The Imperial University



Naval Trooper Certification Course


Introduction
The use of soldiers on ships isn't new or unique. In fact, most sentient space-faring species often deploy highly trained and specialized troops to their ships to provide both security and defense. When in combat, there may be occasions where it is necessary to board an enemy vessel in order to seize it, obtain critical information, or conduct a special operation. Aside from training in traditional ground fighting tactics, Naval Troopers also train for operations and combat in the vacuum of space, or inside ships where gravity and an atmosphere aren't available. These troopers are known as Zero-G Troopers, and are an intrical part of the training for every Naval Trooper. If you have a desire to become a Naval Trooper and serve aboard the most state-of-the-art ships in the Imperial Directorate fleet, then you must complete this course in order to be certified for such an assignment.


Equipment of the Naval Trooper
Naval Troopers are typically equipped for two missions: ship security and defense, and for Zero-G operations. In order to make this possible Naval Troopers are outfitted with a wide array of equipment and weapons to ensure mission success.

Naval Trooper Armor
The Naval Troopers use an armor extremely similar to that of the standard stormtrooper. However, the armor also features the following pieces of equipment:
  • A short-range transceiver (range 100 km) for use during operations to keep in contact with other units, ships or other assets.
  • An air supply that provides air for up to 8 hours.
  • Climate-control body glove that maintains a safe temperature for up to 8 hours.
  • Rocket pack (usable only in vacuum, with fuel for 30 minutes of constant burn)
  • Emergency beacon (range of 500 km, omnidirectional)
Aside from these equipment additions, Naval Trooper armor differs very little in overall appearance or functionality from their average Stormtrooper counterparts. The Imperial Munitions StarAnvil Heavy Blaster rifle is issued to Naval Troopers rather than the traditional BlasTech E-11, due to its greater range and power. Naval Troopers may also carry shaped charges for use during breaching operations, and are trained in their proper usage, (Certification in demolitions is often required in order to carry such devices).

Zero-G Assault Armor
Next to the standard issued armor of the Imperial Stormtrooper, the next highly recognizable is the Zero-G Assault AAmor suit. In some circles the Zero-G armor has been likened to that of a small starfighter due to the material and sheer size of the suit. But make no mistake, the armor and its capabilities have proven to strike fear into many an enemy when they see an entire platoon of these soldiers moving through space towards their capture ship.

The frame of the Zero-G Assault Armor is essentially that of an EVA suit, coming complete with a rocket pack, short-range transceiver and emergency beacon (range of 500km), and life support (temperature control and oxygen) for up to 10 hours of operation. Added on to this are several extra pieces of equipment:
  • Grenade Launcher (Stun, Gas, or Fragmentation Grenades)
  • Miniature Proton Torpedo Launcher
  • Blaster Cannon
  • Cutting Laser

Space Assault Operations

General Operations
There are two types of Naval Stormtrooper operations: those undertaken by the stereotypical spacetrooper (known as an Heavy Assault Spacetrooper), and those executed by troops trained to serve as shipborne troopers (known as of course as Naval Troopers). Typically these operations are exactly the same, however, in cases where assault transports cannot reach the objective for some reason, the more traditional Spacetroopers are used, along with their assault shuttles.

Because of their extremely limited numbers, no more than 1 Heavy Assault Squad may be used for any given operation. In these cases, the primary objective of the heavy assault troopers is to quickly gain control of the ship and move it to a location that can be reached by transports carrying Naval Troopers who can then secure the ship and retrieve any information or data that it may contain.


Mission Specific Guidelines

Transport Assault: Assaulting transports is a relatively simple and direct mission. If there is any fighter cover, one flight of Navy starfighters will deploy and clear the area. If not, the assault transport carrying one squad of Naval Troopers will deploy and disable the target. The target will then be boarded and captured, and in some cases later destroyed if specified in the mission parameters.

Small Capital Ship Assault: Special care has to be taken with ships of this type since they tend to be armed with smaller weapons systems to repel boarders. Ships such as the Corellian Corvette in particular can be a nasty ship to assualt, and due to the slow moving nature of the Zero-G suits, a Naval Trooper can sometimes find themselves open to enemy fire from such a ship. Typically however troopers aren't deployed to assault a ship like this until it has been deemed disabled, usually through the combined assault of fire from friendly starfighters, and Ion cannon fire from the Assault Transports. Two or three Assault Transports each containing one squad of Naval Troopers will deploy to different areas of the target (usually the bridge area and engine room) in order to capture the ship as quickly as possible. Since multiple squads are operating together, a strike team leader is designated before the operation (usually a Detachment Commander) in order to ensure on-site command and control until the ship is secured and turned over to the Imperial Navy.

In cases where the ship is of this size class, but of civilian or planetary government issue, typically only one or two Assault Transports are necessary, again with each carrying one squad of Naval Troopers. Once the Assault Transports have effectively disabled the craft then the Naval Troopers will be deployed in a manner consistent to quickly effect capture and security of the vessel, based on the type of craft involved. As before, typically a Detachment Commander is selected as the strike team leader.

Large Capital Ship or Platform Assault: Ships or objects of this size will almost certainly be military origin, and will usually be well armed. At least 3 fighter squadrons should be deployed when capturing one of these ships, possibly more, depending on the size of the ship and its own fighter complement. The target ship must be disabled before the Assault Transports are even deployed and allowed to reach their boarding positions. When boarding a ship of this size, a reinforced platoon (5 squads) of Naval Stormtroopers are traditionally deployed, with each squad being in a separate Assault Transport. One of these squads should be a Heavy Assault Squad, using Zero-G Assault Armour. Again, a strike team leader will be designated before the operation; in this case, the position will usually be held by a Company Commander.


Imperial Navy and Naval Trooper Protocols
Because of the Naval Stormtroopers and Imperial Navy are inexplicably connected, much to the dismay of both groups, for operations to be executed successfully both sides must work together to form an efficient whole. In order to ensure that harmony and order exist while ensuring a military cohesiveness during normal and combat operations, the Imperial Directorate instituted some protocols to help ensure there are no misunderstandings between the naval and army segments of the ID.

Command Operational Authority
During normal operations commanders of Naval Troopers retain full control and authority. Any issues or operations that do not require deployment off-ship are presented to the ranking Legion commander on the ship, who will then determine how best to implement the changes requested. During these times only the Minister of the Imperial Legion, or a higher ranking Legion Commander, may override the ranking onboard Legion Commander. The Imperial Navy Ship Captain and subordinate officers have no direct authority. Likewise, Legion personnel assigned to an Imperial Navy ship have no command authority in normal ship operations, except in rare cases where ships security or defenses are involved.

However, in a perfect galaxy command of an assault mission would normall fall to the highest-ranking Legion officer, so that he is able to coordinate the troops to suit the needs of the operation. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are several different stages at which command authority in an operation could change. Some of the most basic of these are outlined below:
  • During the mission planning phase, Imperial Legion personnel have authority, with support and approval from Imperial Naval personnel regarding area intelligence and usage of Imperial Naval assets.
  • During the pre-mission transit phase, Imperial Naval personnel have authority in order to allow them to effectively protect their assets and equipment being used during this phase of the operation. If a transport commander believes that the area isn't secure enough to initiate docking or deployment of the troops, he has the authority to abort the current mission, or select another possible site for docking or deployment.
  • During the pre-mission operational phase, authority is given to Imperial Legion personnel, but it is strongly recommended that suggestions from Imperial Naval personnel are heeded, (I.e. ensuring that adequate starfighter protenction is provided to ensure safety of the transports and personnel).
  • While the mission is being executed, Imperial Legion personnel hold authority. In certain emergency circumstances, however, such as a miscalculation of the enemy’s naval airpower, a Ship Captain may give the “abort mission” order. However, the only situation in which this should occur is when there is an overwhelming number of enemy starfighters present and present a clear danger to the the Assault Transports carrying the Naval Troopers.
  • Once the mission objective is taken, if it is part of the mission for the Naval Troopers to capture and/or control the objective, Imperial Legion personnel maintain control of the objective, and have discretion in any naval decisions made concerning the objective.
If the commander currently holding mission authority is removed in some fashion, then usual chain-of-command for a replacement will apply, with the following exceptions:
  • If the commander is lost during operations and the Naval Troopers have not yet reached their objective, (I.e. are not at the objective site), mission command falls to the most senior Imperial Navy officer that is present, if any. In the event that an officer of the Imperial Navy isn't present, then the next highest ranking officer or NCO from the Imperial Legion assumes command.
  • If the commander is lost during operations and the Naval Troopers have reached their objective, mission command falls to the most senior Imperial Legion officer present.
  • If a Naval commander is given operational command over the operation, and the Naval Troopers reach their objective, the Naval CO must resign authority to the Imperial Legion's authorized ranking officer or NCO.
Example: A team of Naval Troopers are assigned to a Frigate and accompanying fighter squadrons to capture a Corellian Corvette. En route to the target the ranking Naval Trooper is killed by damage from turbolaser fire. Until the troops reach the target and are inside, the commander of the Frigate (the most senior Naval officer present) has authority. As soon as the Naval Troopers are inside the target, the most senior Imperial Legion officer or NCO present is in charge of the operation again.


Co-operation Between the Army and Navy

When thinking in terms of coordination and cooperation between the Imperial Legion and the Imperial Navy, there is really only one thing to remember: Let whoever has the expertise make the decisions, directly or indirectly. For example, while the Imperial Legion's mission commander is technically in charge of operations, he would be wise to listen to the advice of the senior Naval commander who will likely have more experience in these types of operations.

When actually assaulting the target, decisions should be left to the Imperial Legion commander. If the senior Imperial Legion commander is killed before the assault is made and operational control falls to the Navy, the Naval officers should still let the Naval Troopers plan their assault vectors and breaching methods.