Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers

The Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers (TODT) are an elite special forces group originally organized within the United Space Command Marine Corps and later reorganized into the United Space Command. The most senior TODT commissioned officer is the Commander of the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the TODT so that it is ready for operation under the command of the unified combatant commanders. The Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers are organized into the principal subdivisions: Headquarters Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers, the Operating Forces, the Supporting Establishment, and the Tactical Orbital Defense Forces Reserve.

Mission and Role

Under the operational authority of the Special Weapons division of United Space Command. The Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers are a special operations unit of the USC military. Though TODT units are not embedded within conventional USC military forces, they do participate in joint operations and tend to be force multipliers, increasing the effectiveness, willingness, and morale of those they fight alongside. There is at least four divisions of the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers, with the 99th Defense Troops Division being the most notable, as well as the 15th Defense Troops Division. The Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers also maintain TODT Special Purpose Forces, a subset of TODTs with additional training and equipment that enable them to operate in unique and challenging environments; among these are the Air Assault units, (nicknamed "Devil Dogs") who are trained as urban warfare specialists.
The number of TODT combat teams varies from company to company, but it generally consists of six to eight, with each combat team specializing in a particular mission-set. Every TODT combat team consists of anywhere between ten and fourteen members, each one having a specific skill or function on the team. TODTs are also organized into fireteams of six to eight personnel each. Though every team and every individual is expected to particularly excel in their given skills and assigned mission-sets, they are expected to be flexible enough to adapt to any given situation. Every TODT unit's equipment is tailored for a specific mission and task, with each operator being proficient with a wide range of weapons, sensors, and mobility systems optimized for hazardous and difficult environments.
TODTs perform highly specialized, small scale, high-risk operations including:

• Deep Ground Surveillance or Long Range Reconnaissance: Patrols in small groups, in uniform, usually far behind the enemy lines. While command units may direct air or artillery strikes against enemy positions, they strive to be unobserved, and have only self-defense, not direct action, capability. Groups engaging in surveillance deep behind enemy lines, are commonly known as "Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols" or LRRP's.

• Direct Action: Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and which employ specialized military capabilities to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets. Direct action differs from conventional offensive actions in the level of physical and political risk, operational techniques, and the degree of discriminate and precise use of force to achieve specific objectives.

• Unconventional Warfare: Military and paramilitary operations, normally of long duration, predominantly conducted by indigenous or surrogate forces who are organized, trained, equipped, supported, and directed in varying degrees by an external source. It includes guerrilla warfare and other direct offensive, low visibility, covert, or clandestine operations, as well as the indirect activities of subversion, sabotage, intelligence gathering, escape and evasion.

• Counter-Terrorism Operations: The response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.

• Counter-Contraband Operations: Missions undertaking the recapturing of smuggled/stolen goods.

• Personnel and Special Equipment Recovery/Capture: The recovery/medical treatment of friendly personnel in combat environments, as well as the capability of capturing high valued individuals and any equipment.

History

Formation

[coming soon]

Planetary War on Terror (2075 - Present)

[coming soon]

Second Nuclear War/Reorganization

[coming soon]

Jovian Conflicts of 2687

[coming soon]

Second Energy War (2695 - 2700)

[coming soon]

Structure

Department of the Navy

[coming soon]

Headquarters TODT

[coming soon]

Operating Forces

[coming soon]

TODT Orbit-Ground Task Force

[coming soon]

Supporting Establishment

[coming soon]

TODT bases and stations

[coming soon]

TODT Reserve

[coming soon]

Special Operations

[coming soon]

Personnel

[coming soon]

Recruitment (Military)

[coming soon]

Recruitment (Civilian)

[coming soon]

Leadership

The Chief of TODT Operations is the highest-ranking officer in the TODT, the officer is either the chairman or vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The chief has the responsibility to lead, staff, train, and equip the TODT and has command and field authority. The chief of TODT Operations is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and reports to the Secretary of the Navy.
The Vice Chief of TODT Operations acts as the chief deputy to the Chief of TODT Operations. The Master Chief Sergeant of the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers is the senior enlisted TODT and acts as an adviser to the Chief. Headquarters TODT comprises the rest of the chief's counsel and staff, with deputy chiefs that oversee various aspects of the TODT's assets and capabilities. The current Chief of TODT Operations is Isaac Bennett, while the current Master Chief Sergeant is Hannah Marshall.

Women

[coming soon]

LGBT

[coming soon]

Ranking System

Unlike the other service branches, the TODT doesn't promote based of years of service, but rather how many mission hours, training and experience a TODT serviceman/woman has. Though rare, it is not unheard of for a 35-year-old TODT to hold the rank of general. However, because of how short a TODT's life can be, most serviceman and women never make it past the rank of colonel.

Officers

• Lieutenant (base rank)

• Lieutenant First Class (50 mission hours, basic training)

• Lieutenant Major (77 mission hours, basic training)

• Major (100 mission hours, basic training)

• Lieutenant Colonel (165 mission hours, advanced training)

• Colonel (210 mission hours, officer training)

• Brigadier General (288 mission hours, advanced officer training, experience in one wars/conflicts)

• Lieutenant General (326 mission hours, advanced officer training, experience in two wars/conflicts)

• Major General (450 mission hours, advanced officer training, experience in three wars/conflicts)

• General (510 mission hours, command training, experience in four wars/conflicts)

• Chief of TODT Operations (Appointed by the chairman of the United Space Command)

Enlisted

• Private (base rank)

• Private First-Class (29 mission hours, basic training)

• Corporal (62 mission hours, basic training)

• Staff Sergeant (80 mission hours, basic training)

• Gunnery Sergeant (100 mission hours, basic training)

• Sergeant (125 mission hours, advanced training)

• Chief Sergeant (210 mission hours, advanced training)

• Chief Command Sergeant (368 mission hours, advanced officer training)

• Master Chief Sergeant (485 mission hours, advanced officer training)

• Master Chief Sergeant of the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers (Appointed by the Chief of TODT Operations)

Military Orbital Specialty

[coming soon]

Psychology

Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers are famous among those of the United Space Command Marine Corps, and Army for their tenacity in combat. The wide diversity of individuals who serve as TODTs occasionally leads to cultural barriers; it was considered to be part of their "curious charm". The dangerous method in which TODTs are deployed often leads to the creation of an important distinguishing psychological characteristic commonly displayed among their ranks. Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers are very proud of their accomplishments and skills. Many TODTs believe they uphold a "commando's state-of-mind", meaning that they can do anything with the right attitude. Among their peers, TODTs are often jovial and almost carefree. However, when an TODT is around someone who is not a member of the service, they often become stoic, overtly unfriendly, and have a complete absence of any expression, though they still often remain relaxed. Many individuals have confidence that the TODT can do nearly anything they are tasked to do, no matter the difficulty of the assignment. Being Returned to Unit (RTU)—not successfully completing TODT training—is considered highly humiliating, to the point that it makes death seem like a "minor embarrassment" in comparison

.

TODT officers lead from the front and command their troops with acts of bravery and combat proficiency, as most TODTs are not impressed by authority wielded without competence, nor are they cowed by threats of administrative punishment. USC Insertion Protocols dictate that the commanding officer's SOHOV should accelerate after an TODT unit is deployed, thus placing it before the rest of the unit's drop pods. This is due to the strongly held belief—among the TODTs—that officers should lead their troopers into battle, rather than follow. It is also held that officers should be willing to do anything they would ask their subordinates to do, and should expose themselves to the same level of danger as their troopers. Leaders among TODT ranks who can successfully control their subordinates are often rare to find and highly valued, yet the high degrees of danger that TODTs are exposed to on their missions mean the life expectancy for TODT officers is demoralizingly short. Though they accept the grim statistics, TODTs are immensely proud of the fact that most of their officers rose from within the ranks, inspired by the heroism and sacrifice of preceding officers, and willing to serve despite the dangers they often face.

TODTs occasionally give tattoos of the Emblem for "bad ass"—as the meaning differs depending on who is asked—to officers they greatly respect. Allegedly, should the tattooed individual reveal their mark to any TODT, the TODT would unhesitatingly aid that person.

Training

Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers receive months of intense training, outside the training they had originally received from their previous line of duty. For three weeks, to get all personnel physically fit, TODT candidates may endure daily runs, push-ups, and numerous obstacle courses. These obstacle courses include training simulations with slush, artificial snow, and live-fire simulated battles. Candidates are trained to crawl for miles through environments with barbed wire, rubble, and destroyed buildings as drill instructors fire rounds mere inches above the trainees' heads. Additionally, trainees practice jumping from high positions to prepare for transorbital drops. The rigorous training process also serves as an opportunity for candidates—those who prove unfit to become an TODT—to drop out of the program or they are removed from the training by an instructor. These candidates are Returned to Unit (RTU), meaning that they are sent back to their previous unit and post.
Following the three weeks of physical training, the next portion of TODT training is squad tactics, in which teamwork is a priority. In one example, remaining candidates are to don a full set of TODT training gear and are given weapons loaded with tactical training rounds (TTR), and are then dropped off at the base of a mountain. Candidates are then ordered to reach the peak of the mountain; the drill instructor accompanies them. Drill instructors may occasionally shoot trainees in the leg with a pistol loaded with TTRs, which essentially causes paralysis in the leg. Any candidates that are not quick enough to pick up speed are shot in the other leg, forcing them to crawl the rest of the way. This training simulation may be ran several times with added difficulties, such as trainers serving as opponents armed with TTR-loaded weapons. Some trainees would have to serve as distractions to give their peers the opportunity to eliminate their opponents.
After squad tactics, TODT candidates are given tactical training. The trainees are assembled into fireteams and are then given the same challenges that they had experienced in the squad tactics training; the fireteams work together individually to attempt to reach the peak of the mountain. After the fireteams are individually trained for a period of time, squad tactics is reintegrated back into the candidates' training. Two fireteams work together to reach the top of the mountain, with each fireteam providing support and suppression against opponents for the other.
The TODTs have their own dedicated training unit, the 870th TODT Combat Training Unit, used for training military special forces personnel in a realistic combat environment.

Tactics

Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers are best defined as jacks of all trades; they have a strategist’s cunning, a tank’s armor, and a hover bike’s mobility. Because of this versatility, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single cohesive tactical approach these elite soldiers use. However, they are renowned for stealthily flanking their opponents, disappearing into the environment around shortly after landing. Once they reach the best strategic positions they can manage, their rain hell upon any hostile units, overwhelming them with precise strikes, superior speed and devastating battle malice. They disable the enemy’s advantages first, using the element of surprise as their main strength. If the enemy has fortified positions, for instance, they will be instantly targeted by demolitions experts. After that’s taken care of, a series of attrition battles ensue, in which the TODTs nearly always come out on top because of their superior build.

Uniform

Main Article: USC Marine Corps Dress Uniform

[coming soon]

Equipment

Infantry weapons

The basic infantry weapon of the TODT has been the MXR-95 sub-machine gun. Most non-infantry TODT have been equipped with the A5K carbine or B7WR Combat Rifle. The standard side arm is the G47G magnum pistol.

[more coming soon]

Armor

Due to their Special Operations status, TODTs utilizes several variants of the EXCALIBER powered assault armors. The helmet is equipped with modern communications gear, a heads-up display, and motion trackers. Manufactured by Mars Corps Armory, the TODT armor incorporates ogrium and poslaydian composites for armor plating to give the user added protection. The armor includes a heating and cooling system that has the capabilities to match the infrared signature of the current local weather. There is several editions and variants of the armor with mission-specific functions.

Armor variants

While the standard TODT powered assault armor is fully capable for any role, there are specialized variants of the armor - these suits are specifically issued to a specialist of a certain field to provide them certain advantages during an operation. As such, specialized gear is only available by Mission Conditional Requisition (MCR). Depending on mission requirements, an TODT operative may request either additional, or variant equipment that ranges from helmet attachments, battery, equipment or communication chip.

TODT/UA PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

An up-armored variant of the standard power armor, the TODT/US PPE is issued to personnel whose specialization requires extra armor, such as demolition experts. This version of the battle armor is specifically designed to aid an TODT in sensitive/extreme-type combat conditions. The standard left shoulder plating is replaced with a larger two-piece ballistic plate, which aids in protecting the trooper's upper body while in a firing stance, and also to reduce severe injury from heavy weaponry. The helmet is also issued with an optics device that aids the user in relaying images and video to teammates or command.

SHARPSHOOTER Armor

The sharpshooter armor is issued to sniper experts in the field. This armor is designed to give an TODT sharpshooter more freedom in combat - the standard right shoulder plate is removed, allowing the sniper to aim better and move his arm more freely with a sniper rifle, while the standard left shoulder plate is replaced with a larger plate to protect the sniper's arm from counterattacks. The sharpshooter variant is also issued with an O/I (ocular/integration) optics device attached to the helmet, while the X-ray scope on the S29 sniper rifle can be smart-linked to the user's HUD.

OSI RECON Armor

The reconnaissance PPE armor is a specialized Office of Space Intelligence variant of the TODT armor. The armor is only issued to OSI reconnaissance agents for high risk operations. The undersuit of the armor, which is superficially similar to the standard TODT armor, is designated as the OSI field fatigues. However, the chest plate is replaced with a specialized one, to provide stealth capabilities with little or no loss of endurance, specifically by reducing its IR signature and reflective surfaces. The torso part of the armor also varies from the standard version, having a blue, translucent orb in the center. There are no shoulder armor plates issued with this variant, which allows more freedom of arm movement.

TODT/COMM Armor

The TODT/COMM is a variant issued for communication and calling in artillery and ortillery support.

TODT/DEMO Armor

The TODT/DEMO is a variant issued for combat engineering and demolitions work.

TODT/HVY Armor

The TODT/HVY is a variant issue for heavy weapons role operators.

TODT/TAC Armor

The TODT/TAC is a variant issue for command role operators. This variant is often identified by a blue and white decal.

Ground vehicles

TODTs are well versed in ground vehicles in the USC Armed Forces, regardless of service branch. Most commonly, however, TODTs primarily utilize specially customized RAPTARs, (Rapid-All-Purpose-Tactical-Assault-Rovers), for high-speed pursuits, escapes, or evasion. Most recently, the TODT have begun utilizing the CT-8 Cheetah tactical armored motorbike.

Aircraft

TODT's commonly utilize a single person SOHOV (Single-Occupant-Highspeed-Orbital Vehicle) for planetary deployment, as well as several specially outfitted Blossom Dropships. TODT's also make use of the WR-1E Mosquito to a great effort, and though not widespread, the TODT's have started to utilize several prototype H5 Spearhead fighters.

Relationship with other services

In general, the TODT shares many resources with the other branches of the United Space Command Armed Forces. However, the TODT has consistently sought to maintain its own identity with regard to mission, funding, and assets, while utilizing support available from the other branches. While the TODT has far fewer installations both on the Earth and colonywide than the other branches, many Army posts, Naval stations, and Air Force bases have a TODT presence. They also cross-train with other branches, most commonly the USC Marine Corps and Knight Operations.

USC Navy

[coming soon]

USC Army

[coming soon]

USC Air Force

[coming soon]

USC Marine Corps

[coming soon]

Knight Operations

[coming soon]

Founded

July 4, 2437 (as part of the USC Marine Corps)

May 18, 2512 (as an independent branch of the United Space Command)

Affiliation

United Nations Federation

United Space Command

Type

Special Forces

Role

Expeditionary warfare

Corvert warfare

Escort and Recovery

Intelligence Gathering

Size

368,568 Active Duty Personnel

167,200 Reserve Personnel

Part of

United Space Command Armed Forces

• Department of the Navy

Headquarters

The Pentagon, New Washington DC, North Carolina, USA

Motto

First into Hell, Last into Heaven! (Latin: Primo inferni, in caelum Last)

Engagements

Planetary War on Terror

Second Nuclear War

Jovian Conflict of 2687

Second Energy War

Outer Colonies Civil War

Human-Hivivian War

Commanders

Commander-in-Chief President Brandon Carter

Secretary of Defense Lauren Campbell

Secretary of the Navy Melissa Robinson

Chief of Staff GEN Isaac Bennett

Vice Chief of Staff BGen Reece Hamilton

Master Chief Sergeant of the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers MCSTODT Hannah Marshall