Grand Admiral, First Order Central Command
FIRST ORDER NAVAL ORGANIZATION
First Order Central Command (FOCC)
The general term for the First Order's High Command, and the highest administrative and command authority of the First Order Military. For the Navy, it consists of five offices, occupied by senior staff members who hold the rank of 'Grand Admiral.' These individuals are often referred to collectively as simply 'Central Command.'
- Naval Operations Department - In charge of strategic and operational planning and execution, including distribution of forces and non-defensive fleet command. Headed by Grand Admiral [member="Cyrus Tregessar"].
- Naval Weapons Department - In charge of research, development, testing and production of weapons and new technologies. The Navy's Exploration Command falls under the Weapons Department jurisdiction. Headed by Grand Admiral [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"].
- Naval Commandant Department - In charge of supply and some administrative matters, including things like logistics, orbital defense, etc. Naval Intelligence and distribution of Marine forces also falls under this department. Headed by Grand Admiral Harden Trask.
Harden Trask is a Grand Admiral from Bespin. He's an aggressive commander, capable of performing offensive, and defensive manouveres with ease. He is a strict disciplinarian, but nothing too brutal, and is regarded by both his men, and Central Command as firm, however fair. In terms of characteristics, he is an avid user of carriers, and corvettes, and likes to tear his enemies apart, by using corvette packs, with bombers to tear apart enemy lines, and shatter their resolve.
[*]Naval Engineering Department - In charge of design and construction of all warships and support vessels. Works closely with associated shipyards and the FOCIE. The Naval Corp of Engineers fleet obviously falls under the Engineering Department.
[*]Fleet Forces Command - Senior Administrative Officer, receives reports from vessel commanders independent of operational requirements. Also in charge of things like manning, legal, and medical. Includes the Naval Medical Service and Naval Reserve as separate subordinate units. Headed by Grand Admiral NPC.
Interestingly enough, FOCC often exercises immediate operational control of key commands. First Order Admirals never become desk jockeys, the culture simply wouldn't allow it.
Naval Operational Organization
Sector Group Virgillia (2nd Fleet, in Red)
Sector Commander Virgillia: Fleet Admiral Unnamed NPC
Sector Group Lanteeb (7th Fleet, in Purple)
Sector Commander Lanteeb: Fleet Admiral Unnamed NPC
Sector Group Varonat (6th Fleet, in Green)
Sector Commander Varonat: Fleet Admiral Unnamed NPC
Sector Group Gehenna (4th Fleet, in Orange)
Sector Commander Gehenna: Fleet Admiral Unnamed NPC
Sector Group Bakura (3rd Fleet, in Yellow)
Sector Commander Bakura: Fleet Admiral Unnamed NPC
Sector Group Elrood (8th Fleet, in Blue)
Sector Commander Elrood: Fleet Admiral Unnamed NPC
Sector Group Belgaroth (1st Fleet, in Grey)
Sector Commander Belgaroth: Fleet Admiral Unnamed NPC
Other major commands include (but are not limited to) the Outer Planets Expeditionary Fleet (in charge of Ssi-Ruuvi pacification, among other things), the Dosuun Defense Fleet, and the Hydian Patrol.
Sector Group Organization
Rework in progress
All operational units and all warships are nominally under the control of the Sector Commander, who typically also acts as Battleforce Commander. This is properly referred to by the numbered Fleet designation, so Sector Commander Belgaroth is also known as Battleforce 1st Fleet, or simply Battleforce Belgaroth. This position is often delegated down, due to operational requirements.
Since fielding a whole numbered Fleet is a rare occurrence, the largest generally seen operational unit is called a Battlegroup, with the unit named after the Commander's preference. Battlegroups can range from permanent organizations with set authority to ad hoc formations created with a single mission. Battlegroup commanders are usually a full Admiral, and are often simply referred to as 'Group Commander X' with the 'x' being the name of the Battlegroup.
Smaller permanent operational units are known as Task Groups, typically with a single long-term mission. By tradition, The more offensively minded the unit, the 'lower' the number. For example, Task Group 7.01 is Sector Group North's primary Rapid Response fleet.
Semi-permanent or ad hoc operational units are known as Task Forces, but are otherwise numbered similarly. In summary:
Some squadrons are designed to operate as independent units, while others are specifically created to be a functional component of a Task Group or larger formation. An Artillery Squadron, for example, has little role on its own but plays a key role in a Battle Group formation. Conversely a patrol squadron is more than capable of handling most opposition.
Since fielding a whole numbered Fleet is a rare occurrence, the largest generally seen operational unit is called a Battlegroup, with the unit named after the Commander's preference. Battlegroups can range from permanent organizations with set authority to ad hoc formations created with a single mission. Battlegroup commanders are usually a full Admiral, and are often simply referred to as 'Group Commander X' with the 'x' being the name of the Battlegroup.
Smaller permanent operational units are known as Task Groups, typically with a single long-term mission. By tradition, The more offensively minded the unit, the 'lower' the number. For example, Task Group 7.01 is Sector Group North's primary Rapid Response fleet.
Semi-permanent or ad hoc operational units are known as Task Forces, but are otherwise numbered similarly. In summary:
- Sector Fleet Command (aka Battleforce Commander) (All fleets and squadrons assigned to a sector) Commanded by a Fleet Admiral (typically Sector Commander or a deputy).
- Battle Group Command (aka Group Commander) (all fleets and squadrons assigned to a single Operational Commander) Varies wildly in size. Typically commanded by an Admiral.
- Task Force Command (aka a 'Fleet') - Typically Commanded by an Admiral or Vice Admiral, varies wildly in size depending on assigned mission.
Some squadrons are designed to operate as independent units, while others are specifically created to be a functional component of a Task Group or larger formation. An Artillery Squadron, for example, has little role on its own but plays a key role in a Battle Group formation. Conversely a patrol squadron is more than capable of handling most opposition.
Squadron Formation
The First Order Navy does not feature a strict 'Line' system like the old Imperial Navy, preferring to let individual commanders make desicions and adjustments as required. There do tend to be some standard formations however. A few examples are detailed below. Most formations utilize a few terms to further differentiate individual ships in the same Anaxes War College 'class.'Certain specialist ship classes like the interdiction destroyers (Assimilator and Accuser-class) and the Halberd-class Artillery Frigate are not represented in commonly seen squadrons, and are typically augmented to formations as necessary. Similarly, Battlecruisers (besides the comparatively common Resurgent-III's) are fleet-level assets and not normally deployed at the 'Squadron' level.
Patrol Squadron: A general purpose squadron often seen operating independently to main security in distant regions of First Order territory. This squadron would be commanded by a Commodore embarked on the Falchion Cruiser.
- 1 x Falchion-class 'Bastion' Cruiser
- 2 x Taskmaster-class Escort Carriers
- 1-2 x FIPV-9 Keraunos SPV's
- 3-6 x 849A-class Frigates
- 4-8 x Vigilance-class Corvettes
- 3-8 x Sabre, Dagger III, or Murmillo-class Frigates
- 4-10 x Blitz-class Picket Corvettes
- 4-12 x Uhlan-class Hunter/Killer Corvettes
- 2-4 x Squadrons of Ye-9f Gunships
- 3-4 x Line/Heavy (Marauder, Predator, Victory-X) Cruisers
- 4-6 x Line (849A), or Heavy (Boneshatter, Brawl) Frigates
- 4 x Blitz-class Picket Corvettes
- 4 x Heavy Corvettes (Vigilance, Corsair, Fortan III) or 8 x Uhlan-class Hu/K's
- 3-5 x Star Destroyers (IDX-II, Supremacy, Vanquisher) (or 2-3 Resurgent II/III-class)
- 3-4 x Line/Heavy Cruisers (Marauder, Predator, Victory-X)
- 4-6 x Line/Heavy Frigates (849A, Boneshatter, Brawl)
- 8-15 x Escort Frigates/Corvettes (Blitz, Sabre, Dagger III, or Murmillo)
- 3-5 x Vanguard-class Fleet Carriers
- 3-4 x Medium Cruisers (Falchion, Marauder)
- 5-9 x Escort Frigates/Corvettes (Blitz, Sabre, Dagger III, or Murmillo)
- 2-3 x Boneshatter-class Assault Frigates
- 4-6 x Chasseur-class Pack Corvettes
- 4-6 x Corsair-class Gunship Corvettes
- 6-12 x Uhlan-class Hunter/Killers
Command and Rank
Battlecruisers and larger vessels (2000m+) - Typically commanded by a Senior Captain or Commodore. The FIV Wrath, the only proper dreadnought in First Order service, has a Rear Admiral as its commanding officer.
Star Destroyers (1200m-2000m) - Commanded by a Captain or Senior Captain, depending on size and importance.
Heavy Cruisers (900m-1200m) - Typically junior Captain's, but occasionally senior Commanders.
Cruisers (500m-900m) - Commander.
Frigates (200m-500m) - Commander (Junior Grade) or Lieutenant Commander.
Corvettes (50-200m) - Lieutenant Commander is typically the lowest rank assigned as 'Commanding Officer' of a proper ship.
Small Craft (15-50m) - Not including dedicated Strike Craft, these are shuttles and gunboats and the like. Lieutenant's often command these as part of an early-command program, or else Lieutenant Commanders.
Specialist vessels such as the FIPV-9 and Shadow-class Corvette tend to ignore rank in favor of ability as the primary determining factor in command. It is not unusual for an enlisted signals specialist to go through a commissioning program and quickly receive a command posting to a FIPV-9, for example, or to see such vessels under the command of a Warrant Officer.
The First Order Navy is not made up of only Officers, of course. Enlisted personnel make up most of the crew on board ships, are are found as gunners, technicians, operators, and so on. Most 'menial' labor is done by droids or fully automated, so there aren't a great deal of untrained people just to put bodies on a ship. Enlisted personnel typically are trained in a specialty, known as a 'Rate' such as Turbolaser Technician, Ion Engine Mechanic, Reactor System Tech, Reactor System Mechanic, Electrical Systems Tech, Electronic Tech, and so on, with a bewildering array of specialties falling under each of these ratings.
It should come as no surprise that most of these rates are very technical in nature, and even a common Spacer likely has a great deal of training and knowledge. As such naval personnel are not considered really expendable, and needlessly wasting lives can see an officer sent to Court Martial.
- Master Chief Petty Officer
- Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Chief Petty Officer
- Petty Officer 1st Class
- Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Petty Officer 3rd Class
- Spacer 1st Class
- Spacer
All personnel receive limited training on weapons, security, boarding, and counter-boarding operations. Additionally, armories exist on all ships and per Central Command mandate, must carry enough small arms to equip the entire crew. While this training is nowhere near the level of Stormtroopers, and the equipment tends to be fairly rudimentary (blaster, helmet, ablative vest) it does mean First Order vessels can make for a stubborn target to try and take.
