Minuteman

**Key Features** | »ARM-12 *"Rangemaster"* rifle»MX2 fragmentation grenades»M143 *"Red-Eye"* SAM launcher»Kwolek combat vest»Various non-alcoholic beverages

*"Fifty-Five seconds to spare!"*

- Minuteman, on training

## Tactical Analysis

* **American Exceptionalism**: The elite infantry of the Continental Revolutionaries, Minutemen are supremely effective multi-role troops far more effective than most of their contemporaries. Thanks to their patriotism, armoured vests, and physical training, Minutemen are braver, tougher, and faster than normal infantry. And like every Continental infantry, they can disguise themselves as civilians, remaining hidden from the enemy until they attack, or get detected by an animal scout.

* **Second Amendment**: The Minuteman's rifle hits very hard and is supremely effective against infantry, while his missile launcher is good for anti-aircraft work. At close range, they also employ grenades to destructive effect, particularly against vehicles.

* **Freedom Isn't Cheap**: However, Minutemen are still infantry, they are still incredibly vulnerable to anti-infantry weapons, and at such a high cost to train and equip one, the loss of a Minuteman is much harder felt than normal infantry.

* **Finders Keepers**: Though Minutemen are well equipped, they never overlook a chance to acquire better gear. Experienced Minutemen have looted modern MX-15 assault rifles (with an underslung grenade launcher) and modern M64 Javelin missile launchers (but the Spectrum designator is too complex to use), which improves their effectiveness at close range and lets them attack tank, respectively.

## Operational History

The Continental Revolutionaries are a diverse group, with members coming from all walks of life. Many Americans have joined up with the revolution for any number of reasons, be it to avenge the death of their president or simply to see some action. A good number of those who join the Continentals are eager to fight on the battlefield. The majority of volunteers end up joining the Militia, fighting a low-intensity guerrilla war with the Allies in the streets. For those who don't, there is the Revolutionary Army.

While the Militia is little more than scattered groups of rabble, the Revolutionary Army is a professional, organised fighting force, a fact which may be attributed to their leadership. A good portion of the Revolutionary Army is made up of **Minutemen**, the catch-all name for the rebel infantry that spend their time on the front lines. They're a fairly diverse group, mostly made up of grizzled war veterans, defected reservists, and sometimes just plain old gun nuts. The differences between a Minuteman and your average Militia member are considerable; Minutemen are better trained, more skilled, more determined, and more professional by comparison. While a Militia would be extraordinarily lucky to best a Peacekeeper in a straight fight, a fight between a Peacekeeper and a Minuteman is a different story altogether.

In addition, Minutemen also get the best equipment the Continentals have. While most who join the Continentals have to bring their own equipment with them, the Revolutionary Army does its best to see that its soldiers are issued proper weaponry. While even so the soldiers of the Revolutionary Army wield a diverse range of small arms, the most commonly issued equipment for a Minuteman consists of a ARM-12 Rangemaster semi-automatic rifle, a satchel of M1 fragmentation grenades, and an M143 *"Red-Eye"* surface to air missile launcher. While effective, these weapons aren't the most modern, so Minutemen have known to discard them in favour of better gear. In particular, MX-15 or a M64 Javelin launcher is a prized pickup on the battlefield, and some Minutemen who have seen quite a bit of combat get the chance of snatching one or both up.

## Behind the Scenes

* The Minuteman is a combination between a Vietnam era US GI, a Continental soldier of the Civil War, and the basic infantry of Red Alert 1.

* The Minuteman's oversized backpack is intended as a reference to the large backpacks of the Rifle Infantry from Red Alert 1.

## Quotes

Upon exiting the Tent Barracks:* Fifty-Five seconds to spare!

Select* Protect the people at a minute's notice!
* Take back America, one piece at a time.
* We stand united!

Moving* Impeccable timing!
* As soon as I can!
* Double-time!

Garrisoning Structure* That settlement needs our help!
* Up there, on the balcony!
* Could be a really strong outpost.

Attacking Ground* Wish I had a spectrum gun...
* Got a present for you!

Attacking Air* You're going down!
* Try dodging this!
* Open fire!
* Fire for effect!

Throw Grenade* I've got something a little different for you!
* Switch gears!

Move to Attack* I've got your back.
* Fire on my signal!
* Get ready for the fight!

In combat* They got some fight in them!
* You picked the wrong fight!

Under fire* You can't kill freedom!
* We're not going down like this!

## Just the Stats

 **Armour Type** | Infantry

 **Kill Reward** | 2000

 **DPS** | 50

 **DPS** | 70

 **DPS** | 11.3