Subsector Navy
"An interstellar community operates under many unique restrictions, most notably the fact that it consist of many island-planets set in an ocean of vacuum. Such a society must take control of that ocean. Its instrument is the Navy.
The Imperium is a remote, centralized government possessed of great industrial and technological might; but due to the sheer distances and travel times involved within its star-spanning realm, the Imperium is unable to be everywhere at once. As a result, the Imperium allows a large degree of autonomy to its subject worlds, calling only for some respect for its overall policies, and for a united front against outside pressures.
To monitor the space lanes, the Imperium maintains a Navy. Because these forces can never be everywhere at once, local provinces (subsectors) also maintain navies, as do individual worlds. This three tiered structure of Imperial, subsector, and planetary navies produces a flexible system for patrolling space, while putting the limited resources of the Imperium to best use."
- Grand Admiral Marc William Miller from the Master Naval Manual, in the introduction to Book 5 High Guard (pg. 1), written in 1110 (paraphrased).
Description (Specifications)[edit]
The resources, doctrines, compositions, relationships with the "Imperial" Sector and Subsector Fleets, and finer points of mission vary considerably across the Imperium and in other polities where similar fleets occur, though a few broad guidelines seem to apply widely.
The Imperial Navy names its Sector Fleets (Deneb, Core, Diaspora, etc) and numbers the subsidiary Subsector Fleets, while the Colonial Subsector Navies typically identify by their subsector's name, appending "Colonial" where necessary to avoid confusion; The Imperial Deneb Fleet (or just "The Deneb Fleet") is thus distinct from the Deneb Subsector Colonial Fleet. The Imperial Fleets, at both the sector and subsector levels, tend to treat the named Subsector Fleets as auxiliary and reconnaissance assets regardless of actual tonnage, unless they ignore them completely.
While sector level Colonial Navy organization does exist in most sectors, the nature and mission of the Colonial forces is such that sector-wide assets are typically limited to training, cadre, and coordination functions.
The named Subsector Navies are usually limited by the Tech Level available within the subsector, as local reliance is encouraged. Exceptions occur when this would cripple a navy's effectiveness, or in the unusual case where no shipyards are present.
The relationship of Subsector Navies with their civilian counterparts is a point of confusion to outsiders, as most Subsectors have no independent civilian government. Civilian control devolves in most cases to the Imperial nobility of a subsector, ultimately landing with the Subsector Duke. Many Dukes delegate the Colonial Navy and Subsector Navy oversight to a working position in the nobility, while others retain a hands-on approach. Specific Titles vary by region and tradition. The Noble in charge of a Subsector Navy might be styled Lord Castellan, or Master of the Fleet, or simply Lord Admiral. Most are Dukes, but Counts are not unknown.
No further information yet available.
Mission (Goals)[edit]
Broadly, the goals of a Subsector Navy are simple: keep the space lanes safe, and support both Planetary and Imperial Navies when called for. In practice, this means patrolling or garrisoning in systems that are not on Imperial patrol routes, and are too small to possess their own planetary navies. The specifics vary considerably.
No further information yet available.
Doctrine & Strategy (Operations)[edit]
No information yet available.
Rank & Grade (Hierarchy)[edit]
Subsector Navy Ranks | |
---|---|
Commissioned Officers | |
O8c » Fleet Admiral (Admiral) | |
O8b » Fleet Admiral (Vice Admiral) | |
O8a » Fleet Admiral (Rear Admiral) | |
O7 » Commodore | |
O6 » Captain | |
O5 » Commander | |
O4 » Lieutenant Commander | |
O3 » Lieutenant | |
O2 » Sub-Lieutenant | |
O1 » Ensign | |
O0 » Cadet / Midshipman | |
Enlisted (Ratings) | |
E9 » Master Chief Petty Officer | |
E8 » Senior Chief Petty Officer | |
E7 » Chief Petty Officer | |
E6 » Petty Officer First Class | |
E5 » Petty Officer Second Class | |
E4 » Petty Officer Third Class | |
E3 » Able Spacehand | |
E2 » Spacehand | |
E1 » Spacehand Apprentice | |
E0 » Spacehand Recruit |
The highest rank found in any subsector navy is Fleet Admiral, though some may only merit a Vice Admiral or Rear Admiral, depending on the size of the specific Task Force or Fleet. Some of the organizational ranks and grades used by this force are included in the table to the right.
History & Background[edit]
The Colonial Navy structure was created following the Julian War early in the Third Imperium's history, and Subsector Colonial Navies have been created alongside their Imperial counterparts as the Imperium has expanded ever since.
No further information yet available.
TO&E (Organization)[edit]
TO&E varies considerably between Subsectors. Colonial Battleships (and thus Colonial Batrons) are typically rare, limited to the richest one or two Subsectors in a sector.
No further information yet available.
Force Composition[edit]
Most Colonial Subsector Navies are built around one or two Cruiser Squadrons of older design which might only operate as squadrons during training, typically patrolling singly with escorts. Escorts and Recon elements tend to make up the bulk of Colonial Subsector Navies, though some strategic locations also maintain Colonial Tankrons, intended to meet Imperial fleets on the move and refuel them quickly.
No further information yet available.
Worlds & Sectors[edit]
Colonial forces primarily operate in the shadow of local Imperial Squadrons and Fleets, and are tasked with patrolling and protecting a single subsector.
See also[edit]
Third Imperium[edit]
- Government
- Imperial Leadership
- Imperial Law
- Imperial Symbols
- Demographics
- Imperial Navy (IN)
- Imperial Army (IA)
- Imperial Interstellar Scout Service (IISS)
- Mercenaries
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
This article is incomplete meaning it lacks important features, structure, or content. More work needs to be done to make this a good article. This is step 4. in the article refinement process.
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- MegaTraveller Avenger Enterprises Grand Fleet
- Mongoose Traveller Sector Fleet
- Author & Contributor: Jim Kundert