Starfleet Marine Corps

The Starfleet Marine Corps (abbreviated SFMC) was a descendant of naval infantry, based upon Marines and Army Infantry of many Federation member planets.

As with the Starfighter Corps and Starfleet Intelligence, the SFMC was an autonomous branch of the Starfleet Operating Forces, falling under the jurisdiction of the Starfleet Commander-in-Chief, but not under the auspices of Starfleet itself. The Commanding Officer of the SFMC held the rank of Commandant, which was equivalent to Fleet Admiral.

The primary role of the Marines within the fleet was to maintain a well-armed offensive and defensive force for rapid deployment anywhere within Federation and outlying space. Marine detachments were stationed aboard starships and bases where they assisted the crew in battles, in boarding enemy ships, and conducting planetary actions, as well as assisting in the defense of Federation installations. They also served as a landing force; securing an area for transporter or shuttle landing. Unlike security, Marines do not walk a patrol, investigate crime or administer the brig and unlike tactical, Marines did not operate the ship's weaponry. As a result of their mixed land and space role, Marine forces were mainly specialized in amphibious (figuratively 'of two worlds') assaults using infantry, armour, artillery, air/spacecraft, and watercraft. They train for many combat scenarios including hostage recovery, rescue of Federation citizens caught in the midst of civil war, as well as full ground-based combat.

**HISTORY**

Since its founding, in 2161, the United Federation of Planets had always centrally relied on its Starfleet 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, the Federation 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 Starfleet, the first Klingon War, and the engagements with Klingon shock troops, made it clear that a specialized expeditionary force was needed. The Council determined that a group of highly trained men and women would be the perfect complement to Starfleet's peace efforts, and commissioned the Starfleet Marine Corps.

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

**DUTY UNIFORM**

Each member of the Starfleet Marines, just as Starfleet officers, wore a standard division uniform; however, Marines did not use Starfleet division colors. Instead, Marines held with Terran Marine tradition and wore uniforms consisting of a deep Kelly Green.

**WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT**

The Tactical EVA Suit is a more rugged and combat ready version of the standard EVA suit used by Starfleet designed to operate in space and toxic environments. The suit’'s shell is composed of a multi-layer alloy of remarkable strength and has been augmented with a refractive coating capable of dispersing a limited amount of Disruptor and Phaser energy weapons in addition to a shield system to aid in heavy combat situations. The suit possesses other features that enhances the abilities of its user. It has numerous clips, belts, and magnetic holsters for the attachment of additional weapons and ammunition; an advanced Holo-based Heads-Up-Display (HUD) linked to sensors in the gloves detects the type of weapon and devices held, and to project ammunition count, a targeting reticule, waypoints, a communication uplink, magnetic boots, health monitoring and other helpful data. In the event of a puncture, the suit automatically releases a gel to seal and harden the puncture until repairs can be made.

The Starfleet Marine Assault Uniform was centrally designed to vastly improve situational awareness and protection of Marines, Starfleet Marine Assault Armor is some of the most durable and well-constructed protective gear in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. The armor is constructed in overlapping layers of low weapons yield resistant memory fabric with layers of Duranium plating at vital areas. The fully enclosed duranium infused helmet offers the Marine an advanced Holo-based Heads-Up-Display (HUD) that is linked to the weapons to allow for quick target identification and acquisition. It also offers protection against toxic gas for a limited time and light weapons fire.

The Ka-Bar fighting knife is iconic to the Starfleet Marine Corps. At 7 inches of hardened serrated steel, the Ka-Bar is a Marine’s best friend when getting up close and personal against an enemy.

The Type-2 phaser is a typical hand-held directed-energy weapon used by Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets personnel during the 23rd and 24th centuries. More powerful and generally larger in size than the type-1 phaser, type-2 phasers are kept aboard Starfleet and Federation starships, starbases, space stations and planetary facilities. The type-2 phaser is a required piece of equipment for most Starfleet away teams and is the basic sidearm of Starfleet Security Forces and Starfleet Marines.

Known as the standard weapon for Starfleet Marines, the Type-3B Pulse Phaser rifle was developed shortly after the Type 3A as a variant to that weapon with the intent of developing a lighter version while retaining the same functional capacities. Some Type 3B phasers have been outfitted with an improved sight/light assembly. The type 3B phaser rifle entered service in 2371 and unlike its predecessor the type 3B phaser fires a pulse for greater damage per discharge than a collimated beam.

The Type-3 Close Quarters Battle “CQB” Pulse Rifle is simply a shorter version of the standard Type-3 Rifle used primarily aboard ships where space is often limited, allowing the Marine greater ability to move and fire accurately in confined spaces. It comes with a collapsible stock to allow for varied length based on the user. The CQB features an increased rate of fire in comparison to the standard Type-3 Pulse Phaser Rifle.

The Heavy Automatic Pulse Weapon is heavier than the standard phaser rifle, sporting a larger and heavier energy cell. The Heavy Automatic Pulse Weapon is designed to suppress the enemy with a continuous barrage of phaser fire that is emitted in pulses to maximize damage output. It comes with a collapsible bi pod that the user can use on a surface to increase accuracy and to support the weapon. The weapon can be fired on the move due to the fore grip as well as on a stable surface with the bi pod.

The TR-116 was a rifle developed in the 2370s decade by Starfleet to operate in energy dampening fields or radiogenic environments, places where a phaser would not function. The rifle used tritanium bullets that were propelled chemically. Although design schematics were drawn up and replication patterns kept, the project was abandoned in favor of regenerative phasers, but after a failure against the Borg, the TR-116 Project was reopened, and production continued with the transporter modification to allow the user to engage targets through walls and bulkheads.

The Isomagnetic Disintegrator is a shoulder mounted directed energy weapon used by Starfleet Forces by the 24th century. The technical specifications of these weapons were classified under Starfleet Security Directive 24168.9. However, what was known was that they made use of a portable magnetic charge inducer which fired a beam of isomagnetic energy that disrupted a targets electromagnetic field. The effects depended entirely on the setting being used as a low setting stunned a target by targeting their inner ear whilst a moderate setting cause a temporary impairment of the central nervous system and the highest setting turning a target into dust as well as static by changing its protonic charge.

The Photon Grenade is a .25 kilogram thrown weapon that delivers a powerful electromagnetic pulse within a three meter radius, with diminishing effect up to ten meters. The photon grenade has two setting options: timer and power level. Both the top and bottom hemisphere of the weapon control these settings by turning and clicking them to the desired setting. Once set, the user would push the two hemispheres together, arming the grenade. A small button on top activated the timer. The grenade is capable of delivering a stun effect at low levels, as well as a lethal pulse at greater levels. The levels are similar to those used in phaser weapons.