The Imperial University



Desert Trooper Certification Course


Individual Training

Camouflage and Concealment
The ability to blend in and avoid detection is a key component to surviving in combat conditions, especially in an open environment like a desert where concealment is often at a premium. The use of Movement, color, shadow, and deception are all important features of the use of camouflage, and should be carefully considered when deciding what is needed for the mission at hand. If netting is used to help with concealment, then it should be used effectively used in a staggered pattern so as to resemble the landscape surrouding the trooper. A trooper should practice erecting and disassembling of the camouflage cover as often as possible in order to be both proficient and quick in its use. Practice and proper implementation is especially important for service and support troops as they are considered extremely vulnerable to be spotted and targeted.

Survival
Troopers that operate in a desert environment should do all that is necessary to ensure that their survival is guaranteed, and that they do not fall prey to the elements around them as the desert can be a harsh and dangerous environment. Water must be checked often as it may become contaminated with various substances that may not harm the indigenous population, but may be extremely harmful to the trooper.

Water is the third most important survival tool for a trooper. The first is his weapon, and the second are any navigational tools that he may be able to use. Mirrors are often considered extremely useful for signalling air or ground forces, especially when flares or other marking devices aren't readily available.

Thermal blankets should be standard issue in a troopers desert survival pack. While deserts are extremely hot during the daytime, many inexperienced troopers easily fall prety to the extremely cold temperatures that exist at night. A number of troopers have died or suffered from hypothermia after reassuring themselves that the desert could never get that cold. Temperatures can range from a respectable +20 degrees to an intolerable -20 degrees.

Field Training
Following the training protocols learned in desert training, desert troopers are expected to know about heat related disorders, their effects, where to find natural items for survival, navigate through a variety of methods in the desert using only the most basic navigation tools, and to know basic fighting skills that are unique to desert fighting.

After completion of desert training, all desert course troopers are sent out on a 10 day field exercise where they learn how to fight and live in the desert. 10 days is considered the extreme since humans usually cannot survive longer than this in such extreme conditions without access to the most basic needs, such as clean and drinkable water, nutritional food, and basic first aid services.

The final physical exam is extremely ardious, and typically only 25% of those that make it this far will complete this phase to graduate. The trooper is dropped off in the middle of a desert wasteland and he must navigate back to the base over a distance of approximately 150 miles with just one canteen and his weapons. Only after completing this final phase can the trooper earn the title of Desert Trooper.


Equipment

Navigational Aids
The basic navigation aide for any trooper is a Magnetic compass. However, these won't work on a world that has multiple magnetic poles, or has large amounts of iron deposits which can affect traditional navigation devices, like a Magentic compass. The Magnetic compass is also adversely affected by extremely powererful units like planetary shield systems and highly intense power converters used to power and conceal enemy bases. In addition there are medals used in some ground fighting vehicles that emit a signature that can confuse a Magnetic compass.

Gyro Compasses are effective only on flat ground and open terrains. But they are useful for maintaining a certain direction even if the trooper finds himself in an area with uneven terrain.

Distance recorders are often quite helpful. They come in vehicles (like mileage guages), but there are also some hand held ones used by infantry.

Artillery, mortar fire, smoke or illumination rounds can be fired off in order to help with direction finding or maintaining bearings. These typically can be called in by the trooper in the event that concealment and evasion aren't a major concern, but speed and a urgency of the mission require their use.

GPS (Global Positioning Systems) is a space-based satellite system, which utilizes radio positioning navigation systems t0 allow a trooper the ability to track and know the position where units are located. These are readily available to troopers once aerial superiority over a planet has been ensured, allowing the Imperial Navy to drop satellites in orbit without fear of destruction by enemy space or ground-based forces.

Aerial imagery allows a trooper to be able to use his surroundings to figure out where they are in relation to terrain features. Typically these are obtained in advance by recon aircraft or from satellites.

There are a wide variety of other methods available to a trooper when state-of-the-art technology isn't available for use. During daylight hours the direction of shadows from surrounding objects, as well as the position of the sun in the sky overhead are all tales of direction. It of course helps to know about the orbital patterns of the planet in relation to its sun, (I.e. moving from East to West, etc.) At night the position of certain stars or star clusters, as well as the movement of the moon(s) in the sky across the horizon. Knowing these basic things can help prevent a trooper from losing his bearings.


Tactical Operations

Tactical desert operations are based on mobility. This can be achieved through the use of mechanized, aerial, or local beasts of burden (i.e. dewbacks). Typically deserts aren't a problem to cross by means of ground transportation. However on occasion a rare rainstorm can create an instant mud bog, or the unexpected sand trap or quicksand can cause problems for ground craft. It is advised to be as acquainted as possible with the characteristics, if available within the Imperial Directorate system database, of the terrain indigenous to the planet in question.

Moving at night is the best means for both ensuring both tactical and personal safety. There is less chance of a ground vehicle or the equipment carried by the trooper in creating a highly visible light reflection that could give away a tactical position. As previously discussed, night time temperatures are also often much cooler in comparison to day time temperatures, allowing the ability to cross greater distances without the risk of overheating and exhaustion.

A major key to victory in a desert tactical operation is to always be on the offensive. Mobility is the primary factor, and to be found in the open desert by a larger enemy force will almost always lead to extermination if there isn't room for maneuvering your force effectively to counter an assault.

Reconnaissance is a major part of tactical survival in a desert environment. Knowing where the enemy is located is half the battle, and allows for proper planning and utilization of available forces to ensure a successful and less costly outcome when the battle begins. Many a battle has been won or lost due to reconnaissance.

Aerial defenses are a major priority due to the flatness of most desert terrain where cover and concealment aren't available. The proper use and placement of vehicle and handheld weapons systems is a must in this type of environment.

Anti-Recon forces are an effective deterent to detection by the enemy. Anti-Recon forces should be kept at a respectable distance from the main force so as to prevent an enemy recon unit from knowing the precise location of the main body. Such forces are typically armed with an array of anti-armor and anti-vehicle weapons in order to destroy any detected enemy recon units and prevent exposure of the main force to the enemy.

Security forces are used to protect the ground force from enemy saboteurs and sappers who may try to infiltrate your encampment and damage critical supplies and equipment. The security forces employ a number of weapons and tactics, including but not limited to minefields, claymores, fortified fighting positions, observation posts, sentries, and sensors.

The main force should always be prepared to break camp at a moment's notice and engage the enemy in battle. The main force should be highly mobile and have a sufficient supply of firepower and manpower to ensure the success of the mission.