United Colonial Armed Forces

The United Colonial Armed Forces, also known as the UCAF or simply as the Armed Forces is the military, exploratory, and scientific agency of the United Colonial Government (UCG) and has acted as the emergency governing body of the human race at large for a time. The UCAF was formed in the 28th century, a time when remnants of old cultural ideologies clashed for supremacy in the Sol System. The UCAF served mainly as overseer of United Nations military operations in space. After initiating massive militarization propaganda throughout its off-world colonies, through the UCAF, the UN defeated several insurgent forces in a conflict known as the Interplanetary War on Terror, which consisted of several side-battles known as the Jovian Gauntlet Campaign. Although the Interplanetary War on Terror brought a great deal of suffering to both the colonial population and the residents of Earth, it also united most of humanity's military forces by the end of the 28th century.

## History

The United Colonial Armed Forces was established in 2776 by the Secretariat of the United Nations amidst the Second Cold War, a galactic conflict between the United Colonial Government and the Reconstituted Soviet Empire.

As tension between the Inner Colonies and Outer Colonies increased by the end of the Second Cold War in the 32nd century, the UCG increased the UCAF’s military presence in the Outer Colonies to prevent civil unrest. However, this led to increased aggression in the Outer Colonies that eventually led to the Blackwatch Insurrection, which had begun a conflict with the UCAF after the end of the Second Cold War. Although the civil war largely remained in the Outer Colonies, major Inner Colonies like Maria and Luanda were wracked by Blackwatch activity throughout the early 33rd century.

With the beginning of the First Contact War on April 20, 3225, and the Aeon Empire’s systematic annihilation of the Outer Colonies, the UCAF became humanity’s greatest protector against the genocidal threat. The UCAF thus overrode the civilian rule of the UCG and established itself as an emergency military government, with the military becoming humanity’s primary government. Although the United Colonial Government was more open to stepping down in this time of crisis, the Colonial Administration Authority resisted the UCAF’s drastic rise in power. It was subsequently stripped of its power and influence.

## Organization

### *Infantry*

The majority of the UCAF Army's infantry force is made up of riflemen, who are often supported by heavy weapon infantry. Army Fire Support Teams are specialized units which assist standard infantry and are allocated as part of their battalion's offensive or defensive plans, providing overwatch and combating heavy enemy forces.

### *Special Forces*

The Army's special operations fall under the authority of UNICOM's Special Warfare Command (SPECWARCOM). While most Guardians have been historically operated by Naval Special Weapons, some Guardian units are known to have served within UNICOM's special forces. The most notable of these units is Fireteam Crimson, which served under The UCAF's Special Operations Brigade. The UCAF Army also operates Ranger units who serve as advance scouts on occupied human worlds, conducting counterinsurgency missions and organizing resistance groups. Army Pathfinder units are also known to exist.

### *Airborne*

The UCAF Army maintains an unknown number of airborne infantry units such as the United Kingdom's 6th Airborne Division and the United States's 101st Airborne Division.

### *Divers*

The Army has combat divers between their ranks who were outfitted for combat in aquatic environments.

## Personnel

The personnel of the UCAF Army are described as well-trained, disciplined, and motivated men and women. Service people hold ranks, which are divided between officers and enlisted. The rank structure of the UCAF Army is based around that of the United States Army. For a list of ranks within the Army, see UCAF rank structure.

UCAF Army personnel wear distinctive uniforms. The dress uniform is worn outside combat, while battledress is worn in combat. The Battle Dress Uniform incorporates many modular components shared by other branches of the UCAF Armed Forces. UCAF Army pilots employ grey flight suits.

### *Combat roles*

#### *Officers*

UCAF Army ground forces are led by their commanding officers. Often seasoned and battle-hardened veterans, UCAF officers are trained to maintain a calm demeanor, inspire their men, and deliver a sound tactical perspective while on the battlefield. They also ensure that combined-arms operations are carried out efficiently and safely by controlling the unit's shard of the UCAF battle network.

#### *Infantry*

The core fighting units of the Army consist of riflemen, who are equipped with a wide variety of small arms. When available, they can also be reinforced with heavy weapon units.

Army Fire Support Teams are allocated as part of their battalion's offensive or defensive strategies. In defensive operations, they provide overwatching support-by-fire, while on the offense they engage enemy vehicles and heavy infantry, as such, their loadout is usually tailored to their mission, terrain, and expected enemy composition.

Along with their Marine counterparts, UCAF Army infantry played a pivotal role in humanity's fight against the Aeon Imperium, engaging the enemy in small arms combat, and often in close proximity. Their tenacity during combat was one of the major factors that decided humanity's continued survival against the overwhelming technological and numerical advantage of the Empire.

## *Structure*

*You may be looking for UCAF Unified Ground Command Unit Structure.*

## Equipment

### *Infantry weapons*

The Army and Marine Corps share many matériel assets, though some of their weapons differ. The Army fields the 6.8 MM CT Rifle Next Generation Weapons Systems developed by Textron Systems as the UCAF's standard-issue assault rifle.

In addition, the HK51 pistol is the standard sidearm, while the K-2059 Combat Shotgun is used for close-quarters combat. The 7.62MM CT MMG serves as a heavy suppression weapon.

Snipers operate the LS-3109 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle for long-range suppression and anti-matériel operations. The MK19 belt-fed grenade machine gun is used for medium-range suppression and anti-fortification duties. The Army also operates the XG20 Fragmentation Grenade. Anti-armor fire is provided by the M60 rocket launcher.

### *Vehicles*

The Army's standard vehicle is the M72 Ravager, which is used for armored patrols and personnel mobility. The M72 Ravager is produced in several variants. The most common of these variants is the M72 City Patrol, which is colored grey with white stripes. Other variants include the M72 Forest Traveler, the M72 Desert Wanderer, and M72 Arctic Expedition, all three of which are painted with camouflage of their matching names. Light anti-vehicle support is provided by the M72A Light Anti-Armor Vehicle, which features a Dual GAU-30/A Gatling Gun System. The Meerkat, which are commonly used for scouting and light target interdiction. Army scouts also employ the M110-A Jackal, in the Urban, Desert, and Woodland variants.

For heavy engagements, the Army operates the M704 Pacifier Tank, which is armed with an M720 Armament Cannon and four GAU-30/B Machine Guns, though by 3211 the Army was utilizing the M901 Barricade, with units expected to fight insurrection forces in urban environments provided the "Urban" tactical upgrade for their tanks. The UA-Fang Dropship is the iconic aerial vehicle of the Army and is used to transport both regular infantry as well as Guardians across the battlefield. It can hold an entire Combat Team, which is up to 20 occupants total, equivalent to two squads, and is armed with a chin-mounted machine gun turret for the pilot's use. There are also variants that have no such turret and are completely dedicated as troop transports.