Talon trooper ranks and roles

## Enforcer (Trooper)

The first rank of the War machine's troopers. The name enforcer meaning "Enforcer of Talon purity" originated during the Chosen crusade. A time where a trooper's primary task usually involved enforcing Talon law in the subject containment camps on Earth. A time where troopers served more as an enforcement force rather then a front line offensive army. The rank Enforcer is still used in present day, however most Solar armies created after the Chosen crusade often address the rank as 'Trooper' instead of the traditional 'Enforcer'. It is only the Lord's 3rd Solar army where the rank MUST be addressed as "Enforcer" as a display of respect to those who served in the Chosen Crusade more over in the subject containment camps. It would be an insult to a 3rd Solar army trooper to be addressed as Trooper. Enforcer is the basic standard rank of any Trooper.

## Lance Enforcer (Veteran Trooper)

Using the Earth-English definition of "the one who broke the lance", the Lance Enforcer is a veteran trooper who has not only served his fair share of operations but has miraculously survived until now. It is at this stage that a trooper begins to engaged in leadership roles with in his detachment. Traditionally a Lance Enforcer is granted the leadership of a Squadron, which traditionally places him in command of a squad of roughly 5 troopers (not including himself). Those who are deemed not compatible for leadership responsibilities will still be granted this rank, however will remain more of a trooper of example rather then of leadership. The rank of Lance Enforcer is addressed always as Lance enforcer, however he may also be addressed as Squadron leader if he has in fact leadership over a Squadron. The time it takes to achieve this rank is all dependent on the Detachment Commander himself, who may grant him the promotion.

## Crusader

The Crusader meaning "Crusader of Talon Purity" is an icon for those below him. It is in this position that a trooper begins to really delve into the realm of leadership and true veteranship. A Crusader is respected among his detachment for not only surviving many bloody campaigns but also for showing the ability to calming and efficiently lead his troopers in and out of combat. Once granted the rank of Crusader, he is immediately granted the role of Section commander, given command over a Section of troopers. Traditionally a Section may include 6 squadrons totaling in 36 troopers not including himself. Of course much like all Talon unit sizes, this very much will vary in size. A Crusader is smarter, calmer and more efficient then those below him, a trait that is only given through the brutality of battle. It is at this stage where a trooper will meet two paths; One of leadership and administration or the bloodthirsty glory of the core of Shock Infantry.

## Command Crusader

Seen as an officer of the non-pure, The Command Crusader is an honorable and prestigious rank that is granted to Troopers who show enormous examples of leadership, courage and valor. A rank that is respected among all non-pure. The Command Crusader is addressed by "Sir" by all non-pure assets, the only exception being the venerable Sentinels. It is the only rank that is in fact addressed as "Sir" however the rank is addressed by either "Command Crusader" or "Commanding Trooper" by those higher then him such as Purity (Talon Officers). A Command Crusader holds the position of "Commanding Trooper" with in a Detachment, serving as the 2nd in command of a Detachment (depending on how many Talon Officers the detachment contains) (2 Talon Officers would mean he instead would be the 3rd in command).

The Command Crusader is the ideal Talon Trooper, carrying many years worth of war, battles and bloodshed. The Command Crusader serves as a representative of the Troopers within a detachment. Essentially he is the link between the Troopers and the Officers in which he will give regular reports to his officers of the Troopers' moral, supplies as well as casualties. His job is to Command, mentor and lead the Troopers through inspiration and Valor rather then Offices who would lead by fear and force. In most cases the Command Crusader is held responsible for his Troopers, if a Trooper is not meeting the standard of his Detachment Commander then it is the Command Crusader to blame.

Due to such Roles heavily drawn on the commanding and discipline of Troopers. The Command Crusader is the only Non-Pure Talon rank to be granted the ability to execute Troopers. Hence the signature 'Command Crusaders pistol' which is granted to Command Crusaders as a symbol of there rank, status as well as ability to execute dysfunctional Troopers.

## Trooper Roles (Common)

*Below are the most common roles found throughout the War machines Solar armies. However with each solar army comes it's on spin on military doctrine, many Solar armies may have different versions of the roles or specializations of their troopers. Below are solely common roles found in traditional doctrine.*

### All cores

* **Squadron Leader:** A Lane Enforcer who leads a squadron, traditionally containing 6 troopers (including himself)
* **Section Commander:** A Crusader in command of a Section, traditionally containing 37 Troopers (including himself)
* **Commanding Trooper:** highest non-pure in command of a detachment, responsible for all trooper administration.

### Core of Infantry

* **Trooper:** Standard Infantry trooper.
* **Anti-Mechanical:** Infantry troopers equipped with an arsenal of weapon systems designed to immobilise or destroy armoured/mechanical targets.
* **Assault Grenadier:** Highly offensive based trooper, sacrificing a lot of essential kit for the carrying of extra grenades and explosives. Is used to run up to enemy fortifications and flush them out with explosives.
* **Heavy weapons team:** A team of troopers operating Indirect and direct fire support weapons. Used to gain fire superiority over a tactical environment.
* **Sniper:** highly mobile troopers equipped with long range precision weapons. used to silently engaged targets over extreme distances and support friendly troop movements.
* **Recon/light recon:** One step below pathfinders, recon troopers are advanced highly mobile troopers who deploy in specialized squadrons to seek out and sabotage the enemy. Usually better equipped, recon troopers are often placed higher then there other infantry counter-parts.
* **Light Support gunner:** Infantry troopers operating the TLSW-14. Providing suppressing fire for other infantry units.
* **Colour Crusader:** Holding the rank of Crusader, The colour crusader has the honorable task of carrying the banner into battle. This is can be a banner depicting; the talon Empire, The solar army or even the sectorial Regiment he belongs to. The colours provide an enormous morale boost, pushing troopers to fight harder until death. If he is to fool then another his the pick the banner up and continue the task.

### Core of Medical Infantry

* **Medical trooper:** Trooper able to provide combat medicine and basic field surgery in the battlefield.
* **Surgical Trooper:** an elite in the medical field. Instead of performing temporary fixes in the field of battle with minimal instruments, the surgical trooper is a non combat expert in all things medical. The surgical trooper is often stationed on fortress or large operating bases, where he will be placed in administrative command of a clinic/surgery/infirmary. It there that he will update logs and records, lead medical personal and perform advanced surgical procedures.

### Core of Heavy/Mechanised Armour

* **Crewman:** Crew member operating and performing all tasks needed for Armored assets.
* **Crew Commander:** A senior crewman in command of the crew of a single armored assets. Usually ranked Lance enforcer.
* **Squadron Commander:** A crewman with the rank of Crusader, given command of a squadron of armoured/mechanised assets.

### Core of Signals

* **Signaler:** Specialized in all communications and radio engineering. Charged with maintaining cryptographic security and clear communications on the ground.

### Core of Engineering

* **Engineer:** Able to perform all engineering tasks on the field and in Fortresses. No matter the tasks, if it's mechanical it can be done

### Core of Explosive Engineers

* **Assault Pioneer:** Front line troopers tasked with advanced explosive missions. Such as breaching, booby traps and other demolitions. Proficient as an infantry trooper as well.
* **Explosives ordnance disposal:** Attached to recovery detachments, the E.O.D are tasked with seeking out and disposing of explosives that haven't been triggered or have failed to be detonated.

### Core of Artillery

* **Artillery trooper:** Tasked with operating, deploying and maintaining all artillery systems with in the War machine's arsenal. To provide devastating long range fire support for the infantry in the front.
* **Forward Observer:** utilizing long range precision targeting equipment, the Forward observers are deployed into the front line with the infantry detachments. Taking position in hidden high level observation posts, they mark critical targets for long-range precision artillery. This is a task that can be done by Naval assets however in times where that cannot be done, the forward observers are the go to in order to ensure that high explosive ordnance is sent downrange on the correct targets.

### Core of Supply and munitions

* **Supply trooper:** One of the only non-combat trooper roles in the War machine, the supply trooper plays a very vital but underappreciated role in the War machine's war efforts. The supply trooper works in the supply and munitions depots located on Fortresses. Performing all tasks required to maintain, log, organise and move supplies from transports to warehouse storage and to those that need it. The supply trooper is a multi-skilled trooper, able to operate all types of machinery and systems to get their tasks done. Due to it's non-combat nature, the core of supply and munitions also services as a rehabilitation for all personal who may have suffered injuries that would make them not proficient for combat.

### Core of Transport

* **Driver specialist:** In times where air assets are unavailable for supply transport, the driver specialists are called to action. harnessing unimaginable driving and load bearing abilities, the driver specialists are able to move enormous awkward loads through rough and unforgiving terrain efficiently in order to deliver much needed supplies on time. Although it is uncommon, drivers still inherit some combat ability in order to protect their convoys from ambushes. Yet again this is another vital yet underappreciated job, without a steady flow of supply the War machine stops moving, no matter how the supplies get there.

### Special Operations Command

**Pathfinder:** The Pathfinder is an elite specialisation program within the augmentation armament of the Talon Trooper. Pathfinders essentially serve as Light reconnaissance commandos, that operate in small isolated teams without the support or supervision of Purebred (Talon officer) personal or assets. The pathfinders display an enormous amount of independent thinking, allowing them to brandish a huge array of skills and traits all used in conjunction with there complex unorthodox operations. Deployed from a LOTT (Light orbital troop transport) at high altitudes, the pathfinders drop onto their area of operation undetected; performing all types of tasks that a normal talon trooper would lack the ability to complete. Tasks such as; Sabotage, assassinations, high value intelligence retrievals and much more. The Pathfinder is a well respected operator, an elite among his peers. They served as the daggers in the shadows of the War machine, the primary force of Special operations command. No task is to complex or large for these elite forces.

## Command Crusader Administration roles

Below are roles only achievable by those who have reached the rank of command crusader. Although the core of Administration is reserved only of those who are pure talon. These 4 positions are the only exceptions, the only examples of which a non-pure can don the purple embellishment. The following roles are the highest examples of authority that a non-pure talon trooper can achieve. All of which carry very extreme administrative tasks and responsibilities

**Chief Command Crusader of (Fortress name):** The chief Command Crusader serves as the Commanding trooper of the Fortress. Assisting the Chief disciplinary master with the upkeep of standards among the personal who enter the Fortress. The Chief Command Crusader commonly works with the Fortress commander, assisting him in matters involving non-pure personal. Any documents and paperwork that involves all personal except Talon officers are completed by the Chief CMCDR. The priority role of the Chief CMCDR is to oversee all traffic coming in and out of the Fortress, ensuring that all detachments and their personal are accounted for and authorized to be in the Fortress. The position is the first step in the administrative pathway of one's service and will usually make or break their future endeavors.

**Sectorial Command Crusader (SCMCDR):**

Much like the chief command crusader, the sectorial command crusader (SCMCDR) performs similar tasks however on a much larger scale. This position assists the sectorial commander (an overseer with the rank of brigadier) with matters involving non pure talon assets. In other words, any paper work that isn't above the authority of a non-pure is completed by the sectorial command crusader. He is the commanding trooper of the entire sectorial regiment and serves as an example of the expectations set by the sectorial commander.

**Planetary Command Crusader (PCMCDR):**

To be a planetary command crusader is to be among the finest in the solar army. It is at this position where failure and mistakes are not an option. In this position a planetary command crusader is working with nothing less then the talon overseers including the commander of the planetary division (holding the rank of General) although the base tasks are the same as the previous roles, they are now on a planetary scale making the tasks encumberson in size. The planetary CMCDR provides a broad living example of what the General expects of his division, he is to be the finest trooper in the planetary division. The planetary CMCDR must supervises the non pure sectorial staff, making sure that they are up to standard and if not then be able to provide a replacement who is suitable.

**Commanding Crusader of the Solar Army (CMCSA):**

This is the highest rank that a non-pure talon trooper can reach. It is in this position that you reach the highest level of administrative authority. The CMCSA is the finest most senior solider of the solar army and is by far the most decorated and honoured trooper of the Solar army. As the CMCSA you work along side the Solar Commander himself (High general) not passing down any laws or doctrine by the Solar Commander to the non-pure assets but also assist and advise him in the creation of those standards. The living embodiment of the standards set by the solar commander himself, the CMCSA is the pride of the solar army. The CMCSA will supervise the planetary command crusader ensuring that they are up to standard and if not then be able to recommend better replacements. This member of Solar command can also assist the Solar commander with decisions concerning war efforts and solar operations, however the amount of advisory tasks and authority is heavily dictated by the Solar Commander. The role of Commanding Crusader of the Solar army is the pinnacle of a troopers service and should never be taken lightly as all of the solar armies non pure looks up at him.

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