Gunners The Gunners are a faction in the Commonwealth in 2287 . Background . The Gunners are a paramilitary mercenary organization and are the largest single unaligned faction in the Commonwealth , acting independently of any government or settlement . They are well - disciplined , highly - equipped soldiers for hire with their own customs and signage , who control numerous strongholds both in and around the Boston area . The Gunners are lead by Captain Wes , with their headquarters being Gunners Plaza . The origins of the Gunners and their recruitment techniques are largely unknown although it is known they employ from raiders , who upon joining , may have difficulty adjusting to the strict environment and regimentation of being a Gunner , the only known being Tessa . Based on patterns of speech and terminal entries , the Gunners place great emphasis on loyalty and do not tolerate insubordination . Many Gunners also get their blood types tattooed onto their foreheads by their medics , as this is both a practical measure and a rite of passage . Desertion from the Gunners is not unknown , an example being Private Tyler . Similar to raiders and the Capital Wasteland ' s Talon Company , most Gunners will attack strangers on sight . They differ from raiders in their lack of drug dependency , use of superior equipment ( they often come equipped with military - grade armor and rifles ) , extensive use of laser or plasma weaponry and employing other heavy duty military gear , including assaultron s , sentry bots or Mister Gutsies , and their commanders are even known to make use of power armor . The Gunners possess functional Vertibirds , which permits them to employ vertical envelopment and air assault tactics , transporting two to four man strike teams with one or two attack dogs . The player can even find gunners trying to steal vertibirds from other factions . Variants . Gunner . The lowest of the Gunners , the generic Gunner is generally pretty weak when compared with their counterparts . Armed with low - mid level weapons like 10mm pistols and laser rifles , these enemies aren ’ t much stronger than a typical raider . Gunner conscript . Those who were conscripted into fighting for the Gunners . They are slightly better equipped and stronger than their basic counterparts . Gunner Conscripts lack the facial blood - type tattoos of the other Gunner variants . Gunner private . A step up from the Gunner conscripts , some can occasionally be found armed with plasma weapons and combat armor . Gunner corporal . Gunner corporals are a stronger variant of the low - ranking Gunners . They are usually seen in groups of other Gunners , mainly with other rank - and - file Gunners . While armed with automatic 10mm pistols , laser and plasma rifles , these Gunners shouldn ' t be taken on at a low level . Gunner sergeant . Gunner sergeants will generally be found in the company of privates and conscripts , at moderate levels . They are equipped with mostly energy weapons , ( plasma and laser ) combat armor chest piece and at least one other combat armor piece . Can be found with power fists or rippers . Gunner commander . Armored head to toe , these enemies usually act as the final engagement for areas under Gunner control . Not only strong , these opponents rarely go anywhere without at least several strong gunner sub - types besides them . Found inside the HalluciGen , Inc . building and other gunner strongholds . They will be at least level 38 and can often be found in T - 45A power armor without the helmet . Gunner lieutenant . While not in the top echelons of the Gunners , these mercenaries sport heavier armor and attack with melee weapons and plasma weapons . They sometimes work alongside Gunner assaultrons and act as aids for officers above them . Gunner captain . These Gunners are high ranking and appear to be able to run large operations and / or run the Gunner faction ( example Captain Wes ) . Often adorned in sturdy or heavy armor , they usually carry laser / plasma or heavy ballistic weapons ( such as assault rifles ) . Gunner major . The Gunner major is a high level Gunner that usually carries an automatic plasma rifle or laser pistol coupled with plasma grenades . Only named one is found in the Museum of Witchcraft Gunner colonel . Extremely high ranking , utilizes Stealth Boys , carries plasma and laser rifles / pistols or modded combat and assault rifles and a full set of combat armor ( with or without the helmet ) . Only named variant is Colonel Cypress Gunner brigadier . Strongest of the Gunners . They begin spawning at level 94 . Uses a Stealth Boy when combat is initiated . They wear highly modified heavy combat armor and wield powerful modifications of laser and plasma weapons . Appearances . The Gunners appear only in " Fallout 4 " .