8th Ausbildungsgruppe Deutschland (Training Group Germany)

8th Training Group Unit Crest

8th Training Group TO&E Breakdown

The 8th Training Group is the unit that trains soldiers within the Saeder-Krupp military. Based in Essen, the 8th TG handles regular basic training, security training (Execsec and the like), intelligence, and SSG. The whole size of the unit is battalion, and each section is Company in size, with four companies, and is not considered part of the military arm as far as deployments and all. Each Company has roughly 200 people that train, and teach classes to students. All are of varying rank and affiliation. It is common to see a Section ONE Lieutenant rub shoulders with one from Section THREE to even SEVEN. 1/8th is responsible for basic training of standard soldiers within the company. Since the size of Saeder-Krupp is quite large, each TG is allocated within the major regional areas of the world. It must be noted that the SSG Company exists solely in Essen, as the size of the unit doesn’t require any mirror units. 2/8th handles more specialized security, more geared toward personal protection. Most people are instructed in basic by the instructors, but the more specialized aspects require 2/8th. 3/8th is the Intelligence school for budding spooks. It must be noted that SSG members go through SSG basic, then come to 3/8th for training for their assignment to the CIB. Section SEVEN, while part of the TO&E, is independent in scheduling and everything else. Main training areas for Section SEVEN (as well as others) are the areas around Germany, SOX, and Kuybinka Training Area, located in southwestern Russia. Another range, not used during training, but when in their respective units, is the Heckler & Koch Mobile Weapon Range, which is used to train soldiers in mobile warfare. Units rotate every six months at this range.

Like any basic training, the 8th TG has varying patches and ways for identification while training. The first and foremost is the "Showing the way" patch that is sewn on the right breast pocket of the BDU's. Soldiers usually just buy a new set and use those. Dress uniforms however, may have this patch in the same area. This is only authorized for wear while training, not in the field, as the distinctive crest is quite easy to remember. The minimum rank for any TG is Lieutenant, which are called Drill Officers, or DO's. Captains command each Company, while the Colonel commands each TG. Tour of duty as a DO is usually two months, and schooling requires only one month. Since the training for S-K personnel is exceptional, it is only required that a month be served. Extensions can be authorized, should the DO be considered worthy of such an extension. The DO can request up to a year as needed. As soon as thier term is up, they are either assigned to a new unit, or return to their previous unit. Rotation is non existent, least for Section personnel as considered. However, an Lt. in Execsec may serve in the normal basic in another term. All is up to what is needed and who can do it. Training is handled by senior members, in the areas mentioned. Most do it for promotion, as having that patch can make someone without it seem less capable. Plus however, the amount of training is not as large as like the UCAS or CAS, which in their nations, have the necessary manpower, and the mortality rate is higher. Being assigned to a training unit is dependant on the cycle, which again, unlike the previous militaries, don't have the recruit base. This is also dependant on region. Africa, Asia have the highest mortality rates, even Europe, with it's constant wars and battles. Areas such as the UCAS, CAS, represent some sort of stability, and therefore don't require as much training personnel. This of course leads to assignment battles to which TG. Most jockey for the high rate ones listed before, yearning for a way to leap ahead of the competition. Once that slot is filled, it's still a frenzy, as even some go to the greatest lengths to get that assignment next time. Some however enjoy the low-key, less worry, and better time to find other ways to get promoted.

Equipment is standard to each Company, and does not need expansion here. Most SSG personnel train with the HK G80 for assault rifle qualification, and use the HK USP V Mod 0 as the pistol for qualification. Qualifying for SMGs is handled by the Model 329, and sniper rifle qualification is handled with the Steyr P72. The Special Munitions Heavy Fire Weapon is the standard machinegun used for MG training, while training for the M56A2 (as with other heavy weapons) is handled as soon as the soldier achieves Sergeant in the appropriate field. Graduation is like all the world over, and does not need to be discussed. After that, they then pack for their Section assignment. They usually arrive via Saeder-Krupp owned aircraft to Dortmund, then flown to Essen via VTOL, where there is a "Welcoming Pad" (nothing special in anyway, just a nickname) and disembark, and told to get in a line, then taken to rooms per Section.

One thing that should be noted is that while doing Basic training, the students are carefully watched for placement within the various Sections available. If a particular student is showing aptitude for long range missions, then he or she will be placed in Section FOUR. If for some reason, if the student shows aptitude towards site security, then they may be placed for Section SIX. Nevertheless, the only Section they do not get immediately transferred to is Section ONE, as then, for to be in that Section, then the student must show loyalty to the extreme, and have the skills to even be considered to join that Section. During that phase, soldiers from the various Sections (usually O-1 to O-3) watch the training, and make their recommendations on who should go where. Naturally, there is a little infighting on who to get, but the final decision is when the Graduation happens, and the new soldier is told to report. Administration usually picks the role, with of course Section guidance. Upon recieving their orders for which Section to go to, regardless of Section assignment, report directly to Essen, for final assignment. Oddly, the "Welcoming Pad" is located in western Essen, while most of the Section areas are in the eastern portion. This is diliberate, as this has turned into a timed event, where upon recieving the call (of course the recruits don't realize this) they immediately head out and pick up the soldier. Among the history of the Sections, the longest has been only Section FOUR, where it once took three hours. Of course the quicker the better.

There are traditions on who is picking up whom. Each new recruit is told to go to a certain area. Section SIX, somewhat sarcastic about their assignment, lays fake SO tickets to Panama on the table, then wait for an hour while whoever is assigned to SIX, looks over the ticket, then shows up to pick them up, in uniform. Section FIVE usually doesn't do anything, merely picking them up in uniform. They're right now in the running for the second longest, with a time reported (and clocked) at 2hrs 15 mins 33 secs. Section FOUR however, has enacted a tradition known as the "Recruit Roundup" detail. Since most members tend to be off duty (but still on call), they usually show up in civilian dress, as most members are called at home, resting, etc. Anybody off duty is picked, and is at the whim of thier platoon commander. In some ways, this has caused only slight problems, as some have shown up with their kids, came from the gym, or training. Additionally, sometimes, they so show up late, as Murphy of course throws in, or sometimes they just take their time. The longest a recruit (somewhat of a ongoing bet) has had to wait has been 3hrs 5mins 12secs, and so far noone has exceeded that time. But the Section Commander approves of this (as well as past, as they have gone through the same process) and the tradition continues. Section THREE shows up locked and loaded, as in essence, they are always on duty, and is no big thing to show up with full combat gear, and show up within (at the minimum) a half an hour from their own Section area. Section TWO members show up either in uniform, full combat gear, or in suits. They show up within a half an hour, longest time for someone to wait has only been 45 minutes. While some may point out that the two contenders (FOUR and FIVE) are lazy, it should be noted that they are not. It is because that they are usually training, and honestly don't give up training to get a new soldier. Cruel in some eyes, they also realize that training is one fundamental (particularly the wide variety of jobs they do have to perform) thing they cannot give up.

Regardless of tradition, if a mission comes up, and they have to still pick up soldiers, they come fully dressed, ready to go. Then during the ride to the main Section area, they are briefed as much as possible, told to drop their datawork, gear they have from training, and told to load up and get ready for deployment. The administration department of each Section Platoon handles the datawork while the soldier is on mission. This is the main SSG tradition when in this situation, per thier job description. Every Sectionmember of course does not mind, as like everything before, they have gone through the same process. This shows to an extent on what the SSG means: "Drop everything and get ready".



Section SEVEN

Though attached to the normal SSG chain of command, Section SEVEN is the main lead-in training unit that is of course based in Essen. Makeup is standard within the Section, with the normal complement of officers, and other supporting staff. Differences exist however, in that the HQ platoon is not present, however is formed into a Headquarters Headquarters Platoon (HHP). Note that the CIB element is concentrated within the HHP of Section SEVEN. Training orders and other things are distributed from the upper heirarchy of command, and tasks are done. There is a system to SEVEN though in regards to placement. The Section comprises of four Platoons and and one augmented Platoon. 1st Platoon is the first assignment that the recruits are assinged, and basic training is conducted within there, which covers basic technigues, such as urban combat, some espionage, surveillance, operations, and other assorted tasks. 2nd Platoon delves deeper, refining techniques, and weapons training begins as well, with operative becoming familiar with the SSG's standard weaponry, and other special weaponry as well. 3rd Platoon is the final one, and finalizes training with the tactical aspects of the SSG, and involves a week long field problem within the confines of the Kubyinka Training Area. Other than 4th Platoon, this is the only Platoon that has both the UD-4L and M577 APC. 4th Platoon (Transport) is where Transport personnel go. They only go through 1st and 2nd Platoons while training. Then they are assigned to 4th Platoon (Transport). Naturally, this involves training in the use of the UD-4L (currently converting slowly to the UD-4M), M573 Command Post, M577 Fuchs III, and the LAV-62A1.

Each Platoon has one Platoon Commander (referred to as the "PC") that commands the platoon. The PC is assisted by two DOs, which are Leiutenants, and they train up to twelve recruits. Hours can be long, and be strenous, and the work hard, but there is dedication with some, who feel they should put their skills in someone else's hands. This is the longest period for SSG members, who must master alot of systems within a short period of time. Training in deployment techniques, close air support, low-level flight, insertion and extraction, as well as normal flight. Training for other vehicles is done here as well, but is less because most of the recruits already know how to operate the most common equipment in the world. Additional training is done within the assigned units. Training is mainly done in simulators, with field work along the way. Maintaining and other assorted tasks are done here as well. The Maintenance Platoon is trained here as well, on all four systems, plus maintaining various other equipment as well, to include weapons systems, though basic field maintenance is stressed within the normal framework in any unit. Operations with drones are included with all the Platoon (2nd Platoon only for regular operatives, to 4th Platoon (Augmented)).

Below are more notable areas within the TG:

| [Heckler & Koch Mobile Weapon Evaluation Range] | [Kubyinka Training Area] |

SOX (Saar Special Legislative Zone)

As described in the Germany Sourcebook, Saeder-Krupp maintains a standing garrison force as well as units rotating through for annual wargames. SSG personnel ratio to Kubyinka is much lower, as there is alot of people to around, and since the Kubyinka area is considered better suited to training SSG personnel, the SOX area is still used for field training, with nominal change in equipment, and uniforms. SSG personnel routinely rotate through the place however, and perform much limited training as well.

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