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Introduction to the Doves
The Hearts and Minds Movement (HMM), whose members are better known among USCM personnel as "Doves", are a group of like-minded individuals within the United Americas Allied Command. They believe the ideal UAAC to be that of a peacekeeping and humanitarian force, rather than one dedicated to waging war, and work to make that vision into a reality within both the military forces themselves and the perception of the civilian populaces.
History
The HMM originated from a UA federal-level political organisation 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 organisation’s founders were disgusted with the level of civilian casualties in a military front that ultimately resulted in nothing gained. They favoured 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.
Even outside of the military, the HMM has spread to other governmental bodies, and has become a considerable force within the USCM itself. Following the involvement of De La Cruz within the organisation, the HMM has gained even more influence within the USCM and UA government as a whole, in no small part due to De La Cruz’s popularity within the USCM and other military branches, seen as a leader who emphasises cooperation between governmental entities and negotiations to resolve conflicts. However, De La Cruz’s attempts to align the faction’s ideology towards some of her more controversial policies - like a single federal military force - have garnered little approval from the HMM’s old guard.
The local leader around the events of the Neroid Sector, Provost Marshal Colonel Adrian Blackburn, came to her position following a vigorous anti-corruption campaign and her assistance in establishing the USCM War Correspondent Programme. The programme tried to enable accountability of USCM operations to civilian scrutiny through stationing war correspondents with major USCM operations, and Blackburn ensured some level of freedom of speech for war correspondents from the alleged wrath of overzealous or hawkish military police.
However, Blackburn has gained few friends throughout these processes. Her anti-corruption campaign has been criticised heavily by those within USCM Requisitions and Procurement, along with those within the Corporate Cooperative for heavily delaying multiple USCM weapons from entering standard service - like the VP-78 and the SU-6. Her work in creating the USCM War Correspondent Programme has similarly been criticised, with her emphasis on freedom of speech for war correspondents having been reported to result in heavily demoralised troops as a result of press pieces that are more emotional than fact, painting the USCM as the bad guys.
Leadership
- Faction Leader: UA Secretary of Defense Joelle De La Cruz, former LACN Fleet Admiral.
- Local Leader: USCM Provost Marshal Colonel Adrian Blackburn.
Ideology
Note: These points reflect the general overarching attitudes of the faction as a whole. Individual members may or may not only reflect certain portions of the faction's ideologies, have their own beliefs that are not listed here, or even disagree with some but agree with others.
- Alignments: Politically Progressive, Humanitarian, Anti-War, Peacekeeping. Non-Corporate.
- Attempt a diplomatic solution whenever possible.
- Minimize civilian casualties. Indiscriminate bombardment and heavy collateral damage to civilians and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable.
- Encourage cooperation from locals, such as interpreters, informants, or even elevating and arming cooperative militias.
- Provide humanitarian aid both in supplies and construction work. Carry and provide spare water treatment systems, rations, etc.
- The duty of the USCM is to keep peace, not wage war. Sometimes this may require violence to resolve, but even in such cases care must be taken to only remove those who are impeding the wellbeing of the general populace.