Starfleet is not primarily a military organization. Despite its military ranks and procedures, its frequent space battles, and its ships which carry enough firepower to bake the crust of a planet, Starfleet is devoted primarily to the peaceful exploration of space and the policing of Federation spacelanes. However, there are times when military intervention on a planet becomes necessary, and when those times come, the Federation maintains an elite force of soldiers - Starfleet Marines. Starfleet Naval personnel serve a wide variety of purposes, diplomatic as well as scientific. Starfleet Marines serve only one purpose - combat - and they are used if diplomacy fails.
Even when forgotten, the Starfleet Marine Corps is always hard at work upholding the ideals of the Federation while guarding it from any adversary that may present itself. In true military fashion, officers of the SFMC place the lives of others before their own, ready to sacrifice anything for their government.
Marines are carried aboard Starfleet ships, but they have their own commanders and are separate from the regular shipboard chain of command. Twenty-fourth century technology, and particularly Holodeck technology, have made it possible to give rank-and-file soldiers the kind of intensive military training that was the sole preserve of special forces units a mere four centuries before. Starfleet Marines are exceptionally well trained and capable, even by Starfleet standards. They are meant to operate primarily on planetary surfaces, both land and water, but are also trained to participate in space-based operations as well. Their skills reflect the fact that they frequently have to operate in a long-range reconnaissance fashion, often with little or no support from Starfleet.
Unlike Naval personnel, Starfleet Marines must meet exacting physical criteria. They are particularly expected to display above-average intelligence and exceptional endurance.
The first difference between the naval and marine branches of Starfleet that one notices is the rank system. Carried down from generation to generation, the system resembles quite closely the ranking method used in 20th century Earth. The next difference is the militaristic nature of the corps. While the Starfleet navy tends to maintain order in a loose but firm manner, some have called the Marine Corps' management technique stringent or even harsh. Quite simply, Marine commanders do not tolerate anything less than the absolute best in their men, knowing that to do so would risk the lives of others. There is little room for error in such a dangerous and important field.
Founded just prior to the Four Years War (2239-2243) with the Klingon Empire, the Starfleet Marines filled a serious hole in the Starfleet's TOE. Although Federation military planners were aware of the lessons of the Romulan War (2156-2160), it was widely believed that most modern conflicts would be entirely spaceborne affairs with little or no ground operations. Commodore Buckner "Buck" Kripney insisted that a specialized ground forces command with specially trained officers and enlisted personnel was vital to the security of the United Federation.
Finally, in 2235, the Federation Council authorized the creation of a Starfleet Marine Corps. Commodore Kripney transferred his commission to the newly created corps and was promoted to Major General, becoming the first commandant of the Marine Corps.
The Starfleet Marines became a magnet, attracting many of the finest volunteers from the armies of Terra and Andor, both planets with long military traditions. In 2236, the Marine Corps Academy opened in Syrtis City on Mars to provide the fledgling Corps with its first specially trained officers, and in so doing reignited a friendly inter-service rivalry that goes back to 18th century Terra.
The value of the new Marine Corps was quickly demonstrated during the Four Years War. In one of the first engagements involving the marines, the officer corps of the 4th marine regiment was killed when the USS Landover was destroyed in orbit over Joia V on 10 November 2240. Sgt. Maj. Randall Robor-Wheeler, the senior NCO present, assumed command of the regiment and lead it in a campaign of guerrilla resistance and harassment of the Klingon army of occupation until relieved over six months later. Sgt. Maj. Wheeler was promoted to captain and given command of the 1st company of the 4th regiment.
In January of 2241, the 2nd, 8th and 13th marine regiments were dispatched to Sinbad IV to defend that world from an imminent Klingon invasion. With the numerically superior Klingon invasion fleet keeping the Starfleet ships busy, 12 Klingon regiments were landed on Sinbad IV. This not only marked the first large scale ground action involving the Starfleet Marines but also the first test of the first graduating class from the Marine Academy. Though greatly outnumbered, the Starfleet Marines showed incredible valor and resourcefulness. With the timely assistance of Starfleet artillery, the marines captured or killed over 30,000 Klingon soldiers and won a stunning victory.
In August 2241, the marines spearheaded the first Federation assaults into Klingon space. The 5th Marine regiment lead the landings on Rudgur III. This operation saw the first use of chlortheragen gas against the Starfleet Marines. Losses were high and the remnants of the 5th regiment were evacuated after sustaining extreme casualties.
Perhaps the most famous marine exploit of the Four Years War was the assault on Karag II on 5 February 2243, when the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 12th and 22nd marine regiments were landed on Karag II. Atmospheric conditions made orbital support impossible and the marines took on the Imperial Army in numerous engagements, even conducting house to house and hand to hand assaults. On 12 February, the weather broke and Starfleet's orbital superiority was brought to bear and the Marines secured the planet. Due to the many acts of extreme valor performed during the Karag campaign, the Federation Council created a new decoration, the Karagite Order of Heroism and Colonel Ahab Anchar was the first recipient.
The SFMC is arranged in a variety of units, each having its own distinct command structure and organizational divisions. The largest unit in the Marine Corps is the division. A division is usually comprised of two or more Brigades. Normally commanded by a Lieutenant or Major General, LGen. and MGen. respectively, a division is a self-contained entity in the corps. Reporting directly to Marine Corps and Starfleet Commands, the division command is responsible for supporting all of the subordinate units under its flag. A division's mission can be varied or consistent. Divisions are named in order of creation beginning with 'first,' e.g. First Division (1DIV). An average division consists of approximately 24,000 officers and troops.
Within a division there are several brigades. Brigades are the largest units capable of mobilization in strategic sectors of the galaxy. A brigade contains two to six regiments. A brigade is the largest possible Marine Corps unit to be assigned to a starbase. Customarily a brigade is commanded by a Brigadier General, BGen, who reports to his/her division commander. Brigades can be spread out over many sectors and is responsible for supporting the regiments under its command. Brigades are named in order of creation beginning with 'first,' e.g. First Brigade (1BGD). Often regiments in a brigade are given specialized tasks to perform. A brigade is comprised of approximately 12,000 officers and troops.
A regiment is the largest possible specialized unit in the corps. Consisting of four to eight battalions, regiments are commanded by officers holding the rank of Colonel (Col) who, in turn, report to the proper brigade commanders. For the most part, regiments are specialized, each given a special task to perform within a division. A regiment is responsible for a general mission profile, while allowing each sub-unit to diversify as well. Regiments are given distinct names, based often from their origins, overall mission profile, or even their first commander, e.g. 'First Division, Third Brigade, Orion Regiment (1DIV, 3BGD, Orion REG).' Unless noted with a designator, a regiment, battalion, or company is a combat forces unit. On average, a regiment consists of approximately 3,000 officers and troops.
The largest Marine Corps unit to be assigned to a starship is a battalion. Comprised of a three to six companies, battalions are commanded by Lt. Colonels (LCol). Leading the battalion from a specialized company denoted Headquarters Company (HQ CO), the Marine Commanding Officer in charge of a battalion reports to his appropriate regiment commander. In addition to the specialization of each regiment, battalions are also given specific tasks within the larger Marine organization. Battalions assigned to starship duty are solely combat forces battalions. As with brigades, battalions are identified by their creation date, e.g. 'First Division, Third Brigade, Orion Regiment, Second Battalion (1DIV, 3BGD, Orion REG, 2BN).' Average battalions consist of approximately 500 officers and troops.
A company is the smallest unit capable of independent action in line duty. Comprised of a minimum of two platoons, three or four being the recommended number, a company is led by a Major or Captain, Maj and Capt respectively. Each company command reports directly to their battalion command with the exception of the Headquarters Company. The Headquarters Company consists of the battalion commander, his staff, as well as various aides, clerks, and support staff. Companies are identified with a letter from the Roman Alphabet or as Headquarters Company (HQ CO), e.g. 'First Division, Third Brigade, Romtar Regiment, Second Battalion, D Company (1DIV, 3BGD, Romtar REG, 2BN, D CO).' Average companies consists of approximately 110 officers and troops.
The smallest field command, comprised of an average of six six-man squads, is the platoon. Commanded by a Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant, Lt and 2Lt respectively, a platoon command reports to the company commander with the exception of those men who serve in the Headquarters Company as support staff. A platoon in the Headquarters Company reports directly to the designated battalion command representative. Platoons are identified with a letter in the phonetic alphabet, e.g. 'First Division, Third Brigade, 2nd Andorian Regiment, Second Battalion, D Company, Platoon Echo (1DIV, 3BGD, 2nd Andorian REG, 2BN, D CO, Platoon Echo).' For the most part, a platoon consists of 40 men.
The phonetic alphabet used is as follows: Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf Hotel India Juliet Kilo Lima Mike November Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra Tango Uniform Victor Whiskey Xray Yankee Zulu.
A summary of the Marine Corps units is below.
| Unit Name |
Comprised Of |
Avg Men |
Commanded By |
Naming Example |
| Division | 2+ Brigades | 24000+ | LGen or MGen | First Division |
| Brigade | 2-6 Regiments | 12000 | BGen | First Brigade |
| Regiment | 4-8 Battalions | 3000 | Col | Knight's 5th Regiment |
| Battalion | 3-6 Companies | 500 | LCol | Third Battalion |
| Company | 2-4 Platoons | 110 | Maj or Capt | D Company |
| Platoon | 5-8 Squads | 40 | Lt or 2Lt | Platoon Echo |
| Squad | 5-7 Men | 6 | Sgt. | First Squad |
The average men per unit is just a rough number, not an absolute. The CO ranks are what is customary but this is also just a guideline.
SFMC operations are indirectly controlled by the Fleet Admiral. Allowing broad discretionary powers to the field commanders themselves, the Fleet Admiral is responsible for major and long-term deployments, extended campaigns, and various special tours of duty that do not fall under the jurisdiction of any field command. In doing, the Marine Corps unit commanders are given the power to evaluate and make decisions based on their own observations and calculations rather than having to continually check with their superiors. This by no means allows carte blanche, major decisions which do not fall under the unit's mission must be verified if possible. A Marine unit commander has similar decision powers to a Starship Captain.
On a smaller scale, units deployed aboard a starship operate under a similar, yet somewhat different, method. In addition to reporting to the regiment or batallion command in which the battalion or company serves, the Marine Commanding Officer (MCO) reports directly to the ship's captain. This instant communications and coordination allows both the naval and marine forces aboard the starship to conduct daily operations in a manner equitable to both sides. A starship-bound marine unit receives orders in much the same way. Long-term objectives are assigned by the unit's marine command while the vessel's CO is responsible for assigning short-term objectives. This has proven to be an effective method for those units assigned to serve aboard Starfleet naval vessels and installations.
Once graduated from Starfleet Marine Academy, the Marines officer is promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. There is a great deal of animosity between Starfleet naval and marine officers and crew. In short, they don't get along too well. The naval complement thinks the SFMC is home to a bunch of brash, arrogant, trigger-happy folk and the marine complement believes the Starfleet navy to be lax in discipline and training. The marines also believe that the navy takes the work of the SFMC too lightly.
There are even more elite troops within the Starfleet Marines for special missions. These troops are even better trained for their missions, which would often be covert in nature. Individual specialties within the Starfleet Marines include: Demolitions Technician, Underwater Specialist, Anbo-Jytsu Instructor, Computer Specialist, Communications Technician, Cryptographer, Insertion/Extraction Specialist, etc. The existence of some special operations teams are limited to a "need-to-know" basis.
One such special operations unit is SFMC Recon.
The name of SFMC Recon is if anything a deliberate bit of evasion by SFMC to hide the true nature of the unit though most military members of Starfleet will know it's true nature.
Members of SFMC Recon receive the standard rigorous training of the Starfleet Marines but also attend other advanced training courses. SFMC Recon members attend:
and also attend Starfleet Academy and study in the Intelligence branch to receive the following training:
Officers have a higher proportion of ex-NCOs in them than is average for Starfleet. They have worked in another branch of Marines before joining SFMC Recon and their "cadet cruise" always involves an operation within SFI. This is because of the amount of cross branch missions that do occur. They are educated to a very high standard with languages, cultures, covert operations and survival being core subjects. They lack a SFI officers training in the more theory based covert operations and they do not have training for long deep cover missions. Most of the officers have served terms as military attaches in the Federations embassies. Sometimes these officers are assigned to Starships and normal Starfleet Marine units as advisers.
NCO's are also required to learn different cultures and languages. They often have served as embassy guards in enemy nations. Due to the rigorous entrance standards and the extensive training SFMC Recon enjoys on of the highest conversion rates from NCO to commissioned officer. NCO's are often placed on assignment within other service branches including SFI.
The smallest unit is a Platoon of 24 men, including 3 officers. Each unit will have its own flight crew who are also SFMC Recon trained pilots. The entire unit will generally come under the command of the starbase or starship it is assigned to unless it has specific orders from SFI or SFMC HQ. However because flexibility is the watchword. Units can have any number of men but the officers are generally the only ones placed in lone assignments, the NCO's are mainly always in units.
The Starfleet Marine Academy, located on Mars in the Sol system, is similar to Starfleet Academy but specializing only in combat training for the Starfleet Marines Corps. Twenty-fourth century technology, and particularly Holodeck technology, have made it possible to give rank-and-file soldiers the kind of intensive military training that was the sole preserve of special forces units a mere four centuries before. Starfleet Marines are exceptionally well trained and capable, even by Starfleet standards. They are meant to operate primarily on planetary surfaces, both land and water, but are also trained to participate in space-based operations as well. Their skills reflect the fact that they frequently have to operate in a long-range reconnaissance fashion, often with little or no support from Starfleet.
Unlike Naval personnel, Starfleet Marines must meet exacting physical criteria. They are particularly expected to display above-average intelligence along with exceptional endurance and coordination.
The Starfleet Marine Academy is extremely strict and much more militaristic than the Starfleet Academy. While the Starfleet navy tends to maintain order in a loose but firm manner, some have called the Marine Corps' management technique stringent or even harsh. Quite simply, Marine commanders do not tolerate anything less than the absolute best in their men, knowing that to do so would risk the lives of others. There is little room for error in such a dangerous and important field.
Starfleet Marines are given training in the folowing areas:
There are even more elite troops within the Starfleet Marines for special missions. These troops are even better trained for their missions, which would often be covert in nature. Specialties within the Starfleet Marines include: Demolitions Technician, Underwater Specialist, Anbo-Jytsu Instructor, Computer Specialist, Communications Technician, Cryptographer, Insertion/Extraction Specialist, etc. The existence of some teams are limited to a "need-to-know" basis.
Additionally, Starfleet Marines who are NCO's or Officers receive advanced training in the folowing areas:
NCO's
Officers
NCO's are your career sergeants. They provide training and leadership to the Privates, Specialists, and Technicians in Starfleet Academy. Officers are the real leaders - the power behind the power. All Starfleet Marines can expect to go on missions at any time. There are no distinctions due to rank on missions, except for the usual chain of command. Privates with specialized training may be placed on teams with officers, and officers with NCO's, etc. Starfleet picks the best men for the job ahead.
There are special schools within the Starfleet Marine Corps which confer additional advanced training.
This school includes advanced training in the following areas:
There are also specialties within the ASOS school. One such specialty is Scout/Sniper Training. This training teaches advanced reconnaissance, survival, and phaser handling. Those who leave this facility, have the ability to be dropped on a hostile planet in a group of two to four marines, find their target, eliminate their target, and return. The missions usually include intelligence gathering and reconnaissance as well.
Both Starfleet Academy and Starfleet Marine Academy include survival training in it's basic training regime. SERE goes beyond this training, and addresses issues encountered by marines on specific missions and operations. SERE includes more advanced survival with the inclusion of advanced courses in escape for POWs (including how to bypass security systems, stealth, etc) and resistance training for interrogations and manipulations (including advanced training in psychology, xenology, etc.). Additional training in languages and xenology is available as well.
This training includes the proper handling, deactivating, and disposal of explosive ordinance. All known explosive ordinance, including foreign made, is touched on in this training.
At times marines are required to obtain training from the Starfleet naval facilities including Starfleet Academy.
Marine pilots are trained at Starfleet Academy using both the standard Starfleet crafts as well as specialized marine crafts. Pilots, both Marine and Naval, who show exceptional ability are invited to attend ACPA. This "Top Gun" school for advanced combat training includes more in-depth pilot training for combat missions. A wide variety of crafts are taught, both naval and marine.
The the officers wanting to join the special operations unit SFMC Recon are required to attend both ASOS and SERE as well as attend Starfleet Academy and study in the Intelligence branch to receive the following training: