###### tags: `Lore` # The Joint Systems Defense Force *By GySgtMurphy, 7MAY23* ## Overview ```quote here``` The Joint Systems Defense Force, hereafter referred to as the JSDF, is the Orion Confederation organization designed to be the umbrella under which the member nations voluntarily assign portions of their military in order to protect the Confederation *and its interests* as a whole. In this way, no one region should feel overly burdened by the requirements of defending such a large area, and reduces possible tensions between the member nations through cooperative efforts and posting of their forces to foreign stations, promoting a modicum of cultural exchange between units as they rotate in and out. The JSDF also provides an organization through which ammunition, components, connectors, weapons systems, electronic warfare and sensor technology can be standardized and made inter-operable between member nation forces, reducing the logistical burden of deployed ground and space assets. ## Mission The primary mission of the JSDF is to act as the overall command and control of forces assigned to its command from Confederation members, assigning ground units to garr ## Purview ## Command Structure And Theater Commands The JSDF divides the Confederation into 5 primary areas of responsiblity for its operational elements, though each area tends to overlap with its neighbors. - Sol System Command (SolCom) - Primarily an administrative and organizational command, SolCom handles the complex interaction of detailing pledged forces to the other command areas, and with maintaining lines of supply and communication from the center of the Confederation out to its borders. - Sol Economic Zone Command (SEZCom) - The authority responsible for maintaining order past the Kuyper of Sol out to around a 20 lightyear diameter bubble around the home system of humanity, this area being the most haphazardly organized region, and one that sees the most use of actual JSDF juridiction. Drawing primarily on Terran, Martian and BCU naval and Marine units to help maintain order among the dozens if not hundreds of minor and major settlements that were among the first to be settled after the introduction of FTL technology, each claiming either independance or allegiance to a nation-state or planet within the Sol system. - Tri-Star Command (TriCom) - Responsible for the integrity of the border along the Tri-Star Compact, TriCom coordinates with local TSAF (Tri-Star Armed Force) units and those units from Terra, Mars, and elsewhere that have been assigned to the region. Being on the border nearest the Unathi regions of the Frontier (along with the IWL), this particular command sees a large number of incursions from renegade and free-lance Unathi, Naramandi, and Saguar pirates, slavers and renegades. Thus, the JSDF assigns a large number of Army and Aerospace assets to help garrison key strategic points along this disputed region of space; Terran Army infantry divisions and Martian armored regiments are a large component of the current ground based garrison. The IWL also provides a few squadrons to this command to help on the naval side, and several quick-reaction forces of Alliance Navy frigates and destroyers help deal with evolving crises that the local TSCN cannot handle promptly. - League Command (LeaCom) - The sister comand of TriCom, this region of space also faces the Moghes Hegomony across the frontier, and thus also relies heavily on JSDF planetary garrisons to help ensure the security of the League against outside threats. Given the structure and smaller number of the IWLN's Naval Infantry, the JSDF also stations seveal Terran and Martian Marine units in this region to handle the orbital security mission, and to rapidly reinforce any planetary garrison. TSCN and Eridani formations are the main contributors to this command for naval assets, though occasionally a Terran or Martian carrier battle group or battleship-based orbital support group can be seen assigned to this volatile region of space. - Eridani Command (EriCom) - Seen as a mostly quiet and pleasant region for JSDF forces assigned to it for centuries, the Eridani Alliance faces the frontier region across from the Vikaran Combine, and as such, the majority of the trouble they face comes from Ue-Katish smugglers and raiders, though in more recent years the number of strange aliens with hostile intent has grown and grown. This escalation led to more JSDF units being garrisonned in the area, including pressing Terran Marine (UTMC) units into ground based garrisons near the scattered settlements along the edge of this region. Thus, they were amongst the first units to deal with the assaults in the initial battles of what would become known as the "Scourge", an assault by Xenomorph, Ue-Katish raiders, Vox renegades and other un-aligned forces against this member of the confederation. This turned into a full test of the JSDF, wherein Ericom was able to call in forces from LeaCom and TriCom to help stem the tide of attacks, while Terran and Martian forces in Sol were called up and deployed en-mass a few months after the attacks begin. From 2560 to 2564, the Scourge was rolled back, though heavy civilian losses were incurred in this border region, along with several units being lost and overrun in the initial outbreak. ## Logistical Service Military Spacelift Command: Logistics. Unit Rotation Command: Handles the on-boarding of recently assigned units to JSDF jurisdiction, getting their assignments sorted out, ## Standardization A major component of the success of the JSDF’s ability to coordinate in both the logistical and operational sense is via the standardization agreements the organization has put into place among the member militaries. ### Spare parts / replacement systems: “Can I get a… Mark 34 tac two mod zero power converter from stores - what do you mean the bloody Leaguers don’t stock that model, it’s the [REDACTED]-” Beginning of a rant from an Eridani Alliance naval supply chief petty officer at a IWLN Naval base, prior to the Standards Adoptions of 2266 Things like power system voltage for weapons, sensors, and engines for ship based system must conform to a limited number of specifications for any ships being transferred from ‘home’ command to the JSDF for deployment to keep logistics from becoming more nightmarish than they must. ### Ammunition: “Praise the Lord and pass the [REDACTED] ammo can, I got some hate to lay! And get the spare barrel ready, dammit!” - Martian Coalition Armed Forces (MCAF) squad automatic weapon gunner to his ammo bearer, siege of Hiller’s Creek colony, 2515 Ammunition for kinetic based weapons must fall into accepted standards such that more can be printed as needed using accepted aval, or shipped from depot where sufficient stocks are kept ## Services The JSDF works as a central headquarters and logistics system for the member militaries via its various #### Army #### Navy #### Aerospace #### Marine #### The Orion Legion The Orion Confederation Foreign Legion, more commonly referred to as the "Orion Legion" or simply, "The Legion", is the only military force that is directly controlled by the Defense Council and JSDF Command, and is not a member unit seconded to their service. Based on the remnants of the 75th Terran Ranger Regiment and the 25th Martian Light Infantry (both destroyed functionally as units during the war of 2195), the Legion is considered the premier light infantry force of the JSDF and is often the first to deploy to trouble spots. Colonists, spacers, and even non-citizens from all walks of life are welcomed, with knowledge of the lands they inhabited proving valuable to ongoing operations. Non-citizens are eligible to apply for citizenship after four years of service, or immediately if they are wounded in action. Anyone can join the Legion, regardless of species, nationality, or criminal record; however, the standards upheld by the organization lead to a high turnover rate of new recruits. The Legion of today is maintained as battalion and regimental garrisons aboard JSDF-operated stations along strategic points within Confederation space along vital logistical corridors leading back to Sol, and out to the hearts of each major nation that rings the Confederation. Shock troops in the truest sense of the term, the Legion operates primarily via aggression, superior firepower, and violence of action when met with hostile intent. Leadership is one of the core values taught and expected of every Legionnaire, in addition to personal initiative and a “mission first” mindset. Armed with the latest in armor, weapons, and equipment coming out of the various defense firms of the OriCon states, they maintain a very small number of warships to move their forces to trouble spots with greater haste than the JSDF can normally respond. Where the Legion is the weakest in terms of capabilities, is in sustainment and heavy fire; while Legionnaires are expected to be capable of patrolling, fighting and moving for up to 72 hours of combat, their aggressive use of munitions and speed of movement leaves them always makes them vulnerable to being fixed in place by larger forces. This has led to their use as the ‘first in’ unit to any trouble spot, with JSDF units consisting of Tri-Star, Eridani Alliance, League, Terran, and Martian units often only days or hours from arriving once the first Legion boots are on the ground. ##### Colonial Mobile Defense Force The Colonial Mobile Defense Force, or CMDF, is the “Special Tasks” unit of the Legion. An aerospace-mobile quick reaction force, the CMDF typically operates in small cells aboard fast, heavily-armed FTL-capable patrol craft. While mostly involved in maritime operations, counterinsurgencies, and border disputes, the CMDF proved themselves in high-intensity conflict during the chaotic final years of the Phoron Wars, and more recently as the first line of defense against the Xenomorph incursions. The CMDF’s primary mission is to bolster local SDFs, utilizing their technical knowledge and employing cutting-edge weapon and armor systems to maintain frontier security. Their primary unit is a numbered task force, based out of a local JSDF orbital installation responsible for a predetermined sector of space. Task forces are made up of multiple 4-6 man “kill teams” that form the backbone of their fighting strength, with each kill team headed (typically) by a former experienced United Terran Army special forces operator who enjoys a high level of autonomy with regards to enabling their personnel. Each kill team is deployed for months at a time aboard their patrol vessel, and hunts along trade routes for smugglers, pirates, and other myriad threats until they are called upon for assistance by a member state. However, it is not uncommon for them to receive direct orders from JSDF command, nor is it unheard of for them to conduct operations within the Confederation itself. Acting on provided intelligence, kill teams pursue high-value targets, combining to increase combat capability if necessary.