Nautical Force Command

< Imperial Army

Nautical Force Command (NFC) is the Imperial Army's planetary sea forces arm, colloquially called the "Wet Navy". NFC personnel are commonly known as "Sailors" or "Mariners".

The Imperial Army is composed of the following Branches and associated Auxiliary Forces:

• Imperial Army (IA)

• Close Orbit and Airspace Control Command (COACC), the "Aerospace Force"
• Ground Force Command (GFC)
• Nautical Force Command (NFC), or "Wet Navy"

• Imperial Naval Infantry
• Imperial Sea Squadron

• Support Service Branch
• Special Operations forces

• Colonial Forces (Planetary Defense Forces)

Description (Specifications)

Imperial Army Nautical Force Command Rank Grades
Commissioned Officers
O8 » Sea Admiral (various grades)
O7 » Sea Commodore
O6 » Sea Captain
O5 » Commander
O4 » Lieutenant Commander
O3 » Lieutenant
O2 » Sub-Lieutenant
O1 » Ensign
O0 » Officer Cadet (Sea Cadet) / Midshipman
Enlisted
E9 » Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO)
E8 » Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO)
E7 » Chief Petty Officer (CPO)
E6 » Petty Officer First Class (PO1)
E5 » Petty Officer Second Class (PO2)
E4 » Petty Officer Third Class (PO3)
E3 » Able Sailor (AS)
E2 » Sailor (SO)
E1 » Sailor Apprentice (SA)
E0 » Sailor Recruit (SR)

The Nautical Force Command or Wet Navy is a waterbourne, militarized planetary surface force.

The Wet Navy tends to be the smallest branch of the Imperial Army, as it is primarily employed in the Planetary Defense Forces of worlds in the TL:5-9 range with significant hydrographics, and even on those worlds, it only sees action when the region concerned is on, under or near water. As technological levels increase, the increasing prevalence of gravitic technologies causes the vehicular and surface fleet forces of the Nautical Force Command to become progressively less distinguishable from, and absorbed back into those of the other Force Commands of the Army. At higher technological levels, the nautical force is primarily composed of the specialized forces of the deep sea subsurface fleet, the surface fleet having merged entirely with gravcraft and aerospace gunships.

The nautical force is often regarded as the junior force in the Imperial, as well as Colonial Army and Planetary Defense Force structure - something of an anachronism that's been eclipsed by hard-charging ground force units and the glamorous heroes of COACC. However, the modern Wet Navy has a role in the defense of a world and sometimes provides final insurance against an invading force. On Waterworlds or other Panthalassic or Pelagic Worlds, the Nautical Force Command may in fact be the primary Army Force Command in residence on the world, replacing the Ground Force Command entirely.

Colloquially, NFC personnel are sometimes called 'swabs' or 'swabbies' or (either derogatorily or affectionately) 'squids'.

Mission (Goals)

No information yet available.

Doctrine & Strategy (Operations)

No information yet available.

Symbology

The Imperial Sunburst is the primary symbol in all of its variations.

• Since the proclamation of Empress Porfiria in 247, the Imperial Army has used a Black Imperial Sunburst as its principal symbol. The Imperial Nautical Force Command, as one of the three principal force commands of the Imperial Army, also uses the Black Imperial Sunburst as its primary iconography.

Rank & Grade (Hierarchy)

Some of the organizational ranks and grades used by this force are included in the table to the right. Colonial and/or Local Planetary Nautical Forces might use ranks drawn from a number of different cultural or historical traditions, but most use a system comparable to the Imperial structure shown at right and are required to maintain standardized equivalencies to the Imperial system for intercompatability and interoperability purpose.

Unique Ranks

» Master-at-Arms

The Chief NCO of a ship's security force. Through that function the M.A. has supervision over the armory and any small arms and small arms munitions on-board.

» Sea Command Chief Petty Officer (SCCPO)

The NCO assistant to the commander of a Nautical Force Command post ship or sea base. It is considered an E9 paygrade superior to Master Chief Petty Officer.

» Sea Fleet Chief Petty Officer (SF1CPO)

The NCO chief of staff to the Admiral of a Nautical Force Command Fleet. It is considered an E9 paygrade superior to Sea Command Chief Petty Officer.

» Sea Force Chief Petty Officer (SF2CPO)

The NCO chief of staff to the commander of all planetary Nautical Force Command units. It is considered an E9 paygrade superior to Sea Fleet Chief Petty Officer.

» Nautical Force Chief Petty Officer (NFCPO)

The NCO chief of staff to the commander of all Nautical Forces in the Unified Armies.

History & Background (Dossier)

No information yet available.

TO&E (Organization)

No information yet available.

Corps (Arm of Service)

Imperial Naval Infantry

This is the term the Imperial Army uses for ship's troops in the "wet" Navy. They are used as military police, security, boarding parties, and amphibious troops. The term "Naval Infantry" is used to make sure they are not confused with the Imperial Marines, which is a spacefaring organization. Unlike the Imperial Marines, they use Navy ranks rather than Marine Ranks.

• Amphibious Infantry: Troops carried by transport seacraft or hovercraft.
• Airmoble Infantry: Troops carried by transport aircraft capable of Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) like helicopters and jump-jets.
• Lift Infantry: Troops that are carried in grav vehicles (G/Carrier or Grav APC).

Sea Squadron (SEARON)

The Sea Squadron is the basic building block of Nautical Forces.

• Surface Fleet ("Sailors")
• Subsurface Fleet ("Submariners")

Support

• Administration
• Engineers
• Medical
• Technical Services
• Transport

Special Operations forces

• Protected Forces (ProtFors) or (ProFors): Army elite units trained to wear Hazard and/or Hostile Environment Vacc Suits and operate in high-pressure/deep fluid, exotic or toxic environments and Low-Gravity, High-Gravity, or Zero-Gravity conditions. They usually use Gauss weapons rather than energy weapons as standard arms because they will not cause heating/boiling and pressure-expansion in fluid environments, and the projectiles can tear or rip through enemy protective clothing, rendering them vulnerable.

• Deep Operations Divers

• Commandos

• Rapid Interface Forces (RIF): Army commando units trained to wear Battledress. They are dropped in capsules from high atmosphere or orbit to planetside.
• Sylean Rangers: Army units trained in reconnaissance and raiding. They are also used to train indigenous forces on Low-Tech worlds in vital military skills. They can be deployed in or out of battledress, depending on the needs of the operation or campaign.

Organizational Structure

Nautical Force Units have been organized according to both an Administrative Organizational Structure and an Operational Organizational Structure. Administrative structure tends to group vessels by class, type or function, whereas Operational structure tends to group by tactical deployment.

Administrative Organization

Administratively, ships have been grouped together into 4 vessel squadrons of the same type and class, which are then grouped into larger flotillas of vessels of the same type of different classes, which are then subsequently grouped together into administrative fleets of vessels of all types and classes.

• Nautical Vessel --» Sea Squadron --» Nautical Flotilla --» Nautical Fleet

Operational Organization

Operationally, ships are typically grouped together based around task and mission objectives. An individual vessel (a "Task Element") will be grouped with other like vessels and their necessary support elements required to perform a particular function, referred to as a "Task Unit". Task Units will be grouped together as needed in order to perform a particular tactical or strategic naval mission as a "Task Group". From the various Task Groups that together comprise a numbered or named Naval Fleet, specific operational Fleets can be assembled and grouped together as necessary in order to prosecute a major Naval Operation or engagement; such operational fleet groupments being designated as "Task Forces".

• Nautical Vessel ("Task Element") --» Nautical Task Unit --» Nautical Task Group --» Nautical Task Force --» Nautical Battle Fleet --» Numbered Nautical Fleet --» Named Nautical Fleet

The basic sub-unit, the individual ship or vessel, is sometime referred to as a Task Element in the Operational structure scheme.

Unit Types and Hierarchy

• Nautical Task Unit or Sea Squadron (SEARON)

The basic unit of the Nautical Force is the Sea Squadron. A Sea Squadron is usually comprised of 2-4 vessels of the same type and class and are usually grouped Administratively so. They can likewise be organized Operationally into a Nautical Task Unit, comprised of multiple small vessels assembled around a primary mission vessel (or vessels) as squadron leader in an ad hoc fashion for direct mission support in order to work together toward a specific mission objective.

Task Units will typically be commanded by an acting Flag Officer with the rank of Sea Commodore (2nd Class), or a full Sea Captain (or even a Commander if the vessels are small enough in size). The commander of the formation will be officially referred to within the Nautical Chain of Command as "Commander, Task Unit <identifier>" ("CTG <identifier>").

A Task Unit that is part of a Task Force might also simply be identified by a decimalized numerical code designation following the term "Task Unit" and the numerical designator of the "Task Force" and "Task Group" (e.g. "17.5." for Task Force 17, Task Group #5), the number of the Task Force being derived from the originating parent nautical fleet and a sequential designator. The Task Group and Task Unit Subunits of the Task Force can be appended to the TF numerical designator by successive decimal point separators, such as Task Unit 17.5.2 (Task Force 17, Task Group 5, Task Unit #2).

• Nautical Task Group or Nautical Flotilla

Administrative: A Nautical Flotilla is generally composed of multiple vessels of different vessel classes within the same general vessel-type. It is often used as an administrative grouping as a term for several grouped Sea Squadrons. But whereas a Sea Squadron is composed of multiple vessels of the same type and class, a Nautical Flotilla can be built up from Sea Squadrons comprising different classes of vessel, or of groups of Nautical vessels of different classes, if not different types. The term "Nautical Flotilla" overlaps with the terms Nautical Task Unit and Nautical Task Group to some degree.

A Nautical Flotilla is also a name for an ad hoc group of naval vessels smaller than a proper Fleet.

Operational: A Nautical Task Group is a flotilla-sized operational sub-division of a Nautical Task Force, comprised of multiple Nautical Task Units or Sea Squadrons assembled ad hoc for a particular mission objective. As an operational unit it can be assembled using nautical vessels from various Nautical Task Units and Sea Squadrons without requiring a formal and/or permanent Nautical Fleet reorganization, which can be easily dissolved or subsequently reorganized as needed based on the changing needs of the missions to which it is assigned. Particularly large Nautical Task Groups will typically be commanded by a Flag Officer with the rank of Sea Commodore (1st Class), or a Flag Officer with the substantive rank of Sea Admiral and appointment of Rear Admiral, and will be officially referred to within the Naval Chain of Command as "Commander, Task Group <identifier>" ("CTG <identifier>").

A Nautical Group that is part of a Nautical Task Force might also simply be identified by a decimalized numerical code designation following the term "Task Group" and the numerical designator of the "Task Force" (e.g. "17." for Task Force 17), the number of the Task Force being derived from the originating parent fleet and a sequential designator. The Task Group Subunit of the Task Force can be appended to the TF numerical designator by a successive decimal point separator, such as Task Group 17.5 (Task Force 17, Task Group #5).

• Nautical Task Force or Nautical Fleet

Administrative: Several Nautical Flotillas will generally be grouped administratively into a Nautical Fleet, the largest notional administrative grouping. Larger groupings will see individual Nautical Fleets named or numbered as necessary.

Operational: A Nautical Task Force is a fleet-sized sub-division of a proper Numbered Nautical Fleet or Nautical Battle Fleet, comprised of multiple Nautical Task Groups and Nautical Task Units assembled ad hoc as needed in order to accomplish a particular major strategic mission objective. As an operational unit it can be assembled using ships from different Sea Divisions and Sea Squadrons without requiring a formal and/or permanent fleet reorganization, which can be easily dissolved or subsequently reorganized following the completion of the operational task. Particularly large Nautical Task Forces can be referred to as a "Nautical Battle Fleet". A Nautical Task Force will typically be commanded by a Flag Officer with the substantive rank of Sea Admiral, often of the appointment rank of Rear Admiral, or Vice Admiral for large Battle Fleets, and will be officially referred to within the Nautical Chain of Command as "Commander, Task Force <identifier>" ("CTF <identifier>").

A Nautical Task Force might also simply be identified by a decimalized numerical code designation following the designator "TF" for "Task Force", such as TF-17 for Task Force 17, the number being derived from the originating parent fleet and a sequential designator. Subunits of the Task Force (Task Group, Task Unit, and even individual ship designator) can be appended to the TF numerical designator by successive decimal point separators as necessary.

• Nautical Battle Fleet:

A Nautical Battle Fleet is a large Nautical Task Force that is a fleet-sized sub-division of a proper Numbered Nautical Fleet. A Nautical Battle Fleet will typically be commanded by a Flag Officer with the substantive rank of Sea Admiral with the appointment rank of Vice Admiral.

• Numbered Nautical Fleet

Administrative: The Numbered Nautical Fleet is an administrative grouping that is assigned to a Regional Planetary Command, from which the tactical and strategic Task Divisions are drawn and formed for actual Nautical Operations. A Numbered Nautical Fleet will typically be commanded by a Flag Officer with the substantive rank of Sea Admiral with the appointment rank of Vice Admiral or Full Admiral.

• Named Nautical Fleet

Administrative: The Named Nautical Fleet is an administrative grouping that comprises a Regional Planetary Command, to which are assigned a variable number of Numbered Nautical Fleets, based on perceived need. A Named Nautical Fleet will typically be commanded by a Flag Officer with the substantive rank of Sea Admiral with the appointment rank of Full Admiral, reporting to the Army Planetary Marshal or other Army High Command structure.

» For overall force commands that are below the formation of an Army or Army Group in size, the senior force commander's rank is always one step higher than the command rank of the highest NFC formation's commander, and also at least one step below that of the highest-ranking Ground Forces commander on the planet. For commands that are associated with Water Worlds or Pelagic Worlds, the Nautical Force Command may be the senior Army Command on the planet, replacing the Ground Force Command entirely.

Force Composition

Surface Fleet

• Fleet Auxiliary Craft

• Auxiliary Task Unit

• Assault Ship
• Assault Transport
• Assault Landing Craft

• Landing Assault Group

• Assault Carrier

• Carrier Assault Group

• Gunboat
• Sloop-of-War
• Corvette / Littoral Combat Ship

• Corvette Patrol Unit

• Escort / Patrol Frigate

• Frigate Patrol Group/Unit

• Destroyer

• Destroyer Squadron/Task Group/Unit

• Frigate/Destroyer Leader

• Frigate/Destroyer Task Group/Unit

• Cruiser

• Cruiser Squadron

• Heavy/Battlecruiser
• Battleship

• Battleship Squadron

• Carrier

• Carrier Battle Group

Subsurface Fleet

• Attack Submarine
• Hunter-Killer Submarine
• Stealth/Special Operations Submarine

• Guided Missile Submarine
• Strategic Missile Submarine
• Strategic Long Range Deep Meson Strike Boat

Naval Aviation

Nautical Force Aviation Units and their Aerospace and Gravcraft are under the command of the NFC but are manned by COACC Air and Ground Crew personnel, and are organized similar to standard COACC units. A nautical Task Group or Task Force might include an aeronautical aerospace formation of up to a nautical air wing or air group in size.

Naval Infantry

No information currently available.

Selected Manufacturers

The standard equipment, vehicles and other materiel employed by the various units comprising the forces noted above in their various deployments are procured by contract from a number of manufacturers throughout the Imperium. Contracts of this sort ensure that the materiel procured not only meets the operational standards and specifications required by the military but also ensures standardization for the purpose of interoperability and a source of replacement parts for repair and maintenance purposes. Some of the principal manufacturers with which both the Imperium and its member world colonial militaries contract include:

1. tbd
2. Etc., etc.

Imperial Military Technology

The Imperial Army and its associated Colonial and Planetary Defense Forces employ materiel procured from a number of different manufacturers throughout the Imperium.

Materiel & Equipment

Selected Firearms & Gear

1. tbd
2. Etc., etc.

Selected Robots & Drones

1. Aigle class Aerial Scout/Attack UAV
2. Heaven70 class Gunship Drone
3. Zircon class Nuclear Gun Drone
4. Etc., etc.

Selected Surface & Subsurface Nautical Vessel Types & Classes

1. Mongoose class Galleon (Sea Brig) (TL-3)
2. Liberty class Riverine Ironclad (Riverine Monitor) (TL-4)
3. Mongoose class Battlefoil
4. Mongoose class Battle Sub
5. Mongoose class Coastal Submarine
6. Mongoose class Combat Submarine
7. Mongoose class Motor Torpedo Boat
8. Mongoose class Nautical Corvette
9. Mongoose class Nautical Destroyer (TL-5)
10. Traveller class Nautical Destroyer Series (TL-8-9):
    1. Achilles class Nautical Frigate (TL-8-9)
    2. Mongoose class Nautical Destroyer (TL-9)
11. Mongoose class Nautical Hospital Ship
12. Mongoose class Submersible Carrier
13. Etc., etc.

Selected Vehicle & Gunship Classes

With the increasing prevalence of gravitic technologies as technological level increases, the vehicular forces of the Nautical Force Command become progressively less distinguishable from those of the other Branch Commands of the Army.

Some vehicle classes widely used within the systems and worlds of the Imperium and the Nautical Force Commands of it and it's allied Colonial and Planetary Defence Forces include:

1. Arbellatra class Heavy Grav Tank
2. Astrin class Grav APC
3. Austere class Fire Support APC
4. Bergstrom class Light Grav Tank
5. Behemoth class Transport Helicopter (nautical)
6. Ferret class Attack Speeder
7. Halcyon class Air/raft
8. Halcyon-2 class Imperial Cavalry Vehicle
9. Horizon class Hover Ferry
10. Invader class Grav Tank
11. Kuum class Grav APC
12. Mongoose class Attack Speeder
13. Mongoose class Amphibious Armoured Personnel Carrier
14. Mongoose class Amphibious Assault Carrier
15. Mongoose class Armed Transport Aerocraft (ATC)
16. Mongoose class Sea Aerofighter
17. Mongoose class Submersible Fighter
18. Resolve class G/Carrier
19. Ruhl class Imperial APC
20. Rusto class Engineering Sled
    1. Thorian-kur class Mobile Repair Shop
21. Sirvaan class Air/raft
22. Sirvaan-2 class Air/Raft
23. Sirvaan-3 class Command Sled
24. Striker class Grav Tank
25. Sunburst class Missile Sled
26. Teamster class Heavy G/Carrier
27. Terrapin class Meson Sled
28. Thresher class Attack Speeder
29. Tomutov class MRL Artillery Vehicle
30. Trepida class Grav Tank
31. Type-431 class Heavy Recovery Sled

Additional Information

Some vehicle classes widely used within the systems and worlds of the Imperial Army Nautical Force Command include:

• The Trepida & Astrin Grav Vehicle Family

The family includes:

• Astrin class Grav APC
• Trepida class Grav Tank
• Terrapin class Meson Sled

• The Imperial class Grav APC family of Imperial vehicles developed with basic hull and drive component compatibility between the Imperial Army and Imperial Marines.

The family includes:

• Imperial class Grav APC (Ruhl class)
• Imperial class Grav APC - Point Defense
• Imperial class Grav APC - Fire Support

• Imperial class Fire Support APC (Austere class)
• Imperial class Command Computer Staff APC

• Imperial class MRL Artillery Vehicle (Tomutov class)
• Imperial class Artillery Vehicle (Remote Drone)

Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)

This force primarily operates in the following areas:
Charted Space:

• Imperial Space

Facilities Data

No information yet available.

World Listing

This force is known to regularly operate within the following systems and worlds:

No world articles for Nautical Force Command

Additional Information

Please see the following AAB Library Data articles for related information:

Imperial Forces

§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §

Imperial Forces:
Unified Forces of the Imperium

• Defence Ministry of the Imperium
• Imperial High Command

• Admiralty Board

• First Lord of the Admiralty
• Marshal-Commandant of the Corps

• Lord Marshal of the Unified Armies

• Imperial Guard

• Space Forces:

• Imperial Navy (IN)

• Imperial Sector Fleets

• Imperial Subsector Fleets
• Imperial Reserve Fleets

• Imperial Star Marines (ISM)

• Special Forces: Imperial Marine Commandos

• Naval Depot
• Imperial Naval Intelligence (INI)

• Colonial Navies (Auxiliary Forces)

• Colonial Marines
• Subsector Navies
• Planetary Navies

• Ground Forces:

• Imperial Army (IA)

• Close Orbit and Airspace Control Command (COACC)
• Ground Force Command (GFC)

• The Imperial Artillery

• Nautical Force Command, a Wet Navy (NFC)
• Special Forces: Sylean Rangers
• Imperial Army Intelligence (IAI)

• Colonial Forces (Planetary Defense Forces)

• Imperial Interstellar Scout Service (IISS)

• Detached Duty Office

• Intelligence Branch

• Operations Office

• Scout Fleet
• Security Branch

• Special Forces: IISS Rangers (defunct) (?)
• Special Forces: Rhylanor Taoiseach (defunct) (?)
• Special Forces: Special Security Service (SSS / "S-3")

• Express Boat Network
• Imperial Way Station

• Paramilitary & Auxiliary Forces

• Mashkim (System or Planetary Police)

• Ducal Security Forces
• Mainworld Security Forces (Constabulary)

• Mercenary Forces

• Mercenaries:

• Irregular "For Hire" Mercenaries
• Regular Contractual Mercenaries

• Imperial Rules of War
• Repatriation Bond
• Mercenary Slang

Militaries of Charted Space (War in Charted Space)

References & Contributors (Sources)

This article is missing content for one or more detailed sections. Additional details are required to complete the article. You can help the Traveller Wiki by expanding it.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Classic Traveller Supplement 4: Citizens of the Imperium
• Loren Wiseman. "Wet Navy, Part 1." Challenge 53 (1991): 16-25 (Terry R. McInnes).
• Loren Wiseman. "Wet Navy, Part 2." Challenge 54 (1991): 24-31, 37 (Terry R. McInnes).
• Loren Wiseman. "Wet Navy, Part 3." Challenge 60 (1992): 16-24 (Terry R. McInnes).
• Simon Beal. Military Vehicles (Mongoose Publishing, 2009), .
• Matthew Sprange. Vehicle Handbook (Mongoose Publishing, 2017), .
• Matthew Sprange. Vehicle Handbook (Mongoose Publishing, 2017), (Update 2026).
• Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science