Imperial Expeditionary Infantry Department

Traditionally abbreviated to ‘IXI’, the Imperial Expeditionary Infantry are also commonly referred to as the ‘Imperial Knights’ and sometimes ‘the Ten’ in reference to Roman numerals and the 10 senior Knights General overseeing the 10 Corps. The Department is divided into two administrative bodies: the Imperial Expeditionary Infantry Corps (IXIC) and the Imperial Knights Reserve (IKR). The IXIC comprises the active-duty component of the IXID: the Free Imperial Knights in the 10 regular Corps, the Knights of the 3 Sworn Legions, the Marines of the Imperial Maritime Infantry Corps, and the Knight Companions.

## Free Imperial Knights

The majority of troopers fulfill a medium infantry role, but each division also fields specialized reconnaissance, mechanized light infantry, heavy assault troopers, and combat engineers. The Free Imperial Knights are full-time elite warfighters who have spearheaded interstellar military campaigns since the very first such operation was undertaken in the early 22nd century. They are trained in a variety of insertion techniques, including air assault and orbital

assault.

The Free Imperial Knights are organized into 10 Corps, each comprising a Division and a Brigade Combat Teams, commanded by the 10 senior Knights General. They are additionally supported by 10 dedicated Reserve Support Teams, in addition to the host of Reserve Divisions.

## Sworn Imperial Legions

The Sworn Imperial Knights are distinguished most easily as being foreign-born. Each legion is based around a Brigade Shore Team with organic fires and support elements. The difference in size from a standard regimental combat team comes in the form of the legion’s support elements. Like a full division, each brigade fields an entire regiment of Expeditionary Support Infantry, and so its core infantry regiment is reinforced by full battalions of cavalry, reconnaissance, assault, and engineer troopers.

The Sworn Knights are additionally distinguished by their personal loyalty to the Emperor. They are led by Legati, typically of the rank of major general. Though not themselves considered such, the Legati do not report intermediately to a senior Knight General, but receive orders directly from the Lord General, Marshal or Emperor. Due to the shortened chain of command, the Legions are commonly used as a quick reaction force. To command one is a position of special trust and one of the Emperor’s few tools for rewarding favorites.

## Imperial Knights Reserve

The third component of the IXI is the Imperial Knights Reserve. Rarely called into duty, the IKR was placed on high alert following the attacks of 2293 and has since formed an important garrisoning force. Reserve Knights fulfill a number of roles. A significant portion of the Martian population are Reserve Knights, ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice. However many Reserve Knights are also settled into the colonies as part of forward-deployed garrisons. Older Knights leaving active service are given the option of deploying to a colony as part of a Reserve Garrison. Such Knights are given generous land grants and while residents of their new homes remain Martian citizens. In practice the IKR’s role has always been minor, its purpose is to form a massive strategic reserve in times of crisis. Many Reserve Knights are also active in local militia groups and/or work in law enforcement. The IKR and Milites Rem Publicam have a close relationship, Reserve Knights are often active in Milites groups, acting as mentors and leaders. In times of need nearly 7% of the adult population are Reserve Knights. These numbers swell further when accounting for Milites units led by and assigned to Reserve Knights.

Total available Martian sworn Reserve Knights and Companions-at-Arms (all Milites who are a member of a Reserve Knight’s unit) exceeds 1 billion persons. This does not account for non-Companion Milites, Federal soldiers, Fleet Force personnel, IOI personnel and veterans, or active duty Knights. When accounted for, the total number of persons eligible for and trained to serve exceeds 3 billion persons. Roughly a quarter of all Martians have served in some capacity.

There are three core combat maneuver units of the Imperial Expeditionary Infantry: the Regimental Combat Team, the Brigade Shore Team, and the Reserve Support Team. Each of these is designed to operate independently, but can itself break into 3 independent Battalion Combat Teams. This highly modular nature provides a great degree of flexibility.

## Imperial Maritime Infantry Corps

The Imperial Martian Marines provide elite amphibious-trained troops to work in conjunction with the Surface Navy and on-call for any commander in need. Their Maritime Operations Group is a tier 1 special operations force that works closely with the ONI. The Corps comprises 3 Divisions composed of 2 Marine Brigades each. The nucleus of each Brigade is a Marine Infantry Regiment, an Expeditionary Artillery Regiment, and an Expeditionary Support Regiment.

The Imperial Martian Marines rise to prominence during the Midworld Campaigns, where operations on a number of more tropical worlds helps to popularize the Corps. The Corps is distinguished from its expeditionary brethren by its focus on amphibious operations. They are commonly called Pinnipeds, from Personnel IN a Naval Expeditionary Division.

## Knight Companions

The Companions were originally formed as a component of the Milites Rem Publicam. During the integration of the Milites with the United Republic Guards, the Companions are transferred to the Imperial Administration. They have long been operationally commanded by the Knights, while administered by the Federal Government.

The Companions are originally a force of militias led by Reserve Knights. This changes during the Coalition Wars, as they transform into an increasingly professional force during regular, long deployments reinforcing activated Reserve Support Teams. As a result, the Companions gain a certain amount of prestige. During this transformation, the Companions are granted the distinct legal rank of Knight Companion.

What sets the Companions apart from most of the Imperial Knights they fight alongside is that they also recruit Residents and Immigrants (who are granted Resident status). Many Companions are eventually recruited as Knights once Citizens, but the professionalization of the force, lower intensity, and creation of the distinct social rank make it attractive in its own right.

## Unit Composition

There are four elementary combat maneuver units of the Imperial Expeditionary Infantry: the Expeditionary Infantry Division (IXID), the Regimental Combat Team (RCT), the Brigade Combat Team (BCT), and the Reserve Support Team (RST). Each RCT, BCT, and RST can further divide itself into three Expeditionary Infantry Battalions (EIB).

Active duty: 10 Expeditionary Infantry Divisions comprising 3 RCTs each, 10 attached BCTs, 3 Sworn Legions equivalent to BCTs, 3 Maritime Infantry Divisions comprising two BCTs each, and the Maritime Operations Group. Each IXID and BCT is additionally assigned a Special Infantry Battalion and at least one ORCA POD; however these are not organic and are often commandeered by high command for various duties. As the Fringe Wars progress and full-division operations wind down, such reassignments become normal and the Knights themselves develop into a more versatile and elite force.

Reserve: 13 Primary RSTs (one each Division and Legion) and thousands of Secondary RSTs. Each is reinforced by a Brigade of Companions-at-Arms of the Milites Rem Publicam, making it about the size of an Expeditionary Infantry Division.

Each RCT is based around an Infantry Regiment, reinforced by elements from a parent division’s organic support units. An RCT is commanded by a Colonel or Brigadier. A typical RCT comprises:

* Expeditionary Infantry Regiment
* Artillery Battalion
* Assault Company
* Cavalry Squadron
* Combat Engineer Company
* Reconnaissance Company
* Special Infantry Company

Accordingly, each EIB is based around an Infantry Battalion. An EIB is commanded by a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel. A typical EIB comprises:

* Expeditionary Infantry Battalion
* Artillery Battery
* Assault Platoon
* Cavalry Platoon
* Combat Engineer Platoon
* Reconnaissance Platoon
* Special Infantry Platoon

Each BCT is also based around an Infantry Regiment, reinforced by a full Expeditionary Support Infantry Regiment and its own Special Infantry Battalion. A BCT is commanded by a Brigadier. A typical BCT comprises:

* Expeditionary Infantry Regiment
* Artillery Battalion
* Assault Battalion
* Cavalry Battalion
* Combat Engineer Battalion
* Reconnaissance Battalion
* Special Infantry Battalion

Each RST is based around an Infantry Regiment, reinforced by a Reserve Support Infantry Regiment and a Companions-at-Arms Brigade. Each RST is roughly the size of a full Division and is commanded  by a Major General. A typical Reserve Regiment will deploy with:

* Knights Reserve Infantry Regiment
* Companions-at-Arms Brigade
	+ 1st Battalion
	+ 2nd Battalion
	+ 3rd Battalion
	+ 4th Battalion
	+ 5th Battalion
	+ 6th Battalion
* Artillery Regiment
* Reserve Support Infantry Regiment
	+ Cavalry Battalion
	+ Combat Engineer Battalion
	+ Reconnaissance Battalion

**Example**:

* 1st Regimental Combat Team
	+ Headquarters and Headquarters Company
		- Staff:
			* 1 Personnel
			* 2 Intelligence
			* 3 Operations
			* 4 Logistics
			* 5 Plans
			* 6 Signals
			* 7 Engineers
			* 8 Education
		- Military Police A Platoon
	+ 1st Battalion Combat Team
		- Headquarters Staff
		- Military Police B Platoon
		- A Company + 1st Weapons Platoon
		- B Company + 11th Weapons Platoon
		- C Company + 21st Weapons Platoon
		- D Company (Assault)
		- E Company (Reconnaissance)
		- F Company (Engineer)
		- A Battery/1st Battalion/41st Artillery Regiment
	+ 2nd Battalion Combat Team
		- Headquarters Staff
		- Military Police C Platoon
		- G Company + 2nd Weapons Platoon
		- H Company + 12th Weapons Platoon
		- I Company + 22nd Weapons Platoon
		- J Company (Assault)
		- K Company (Reconnaissance)
		- L Company (Engineer)
		- B Battery/1st Battalion/41st Artillery Regiment
	+ 3rd Battalion Combat Team
		- Headquarters Staff
		- Military Police D Platoon
		- M Company + 3rd Weapons Platoon
		- N Company + 13th Weapons Platoon
		- O Company + 23rd Weapons Platoon
		- P Company (Assault)
		- Q Company (Reconnaissance)
		- R Company (Engineer)
		- C Battery/1st Battalion/41st Artillery Regiment
	+ 4th Battalion Combat Team
		- Headquarters Staff
		- Military Police E Platoon
		- S Company + 4th Weapons Platoon
		- T Company + 14th Weapons Platoon
		- U Company + 24th Weapons Platoon
		- V Company (Assault)
		- X Company (Reconnaissance)
		- Y Company (engineer)
		- D Battery/1st Battalion/41st Artillery Regiment
	+ 1st Battalion/41st Artillery Regiment
		- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
		- Military Police F Platoon
		- A Battery
		- B Battery
		- C Battery
		- D Battery

## Order of Battle

*See: Imperial Expeditionary Infantry Order of Battle*