Royal Caledonian Marines

The Royal Caledonian Marines, like most other Marine formations, are the ship-board and rapid-intervention troops, as well as force-protection force, of the Royal Caledonian Navy.

Organization

The Marine detachment assigned to any vessel or shore installation, regardless of its size, is called a "Company" (while a Marine unit of 3-5 platoons, called a "company" in most armed forces, is always referred to as a "Squadron"). Marine "Company" organization is more fluid than, say, the Imperial Marines, with units essentially serving as "task forces" for the job at hand, whether the "job" is cleaning out a pirate lair or serving as the Marine Company on a warship.

All Marine "Companies" are composed of uniform smaller units, though, as follows:

• Section - 8 Marines, led by a Corporal.
• Platoon - 36 Marines in 3 "Rifle" and one "Fire Support" Sections, led by a Sergeant.
• Squadron - 112 Marines in 3 Platoons, led by a "Lieutenant of Marines" (equivalent to an Army Captain - see below).
• Commando - 500 Marines in four Squadrons, led by a "Commander of Marines" (equivalent to an Army Lieutentant Colonel. While the lower-level units are very sparse in terms of supporting troops, the Commando adds some logistic and support troops, although the unit is still very lean.
• Marine Task Force - two or more Commandos, led by a "Commodore of Marines".

Generally, a light cruiser's "Marine Company" will be a platoon; that of a Heavy Cruiser will generally be a Squadron; a Battleship or Carrier will embark one or more Squadrons or, rarely, a full Commando. Other vessels may get temporary detachments as deemed necessary, from Task Forces on assault ships accompanying major incursions into denied territory, down to teams and sections of 4-8 men sent along to provide security on scientific research missions.

Naval base security is also provided by Marines, generally in Commando strength. The Royal Guard also includes a Marine Commando, detached for a tour of ceremonial and security duty, in Caledon City.

Rank System

Caledonian Marines also differ from both Imperial Marines and the Caledonian Army in using a version of the Naval, rather than Army, rank system.

Enlisted Ranks

Caledon's Marine corps has the following enlisted ranks:

• Marine (E1) - Equivalent to "Private".
• Lance Corporal (E2) - Assists a Corporal in leading a Section.
• Corporal (E3) - Leads a section.
• Sergeant (E4) - "Sergeant" is modified by the Sergeant's task. A "Sergeant" leads a platoon. A "Gunnery Sergeant" leads a gun crew. A "Staff Sergeant" leads a staff section. A "Color Sergeant" leads a Commando's scout/sniper team.
• Sergeant Major - A Sergeant Major serves as the senior NCO in a Squadron. "Staff Sergeant Major" and "Gunnery Sergeant Major" have the same meanings as at the sergeant level.
• Command Sergeant Major - the senior NCO in a Commando or larger force.

Officer Ranks

The RCM's rank structure resembles the Navy rather than units with ground-based traditions.

• Ensign - Usually assists with staff work at the Squadron and Commando level. Primarily a training job for very junior officers.
• Sub-Lieutenant - Usually assists Lieutenants in leading Squadrons. Entitled to enter the "Gun Room", the Warrant Officers space in Royal Caledonian Navy warships.
• Lieutenant - Commands squadrons and/or works on staff jobs for the Commando and higher echelons. Equivalent to an Army Captain. Entitled to the Wardroom on Naval warships, along with other commissioned officers.
• Commodore of Marines - Commands a Commando.
• Lieutenant Commander of Marines - generally serves on senior staff of a Commando, as well as higher echelons. Has access to the Wardroom on Naval warships, along with other commissioned officers.
• Commander of Marines - Commands a "Commando". Has access to the Wardroom on Naval warships, along with other commissioned officers.
• Commodore of Marines - Commands a Task Force.

{{Sources|S1=74.203.153.2 19:28, 11 August 2013 (EDT)}