[SEMC] Forward Thoughts

[Leitz]

Starting a discussion of ideas for SEMC future options. We've seen issues where the client had near-fatally poor Intel, as well as a "military advisor" that was a total loss. We've also demonstrated an ability to engage and win against heavy odds, but there was a lot of luck involved. Being able to grow in size and capabilities would be useful. Another issue is that we're assuming the BigDip will actually pay his bills. Seeing the results of the Baron's finances makes me wonder.

So, a list of potential challenges/future issues. Possibly some ideas for solutions. Feel free to critique, comment, or add.

Intel on Client
- Will they pay their bills?
- Is their intel good?
- Do we have potentially conflicting "advisors" to deal with?

We seem to have a few paths to build here. If Liv joins then we have the start of a good Intel section. While Erica East is a competitor, there seems to be enough mutual respect for professional conversations. There are enough ties in that Erica knows she could ask for help and get it.



Unit Growth
- While growing in both "size" and "capabilities" is a great idea, both take time and resources.
- If SEMC is PBI (Tiglath's "Pure Bloody Infantry") then growing size might be a priority.
- If the goal is a commando type unit, and this is brought up because a lot of the PCs seem to have commando/recon backgrounds, then capabilities for diverse types of actions is a priority.
- Having more vehicles opens up Mounted Infantry/Air Mobile options.

While not mutually exclusive, "size" vs "capability" is a resource discussion. Vehicles are expensive but very useful. Maybe grow size first, and then pull the appropriate people when it's time to form a special ops unit?

[shaidar]

A few personal thoughts...

It would be useful to improve our recon/drone capability.

I like the unit to be more than a bunch of guys with guns, an intelligent unit. I also like the idea of mounted infantry/mobility.

I assume we need to gain a little size first even if we did go for a more focused direction.

No doubt our limits will be money, so we'll have to prioritise.

[BackworldTraveller]

We don't have the skills in the troops we have to integrate the kit we currently have.

We don't have the kit to fight a TL9+ fully integrated unit with half-decent kit.

We don't have the size to both defend and attack or operate in more than one location. (Recent engagement showed that emphatically)

We don't have fire support capabilities for non-LOS engagements

We don't have the tech or skills for a cyber-enabled engagement - and Traveller is generally terrible at that kind of battle anyway having never really (as a ruleset) caught up with 21st century warfare let alone post-Imperial.

[Leitz]

I think we can get to TL9 or 11 in kit easily enough. It takes money per fighting unit, but we have enough money for that and enough experienced trainers and leaders to get good with the gear.

Good point though, build numbers and TL capability, without necessarily focussing on commando style operations. That'll make SEMC more effective, and faster.

[shaidar]

When we get back to Collace we ought to do a bit of research on other companies. For example 4DC is big and there's no point going in a direction where we'd be going against them for jobs. So we need a find a niche that fits our skills.

I get that there's a bunch of stuff we can't do yet, it's our first job. But there is stuff we can do and we should focus on what we do well and want to do well in the future.

[Leitz]

Agreed. The first of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is "Begin with the end in mind." Just looking for the team's desired end state.

[BackworldTraveller]

Effectively we are an undersized platoon sized unit. Two of out units are basic fire-teams. One is a mounted fireteam with AT capability. One is a good fire-team acting as recon. And our platoon HQ is too busy back-filling the holes in the T.O & E to actually sustain it's roles as command & control unit. And our logistical support is almost (but not quite) non-existent.

With no AD capability we are outmatched by anything with air-recon or air-strike.

With no EW/ISTAR capability we are outmatched by anyone with integrated battlespace management (e.g. We've spent the whole time since Freya's been on the ground having threats appear after we could effectively deploy to meet them)

With no dedicated Medical capability we have limited recovery ability and are fragile under fire. In a sustained engagement we would lose effectives quickly to direct casualties - and people lost to caring for same.

Our vehicle supply is currently mostly in need of care and attention but has not been able to be repaired because the mechanical support needed has been plugging T.O & E gaps. And some is damaged because we don't have the bodies to guard our own camp effectively. And in any case we can't effectively move our unit in a combat environment as our vehicles are basically soft skins.

We cannot operate all-day because that takes more fire-teams than we have to mount an effective 24 hour guard. (Given the requirements stated we should be able to act as a body-guard squad for about FOUR dignitaries at most - that we are coping with the number we have suggests that they were willing to accept heightened risk or not competent to assess the risk in the first place.)

We cannot operate well at night for lack of night-vision equipment

We cannot operate in a Vacuum at all or in a Tainted atmosphere effectively

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But that is enough of what we cannot do. What can we do; and what do we want to do?

We seem to be fairly good light-infantry in a firefight against foes we have identified of TL the same or lower than our own provided they aren't going to just call in the air/artillery to take us out.

[shaidar]

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[shaidar]

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[BackworldTraveller]

I have no idea what resources we have, how many bodies we can afford, what kit we could afford or the role that we seek to fulfil. If we can define a role, we can address those deficiencies that prevent that role being achieved successfully.

Our current equipment suggests that we should be part of a larger group that are providing specialities that our group lacks; and that our own contribution is currently skewed towards light-infantry in a low-technology environment...Which is a very good way of being either Garrison or Cannon-Fodder. I seem to recall that the attrition rate on such groups ran at 40% per month (it may even have been per week) in Rhodesia. But anyway, it was very high. The way to avoid that is through equipment. And that costs lots. At the moment we don't have the equipment to get the contracts that pay enough to support the equipment. So that leaves light-infantry grunt work.

How do we get out of that circle e.g. The armed shuttle is (potentially) millions of credits of value. All in one vulnerable asset. If we could sell that we could have the money to divide into cheaper (less vulnerable) assets. But we are likely to lose that for lack of the ability to remove it. A decent TL9 trooper costs about Cr35,000(ish) to equip and Cr10,000(ish) to support. The TL12 equivalent will win without breaking a sweat and costs about Cr350,000(ish) to equip and maybe Cr100,000 to support. What is the difference? The ability to engage the TL9 guys before they can find them and at a range where they aren't effective.

Given we are about TL9 equipped, and assuming a 50% attrition rate per month, that suggests we should be charging about Cr1M/Month (while in the field) just to stand still. Any profit will come from reducing that attrition rate.

Were we TL12 we should be charging about ten times that (possibly less as the assumed attrition rate may be lower).

Our current equipment suggests an equipment cost of about 20% of the above.

[The Bindoner]

Actually our Combat Armour is vacuum rated, and although at present only officers have full-spec optics in-helmet the trooper weapons have night-vision sights. Upgrading trooper helmet optics is achievable. Our recon element ( and potentially medic too ) have grab-belts for mobility, this can be built up too.

We are about to add a unit of riflemen, which will allow us to reorganise. With the Guard effectively broken we may pick up some disaffected technical staff here, but there will be an opportunity to hire those back on Collace. After this mission we ought to be able to run a decent recruiting drive.

[joertexas]

For me, the basic question is, what kind of unit do we want to game? Do we want our PCs to be in charge of a fire team, or of a battalion, or something in between?

[Leitz]

For me, the basic question is, what kind of unit do we want to game? Do we want our PCs to be in charge of a fire team, or of a battalion, or something in between?

Well, really, that's the defining question. What do you all want to game?

[Leitz]

While discussing TL differences has merit, there's the well proven adage: In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they aren't. America in Vietnam and Russia in Afganistan (actually, pretty much "Anyone in Afganistan") gives lie to the pure superiority of technology, air support, and artillery. The lower TL won, the others lost.

There's the inverse; Germany in Russia circa WWII. Elite and experienced combat troops versus hordes of poorly led, mostly untrained, and low morale civilians. If a TL 12 trooper costs ten times as much to field, then for the same funds ten TL 9 troopers can take and hold an urban target where air support, artillary, and fusion weapons aren't so useful. In theory, (ha!) a TL 12 trooper is the same as a TL 9 tank. Hard to stop, but yet stoppable.

SEMC has an interesting mix of backgrounds, and I think enough Tactical and Leadership capability to make a positive impact on things. We certainly aren't about selling cannon fodder.

[joertexas]

For me, the basic question is, what kind of unit do we want to game? Do we want our PCs to be in charge of a fire team, or of a battalion, or something in between?

Well, really, that's the defining question. What do you all want to game?

My personal sweet spot would be anything up to a platoon. More than that, and the administration becomes onerous, IMO. For the GM, a platoon is four or five squad leader NPCs to worry about - each of their teams is mostly supporting cast members.

[shaidar]

I agree with joer, for me a battalion would be too much.

[Leitz]

Not a bad spot. Part of the task is figuring out what to game, and what to abstract away via NPCs. Like what we're currently doing with Voss and technical stuff.

I enjoy what Jakob is doing with Beau, and to a degree with Liv. No, not that. Jakob enjoys that too, but stay focused here. We're talking military stuff! Jakob has Leader-2, Tactics-2, and now Instruction-2; I enjoy him setting others up to be wildly successful. And the occasional, um, unconventional action. He has a supply of grenades, just in case.

[BackworldTraveller]

While discussing TL differences has merit, there's the well proven adage: In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they aren't. America in Vietnam and Russia in Afganistan (actually, pretty much "Anyone in Afganistan") gives lie to the pure superiority of technology, air support, and artillery. The lower TL won, the others lost.

Special case...The entire population is a geurilla army waiting to happen since Alexander that had been trained in modern ideas by....everyone!

But yes - Urban Insurgency is a role we could do well...If that's the way we're going we need more HumInt and Elint and more bodies.

[joertexas]

I see SEMC ultimately as just that, an undersized company unit with about 100 people, with enough vehicle and support strength to make up for our lack of numbers.

Our market niche is smaller tickets that the big outfits wouldn't bother with, and a unit that can transport itself on a reasonably-sized ship.

The recon team would become a squad of perhaps ten, plus a HQ unit of another ten people. That leaves two full platoons, probably mounted and supported by APCs, or other light armored grav vehicles. Each platoon would have to do their own supply and maintenance, or we could contract that out as part of the tickets we take on.

[Tiglath]

I won't intrude overmuch here but the new merc books (that The Bindoner and I have) deal very well with abstracting logistics - but even so they have to be acknowledged. If you keep the unit size small(ish) then the logistical tail doesn't begin to wag the dog!

The books make the point that a ten guy unit in Battledress is great but needs (somewhere within its own operational range) a "camp" with up to fifty fitters, techs and armourers etc to service the battledress let alone feed and care for the guys inside!

As mercs you can indeed "pick your battles" choosing the mission to suit your unit and its exposure to threat. On Inchin your "Security" ticket made you by definition reactive. Anyone who believes that there weren't shenanigans galore going on behind the scenes might be interested in buying a couple of bridges in London that I have for sale...

However, now that the training wheels are off who knows what the next ticket might offer?

Exploring the avenues in which ways to expand is very useful (more "line" infantry seems a given via Gaughan and his squad) but more information about future operations may be just around the bend...