Resource Exploration and Procurement Engineer Regiment
Slaves of the Xiaah, gem in Porrims crown, thorn in Er'reds foot.
Created with sheer force of will by Ashlinn Sarn
REAPERs go by a number of different names of which the most common tend to be Salvage Marines, Cannon Fodder, and Expendable resources. Invitation to the REAPERs is via recruitment or volunteering. They accept any Caste or walk of life and the unit is mixed Sex. In the Words of the Senior Drill instructors: All Salvage Marines are equally worthless so long as they continue to toe the line and work for the advancement of the Holy Bottom Line. A Return on investment into each marines training is expected. Equipment costs, training costs, food costs. While the Matriarchy may not have a credit system or monetary system, For the REAPERs? Currency is measured in hours.
After all, Time is Money and every REAPER is expected to pull their weight.
A typical REAPER Shift is structured much like one would encounter at a factory or a office building and revolves around a Standard 24hour time frame which is further divided into 12 hours of work, 4 for personal time, 8 hours for rest. There are no 'days off' as would be conventionally expected from working a job. They're a standing Paramilitary force, and behave as such.
When not actively training, engaged in resource extraction, combat or work details as REAPER is expected to be maintaining their gear or engaging in any number of other pursuits.
A typical Marine detachment is platoon sized and consists of:
A command Squad of up to 10 to 12 Marines, and as little as a 5 man team.
2 general purpose squads of 12 men with 1 squad leader and one fire-team leader.
1 specialist weapons squad of 12 members, structured the same as a standing squad of one squad leader and one fire-team leader.
1 heavy weapons squad of 12 members consisting of a squad leader and fire-team leader.
Each platoon is backed by a logistics unit and depending upon their particular makeup are assigned to a drop ship that they are expected to help the pilots maintain and keep in working order or designated as a stand alone unit for ship board activities or to establish a ground operations facility.
As operations expand a single REAPER platoon will be reinforced with additional platoons and equipment depending upon the tasks required and the complexity of the units needs.
As of right now there are currently Two standing REAPER platoons, each backed by a logistics unit and attached to two prototype Aerospace Command Vehicles (ACV-01 'The Holy Bottom Line', and ACV-02 'Scrap Wagon'). Each one is capable of delivering a whole platoon planet side, as well as containing mobile Fabrication and Refinery capabilities to ensure the unit is productive from the moment they land on the ground to the moment the last Marine is back aboard and the whole machine has lifted off.
Rank among the Salvage marines is divided along the lines of a standing army.
The current rank structure consists of: [Marine Rank / Logistics equivalent]
Captain [Senior Shift Leader]
1st Lieutenant / (Pilot: Senior Warrant Officer) [Executive Officer]
2nd Lieutenant / (Pilot: Warrant Officer) [Junior shift Leader]
Sergeant/Boss*1 (Drill Sergeant*2) [Team Leader]
Corporal (Drill Corporal*) [Assistant Team Leader]
Specialist [Supply Specialist/Armory Specialist etc… to denote area of specialty]
Private [None]
Recruit*2
While Aboard ship the 'Captain' takes a 'demotion' to Major in order to prevent any confusion among crew or Marines. A Captain of a ship of the line is the highest power aboard any ship and as such, even though 'Major' is a technical rank above, it is still considered a step down in rank and sign of respect towards any ships commander.
*1Note: Unofficial title used by marines in passing, Sergeants/Boss's tend to be the highest level most marines will interact with in a typical environment. Can also be used to denote any rank above Sergeant depending upon context: 'Boss Sarn said we're krumpin' these freeloading pirates today, scrappin' their ships an' that's final, so quit bitchin' and ready up them demo charges, Private!' “Yes, Boss…”
*2Note: With the Exception of Drills, Recruit is not a rank, a Drill rank will revert to their previous non-drill rank after a 4 year attachment as training cadre.