Are we a Penal Battalion? Probably.

[Vispain]

Well, what do you think?

Personally I think we are.

Background:
The USS Almayer is apart of a force in the Herculis region consisting of the 4th Colonial Marine Division, 4th Colonial Marine Brigade, 4th Aerospace Wing, and 1st Colonial Support Group of the USCM. Of the aforementioned forces, the USS Almayer is the flagship of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Brigade "Falling Falcons". The "Falling Falcons" and their flagship are guarding a part of the Herculis region from what I've read. It would also seem they have to garrison the region, not just patrol and suppress CLF insurrections. How do I know they have to garrison? Well, the "Falling Falcons" are doing the same thing the "Dust Raiders" were doing: garrisoning, suppressing and patrolling the region... until of course they left following xenomorph infestations that completely wiped out many garrison troops so quickly and stealthily that the general populace still doesn't know of them.


So, more reasoning. Very simplified (at least I'm trying to). Keep in mind, I'm basically just taking how we act in game, and making it "make sense" in a more realistic standpoint.

A. "Falling Falcons" are isolated force doing several jobs against multiple foes, some known and some unknown.

B. "Falling Falcons" take medium casualties almost always (from what I've seen in HvH rounds against CLF). This means manpower is constantly an issue post-major combat.

C. "Falling Falcons" have Commanders, officers, and NCO's who all seem to believe 50% casualties is easily within the realms of 'acceptable' casualties. This seems to imply:
1. Marines are not being viewed as "elite troops."
2. manpower IS NOT an issue. As the mariens are not being viewed as elite, their lives are being thrown away carelessly. As thhe marines have a easy source of manpower (conscription and penal forces imo), again, Command is ok with large amounts of casualties... to the point even 99% marine casualties but a victory could be considered acceptable.

D. "Falling Falcons" have very low organization in their force typically. This along with C supports the idea that the marines, or at least the Falling Falcons, are taking in penal and conscripts to supplement casualties at the cost of their organization and training.

E. "Falling Falcons" have procedures in Marine Law that are extrajudicial (BE's) and don't require military trials (demotions, executions, termination)

To conclude, the "Falling Falcons" appear to be based off this information using conscripts and penal troops to supplement casualties. This in turn hurts their collective training level and organization. It further means, Marine Law is based around this interesting situation and officers are not concerned with losing absurd amounts of marines. All this supports the idea that the marine force is … a penal battalion.

[Sleepy Retard]

bro shut up we're a hero battalion

[Vispain]

Yes. Our warcrime loving, disorganized mob of ungas is golden, innocent, and heroic like a pure warrior maiden. We can do no wrong!

I feel like there is a obligatory: "M'lady, *tips hat*" is needed here even though it might be slightly out of context..

[Steelpoint]

Its already been established in the "lore" that our battalion is comprised mostly of conscripts and newer volunteers, I like to imagine that's intended to handwave why our battalion tends to be less competent than we'd hope for.

Imagine a entire battalion of Specialists, that's what we're missing out on.

[Sargeantmuffinman]

As what Steelpoint said. We're a very "green" battalion. Green as in new troops mixed with a few veterans from what ever last assignment we had.

[Drevenshekel]

My personal headcanon is were one of the more private controlled USMC battalions that WY considers a disposable asset. It's why were always operating alone without support, were sent on corporate sensitive missions on the edge of space and our ranks are filled with the rejects and disgraced marines that were gathered up put under the command of venerable sociopaths like Bill Carson and Heinz Mueller.

[Survivor]

My personal headcanon is were one of the more private controlled USMC battalions that WY considers a disposable asset. It's why were always operating alone without support, were sent on corporate sensitive missions on the edge of space and our ranks are filled with the rejects and disgraced marines that were gathered up put under the command of venerable sociopaths like Bill Carson and Heinz Mueller.

We are the ones nobody will miss. Makes sense

[Drevenshekel]

We are the ones nobody will miss. Makes sense

if you wanna get more meta with it, WY uses us as a genetic template for creating clone marines that they send back out after they get wiped out after missions. Every round of CM is a canon outcome.

[Steelpoint]

While I loath to reference it, but cloning technology is all but non-existent until hundreds of years in the future (around 2300) when the United Systems Military begins to (illegally) develop cloning technology, one of the avenues was the cloning attempts of Ripley to gain access to Xenomorphs (for reasons beyond human comprehension).

Based on what I can recall, cloning is pretty much illegal and was never developed far enough to clone a viable Human.

Also, a personal note but I though the USCM was suffering manpower issues to begin with in the lore, or at the very least they don't have a lot of manpower to spare. It does explain the 'conscript' backstory however due to the USCM likely needing more men irrespective of the quiality.

Honestly, that'd make a helleva lot more sense of knowledge of Xenos and akin were a bit more common than non-existent, because losing two major troop ships and the men and women involved does not raise questions.

[Sulaboy]

We're the worst of the worst stuck out in the middle of no where where we can't break anything important. The Almayer is where you get sent if they decide you can't be trusted to not start a war.

I'm pretty sure this position is filled by the draft sometimes, and I wouldn't be surprised if some prisoners were given conditional offers for reduced sentences upon enlistment.

[Weaselburg]

We're the worst of the worst stuck out in the middle of no where where we can't break anything important. The Almayer is where you get sent if they decide you can't be trusted to not start a war.

I'm pretty sure this position is filled by the draft sometimes, and I wouldn't be surprised if some prisoners were given conditional offers for reduced sentences upon enlistment.

Fuck, I can totally imagine Weasel out here because they think he will start a war by shear incompetence in all areas except screaming at people not to run off.

[Weaselburg]

While I loath to reference it, but cloning technology is all but non-existent until hundreds of years in the future (around 2300) when the United Systems Military begins to (illegally) develop cloning technology, one of the avenues was the cloning attempts of Ripley to gain access to Xenomorphs (for reasons beyond human comprehension).

Based on what I can recall, cloning is pretty much illegal and was never developed far enough to clone a viable Human.

Also, a personal note but I though the USCM was suffering manpower issues to begin with in the lore, or at the very least they don't have a lot of manpower to spare. It does explain the 'conscript' backstory however due to the USCM likely needing more men irrespective of the quiality.

Honestly, that'd make a helleva lot more sense of knowledge of Xenos and akin were a bit more common than non-existent, because losing two major troop ships and the men and women involved does not raise questions.

Well obviously it does raise questions, the Alyamer was sent out here to invesitgate (Albiet most of the crew doesn't know that) and happened to respond to BENOMORPHS on the way.

[Vispain]

Its already been established in the "lore" that our battalion is comprised mostly of conscripts and newer volunteers, I like to imagine that's intended to handwave why our battalion tends to be less competent than we'd hope for.

Imagine a entire battalion of Specialists, that's what we're missing out on.

Huh, yeah, I was reading the wiki lore and it mentions "However, the marines that serve aboard these patrol transports are either volunteer forces or conscripted to their long voyages in outer territories where most luxuries do not exist."

And yeah - the USCM has been facing manpower issues, especially in the colonies what with the Colonial Liberation Front.

Given the nature of the marines in the "Falling Falcons", the heavy casualties we take, attitudes and laws... it certainly would seem we fall in the category of conscripting to fill manpower needs... with likely (judging by the pure nature of the "Falling Falcons" command crew in nearly every round, good or not) some off-the-book penal marine recruitment if not outright legal allowance of penal marine recruitment.

To simplfy. We appear to be, for all intents and purposes, an expendable asset of conscripts and penal marines garrisoning and patrolling a far-flung sector with little support in a (for the USCM) ancient and outdated over-glorified patrol-transport long past its expiration date. To top that all off... we are only here in the sector because the "Dust Raiders" had to withdraw following the disapearances of several major garrrisons and rising CLF tensions.

[MedicInDisquise]

I don't think the Falling Falcons was intended to be a penal battalion, at least at first.

The last several years almost a dozen worlds have gone dark, and several USCM detachments and garrisons have seemingly disappeared. Recruitment to the USCM has sharply dropped, and morale has plummeted, especially among the outer-rim colonies that depend on the USCM for protection from pirates and hostile nations.

This tells me that the USCM as a whole is suffering from a lack of recruits. It's not a Falling Falcons thing, it's a problem with the whole Corps. The Corps probably conscript then rush people (that may include prisoners, perhaps from WY prison stations) through officer and specialist training, and give bare minimum training to squad engineers and medics. Command might even shove people without the training into roles because they're hurting that bad for people.

SO: Damn. The Alpha SG got decapitated by a CLF soldier. Let me call up PFC from Alpha.
PFC: You called for me, sir?
SO: Hey, PFC. Do you think you have the guts to be a Smartgunner?
PFC: Probably? Don't I need training?
SO: Nonsense! It's just a few buttons to press! You'll be fine. Go try it out at the firing range then report back to cyro, you'll be Alpha's SG.

[BobatNight]

Hi, I'm Captain Sal 'Spaghetti' Spanelli, as a Captain I can assure you that your lives mean nothing if it helps us achieve the mission. Now after I OB you degenerates, I need you to push into the choke point. Oorah!

[Survivor]

This would explain why High Command never responds when we beg for help

[BobatNight]

Never really understood our relationship with W-Y all that much. You'd think the CL and Synth would have some secondary objective to secure a xeno specimen somehow.

[Renomaki]

When I look at the marines, I can't help but be reminded of B-company, or BAD company as they like to call it in the game of the same name.

Never heard of it? Well, in the universe of Battlefield: Bad Company, B-company is made up of expendable, incompetent troublemakers who are sent in to soften up the enemy (and get slaughtered in the process) so that the REAL solders can finish the job.

the marines of the Falling Falcons really do remind me of B-company way more than they should, what with their reckless behavior, psychotic tendencies, childish nature and a general lack of professionalism. These men are in no way FIT to be marines, and yet here they are, running around with guns and shooting everything that moves. And when shit hits the fan and the Captain needs help? "Sorry, not our problem" says high command.

That isn't to say every marine in the FF (oh geez, that explains a lot) is nothing more than a meat shield. There is more than a good handful of dedicated, capable and loyal fighters who fight for what they believe in and aren't afraid to give their life for the cause... Mostly.

Probably doesn't help that the command staff of the Falling Falcons are often just as incompetent, making it feel like the USCM simply sent them off into deep space to deal with minor transgressions simply to keep them out of their hair while they focus on more important things.

If that isn't enough proof for you, compare our marines to THIS video and tell me how many similarities you can find!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaHcMxfJlhY

[Sora9567]

Never really understood our relationship with W-Y all that much. You'd think the CL and Synth would have some secondary objective to secure a xeno specimen somehow.

Actually, I think the Synths we have are more like Bishop rather than Ash. Our synths may be creepy sometimes, but they're 100% loyal to the corps, damnit!

[Vispain]

When I look at the marines, I can't help but be reminded of B-company, or BAD company as they like to call it in the game of the same name.

Never heard of it? Well, in the universe of Battlefield: Bad Company, B-company is made up of expendable, incompetent troublemakers who are sent in to soften up the enemy (and get slaughtered in the process) so that the REAL solders can finish the job.

the marines of the Falling Falcons really do remind me of B-company way more than they should, what with their reckless behavior, psychotic tendencies, childish nature and a general lack of professionalism. These men are in no way FIT to be marines, and yet here they are, running around with guns and shooting everything that moves. And when shit hits the fan and the Captain needs help? "Sorry, not our problem" says high command.

That isn't to say every marine in the FF (oh geez, that explains a lot) is nothing more than a meat shield. There is more than a good handful of dedicated, capable and loyal fighters who fight for what they believe in and aren't afraid to give their life for the cause... Mostly.

Probably doesn't help that the command staff of the Falling Falcons are often just as incompetent, making it feel like the USCM simply sent them off into deep space to deal with minor transgressions simply to keep them out of their hair while they focus on more important things.

If that isn't enough proof for you, compare our marines to THIS video and tell me how many similarities you can find!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaHcMxfJlhY

Well said and well-shown.

[Mister Jeether]

Yeah, the Falling Falcons IS, indeed, a penal battalion. Althought the USCM has suffered a immense recruitment drop, imagine the current situation.

-In a borderline war with the UPP

-Fighting a bunch of crazy terrorists that are willing to do anything to seize and overpower the Marine corps, ranging from mayhems to torturing captured USCM personnel.

-A bunch of colonies going dark for COMPLETELY UNKNOWN REASONS (It's not stated, but W-Y is obviously mad at this)

-2 Vessels misteriously disappeared in the last 10 years, with no trace of the crew or the ship

-Cristóbal



Why the hell would you join the marines, mate?

[Survivor]

Yeah, the Falling Falcons IS, indeed, a penal battalion. Althought the USCM has suffered a immense recruitment drop, imagine the current situation.

-In a borderline war with the UPP

-Fighting a bunch of crazy terrorists that are willing to do anything to seize and overpower the Marine coprs, ranging from mayhems to torturing captured USCM personnel.

-A bunch of colonies going dark for COMPLETELY UNKNOWN REASONS (It's not stated, but W-Y is obviously mad at this)

-2 Vessels misteriously disappeared in the last 10 years, with no trace of the crew or the ship

-Cristóbal



Why the hell would you join the marines, mate?

To die for my country. OORAH!

[Bancrose]

100% we are a Penal Battalion.

I couldn't see a reason where Battlefield Executions would be used in any other Battalion than a PENAL BATTALION.

[Vispain]

Yeah, the Falling Falcons IS, indeed, a penal battalion. Althought the USCM has suffered a immense recruitment drop, imagine the current situation.

-In a borderline war with the UPP

-Fighting a bunch of crazy terrorists that are willing to do anything to seize and overpower the Marine coprs, ranging from mayhems to torturing captured USCM personnel.

-A bunch of colonies going dark for COMPLETELY UNKNOWN REASONS (It's not stated, but W-Y is obviously mad at this)

-2 Vessels misteriously disappeared in the last 10 years, with no trace of the crew or the ship

-Cristóbal



Why the hell would you join the marines, mate?

Goddamn well said.

As for the borderline war with UPP, you've also got precedent of Race for Africa-esque colonial tension mixed with Cold War tension. Then you got Tientsien, a conflict where the USCM engaged a UPP expeditionary force. And on that note, wiki makes it sound like it wasn't THAT small...
"Tientsin (Eta Boötis A III) campaign is fought by the USCM, 240,000 strong."

Ya'll missing something though. Said terrorists are seen by many in the colonies as freedom fighters. Its the classic sci-fi colonial rebellion story only... we are in the prelude to where Earth ( in this case the UA) loses its major diplomatic power. They're almost like a middle-east terrorist organization.

[KennyTGuy]

But my character is a good boy