Gunners

“The Gunners are the Commonwealth's most well organized mercenary group. Unscrupulous and highly skilled, they will take any contract... if the price is right.”

The Gunners are a ruthless mercenary organization that operates in the Commonwealth and Nuka-World in 2287. The Gunners are most known for their no prisoners mindset and have been known to wipe out entire settlements, like common raiders, but are better organized and equipped.
Background The Gunners are a violent mercenary outfit, for whom no job is too brutal to undertake. They are widely regarded as no better than common raiders, as they will attack anyone they believe is too weak to defend themselves. As long as it improves their bottom line, everyone's a potential target. As a result, while Gunners claim to be soldiers for hire, they have a well-earned reputation throughout the Commonwealth for being a highly-militarized gang of thugs with combat training considered equivalent to the Brotherhood of Steel, according to Piper Wright. Aggressive and fiercely territorial, Gunners are guaranteed to attack anyone who wanders into an area they have claimed as their own. They are well equipped and well organized, and a group of Gunners almost always includes at least one combat-ready robot.
Perhaps the most heinous crime the Gunners perpetrated was the Quincy Massacre, when they attacked the southern settlement in force. A desperate defense could not withstand their onslaught and the ruined town fell, with it, the Commonwealth Minutemen. Only twenty people made it out of there alive.
Deacon speculates that the Gunners may be following the orders of another party, but to date, nobody has learned who pulls their strings.
Organization Gunners take inspiration from the pre-War United States Armed Forces in their organization, with certain modifications. Their military rank system is lifted largely from the pre-War US Army: Gunners rank from the basic recruit all the way to brigadier. They also tattoo their members on the forehead to distinguish their membership and ensure loyalty. Blood types are also tattooed, to expedite medical care.
In terms of training, the Gunners are one of the most well trained military forces out there, on par with the Brotherhood of Steel, but lacking the corresponding moral fiber. They operate in a strict military fashion, with a well-defined chain of command and procedures for dealing with unforeseen circumstances, such as losing a ranking officer in the field or running operations while off the grid (without radio contact with Gunner command). To improve their power projection capabilities, the Gunners operate a variety of strongholds throughout the Commonwealth, located in strategic spots that are easy to defend. Even temporary camps, such as those established during long range reconnaissance missions, are always set up in a way that makes them difficult to attack.
Low-ranking Gunners are usually limited to the protection offered by simple clothing, accessories and the occasional piece of leather armor. Gunners who have reached the rank of private sport a few pieces of combat armor. Further promotions grant Gunners better-quality pieces of combat armor. Gunners also enjoy a vast arsenal of weapons. Combat rifles and laser rifles are popular choices, and no Gunner would ever be caught relying on a handmade pipe gun, but virtually any projectile weapon has a chance of appearing in a Gunner's hands. Even valuable plasma weapons can be found on high-level Gunners. Batons and rippers are sometimes used, as are fragmentation grenades, Molotov cocktails and a variety of heavy guns.
With all of their assets, the Gunners lack coordination on a strategic level. As a result, Gunners are deadly on a tactical level (as exemplified by the Quincy Massacre), but are unable to take control of the Commonwealth.
Outside relations As a mercenary outfit, the Gunners will accept any contract, no matter how violent or heinous. As long as the pay is good, they will take it, much like Talon Company in the Capital Wasteland. Despite their lack of scruples, they are one of the top choices when it comes to escorting caravans (Old Man Stockton in particular is fond of hiring these mercenaries) or special orders by wealthy residents of Diamond City, particularly when they entail dealing with dangerous wildlife. They also deal in the securing and extraction of technology, in the form of tech salvage missions.
Gunners do not take prisoners and will kill everyone who gets in their way, likely to score any potential bounties that might be out on their targets. Gunners are also not known to surrender.
Deacon is known to be on their most wanted list, several times under different names.
Technology While they are functionally raiders, Gunners have adopted a military aesthetic and focus on acquiring pre-War military gear whenever possible. Their standard uniform is inspired by pre-War Army fatigues and typically combined with military-grade armor, primarily various types of combat armor, worn with bandanas, sunglasses and military caps. They also utilize Power Armor.
They are also known to use a variety of robots to bolster their ranks, ranging from Mister Gutsy units all the way to assaultrons and sentry bots.
The Gunners have access to at least one functional Vertibird, which operates in the southwestern area of the Commonwealth. They also possess a highly advanced communications network, which allows high-ranking officers at Gunners plaza to directly communicate with forces in the field. This is evident during the quest Hunter/Hunted.