Since its founding, in 2161, UFP has always relied on its Star Fleet to provide military defense in times of trouble, whether it be defending the Neutral Zone against threat incursions, preventing hostile takeover by an alien force, or leading negotiations during civil wars between Federation members.  Granted, the power to devastate a planetary surface without even setting foot on it was a strong deterrent, but it was not at all suited to subtler methods of preventing hostility or subduing terrorists.

Early in its formation, Starfleet realized it needed a security force to protect its own vessels and installations.  But it was soon discovered that the need to hold territory was of paramount importance.  As the Romulan War had ushered in the dawn of the Starfleet, the first Klingon War, and its Klingon shock troops, made it clear that a specialized expeditionary force was needed.  The Council thought this group of highly trained men and women would be the perfect complement to the Star Fleet's peace efforts, and commissioned the Starfleet Marine Corps.

The mission of the Corps is to follow Starfleet and Federation directives, acting to preserve the peace and uphold Federation law. Whether the job calls for putting down  a violent insurrection, eliminating interstellar terrorists, or simply providing a temporary peacekeeping force for a government in need, the Starfleet Marines are up to the job!

The key to the Marines' success is their flexibility.  A story is told of a planetary governor who frantically contacted Starfleet HQ with an urgent request for assistance: His capital city was filled with rioters, and his peacekeepers were incapable of dealing with violence of this magnitude.  The nearest starship, a Knox class frigate, was dispatched, and the Captain ordered an appropriate Marine force beamed down to assist.  He knew the ship's armaments would be useless; countless innocents were in the riot zone. Ship's security was not suited, either, having been  trained more in "peacekeeping" techniques than in methods needed on the streets that had become a battleground.

Shortly after the Marine force arrived on the planet, the governor hailed the ship. "You're crazy!" H e shouted. "You've sent down only one Marine ?"

"But, Sir," the Captain replied, "you said there was only one riot."
 
 

                                                                                  _____The Space Marines credo.
 

In the centuries that have followed, Starfleet has structured and honed the Marine Corps into the finest fighting machine in all of known space.  As threats from without have challenged the Federation, the Marine Corps has adapted and improved.

The Space Marines are a direct result of this growing process.  The Space Marines were designed to respond, quickly and efficiently, to situations requiring specialized armed training.  They are Starfleet’s experts in holding ground (planets), hostage rescues, storming well-defended positions, boarding actions, assault, and anti-terrorism activities.  As their name dictates, they are not only experts in ground-based combat, but in space combat as well.

The Space Marines are Starfleet’s elite expeditionary force.  They are the best of the best!

Within the ranks of Special Forces, only the cream of Starfleet’s expeditionary force attain the SEHLAT designation.  These Space and Environmental Hazardous Landing and Assault Teamers make up Starfleets’ Special Forces operations teams.  But are valuable assets and serve in all divisions of Starfleet.  Not all marines are SEHLATs.  But not all SEHLATs are marines, either.
 
 

-A Versatile expeditionary force in constant readiness.
-A Balanced force forward in any Fleet Campaign and that of a Planetary and System Strike Force.
-Always at a constant High state of readiness Ready to suppress or contain quadrant or sector disturbances short of total war.
-To be ready most when the United Federation of Planets is least ready.
 
 

Space Marines are taken only from the ranks of the SEHLATs (Special-Environment Hazardous Landing and Assault Teams).  The best of the best of the best!  So much so, that there are less than 1500 Space Marines active in Starfleet at any one time.  Naturally, the washout rate is phenomenal.  As are the casualty rates.  But, based on their success rate, Starfleet has deemed it a necessary risk.  And Space Marines are given lucrative hazardous duty pay as compensation.

Like the Marine Corps, the basic unit of operations for the Space Marines is the squad.  A squad consists of six specialists.  These squads form platoons.  Platoons form the bulwarks of the Space Marines:  Marine Assault Groups, or “MAGs”.

These MAGs are smaller in composition, than traditional Marine companies.  And with good reason.  The Space Marine’s training and weaponry is state-of-the-art.  In fact, much of it is “experimental” and requires special training, skill and ability to utilize.  A Space Marine MAG, in full gear, could easily wipe out an entire regiment of “regular” marines in a skirmish.  As such, when called upon, generally, platoons are generally, the largest units seen by the Starfleet regulars.  If based aboard starships, usually, a demi-platoon is allotted.  This is a scaled-down platoon.

The typical rank of a MAG unit commander is Major.  MAGs may be combined into larger units: battalions and regiments.  The entire Starfleet Space Marines group and support units is referred to as a “Force.”  The Space Marine Force commander holds the rank of Major General.

Space Marines are chosen only from the ranks of the SEHLATs.   And, at any one time, there are less than 1500 Space Marines on Starfleet's active duty roster.  But, because of their training and armaments,  these marine forces are designated a Corps on Starfleet rolls.  They are organized in multi-function wings called MAGs, or Marine Assault Groups.   MAG commanders are the equivalent f starship commanders in responsibility and command ability.  And a typical Marine Assault Group could easily lay wase to an entirestarsystem.  But, most Space Marine forces operate in small, speciaized groups.
 
 

81st Marine Assault Group.

Command Base: Orbital Defense Station 46-A [Dark Range].

Charter:  Special Forces Command.  Space Marines, SFMC.  SF Corps of Engineers.

Composition:  Updated.  SFC Directive 46212881
 
 

      1st Platoon (Armor)              2nd Platoon (I-Team)          3rd Platoon (Force Recon)

      Platoon Leader*                                  Platoon Leader**                          Platoon Leader

Asst. Platoon Leader (WO)                   Asst. Platoon Leader (WO)          Asst. Platoon Leader (WO)

Platoon Sergeant *** (1st Squad)         Platoon Sergeant (1st Squad)        Platoon Sergeant. (1st Squad)
         1st Squad                                             1st Squad                                          1st Squad

Squad Leader (2nd Squad)                  Squad Leader (2nd Squad)                 Squad Leader(2nd Squad)
         2nd Squad                                         2nd Squad                                           2nd Squad
 

      Combat Engineer                             Combat Engineer                             Combat Engineer
Combat Engineering Squad  1         Combat Engineering Squad 2          Combat Engineering Squad 3

Notes:

1.) Combat Engineers and specialists assigned to MAG by SF Marine Corps of Engineers.

2.) Three SF 13-A Assault shuttles assigned to MAG by Starfleet SFCOM.
 
 

** The grades E-1 through E-3 (Basic Proficiency) are included for reference purposes only.  E-4 is the lowest enlisted rank accepted into the Space Marines training school.  Applicants must have proven leadership abilities.

** Out of respect for their Space Corps counterparts and the long history of excellence amongst the ranks, the Space Marines have eliminated the rank of captain from its officer grade classifications.  It has been replaced by, what most feel among the Space Marines, is the more appropriate rank of lieutenant major.
 
 

Space Marines Training Curriculum (1 Year)

* Computer Operation
* Heavy Weapons (Battlefield Weaponry)
* Personal Equipment (Encounter Suit*)
* Systems Engineering (Encounter Suit*)
* Planetary Survival (M-World)
* Planetary Survival (K-World)
* Planetary Survival (L-World)
* Marksmanship (Phaser pistol) [Must qualify in the 90th percentile]
* Marksmanship (Phaser rifle) [Must qualify in the 90th percentile]
* Demolitions (Combat)
* Unarmed Combat (Advanced Marine Martial Arts)
* Primitive Weaponry (Knife Fighting)
* Stealth (Stealth Attack Tactics)
* Planetary Tactics (Marine Small Unit Tactics)
* Small Craft Piloting (Advanced)
* Zero-G Combat
* Instruction (Ground Forces Unit)
* Advanced Orbital Sky-Diving
* Command (Combat Leadership)

Note:

Certain skills can be substituted, depending on specialties and the needs of the corps.  For example, one specialist in every squad is trained in combat field medicine (Corpsman).  All Space Marines are trained in the same skills, regardless of being either officer or enlisted.  In fact, recruits wear special “uniforms” during their training, that are all identical and carry no rank insignia.  And it is forbidden to tell another recruit your actual rank.  Violation of this rule is subject to immediate dismissal from Space Marines School and is considered disobeying a direct order.  It is a court martial offense.

Most ranking non-coms serve a tour of duty as MIs (Marine Instructors) during some point in their careers.  As such, they have specialized and refined skills and training in various skills above the basic proficiency.  And, as trained instructors, they continue to teach these skills to their units and, often, superior officers, as well.  In fact, individuals who have specialties or receive specialized training, are required to teach those skills to their units, regardless of rank.  It is not a sign of superiority.  It is simply making the unit stronger.  Naturally, teamwork is rated very highly among the Space Marines.  This is of paramount importance, as these individuals depend on each other for their lives.

Enlisted personnel who complete the grueling one-year course are given an automatic 1-grade promotion.  Officers and warrant officers may receive a 1-grade promotion.  However, this is at the discretion of the Commandant, and the officers’ commanding officer.

Officers Candidate School is an additional 11-week course.  Washout rates are, as with basic training, high.  The training period is, relatively, short due to the facts that candidates must already be Space Marines.

*** Even with the high washout rate, the challenge, excellent pay rates, and prestige of the Space Marines keeps applicants high.  Any Space Marine would hold a position of command in the “regular” navy.  And, many of them have.  Units are based on need: the need of the Service, not the need of the individual.  For that reason, many individuals take voluntary “demotions” to serve in the Space Marines.  It is not unusual to find an E-5 “medic” who is actually a commissioned lieutenant in the Space Corps.  Or a platoon leader second lieutenant, who is actually a commander.  That second lieutenant, due to hazard pay is actually gaining in salary.  However, it is the goal of the Space Marines to match the individual to their original rank, where possible.
 
 

81st Marine Assault Group Concept created by Michael K. King © 1999.