists of one or more combat arms branch maneuver Regiment, and its attached support and fire units. A Division is generally commanded by a Major General. Barrayar currently deploys 1,410 Divisions. It is to note that Divisions and Regiments are the main identity markers of Ground Forces soldier.

Divisional Head Quarters

Due to the sheer size of many Divisions, the officer in command of a Division is advised by a Divisional staff. Drawn from the Division itself and other Imperial Service departments, this body of officers and enlisted personnel helps the commander in coordinating and documenting the regiment and all of its activities. Members of the Service Security and Engineering attached to the regiment are not considered part of a Division staff but work alongside it. Often the staff is subdivided into several sections, each with its own designated duties, which many include the following:

• Operations - This section is responsible for issuing field orders, preparing battle plans, and compiling data on the regiment's situation. In many cases it is the most senior section of the staff and commanded by the regiment's second-in-command.
• Intelligence - Responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating information about enemy forces, primarily to the Operations section and the Division's commanding officer in the form of daily intelligence reports. Often this section includes attached liaison teams, such as from the Orbital Forces units for advanced aerial reconnaissance or the Military Intelligence Service to assist in interrogating captured enemies. The dedicated reconnaissance units attached to the Division are used directly by the Intelligence section to conduct specific scouting missions.
• Communications/Signals - Oversees all communications between the regimental headquarters and it's sub-units, between sub-units within the regiment, and between the Division and High Command. Staffed with Military Intelligence Service personnel, it also maintains communications with other units operating in the theatre and with eavesdropping on the enemy's communications to pass along to Intelligence. The dedicated Communications company reports directly this section, while a member of the Military Engineering specialising in communications technology may also be attached to this section.
• Transportation/Supply - This section is responsible for planning and coordinating the non-combat transportation of the regiment and its resupply by the Logistics Command. During combat it is responsible for regulating the regiment's rear echelon, such as maintaining traffic flow and providing security for supply depots and lines of communication, and is supplied troops by the Operations section to accomplish this mission. Often this section is commanded by a Logistics Command senior officer and it is in direct contact with any Logistics' supply columns assigned to transport material from rear stockpiles to the Division's supply depots.
• Statistics/Administration - The Statistics and Administration section deals with all personnel matters and record-keeping within the Division. This includes maintaining tables of organisation and equipment and replacing combat losses, as well as the history of the Division itself. It is often commanded by a senior officer of the administrative services.

Other non-combat units often attached to Divisional headquarters include a Medical company, which reports to the Division's Surgeon Captain. The medical company is responsible for supplying Medics to a Division's units and maintains an aid-station treat the wounded in the field. It is also responsible for transporting serious cases to a field-hospice in the rear.

Armoured Divisions

The armoured division is the ground forces' primary manoeuvre instrument; it is built around two Tank Regiments (4 Tank Squadron Groups each), two Mechanised Infantry Regiments (for a total of 7 Battalions) and one Mobile Heavy Field Artillery Regiment (3 Groups), which combine themselves in order to form three operational Brigades (two armoured and one mechanised). If it is required by the tactical/strategic situation, Regiments can operate independently within a larger mass or even constitute ad hoc, smaller task forces. The Divisional brigades are not permanent formations.
The standard organization is the following one:

• Command Battalion
• Brigade A
  • 3 Tank Squadron Groups
  • 2 Infantry Battalions
  • 1 Mobile Heavy Field Artillery Group
  • Support Battalion
  • Pioneers Company
  • Communications Company
• Brigade B
  • 3 Tank Squadron Groups
  • 2 Infantry Battalions
  • 1 Mobile Heavy Field Artillery Group
  • Support Battalion
  • Pioneers Company
  • Communications Company
• Brigade C
  • 2 Tank Squadron Groups
  • 3 Infantry Battalions
  • 1 Mobile Heavy Field Artillery Group
  • Support Battalion
  • Pioneers Company
  • Communications Company
• Mechanised Infantry Battalion
• Armoured Artillery Regiment (3 Groups)
• Exploring Cavalry Squadron Group
• Air Support Cavalry Squadron Group
• Service Units Command
  • Communications Battalion
  • Pioneers Battalion
• Infantry Training Regiment

Assault Division

The Assault Division is a mechanised infantry force structured around the armoured fighting vehicle Reaper. A full Assault Division is intended to be air transportable into theatre within 100 hours. The Assault division is an organic combined arms unit of light armoured vehicles, and it is intended to fill a gap between the highly mobile light infantry and much more heavy armoured formations.
Each Assault Division consists of three infantry regiments, one reconnaissance squadron, one artillery regiment, one divisional support battalion, one Division command Battalion and one combined services battalion, including one anti-tank company.

Line Division

The Line Brigade is organised around two infantry regiments: each sub-type of Line Division (light infantry, air assault, or airborne) have the same basic organization, being capable of air assault operations, whether or not it is designated as an air assault formation. However, most units operate as mechanized infantry to facilitate speed and mobility. The Line Division consists of two infantry regiments, one reconnaissance regiment and one field artillery regiment, with combined services and support battalions.

Aviation Brigades

The Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is the main independent Brigade-type formation: a multi-functional brigade-sized formation that fields military aircraft, offering a combination of attack aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, medium-lift aircraft, heavy-lift aircraft and medical evacuation capabilities.

Line Brigades

The Line Brigades are the multipurpose combat formations of the Ground Forces Command designed in order to provide a reliable combat tool in small-scale or fragmented engagements. This type of Brigade has a modular structure, able to face at its best counterinsurgency operations as well as hybrid and conventional war. The Brigade consists of 4 Infantry Battalions, 1 Artillery Group, 1 Cavalry Squadrons Group, 1 Engineers Battalion, 1 Sappers Battalion, 1 Logistics Regiment and 1 Command Battalion.

Regiments

The Regiment is the largest military unit which includes units of a single Corps or Arm, composed of several battalions. It consists of a variable number of people as a function of the composition of the battalions. It is normally commanded by a colonel. The regiment covers specific functions within large units which is aggregated. It is to note that Divisions and Regiments are the main identity markers of Ground Forces soldier.

Basic units and operations

In every ground-based formation of the Imperial Service, the Infantry Platoon provides the backbone of operations. All infantry regiments are, without exception, built around a solid base of multiple Infantry Companies and Platoons. Even armour and artillery regiments include one or more such units for close support duties. A junior officer, technically referred to as the Platoon Commander, leads each Infantry Platoon. While Company Commanders must endeavour to hold back and retain a more strategy-oriented overview, Platoon Command Squads lead from the front. Fighting to emulate this daring example, the remainder of the Platoon is composed of multiple ten-man infantry squads and small teams of well armed support specialists.
These elements are trained to work as a whole: without heavy and special weapons, the men of the Infantry Squads would soon fall; without those same infantrymen, however, the heavy and special weapons squads would be overrun and torn apart in short order. Without their commanding officers, meanwhile, infantry platoons would be robbed of the dynamism and cohesion.
The infantry platoon includes one Platoon Command Squad and a varying number of subordinate squads, according to the speciality: 2 to 5 Infantry Squads, up to 5 Heavy Weapons Squads and up to 3 Special Weapons Squads. An infantry squad is the basic tactical element of the platoon and consists of ten soldiers, including a Corporal or Sergeant who leads them; the heavy weapons squad consists of 3 Heavy Weapons Teams, and the special weapons squad consists of six specialist soldiers. According to the speciality, an infantry platoon ranges from 25 to 103 soldiers; the high end is very rare, and it is used only in heavy infantry units, with companies consisting of three platoons.

Mobile Assault and Sniper Platoons

Mobile Assault and Sniper Platoons (MAS Platoons) consist of a core of snipers, with a supporting assault troops who also act as bodyguards. It is the duty of the assault troops to secure flanking positions for the snipers to ‘set up house’ and provide the main army with cover fire. They are equipped with light transport and in many ways they are a skirmisher unit. Snipers in MAS Platoons are used attached to a squad, to effect long range suppressive fire.

Ground Forces Barrayar

Ground Forces Barrayar (GROFORBAR), the First Military Region, is a component command of of, and reports to, Barrayar Command (BARCOM). It is responsible for homeland defence and defence support of Imperial authorities as the joint force land component command. Since the Ground Forces are involved only in case of significant military operations, GROFORBAR operationally manages most of training facilities and a major part of ground formations, alongside GROFORKOM.
The First Military Region contains 1st, 2nd and 3rd Field Army Groups, being capable to deploy 204 operational Brigades, most of which are Line Brigades. GROFORBAR Commander is General Henry Gaaroche.

• 1st Support Brigade: serving units directly dependent on GROFORBAR
• 1st Field Army Group: deployed mainly around Vorbarr Sultana, it is tasked with guarding central and southern part of Northern Continent. It is considered the most prestigious Command within Ground Forces for the proximity to the capital city. 1st Field Army Head Quarters are in Vorbarr Sultana. 1st Field Army Group Commander is General Louis Vortaine.
• 2nd Field Army Group: deployed in the Southern Continent, has to perform guard and surveillance of the home front of colonization and terraforming. 2nd Field Army Group Head Quarters are in ISB Black Mountains 01 and its Commander is General Gregor Jole.
• 3rd Field Army Group: guards the northern part of North Continent and the Arctic Circle. 3rd Field Army Group Head Quarters are in ISB Archangel and its Commander is General Ivan Geyer.
• Internal Troops - Barrayaran Garrison: for territorial matters only.

Islands Garrison Regiment

Major islands outside the continental mass of the Northern Continent and between the Northern and the Southern Continent are garrisoned by special military units. These units are all infantry and mechanized infantry battalions, and they are grouped within a dedicated Regiment, the Royal Emperor's Own Island Garrison Regiment. The Regiment falls under the 1st Field Army:

• 1st Battalion "Emperor's Men" - Guernsey
• 2nd Battalion "Stalwart Shields" - Barraston
• 3rd Battalion "Freeholders Assembled" - Île du Prince-Serge
• 4th Battalion "Stormcrows" - James' Island
• 5th Battalion "Redcloaks" - Simantikés Nisí
• 6th Battalion "Furcloaks" - Stonewall Island
• 7th Battalion "Round Shields" - Zelenyy Ostrov
• 8th Battalion "Greycloaks" - Kholodnyy Zemlya
• 9th Battalion "Blood Riders" - Plodorodnyye Zemlya
• 10th Battalion "Winged Knights" - Blighted Island
• 11th Battalion "Whitecloaks" - Stranglebeasts Island
• 12th Battalion "Raven's Claws" - Proklyatyy Ostrov
• 13th Battalion "Goldcloaks" - Île Monstrueux

Household Division

An old officer of the 3rd Squadron, 1st Squadrons Group, The Liege Guards while resting and wearing his District colours. Usually Counts detach senior officers with particularly honourable conduct to the Household service as a service award.

The Household Cavalry Division (HCavDiv) is an Imperial Guard formation directly dependent on the Ground Forces Command. Its tasks include almost exclusively public and ceremonial duties, and are formed up by units coming from Northern Districts: each District provides and equips a Cavalry Squadron in order to form five Cavalry Regiments. These Regiments provide honour guard and public duties on a rotational basis and are drawn from the District Militias. The Division is made up of the five cavalry regiments, stationed at Brownskull Barracks in Ezarston and in Eastern Park Barracks. The whole Division is under the command of the Commander Household Cavalry, who also holds the appointment of Silver Staff in Waiting. The Regiments carry out mounted (and some dismounted) ceremonial duties on State and Imperial occasions. These include the provision of a Sovereign's Escort; other occasions include State Visits by visiting Heads of State, or whenever required by the Monarch. The regiment also mounts the guard at Horse Guards.
Each Regiment contains three Squadrons Groups, each Squadron Group containing in turn four Squadrons. Each Squadron is provided and equipped by a different Count, drawing it from his own District Militia, while regimental depots and command companies are provided by the Imperial Service. The five cavalry Regiments of the Household Cavalry Division are:

• The Horse Guards (3 Squadrons Groups)
  • 1st Squadrons Group (The Imperial Dragoons): Vortaine, Vordarian, Vortala, Vorbretten;
  • 2nd Squadrons Group: Vorhalas, Vordrozda, Vormoncrief, Vorfolse;
  • 3rd Squadrons Group: Vorrutyer, Vorsmythe, Vorvolk, Vortrifrani.
• The Life Guards (3 Squadrons Groups)
  • 1st Squadrons Group (The Imperial Cuirassiers): Vorbataille, Vortugalov, Vorinnis, Vorkalloner;
  • 2nd Squadrons Group: Vorville, Vorpinski, Vorvolynkin, Vormuir;
  • 3rd Squadrons Group: Vorgarin, Vorfolse, Vorlakial, Vortashpula.
• The Liege Guards (3 Squadrons Groups)
  • 1st Squadrons Group ("The Faithful"): Vorbarra, Vorkosigan, Vorpatril, Vorlopoulos;
  • 2nd Squadrons Group: Vortienne, Vorharopulos, Vorvayne, Vorob'yev;
  • 3rd Squadrons Group: Vorreedi, Voraronberg, Vorberg, Vorbohn.
• The Emperor's Own Guards (3 Squadrons Groups)
  • 1st Squadrons Group (The Imperial Lancers): Vorgier, Vorgorov, Vorgustafson, Vorhovis;
  • 2nd Squadrons Group: Vorkeres, Vorkraft, Vorlaisner, Vorlightly;
  • 3rd Squadrons Group: Vormurtos, Vorparadijs, Vorsoisson, Vortalon.
• The Mounted Guards (3 Squadrons Groups)
  • 1st Squadrons Group (Imperial Horse Guards): Vorthalia, Vorthys, Vortorren, Vorvane;
  • 2nd Squadrons Group: Vorventa, Vorwyn, Vorzohn, Voraronberg;
  • 3rd Squadrons Group: Vorlynkin, Vorcharitos, Vorburg, Vorderren.

1st Rehabilitation Garrison Infantry Regiment

The 1st Rehabilitation Garrison Infantry Regiment is the infantry component of the Household Division, and acts as a localized force to permanently guard the Capital. The Regiment is unique in that recruits of the Regiment are gathered from the dregs of society and convicted gangsters. They fought each other in the congested urban slums, now they fight a true enemy. A significant part of the recruits come from the agricultural districts and therefore are sturdy, hard-working types, glad to be off the farm.
Although they are drawn from the least acceptable layers of society, they are known for their drill&discipline skills. However, their corporate culture differs significantly from that of the Imperial Service, especially for their extensive use of modified weaponry. The Regiment, being a Garrison unit, is formally tasked to stand as the last line of defence for Barrayar: the regiment's mission is to die, and take as many enemies with it as possible.

501st Independent Brigade

Brigade's emblem. Although the armoured fist is typical of armour formations, the 501st Independent Brigade evolved from an infantry formation.

The 501st Independent Brigade "General Vortaine", nicknamed "Emperor's Fists", is an elite unit originally established during the Escobaran War as an independent infantry formation. During the decades, the Brigade initially wore the standard armour but had transitioned to wearing navy blue markings during the Komarran Revolt to honour its heroic deeds in the defence of Solstice during the harshest days. The 501st fought in many battles, becoming one of the most well-known formations. The 501st Brigade faithfully served the Empire of Barrayar through its history, operating under the direct command of the General Staff. Nowadays, it is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the Imperial Service, while its role has changed from a line infantry to an experimental formation capable to function as "jolly band", with attention paid to the role of "test bed" for new doctrines. Theatres seen by the 501st include almost all foreign deployments of the Imperial Service, either as combat and as peace-keeping/occupation unit.
The brigade has an its own combat and strategic doctrine, and it is well suited for defensive consolidation operations in newly secured areas: fortresses solidify conquest, and the Brigade seeks conquest with a focused hunger. Massed shock assaults, using the full array of weaponry, typify the Brigade's approach to war. In case of stand-alone operations, multiple battalions often take to the field en masse and hit the enemy as an unified spearhead.
The 501st Independent Brigade mostly acts as part of the strategic reserves of the Barrayaran forces due to their ability to rapidly redeploy to battlefields where needed; in this capacity, they are similar to the Landing Forces, although their primary area of specialization is urban combat and siege.
From an organisational point of view, the Brigade is firstly noted for the number of assault-configured units, which is very high, as are auxiliary units armed with specialised weaponry suited to the destruction of amour and fortifications. The second notable dominance is that of heavy weaponry, which is selected not only for raw power but also for its accuracy and adaptability in the field. The brigade consists of four armoured battalions, four mechanized infantry battalions and two artillery battalions. The first five battalions were raised from across Barrayar as a whole, and still nowadays the 501st Brigade takes some of the youths as recruits from all Barrayar, even in regions where other major formations have their base (and therefore the primary recruitment basin). The symbol of the brigade is a silver armoured fist on a blue background.

Ground Forces Komarr

Ground Forces Komarr (GROFORKOM), the Second Military Region, is a component command of of, and reports to, Komarr Command (KOMCOM). It is responsible for garrisoning and defence support of Imperial authorities as the joint force land component command. Because the sensitivity of Komarr, Komarr GROFORKOM operationally manages most of surveillance and garrisoning duties and a major part of ground formations, alongside GROFORBAR.
The Second Army Group contains 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Field Armies, being capable to deploy 272 operational Brigades, most of which are Line Brigades. GROFORKOM Commander is General Lord Xavier Vordarian.

• 2nd Support Brigade: serving units directly dependent on GROFORBAR
• 4th Field Army Group: deployed mainly around Solstice Domed City. 4th Field Army Group Commander is General Piotr Vorkeres.
• 5th Field Army Group: deployed in the 1st to 6th Sectors. 5th Field Army Group Commander is General Sebastian Vorfolse.
• 6th Field Army Group: deployed in the 7th to 13th Sectors. 6th Field Army Group Commander is General David Dalavev.
• 7th Field Army Group: deployed in the 14th to 19th Sectors. 7th Field Army Group Commander is General Vladimir Vormoncrief.
• Internal Troops - Komarran Garrison: for territorial matters only.

Ground crew-served weapons of the Imperial Service

The skimmer CV-MBT-12 General Vorkosigan has been the ground forces main battle tank since 2992.

The Imperial Service employs various crew-served weapons to provide heavy fire power at ranges exceeding that of individual weapons. The M-240 is the Imperial Service's standard Impulse Medium Machine Gun. The Imperial Service uses two types of mortar for indirect fire support when heavier artillery may not be appropriate or available.
The Explosive Grenade Mortar is a 80 mm mortar, normally assigned at the infantry company level. At the next higher echelon, infantry battalions are typically supported by a section of 120 mm Plasma Grenade mortars. Fire support for infantry units is also provided by towed plasma heavy guns. The Service utilizes a variety of weapons to provide ground forces with an anti-armour capability. The AT-4 is an unguided rocket that can destroy armour and bunkers at ranges up to 600 meters. PC-73 is the main field plasma cannon and it is used mainly as towed weapon, while the NDC-99 Nerve Disruptor Cannon is used only on most sensitive installations.

Tracked, wheeled, bipods and anti-grav skimmer vehicles

The Barrayaran ground warfare vehicles (of all branches and Corps) are preferably anti-grav/floating skimmer vehicles, although ground cars and hovering platforms are also widely used. This preference comes from the need of avoiding the massive vibrations which may announce the Barrayaran presence to the enemy force. While anti-grav/floating or hovering skimmer vehicles are the clear majority among military vehicles, tracked and wheeled vehicles are still largely employed; reasons for their use range from the lack of necessity to avoid enemy detection (for example riot vehicles employed by police forces or by Internal Troops or rescue vehicles) to the dangers related to the use of anti-grav/floating skimmer vehicles in some particular environments (mostly unstable magnetic fields); in these cases, tracked or wheeled vehicles provide higher manoeuvrability and stability. Bipod vehicles such as the Mechanized Combat Bipods are used in some particular situations, where tactical advantages are by far higher than the disadvantages.

Vehicles

The ground forces' most common vehicle is the Multi-Purpose Ground Wheeled Vehicle, which is capable of serving as a cargo/troop carrier, weapons platform, and ambulance, among many other roles. The CV-MBT-12 General Vorkosigan is the ground forces' main battle tank, while the IFV-34 Vorkraft is the standard infantry fighting vehicle, capable of several adaptations and variants; both can be deployed on tracks or on anti-gravity platforms.
The Service principal artillery weapons are the M-456 Armsman self-propelled howitzer and the M-270 Multiple Launch Missile Weapon, both capable of being mounted on tracked or a-grav platforms and assigned to heavy mechanized units.

Tank combat deployment

Tank units have Tank Companies as basic element; they consist in tanks with the same propulsion system for a total of 25 tanks in each company.

• Command Platoon
  • Command Element (1 tank)
  • Support and Services Squad (3 support vehicles; Support personnel)
• 4 x Tank Line Platoon (6 tanks each)

Belykaban-class armoured personnel carrier

The Belykaban is a Barrayaran tracked armoured personnel carrier that is widely used throughout the armed corps of Barrayar; it is also one of the most exported military vehicles. The Belykaban is a mainstay vehicle of the Imperial Service. Robust and versatile, and able to resist the most hostile of environments, the Belykaban has become over the years the basic troop transport for infantry squads.
The Belykaban APC has been in the Barrayar's military service for over fifty years. The Belykaban has evolved from the BL1-K-0 Tracked Exploration and Multi-Purpose Observation Vehicle (TEMPO), for use by colonists and explorers. The BL1K0 was and still is a civilian tracked vehicle designed for those who needed a robust, tracked all-terrain vehicle, sealed against hostile environments and providing some measure of protection.
Belykaban vehicles, as well as the other vehicle classes which derive from the Belykaban class, are constructed of a bonded ceramics layer over a cast plasteel hull, although others use composite carbon compounds or a conventional hardened steel, depending on their origins. A Belykaban's engine is a work of genius. It is capable of running on almost any combustible material.
A Belykaban standard crew consists of two soldiers (a driver and a tank chief/gunner) who control the remotely operated gun (plasma, neural, laser or other weapons). In addition to this, a top-mounted gun may be fixed to the top hatch, which can be operated by an additional soldier. A Belykaban is capable of carrying up to twelve infantrymen or ten infantrymen in full combat armour within its well-protected hull.
Access to a Belykaban is gained via four doors and hatches. Disembarkation can be achieved through the hydraulic rear ramp and two side doors. There is also a hatch on the top of the vehicle, which provides its passengers with an opening from which to fire their weapons. It also provides a quick escape in the event of catastrophic damage, or if the other doors are jammed. The Belykaban is powered by three adaptable combustion engines, which run a dynamo each, which in turn runs two electric motors (and recharges the engine's batteries). Each dynamo is independent from the other engines. Each engine has its own fuel tank, and a separate oxygen supply. Belykabans can also be equipped with a number of enhancements. The Belykaban chassis is used as the base from which many other Imperial military vehicles are constructed.

Mechanized Combat Bipods

The Imperial Service's ground forces deploy mechanized combat bipods, officially designed as MCB, but also known as "combat mechs" are essentially combat machines controlled by people from inside. Differently from wheeled, tracked or anti-gravity propelled skimmer vehicles, only the Ground Forces maintains mechanized bipods, as they are not fit for landing purposes and they not have an air or aerospace capability. These machines have an humanoid (i.e. a central body with limbs) shape instead of a vehicular frame, but can vary greatly in size and appearance. Mechanized bipods are also used for civilian purposes such as heavy construction work, police functions and fire-fighting. Mechs also see roles as transporters on difficult terrain, advanced hazardous material suits and particular R&D applications.
Mechs are much larger and bulkier than a man and even in the smallest bipods the pilot's limbs do not extend into the respective limbs. Since they have been developed, mechs are a key component of every combined force, supported by and fighting alongside tanks, fighter aircraft, and infantry, performing roles of a mechanized cavalry on legs instead of tracks or anti-gravity: their aim is to combine tank's resilience and firepower with infantry's ability to cross unstable terrain. Furthermore, they have a greater versatility in armament, being capable of modular and generally heavier equipment.
The Imperial Service has developed combat mechs since 2961, within the Multilateral Military and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed with Beta Colony, Escobar and Pol.
MCBs are built around an internal skeletal structure. The actuators structure consists of purpose-specific artificial polymer fibres, which contract in the presence of an electrical current. The artificial skeleton and musculature, combined with a large gyroscope system, provides stability for the mech and allows for bipedal movement. Some, small reconnaissance bipods have jump jets that provide thrust bursts for short leaps.
The power required for the actuators, weapons, and other systems is provided by a small M/AM Engine mounted in the torso or in the back. Although all mechs have heat plates, heat build up is still a frequent problem. Intense combat action can lead to overheating that puts physical strain on the pilot, and may even cause an emergency reactor shut-down.
Most bipods copy the human shape to a certain, limited extent, which is the key issue in versatility. The whole system is controlled by a pilot wearing a neuro-helmet, derived from hyperspace pilots circuits, which links the Bipod's central computer to the pilot's sense of balance and nervous system. Augmented by a combination of throttle, joysticks, and dual feet sensor system, the pilot controls the mech almost like an extension of his own body. Mechs range in height from 5 to 15 meters and mass from 15 to 85 tonnes in five-ton intervals, with some capable of ground speeds in excess of 125 km/h. Standard mechs have a torso that can rotate to either side independently from the legs, but none can do a complete 360° twist. Several bipods, especially the new ones, have articulated hands that can be used to climb or grab items. Most recent mechs feature hard points with interchangeable weaponry whereas classic old mechs have a fixed configuration.

Configurations

Primary combat roles are standard combat, urban combat, assault, artillery and reconnaissance/scout. Mechs are also divided into three broad weight classes: light, medium and heavy. The most immediate subdivision is according to the number of legs:

• Bipedal mechs: the vast majority of mechs are bipedal and can be classed as either humanoid or reverse-joint ("chicken walker"). Humanoid-type mechs are by far the most common type.
• Quadrupedal mechs: four-legged or "quad" mechs constitute a small segment of official designs, and while they lack the flexibility of bipedal designs, they are considerably more stable.

However, the most common classification is according to the tonnage:

• Light: All mechs weighing from 17 up to 35 tons are classified as "light". Their skeleton can only carry limited armour, but the higher efficiency of reactors means that light mechs benefit from superior mobility. They are typically fast but lightly armed and armoured. These mechs are generally used as reconnaissance or scout mechs and anti-infantry units, although they can be designated combat mechs with relatively heavy armament. Light mechanized combat bipods have a single pilot. Greater MCB in this category have generally 2 or even 3 soldiers in their crew; in this cases, the vehicle commander is the pilot.
• Medium: medium mechs are the workhorses of most mech line units. Weighing between 40 and 55 tons they naturally fall somewhere in between the agile light mechs and the powerful heavy mechs. Medium mechs tend to have the best combination between speed, armour, and payload which gives them unmatched versatility. The fastest medium mechs often serve as command units among light mechs squadrons with similar speed. Medium mechs units can often out-maneuver heavier or less maneuverable opponents in combat. Medium bipods have a three to four soldiers crew, with a pilot and up to two gunners, as well as an engine technician.
• Heavy: heavy mechs are those designed for frontline assault combat duty, and weigh in between 60 and 75 tons, but some weigh up to 85 tons. They are slightly less versatile and generally slower than medium mechs, but tend to have much heavier armour and weapon payloads. They are capable of delivering sustained heavy fire over long ranges while retaining adequate mobility. Heavy mechanised combat bipods sometimes host a crew of two (pilot and gunner) or even three. Heavy bipods may have even a five-sized crew.

Combat deployment

While autonomous formations usually are of brigade level or larger, mech units have a different role due to the peculiar nature of the mech combat deployment.
Usually, mech-only units are up to regimental level, framed within a Corps and tasked to act alone as operation-capable forces. Mechanised Combat Bipod Regiments include all mech types framed into four Squadron Groups (up to two light scout/reconnaissance mech Squadron Groups, two to three medium mech Squadron Groups and up to one heavy mech Squadron Group for a grand total of 168 Mechanised Combat Bipods per Regiment).
Within combined units and formations, mechs are mostly employed at Squadron Group level, with 39 Bipods, or even at Squadron level, reinforcing an individual part of said formation. Currently, there are three MCB Regiments (one on each planet) and three additional Independent Squadron Groups for a total of 621 Mechanised Combat Bipods. All mech types, from light to heavy ones, have the same Squadron (equivalent to a company) organisation:

• Command Platoon
  • 1 x Command MCB
  • 2 x Support MCBs
  • 1 x Repairs Squad
• 3 x Platoon
  • 3 x MCB (per Platoon)
  • 1 x Repairs Squad (per Platoon).

On each planet, there also is a Maintenance Battalion, tasked to keep Mechanized Combat Bipods combat-ready and tuned. Maintenance Battalion operates the Auxiliary Remotely Operated Units (AROUs) in order to allow MCB pilots to meet their objectives..

Combat drones

A Combat Drone is an automated weapon controlled by a larger system. The archetypal combat drone is essentially a gun, a propulsion system to move it, and an AI with sensors to carry out commands. This can allow the controller to attack an enemy with a greatly reduced risk of suffering human causalities. A combat drone is directly commanded or controlled, directly tied to said controller as an extension of it.
Standard combat drones have the form of sleek disk-shaped machines which are well-armoured and equipped with small anti-gravitic engines and manoeuvring jet-thrusters so that they can hover and skim across the ground. All combat drones consist of an advanced processor unit which individually possesses a basic artificial intelligence; this is often enough for the drones to perform the required tasks. Such programming copes with a number of battlefield roles should the need arise as drone intelligences are capable of independent initiative and basic problem solving. However, all drone intelligences share common programming that allows them to be able to control the movement of the platform, fire any weapons they control, and evade enemy fire if they are capable of doing so.
Drones are programmed with basic self-preservation protocols, especially if it is an advanced model which cannot fall in enemy hands. Most drones can be networked together to serve as a team or squadron. This significantly increases and ramps up the intelligence and processing speed of all the drones in the network, and their ability for independent action.
Combat drones can carry a wide variety of equipment, ranging from defensive Shield Generators to offensive weaponry, communications equipment and various combat support systems. Most drones are able to interact with their players, obeying simple instructions.
A soldier skilled in directing them can multiply the lethality of a combat drone acting autonomously. In addition to improving their accuracy, a skilled soldier guiding drones can ensure that they fight both tactically and strategically, making critical judgements on which targets are truly the most important, and when to hold steadfast or make tactical retreats. Normally a drone would require regular orders from its player to operate at maximum efficiency, but several drones acting together become capable of acting independently for long periods without the need for controllers. Four drones is the minimum number required to form a fully effective self-aware network, whilst twelve is usually the maximum number of drones deployed in a single squadron.
A Drone controller is an electronic device that can be used by the player to further enhance their connection to and control over their robotic companions. A Drone controller acts as a hub of digital communications between the drone's operator and any drones that are nearby, acting as an advanced interface between the operator and the AI battle programs of the drones; such devices may be neural or non implanted tools.

Related voices

• Imperial Service (Barrayar)
• Military ranks of Barrayar
• Barrayar Command
• Internal Troops (Barrayar)
• Space Forces (Barrayar)