Independent Military Services (IMS)

Overview

Independent Military Services (IMS) was conceived during the First Rio Plata War (2203 - 2207) when Foxx Industries identified a need for a stronger security force for its installations and vessels due to attacks during the opening year of the war. Following a family meeting in 2204, IMS was formally created as a subsidiary company of the Armaments/ Defense Division under Norman Foxx. IMS was divided into two components - space forces under Phillip Foxx and ground forces under his brother, Marcus Foxx.

By the time of the second Rio Plata War (2235 - 2237) the strength of IMS had grown to such extent that it alone was a deterent to hostile acts against the corporation - it was too large for smaller foes and too small for larger foes. IMS became a separate corporate entity in 2245, with the establishment of its main offices on Botany Bay (DM+33 2277/American Arm).The Central Asian War (2282 - 2287) was to be the first time that IMS and other corporate personnel became directly involved in hostilities. Following an attack on a corporate convoy along the Chinese Arm, IMS launched a retaliatory strike against several Manchurian star vessels and ground installations. Though the casualties were heavy on both sides, it did cause other nations to respect corporate holdings. IMS also became involved with the concept of foreign units of one country serving others, much the same way that USMC units do. This allowed IMS to maintain its high number of combat veterans, and also proved very profitable for Foxx Industries as IMS was openly competing with REBCO SAR, and had a solid reputation to boot. During the War of German Reunification (2292 - 2293), Foxx Industries publicly declared itself neutral and IMS withdrew its foreign service units from the nations engaged in the conflict. Having well established trade ties with both countries, the corporation felt it was best to remain neutral.

Status - Ground Forces

Current IMS ground forces strength is estimated at 5,000 combat personnel. This is divided into six infantry regiments, six reconnaissance battalions, nine armor battalions, eleven mechanized battalions, eight fire support battalions, and miscellaneous troops on detached duty or other a ssignments.

Personnel and equipment from these units are used to form composite combat units according to standard Tables of Organization and Equipment (TO&E). Currently ten Hover Combat Regiments (HCR), four Hover Service Regiments (HSR), and two Airborne Combat Regiments (ACR) are in active service.

Status - Space Forces

Current IMS space force capital assets include four Berkut-class destroyers, an undisclosed number of Sarah Anna Mk.V-class Q-ships, four Sarah Anna Mk.VI-class Fighter Tenders, and six wings of TB-10 Thunderbolt-class fighters.

Ship's troops and security forces are drawn from IMS ground units who have undergone advanced training in space combat and zero-G operations.

Enlistment

Prerequisites

A. All Ranks

Applicants must have a working knowledge of at least one of the following languages: English, French, or German. Applicants must have at least five (5) years of experience in a Military, Troubleshooter, Law Enforcement, or related career. Applicants should not possess a criminal record or at any time been engaged in an extra-legal career. Applicants should have successfully passed through an education system (Edu 8+). Applicants must pass an intelligence assessment examination. (Int 10+ = Pass, else Fail exam). Applicant should be in good health and be able to perform physical labour (Encum [high-g] 40+ kg; some exceptions). Applicants must be able to exercise initiative and respond favourably under combat conditions (Cool 4+).

Applicants must possess the following skills:

• Combat Rifleman-2
• First Aid-0
• Heavy Weapons-0
• Melee-2
• Survival-1

Preference will be given to applicants possessing the following additional skills:

• Combat Rifleman-3+
• Heavy Weapons-1+
• Melee-3+
• Any other military skills
• Survival-2+
• Ground or Hover Vehicle-1
• Electronic-0 or Mechanical-0
• Linguistics-2+ (languages other than English, French, or German)

Note: Falsifying information on enlistment documents will result in immediate, dishonourable discharge from IMS service, and may result in criminal charges being laid.

B. Command Ranks (Commissioned Officers)

Applicants for command rank positions must meet all requirements of Section A. Applicants must be fluent in English. Applicants must possess above average leadership skills (Int 12+, Cool 4+, Leader-2+, Eloq 8+). Applicants must have at least ten (10) years of experience in a Military, Troubleshooter, Law Enforcement, or related career, with at least four (4) years of command experience.

Applicants must possess the following skills (in addition to those of Section A.

• Combat Rifleman -3
• Demolitions-0
• First Aid-1
• Forward Observer-2
• Heavy Weapons-2
• Leader-2
• Melee-2
• Recon-2
• Sidearm-1
• Survival-2
• Tactics-2

Preference will be given to applicants possessing the following additional skills:

• Combat Rifleman-4+
• Demolitons-1+
• Forward Observer-2+
• Heavy Weapons-1+
• Leader-3+
• Melee-3+
• Recon-3+
• Sidearm-2+
• Tactics-3+
• Any other military skills
• Bureaucracy-0
• First Aid-2
• Interviewing-0
• Survival-3+
• Ground Vehicle-2 or Hover Vehicle-2
• Electronic-1 or Mechanical-1
• Linguistics-2+ (Languages other than English, French, or German)

Note: Falsifying information on enlistment documents will result in immediate, dishonourable discharge from IMS service, and may result in criminal charges being laid.

Skill Upgrading and Training

C.1 Initial

All successful applicants undergo an initial twelve (12) week training and familiarization period, during which some deficiencies in skills can be overcome and improved upon.

Note: Physical and psychological attributes cannot be changed, but, for example, in the case of an officer with low eloquence (Eloq <7), taking training in the Leader skill would help to overcome that deficiency.

Each recruit have five (5) points to spend each week on training courses. He can take no more than five points of course per week, but he can take less than five points of courses per week.

All courses must be completed by the end of week twelve. After successfully completing a course (see TASK below), that course may be taken again in an attempt to obtain the next level, or another course may be taken (time permitting). Skills have a maximum level attainable through training, and this cannot be exceeded through this training.

C.2 Subsequent

IMS personnel undergo subsequent training on a regular basis, usually for either specific courses, six (6), or twelve (12) week periods. These sessions generally occur every eighteen (18) to thirty-six (36) months, or as the need arises. Training interrupted due to recall to active duty may be continued at the point where training was stopped (i.e. if personnel have to leave at the end of week two of a four week course, they will re-enter at week three when they return).

C.3 Courses Offered

C.4 Task

To Increase skill be one level: Difficulty level. Higher of Intelligence or Determination. Length of course in weeks (Absolute)

Referee: If successful, raise skill by one level. If unsuccessful, check determination; if determination check is successful, allow re-try. If determination check fails, allow the next attempt at that skill (training) to be reduced by one difficulty level (only for the next attempt; if next attempt fails, with successful determination check, do not reduce difficulty further). In all cases, award one (1) experience point per course taken.

Occupations

D.1 Functions

Rifleman

In a manner similar to that of the USMC, all IMS Ground Forces personnel are qualified as infantry, first and foremost. Therefore, the Rifleman qualification is held by all personnel, and is used as the basis for the other function qualifications.

• Combat Rifleman-2
• First Aid-0
• Heavy Weapons-0
• Melee-1
• Survival-1

Reconnaissance Specialist

Reconnaissance Specialists have additional training in heavy weapons and reconnaissance skills.

• Combat Rifleman-2
• First Aid-0
• Forward Observer-1
• Heavy Weapons-1
• Melee-2
• Recon-2
• Survival-1

Autofire Gunner

Autofire Gunners have increased proficiency in combat rifleman and heavy weapons skills, as well as basic knowledge of tactics and sidearms.

• Combat Rifleman-3
• First Aid-1
• Heavy Weapons-1
• Melee-2
• Sidearm-1
• Survival-1
• Tactics-0

RTO

RTOs have additional tactical and electronics operations skills.

• Combat Rifleman-2
• Computer-0
• Electronics-2
• First Aid-0
• Forward Observer-1
• Heavy Weapons-0
• Melee-2
• Recon-0
• Survival-1
• Tactics-0

Sniper

Snipers have increased proficiency in combat rifleman skill, and additional sniping skills.

• Combat Rifleman-3
• Forward Observer-0
• First Aid-0
• Heavy Weapons-0
• Melee-2
• Recon-1
• Survival-1
• Tracking-1
• WildernessCraft-1

Heavy Weapons Gunner

Heavy Weapons Gunners have increased proficiency in heavy weapons skill, as well as basic knowledge of demolitions, tactics, forward observation practices and electronics.

• Combat Rifleman-2
• Demolitions-1
• Electronics-1
• First Aid-0
• Forward Observer-0
• Heavy Weapons-3
• Melee-2
• Sidearm-1
• Survival-1
• Tactics-0

NCO (Sergeant +)

NCOs have increased proficiency in all basic skills and have basic command and tactical skill proficiencies.

• Combat Rifleman-3
• Demolitions-1
• First Aid-1
• Forward Observer-1
• Heavy Weapons-1
• Leader-1
• Melee-2
• Recon-1
• Survival-2
• Tactics-1

Officer (Command Rank)

Officers have increased proficiency in basic skills and have command and tactic skills.

• Combat Rifleman-3
• Demolitions-0
• Forward Observer-2
• First Aid-1
• Heavy Weapons-0
• Leader-2
• Melee-2
• Recon-2
• Sidearm-1
• Survival-2
• Tactics-2

D.2 Designations

Demolition Specialist

Troopers with heavy weapons and advanced demolitions skills are qualified as Demolitions Specialists with the accompanying designation. As per primary function with the additional skill levels of:

• Demolitions-2
• Heavy Weapons-1

Medic

Troopers with advanced first aid or medical skills are considered to be qualified medical personnel, and may use the designation of Medic. As per primary function with the additional skill levels of:

• First Aid-2 or Medical-2 +

Ship's Troops

Troopers who have undergone training in Zero-G conditions and are capable of serving as security and assault troops aboard space craft may use the designation of Ship's Troops. As per primary function with the additional skill levels of:

• P-suit-2
• Zero-G-2

Vehicle Crew

The Vehicle Crew designation indicates those personnel who have increased proficiencies in heavy weapons and vehicle skills. They are considered qualified to drive and operate planetary-based vehicles. As per primary function with the additional skill levels of:

• Ground Vehicle-2
• Heavy Weapons-2
• Hover Vehicle-2

D.3 Function Pay Grades

Multi-qualified personnel may change functions as permitted or ordered by their commanders. Personnel are paid according to the highest pay qualification they hold, regardless of the current function. Designations are addendums to function qualifications and result in pay premiums only.

Rank

E.1 Enlisted Ranks

E.2 Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) Ranks

E.3 Commissioned Officer Ranks

Uniforms

F.1 Ground Forces

The dress uniforms of IMS Ground Forces are comprised of blue-gray ballistic fatigues (with optional blue-gray inertial armor vest), black boots, and French-style Kepi, grey in color. Enlisted rank insignia are red with white outline while commissioned officer rank insignia are gold and gold outline. The IMS logo (white, with black lettering) is worn over the left breast on both fatigues and vest. Unit identification crests are worn on the right sleeve.

Combat or field duty uniforms are generally grey in overall color, although camouflage or other pattern / color fatigues may be worn where appropriate. Boots are either grey or black, with head gear being helmets in the same color as the fatigues. All rank insignia are black and black outline only, as is the IMS logo. Unit identification crests are not worn in the field. Fatigues are comprised of ballistic fatigues with inertial armor vests, although full-body combat armor with rigid breastplate is also commonly encountered.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to KevinC for re-drawing the rank insignia graphics and providing me with the proper HTML code.

Ground Formations