The Third Regiment

Overview

The 3rd Regiment of the 4th Combat Division, attached to Marine Space Force 3 'Herculis', was established in 2170 following the close of Operation Canton and the establishment of a cease fire between the United Americas and the Union of Progressive Peoples. It was created during the reorganization of USCM forces necessitated by the shifting geopolitical landscape which emerged in the wake of the devastating colonial conflict. In its original state the Regiment consisted of a mishmashed smattering of outdated transport vessels that had seen service as far back as the Sol Campaign, a variety of commanders with misaligned and conflicting ideologies as well as goals, and a severe lack of functional and easily maintained equipment to be used in ongoing conflicts within the Herculis Theater.

Following the ascension of Colonel Michael Calhoun to the position of Regimental Commander, the 3rd Regiment has begun to resemble a fighting force that the United Americas could grow to become proud of. In 2182 the Regiment still experiences issues surrounding corruption, a dwindling budget, and an all-around lack of qualified personnel to hold positions of importance, it is no longer the hopelessly outdated and disorganized organization it was at the outset of its founding.

Organization

Regimental Structure

Rank Structure

Role	Description	Eligibility
Brigadier General | BGen	A Flag Officer and member of the High Command for the USCMC's 4th Combat Division. The Chief of Joint Operations is responsible for coordinating actions between the various regiments falling under the division's umbrella. They are chiefly tasked with advising the overall commander of the 4th Combat Division on the strategic direction that the organization should take, and then disseminating that information to regimental commanders as required.	Whitelist Overseer
Colonel | Col	Leads the 3rd Regiment of the USCMC's 4th Combat Division, assigned to Marine Space Force 3 (MSF-3) 'Herculis', operating out of Chinook 91 GSO Station. The Regimental Commander acts as the highest instance of authority to all Marines within their Regiment, with their own superiors usually not being immediately present due to distances of space and time of travel. As such, the Colonel has a large degree of authority.	CO Senator
Lieutenant Colonel | LtCol	Leaders of the Regiment’s different battalions. Different Commanders act as the intermediate authority figure to their subordinate officers (Company Commanders). It is the duty of a Battalion Commander to organise, supply and supervise their respective battalions, while ensuring its resources are put to good use. Due to this, Lieutenant Colonels have the authority to specialise their Battalions towards specific purposes to ensure the integrity of their forces and of the Regiment as a whole.	CO Council
Major | Maj	COs within the Regiment at the rank of Major will be in command of usually at least one Company of Marines. This can vary, however, and there are certainly niche scenarios, especially out in the Neroid Sector at the fringes of civilized space. All Companies and their Commanders are placed within specific Battalions, and are thus subordinate to the Battalion’s Commander. However, as space is vast and the Neroid Sector is especially so, it is not unheard of to see only a handful of ships - or even completely isolated, lone ships - being sent out to patrol or investigate distress calls, due to travel times and manpower shortages. This means that even at the Company level, COs retain a fair amount of individual authority, though when present, they are to follow the orders of their Lieutenant Colonel to act as a unified force of a Battalion.	CO Whitelist

Battalions & Operations

The 3rd Regiment employs somewhere in the range of 9,800 active, combat capable personnel spread across its seven battalions. Though the size of each battalion varies depending on several factors (the type of mission it is designed for, the inclusion of specialized support units, current operational environment, and changes in force structure) generally each maintains somewhere in the range of 1000-1400 personnel. While these seven battalions are designed to supplement one another in times of war and conflict, the reality is that the vast distance they are credited with patrolling combined with the difficulties of long-distance communication make each unit significantly more independent than would otherwise be standard. As such, the commanders of each battalion are able to exercise a significant degree of autonomy when it comes to specializing their command towards a certain aim or goal.

While the general autonomy available to commanders within the regiment does offer several benefits - faster decision-making in critical situations, increased situational awareness, and improved adaptability to changing circumstances - it brings alongside it several major difficulties that only serve to cripple the total operational ability of the regiment. Reduced oversight has lead to startling levels of corruption and nepotism among its officers, with many appointments being made on arbitrary or fabricated grounds to serve the political/economic goals of external parties. Lack of a consistent strategy has lead to a disjointed and counterproductive response to attacks by the Colonial Liberation Front and encroachment from the Union of Progressive Peoples. And worst of all are the increasingly common number of human rights violations, a reality that only serves to paint the USCM in a worse light for the people it claims to serve and protect.

First Battalion 'Lucky First'

Introduction
The First Battalion, mockingly dubbed the 'Lucky First' - originally under the command of former Regimental Commanders Maverick and Ji-Yeon, has long been subject to scandals due to the disappearances of their Commanders, seemingly at the drop of a hat, leading some to speculate that this battalion is cursed in one way or another. A saying among its commanders being those that are assigned to oversee it will meet an unceremonious end. Lieutenant Colonel Caroline A.W. Ljungman has continued reforms to combat this stigma. Ljungman has focused on imposing the rigid structure and effective training necessary for the battalion to operate at its maximum potential. This, coupled with the wholesale purge of corrupt elements of the battalion (some of whom were simply Magpies unluckily caught up in the event), has drawn the ire of many. With her own background as a Hawk of the regiment’s Fourth Battalion, Ljungman has instituted a similar culture within the First; this is especially present in the overwhelming force used in raids. Doves are also present in significant numbers, with the battalion’s interdiction role appealing to those of a more restrained approach. The First Battalion specializes in boarding raids (VBSS) of other spaceborne vessels, mimicking that of the ICSC contraband removal parties aimed at disrupting anti-colonial sentimentalism generated by 'boots on the ground' tactics. The battalion has served most notably during Operation Tychon Tackle and has been of great effect in quelling CLF movement in the Neroid Sector.
Headquarters
First Battalion is headquartered on the USS Ganesha, a Conestoga-class Light Assault Starship. Being the ‘flagship’ for the battalion, the Ganesha is outfitted differently than the rest of the unit. Interior modules that would normally be reserved for a company of marines are instead replaced by offices and bunking for the battalion’s command staff and headquarters unit, an expanded Combat Information Center, and an enhanced communications and intelligence suite. The Ganesha still carries the requisite modules for the First’s operations, including an auxiliary hangar with specialized craft for her interdiction operations, as well as a somewhat expanded brig. Due to the necessary weaponry and modules for interdiction operations and the battalion headquarters, the ship only carries an (understrength) company of marine infantry, though she does have a slightly larger Military Police detachment. Despite her understrength marine force, the vessel features the standard complement of weaponry for the class, with the addition of smaller weapons designed to disable ships that attempt to flee from the Ganesha during interdiction operations: 8x XIM-28A Long Lance ASAT Missiles Twin 800-megavolt Particle Beams Twin Railguns in Dorsal and Ventral Turrets Twin 80-megawatt Infrared Lasers 60 Orbital Mines
Command
First Battalion and, by extension, the USS Ganesha, are commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Caroline A.W. Ljungman as of 2182. Given the required size of an infantry battalion, the First has several dozen other officers and senior enlisted personnel spread across its patrol zone in other vessels assigned to the battalion. Senior battalion staff, including headquarters staff, remain on the Ganesha, and include Major Isabel Lopits, the Battalion Executive Officer. Individual company commanders are granted an immense amount of leeway and control over their individual commands, given the vast amount of area the First is expected to cover at any given time. Commanding officers are given a significant amount of trust in executing interdiction operations faithfully and in an above-board manner, though battalion staff periodically check in on operations in person.
Factionalism
The First is no stranger to the ideological struggles that occur within the Corps, with supporters of all sorts of ideologies present within the battalion. The vast majority of battalion headquarters staff are Hawks. Some whisper, privately, that it is due to the appointment of an AW as the battalion commander; publicly, however, LtCol Ljungman’s Hawk attitude is well-documented. There is also a significant contingent of Doves within the battalion, mainly owing to the interdiction role that the battalion plays, allowing for more ‘hearts and minds’ interactions, as opposed to deployments in the dirt. Magpies were virtually purged from the First after Ljungman took over, mostly in relation to the corruption fight, whether they were involved or not. Some, however, have managed to avoid the ire of the battalion commander.
Background
Operation Holdfast aimed to maintain a perimeter of the World of New Kingston after a coup against and the death of the Governor-Elect. Ultimately ensuring that no subversive elements fled and that peace was restored to the Colony with minimal loss of Civilian Life. Operation Candlewick involved a joint action between the Lucky First and a Three World Empire Peacekeeping Battalion monikered 'Hokkaido Lads.' Resulted in the successful elimination of a secessionist force from the Three World Empire lead by guerilla Mark Ishii and secured the destruction of the secessionist Flagship 'Haliday' with only one Battalion Frigate Casualty - The USS 'Secret Agent.'

Fourth Battalion

Introduction

The supporting heart of the regiment, Fourth Battalion’s primary mission is centered around maintaining regimental readiness and ensuring the combat arms elements are supplied and made capable of engaging and destroying the enemies of the United Americas. Secondary to these responsibilities, 4th battalion is frequently called upon to assist with colonial development and civil engineering projects. Working with official government colonization projects or for private organizations such as Weyland Yutani, 4th Battalion’s engineering units are used to clear space for foundations, build roadways, or set up prefabricated structures for arriving settlers. Organic to the Battalion and ensuring their mission goals are achieved are several transportation, maintenance, sustainment, and supply companies as well as a unit of horizontal and vertical engineers. These units fall directly beneath Battalion Headquarters and fleet structure and are assigned to the many depots, supply ships, and workshops that the Battalion maintains through the sector. Secondary to the organic elements and their objectives, 4th Battalion serves to reconstitute and retrain understrength line units coming from the rest of the regiment. These units are temporarily taken into the Battalion's official TO&E and shifted to posts where close proximity to sustainment units and clear supply lines allow for steady access to recruits, maintenance personnel, and fresh materiel. This of course means that the Battalion roster is extremely eclectic and frequently changing, leading to a variety of unofficial and semi-derisive nicknames from the combat personnel cycling through its ranks including “The Circus” and “FOBbiton.” Currently in the aftermath of Tychon Tackle, the 4th has been working overtime reorganizing and repairing the damage done to the regiment. The entire battalion is subject to long days and short nights and the space around their transports and above their depots are filled with cargo landers and dropships.

Fifth Battalion

Introduction
Under Construction

Sixth Battalion 'Clashing Thunder'

Introduction
The Sixth Battalion 'Clashing Thunder' is a uniquely structured logistical battalion whose primary focus is sustaining high-demand combat zones throughout Neroid and, when required, responding swiftly to emergency requests from neighboring sectors. Beyond its logistical mandate, however, the Sixth distinguishes itself through the maintenance of a broad and formidable arsenal of artillery weapons. This dual nature grants the battalion exceptional versatility, allowing it to secure and hold strategically critical planets and sustain its operations while delivering decisive, overwhelming firepower through the undeniable authority of the King of Battle. Supported by a well developed and self sustaining logistical network, the Sixth remains capable of prolonged independent operations under extreme conditions. Interest in the battalion extends beyond the sheer destructive power of its guns. Many are drawn by the presence of its Battalion Commander, the Hero of Sadimia and auxiliary designer of the Chinook Station at Georgia, whose reputation alone lends the unit a distinct prestige. While some formations thrive on direct confrontation and swift frontal assaults, the Sixth excels in shaping the battlefield through calculated, deliberate application of SUPERIOR firepower, striking precisely when the enemy falters, hesitates, or attempts to lie in pray for the better. Where lives would be too costly to spend, shells are deployed instead, often enabling the first decisive movements of the Colonial Marines. For those who believe that a well executed attack begins with an unbreakable defense composed of countless artillery pieces, the choice of battalion is unmistakable. The battalion’s name, “Clashing Thunder,” is drawn from the first conflict of a violent operation and relentless dance of countless lightning bombardments that happened on LV-599, unseen even by the enemy until it was too late. It reflects the aftermath of a full artillery barrage unleashed by the full might of a single company, a song of thunder that does not cease until the battlefield itself is reduced to ruin, leaving only echoes carried in distant whispers as testimony to its passage. The Sixth Battalion also maintains a strong connection to its past leadership. The current Battalion Commander holds the retired Lieutenant Colonel Stanford in the highest regard. A close friend to both her and Logistical Adjunct Booker Peralta, both are frequently seen together in both social settings and strategic deliberations at Firebase Elysium, those meetings shaped the battalion’s future. While much of the Sixth's structure remains rooted in its long standing, multi-purpose doctrine, Lieutenant Colonel Isabel Lopits elected to preserve this foundation while placing emphasis on artillery dominance. Stanford plays a significant role in supporting the newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel and continues to act as a trusted collaborator, working alongside her to fully realize the vision of Clashing Thunder to this day.
Command
The command philosophy of the Sixth is defined by pragmatism, restraint, and calculated authority rather than corruption or self interest. Lieutenant Colonel Lopits, is not corrupt in the conventional sense. The actions she has undertaken have been directed toward the preservation of the regiment and the protection of lawful civilian populations, always in pursuit of what she has deemed a greater and necessary good. The assigned missions of the Battalion also follow this pragmatism and are often hand picked by the Regiment Commander. In support of the battalion's command position at Sadimia, Lopits established formal political ties with Governess Reddy of the Three World Empire, securing stability and strategic backing for the battalion’s continued operations. Within the battalion itself, Isabel’s command style emphasizes delegation & trust. Her confirmed support for Major Alan Jones, the Battalion Executive Officer is well shown during the artillery operations. Though a relatively recent addition to the battalion's circle, Jones has consistently demonstrated extreme reliability and skill. During direct engagements, Jones frequently assumes the role of action commander, leading forces at the point of the spear when ordnance is called in for use, while the Lieutenant Colonel retains control of scheming strategy, logistics, and operational coordination from the rear. Chosing instead to let the BXO take charge. Given the extensive operational reach of the Sixth Battalion, significant authority is also vested in its Company Commanders. These officers are expected to compensate for logistical gaps across designated sectors of Neroid, with some overseeing multiple planets and active theaters of combat, while others personally supervise large scale artillery operations (Mainly Hawks). At least two Company Commanders are permanently assigned to assist the Batallion Commander with administrative and strategic responsibilities at the Sadimiam Firebase Elysium, ensuring continuity of Logistical efficiency through Neroid. The battalion’s relationship with Weyland-Yutani is deliberately controlled and carefully managed, often kept in secret.
Headquarters
The headquarters of the Sixth Battalion is established on LV-599 Sadimia, within the Alpha Linna System on GL300. Though some authorities classify Linna as part of the Tartarus Sector, the effective frontier lies directly upon Sadimia itself, rendering the planet a persistent political gray zone. This ambiguity has divised a sustained and significant military presence, with IASF elements operating alongside forces of the Third Regiment, ensuring stability at the crossing of competing spheres of influence. Sadimia has endured two major military campaigns, both culminating in decisive and overwhelming victory. The first was spearheaded by the United States Colonial Marines, whose forces distinguished themselves under the direct command of then Captain Lopits, who was promoted to Major during the opening phases of planetary reclamation. Following this victory, she continued to lead the effort to restore order in cooperation with the reconstituted planetary council. A Joint Staff was formed between the USCM, IASF, and RMC, conducting a planet wide campaign across the tropical regions and dense jungles of LV-599 with the explicit objective of eradicating the insurgent presence in its entirety. Among the final operations were the deployment of the synthetic Helena and promotion of the Executive Officer Oswald Aalto who served under Major Lopits. In the aftermath of planetary reclamation and the indomitable victory achieved by the Joint Staff, Sadimia was designated a strategic priority within the American sphere of influence, while simultaneously becoming a critical logistical outpost for the advancing western arm of the Three World Empire. Recognizing its importance, sector authorities decided to place renewed emphasis on the planet’s previously incomplete reconstruction efforts, transforming Sadimia from a contested battleground into a cornerstone of regional stability. Firebase Elysium was among the earliest installations established following the initial strike, constructed at a time when significant portions of the planet remained under insurgent control. Over the ensuing years, the firebase underwent continuous expansion, ultimately growing into a vast depot and listening post for Marine operations. Today, it functions as the primary refueling and rearming hub for the majority of patrolling vessels in the region, as well as a prominent symbol of attraction within Weyland Yutani propaganda. This symbolic status, however, generated substantial challenges, particularly an uncontrolled influx of colonists drawn by the promise of security and opportunity. Through its standing, Firebase Elysium has endured repeated attacks and sustained prolonged pressure during successive operations. Time and again, it was tested under fire, yet it never fell. Its survival and continued operation stand as a testament to the resilience of the forces stationed there and form a central pillar of the Sixth Battalion’s enduring presence on Sadimia.
Operations
The Sixth Battalion and its foundational doctrine were shaped by the experience gained through continuous combat operations on Sadimia and the sustained support provided to secondary operations in adjacent sectors. Operation Jungle Hearts and Operation Dragon Tiger both made extensive use of heavy artillery assets and highly destructive methods, the consequences of which continue to exert political pressure due to the scale of infrastructure damage incurred during the occupation. Regimental Command deemed this intensive employment of firepower a necessary measure and consequently dismissed the majority of claims for corporate damages raised by Weyland Yutani. These matters were subsequently addressed discreetly in the months following the planetary reclamation and the complete victory on LV-599. Operation Jungle Hearts was a desperate undertaking by the United States Colonial Marines, commanded by then unexperienced Captain Isabel Lopits in the absence of Major Michael Calhoun, aimed at securing an initial foothold on Sadimia. In order to preserve Marine combat effectiveness and avoid direct engagement with well entrenched insurgent forces, Captain Lopits elected to employ indirect fire and supportive measures. This approach focused on forcing enemy elements from caves and fortified positions within urban areas across the colonies, rather than engaging in costly frontal assaults. While tactically effective, the operation resulted in extensive devastation to Weyland Yutani facilities and much of the planet’s civilian infrastructure, collateral damage was not brought up despite certain rumours. Operation Dragon Tiger constituted the final large scale offensive planned by the Joint Staff. Unlike earlier actions, it was meticulously prepared and executed with sufficient time to mitigate unnecessary destruction. Notably, this operation marked the first deployment of twelve simultaneous M292A2 self propelled guns by a single company. The overwhelming concentration of firepower led to the rapid collapse of insurgent resistance, securing Operation Dragon Tiger’s reputation as one of the most precisely executed campaigns supported by heavy ordnance.
Factionalism
The precise aspirations of the majority of the battalion’s personnel remain largely undefined, as many got re-assigned for new Battalions upon the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Lopits. However, both Major Jones and Lieutenant Colonel Isabel are, by conviction, firmly aligned with the Hawk philosophy and are intent on preserving that orientation within the battalion. Doves and Unaligned Senior Commanders are still offered certain positions, but only after a deliberate and intensive research. Outside the Sixth Battalion, factional affiliation is regarded as a matter beyond concern. Within the direct command, however, Lieutenant Colonel Isabel makes a deliberate effort to limit the influence of Doves and to exclude Magpies from sensitive logistical channels, searching to minimize opportunities for corruption, mismanagement, or embezzlement. Doves are generally assigned to secondary or supportive logistical roles, while Hawks are entrusted with direct coordination of artillery deployments and ground command. Magpies, however, are openly distrusted and held in contempt by Isabel, as she considers any loyalty motivated by personal gain to be inherently unreliable. The effect is straightforward and deliberate. The Hawks cannot afford to fall behind in the broader contest for dominance. And the Sixth Battalion shows itself as a cornerstone to pave this way of mind. Many officers under the structure of the Sixth come from Hawk based influential battalions and companies. This experience enables a good part of Senior Command to significantly reform and improve the efficiency of heavy materiel management and overall logistical reception across the colonies and rear echelon structures. As long as she sustains the Sixth Battalion’s record of victories and maintains sufficient propaganda momentum, operational stability is assured even with the HMM's backlash.

Seventh Battalion 'Sweeping Seventh'

Introduction
The 7th Battalion of the 3rd Regiment, 4th Combat Division of the MSF-3 is led and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Oswald Aalto as of the year 2182. After the restructuring of the regiment under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Gökçen Demir, the recent rise of Lieutenant Colonel Oswald Aalto has led to further attempts to maintain order in the colonies aboard. The regiment employs the use of specialised assault teams armed with both lethal and non lethal means of pacification to establish temporary governments and administrations in pacified regions. Nicknamed the “Sweeping Seventh” for their effective usage of crowd control to handle colonial uprisings, the regiment has found itself the butt of the joke from enlisted of the First through the 6th for their ‘missing of the action’, assigned to clean up duty. Many have jokingly referred to the Seventh as the ‘Clean up crew’ or ‘Janitors’ with a suggestion that the only sweeping the Seventh takes part in is the sweeping up the dust and ashes of hard earned victories. In the culture of the regiments, Officers of the Seventh have been characterised as often bored and unfulfilled by their work. This boredom is often cited as the reason for the more open nature of political disagreements between members of the Officer corps.
Operations
Operation Sulking Phoenix was a failed attempt to reorganise the administration of Gilbert’s Gambit after successful recovery of the TWE colony from CLF forces. The colony’s ultimate downfall was caused through political infighting among officers within the Seventh that led to minor skirmishing between marine forces before the colony was ultimately deemed unviable for human habitation and struck from the record. Operation Wheezing Warrior was an incredibly successful rehabilitation of a colony undergoing a viral outbreak. The Seventh battalion was sent in as an occupying force, having enforced a quarantine of the population at gunpoint. It is noted that only minor breaches of the quarantine occurred, and were not repeated after a strict embargo of supplies to rebelling sectors of the colony. Operation Jumping Joy was one of the more recent operations undertaken by the Seventh, in which a union of mine workers refused to comply with the demands of the Weyland Yutani corporation, who had been reinstalled into the colonial administration of the colony following the advice of several MODI aligned officers. The union was successfully quashed after a two month long guerilla campaign to bring them back under corporate control.
Factional Tension
As of recent times the HMM have lost favour within the Seventh as a result of a rise in guerrilla activity from the supposed ‘Colonial Liberation Front’, leading to a rise in tensions between officers aligned with either the CPO or MODI often leading to all out arguments between commanding officers regarding the best means of restructuring regained colonies. Supporters of the MODI, often aligning with powerful mega corporations such as W-Y have argued in favour of rebuilding the colonies with closer ties to company administration - criticising the ruined state CPO aligned officers have left reconquered colonies in. Contrastingly, CPO aligned officers have argued in favour of removing the armed capabilities of some particularly rebellious colonies in order to permanently place them under occupation until such a time that the ‘Colonial Liberation Front’ has been put to a stop. This has been heavily criticised by remaining HMM support within the Seventh who argue in favour of self governance and close cooperation with the Colonial Marshal Bureau. While factional tensions are nothing unique to the Seventh, it is notable that the battalion’s officers have been known to organise ‘War Games’ between their men and the men of their political opponents. Officially these games are for the sake of training, however have been known to spill over into violence, leading to harsh reprimanding from their superiors.

Starship Hulls

As the United States Colonial Marine Corps is an independent arm of the Armed Forces, separate from the United States AeroSpace Force, those officers employed by the USCMC and the Third Regiment of Marine Space Force 3 are not placed in command of vessels primarily designed for space combat. Instead, commissioned officers of sufficient rank and ability are on occasion granted command of troop transport vessels that, in addition to transporting personnel across vast distances of space, act as carriers for rapid deployment of UD-4 "Cheyenne" Dropships as well as other vehicles and equipment commonly employed by marine companies.

Due to the distance between the United America's core colonies and the Neroid sector of the Herculis Theater, the transport vessels of the Third Regiment often travel alone through the vastness of space to respond to distress signals and any other of the numerous situations that may require the attention of the armed forces. If an officer of the Third Regiment is granted command of one of these vessels it will almost always be one of three available hulls.

Available Starship Hulls

Arikara-class Landing Patrol Vessel
The Arikara is the oldest of the three marine transport hulls within the Regiment’s arsenal, originally devised in the 2150s and first produced in the 2160s. Classified as a Patrol Transport capable of self-sustained efforts, the Arikara was a classic, stop-gap production for when the UA required a new vessel for deep space patrols, with at least a few hulls being built or retrofitted in conjunction with WY. Said contributions often came with expanded research and AI systems, yet with the added caveat of a corporate presence onboard. Smaller than the much more popular and common Conestoga-class, Arikara-class transports generally carry no more than two companies, and can be relatively easily piloted by a skeleton crew with the aid of the ship AI. In a baseline configuration, it can serve several roles decently, but does not excel at any. For example, the inclusion of a small garage for mechanized support and a hangar for deployments of UD-4 or UD-25 drops, yet with only limited amounts of both air support and armored vehicles available, alongside the ammunition and equipment necessary for each. As expected from this jack-of-all-trades style, an Arikara has basic capabilities for both self-defence and offense, though will handily lose any fight against a more modern counterpart, let alone any larger starship properly built for space combat.
Conestoga-class Light Assault Starship
The Conestoga Light Assault Starship is the hull class that has largely replaced the earlier Arikara, due primarily to its superior performance in the Arikara's primary role as isolated deep-space patrol vessel capable of ferrying troops to far off locations. The Conestoga is much larger, capable of carrying far more equipment and personnel (dependent on configuration and usage), as well as being better armored and armed overall. While originally designed to be a practical, dedicated troop transport staying entirely within USASF battlegroups, the nature of the Cold War with the UPP and War on Insurgency meant that patrol vessels were in demand. This led to a gradual shift for the Conestoga into the role of the Arikara, which they have proven to be significantly better at overall, even with their slightly increased crew and logistical requirements. Despite excelling at its main tasks of troop transport, patrols, and general self-sufficiency in combat aspects, Conestoga-class hulls have poor auxiliary utilities in their baseline configuration. and often require retrofits into specialized designs dependent on their assignments and roles. A dedicated Conestoga can hold as many as eight full companies of marines theoretically, yet in practice they usually hold no more than 2, as with the Arikara. Enough to handle nearly any combat situation encountered on a patrol that a single transport is meant to tackle, while providing them with superior support in the form of vehicles, fire support, and logistics.
Bougainville-class Light Attack Transport
The Bougainville is the newest evolution of the troop transport concept following the Conestoga and Arikara hulls, considered top-of-the-line for its purpose within the USCMC. Building on the lessons learned from the Arikara and taking the improvements in design from the Conestoga-class, the Bougainville is slated to become the new premier hull design employed by the Third Regiment. The Bougainville features a vaguely hammerhead-shaped design towards its front, giving it a unique shape, which is also where its Bridge is located. Though it is smaller than the Conestoga, its modernized systems and design allow it to carry systems and weapons that outclass and outperform the ones fitted on prior hulls, giving them increased combat effectiveness at a price far below what it would cost to fully retrofit and modernize prior designs. However, the Bougainville's one unavoidable weakness is that of its size. It is undeniably smaller, and if not for its modern efficiencies, would be far worse overall than the others in almost every aspect, both combat and transport. Even with said modernity, a Bougainville will often only hold one, or two undersized companies, with very little in the way of vehicles and greatly diminished autonomy. This, however, is a completely intentional design choice. Bougainvilles are generally afforded with improved equipment that requires less space for similar effectiveness, reducing the space needed for auxiliary modules like a medbay, and have most of a company's fire support requirements offloaded to multipurpose mounts on the ship itself, rather than individual equipment or vehicles. Thus, the class has much of the multi-role capability of the Arikaras for use on patrols alongside combat effectiveness near that of the Conestogas, at a far smaller size and price. The poor autonomy is a known and expected factor, as fears of the Cold War with the UPP going hot have steadily grown over time. Bougainvilles only need to be 'good enough' for extended and distant patrols, as in the event a full-scale war breaks out, much of the largely-empty territory of present-day patrols would be abandoned. Instead, they would generally remain within the proximity of allied battlegroups, patrolling around a collection of ships that could easily resupply them while still serving in its primary capacity as orbital landing ships. Such a situation would negate every potential downside of the class compared to the Conestoga, further adding onto the benefits of its greatly reduced logistical and economic costs.

Starship Retrofits & Specializations

In the event an officer is placed in charge of one of the above hulls, they are presented with the option to augment or otherwise retrofit their vessel to serve the desires and needs of their assignment. For a humanitarian assignment or one anticipating high casualty levels, part of a vessel's cryobay may be converted into additional medical facilities and for protracted assignments and logistics oriented vessels this may involve converting large swathes of hangar space into munitions storage or vehicle bays to store MUTT-4M7 Multipurpose Trucks. While augments to a vessel's outer hull are possible they are significantly more expensive, and considering that the Third Regiment already operates with a decreased budget and strained supply lines it is increasingly uncommon to see the addition of new weapons systems - such as railguns, missiles, or countermeasures - to any vessel's hull.

Officers of the Third Regiment are granted relatively free-reign to augment their vessels as they see fit, provided the funding and materials are present, though there are certain functionalities that each vessel are expected and required to maintain. All vessels are expected to maintain the ability to conduct landings and transport marine personnel, as is their primary function, and must be capable of rendering medical aid and treatment to wounded or ailing marines. Any undertaking that would be required to retain a vessel's ability to operate on its own in the void of space for long periods of time cannot and may not be removed the vessel.

This does not exclude vessels from pursuing specializations toward certain types of patrol duties, however. The First Battalion often maintains vessels equipped with weaponry capable of disabling vessels to aid its personnel when conducting boarding operations and the Fourth Battalion maintains vessels with significantly larger vehicle bays to store and conduct maintenance on armored vehicles. Other vessels operating within the Third Regiment contain significantly increased temporary housing for civilians when conducting evacuations and upscaled medical bays for advanced surgeries and treatment protocols.

Mission

The Third Regiment is primarily tasked with search-and-destroy missions within the Herculis Theater - under the purview of the Third Fleet. And the majority of its operations and response programs are conducted within the sector of Neroid due to an influx of colonial rebellions and an increasing number of requests from local marshals for reinforcements to aid in putting down insurrections. However, in recent years the Regiment has begun to face an increasingly large number of issues when completing their duties: strained logistical supply lanes bogged down by distance, guerilla attacks from varying factions, poor maintenance of equipment, and low manpower due to a strained budget. With attrition slowly eating away at the Regiment, it has become clear that any hope of victory lies with new, unexplored methods.

As of 2182 the Third Regiment operates out of Chinook 91 GSO station, a military space station in geosynchronous orbit around the colony world Georgia 525 (70 Ophiuchi A V). Due to to increasing security concerns, Colonel Michael Calhoun has begun detaching the regiment's reserve troops to defend the military space station from any potential threat that may target the heart of the Third Regiment.

Ideology

A well-organized and functional military force does not tend to encourage factionalism within its ranks, but such developments inevitably occur even at the highest levels so long as there are differences in mindsets and approaches. The USCM is no exception to this rule, and has seen three primary schools of thought become prevalent throughout its ranks. The paradoxically peaceable ‘Doves’ avoiding their nature as a fighting force to focus on humanitarian aid, the warmongering ‘Hawks’ seeking to crush all resistance on active fronts and bring back glory through victory, and the loose coalition of self-centered opportunists united under the banner of ‘Magpies’ for the sake of profit or personal opportunity.

These are not the formal titles for their associated political entities, as the bird terminology comes from long before these particular incarnations. Nonetheless, referring to a faction by its respective bird is more likely to spark recognition from the everyday marine than its official organization name.

Ideology	Symbol	Description
Doves (HMM)		The Hearts and Minds Movement, also known as the "Doves," originated from a UA federal-level political organization following the Tienstein Campaign of 2162-2165  and the ensuing tactical nuclear deployment between UPP and USCM forces on 8 Eta Bootis A III. The organization’s founders were disgusted with the level of civilian casualties in a military front that ultimately resulted in nothing gained. They favored a diplomatic approach, even after the destruction of the USCSS Endeavour by UPP forces, claiming that negotiating with the UPP as well as trying to win the “hearts and minds” of the 8 Eta Bootis A III populace would’ve brought a swift end to the conflict.
Hawks (CPO)		The Colonial Protection Organization, also known as the "Hawks," was founded only a few years after the foundation of the UA itself in 2108. The CPO’s founders were enraged by the handling of the Paraguayan Colony of Torin Prime and the J’Har Rebel Insurgency. The Outer Rim Defense Force’s unwillingness to destroy J’Har headquarters, due to fears of civilian casualties, was widely regarded by the CPO to have allowed such a rebellious insurgency to take much stronger root than they had any right in doing. This result was further argued to actually have led to more civilian casualties than if the J’Har insurgency was dealt with swiftly regardless of collateral damage. The CPO argued, instead, for an end to the ORDF’s push for expansion and a strong boot style to stamp out any seditious embers swiftly before they become infernos.
Magpies (MODI)		Founded amongst officers and officials who were involved with the USCM’s founding in 2101, it was created as an organization that wanted to secure the USCM's future through establishing favorable relationships between the USCM and military innovators. This, invariably, led the organization to become highly supportive of the many corporate entities that supply the USCM with its guns, dropships, ammunition, and technological developments. Unlike the other factions, the MODI is, by its very principle, a faction that solely exists within the UA militaries. However, due to the very strong relationship grown between the USCM and most MODI-aligned entities, as well as a stronger distrustfulness of unaligned corporations that often supply the other UAAC branches, the USCM is the premier military branch in which MODI-aligned corporations have large support bases.
Unaligned		It is not uncommon for officers both new and old to distance themselves from the politics that surround their careers and missions to serve the USCM. Some often develop their own opinions far different from the main ideologies on how the issues the USCM faces should be dealt with, and thus find themselves often supporting one of the big three if it aligns with their own beliefs. Lobbying by the HMM, CPO, and MODI to gain the support of these officers is not uncommon within the USCM.

REGIMENTAL REPORT (As of 11/24/2182)

Doves: 25.9%

Hawks: 37.0%

Magpies: 22.2%

Other/Non-Aligned: 14.8%

Current Crises

The War on Insurgency

The Colonial Liberation Front (CLF) are the United States Colonial Marine Corps' primary enemy in the Neroid Sector. A status primarily credited to their ideology, one opposing the government of the United Americas which they believe have long since abandoned the colonies. As a result, they wage a fierce guerrilla war on any UA-aligned forces, most readily the USCM. Although under-equipped and undermanned compared to their enemies, they have made up for such with strategic hit-and-run tactics which prove devastating in the war of attrition against under-manned USCM forces in the sector.

The ongoing fight against the CLF in the Neroid Sector and various other small cells appearing in other sectors has been ongoing for over a decade with no end in sight. Having an estimated manpower in the range of 150,000, the Colonial Liberation Front heavily outnumber local USCM forces despite their shoddy equipment. Casualties and losses continue to accumulate by the day with guerilla fighting taking its toll on USCM forces. Bickering between the various tactics and styles of command between those in charge of the 3rd Regiment have rendered any meaningful progress against the CLF impossible, and a decision must be made soon if there is to be any hope of success.

The Cold War

The Union of Progressive People and the United Americas have been locked in a Cold War for decades. Since the end of the Great Space Race and hostilities such as the Core Conflicts and the Tientsin Campaign, movement and amassing of military forces along borders has not been uncommon. As a matter of fact, various skirmishes between the two are growing increasingly common as tensions continue to rise. However, since the Tientsin Campaign these skirmishes have been kept undisclosed to the public, as the result could escalate into a full-scale nuclear war.

Lobbying from various factions within the 3rd Regiment and the wider USCM, most notably those with a hawkish attitude, have resulted in the United Americas adopting an increasingly aggressive stance towards the Union of Progressive Peoples. Hopes of a thawing of relations between the two Superpowers appears a distant dream as each continues their military buildup along the borders of the other.