Sinners (Penal Soldiers) by LurkingEdgelord1483 on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Art by RTAzalvaro: www.deviantart.com/rtazalvaro

-James Sullivan, Professor at the Paris War College and Combat School, 2305.

Motto: Mors liberabit vos! (Latin, translation: Death will set you free!)

Overview:

Since the year 2107, the Federation has been using convicts as soldiers as an alternative to prison. In 2327, it is used as an alternative to the death penalty. Before what is known as the War of Enlightenment (2109-2117) these men were known as Penal Detachments, after this war they were known as Sinners.

To be a Sinner is to be seen as a man in need of repentance for a grave act they have committed. They may have killed someone, they may have raped a woman, they may have betrayed their brothers in arms. Almost any crime that has the punishment of death the Sinners are an alternative. Unless they have committed a political crime, for then you are seen as a liability, if not a threat to the state.

Sinners are used as cannon fodder, and are almost always sent in first with no support. These suicidal tactics usually never work, but that is the point, their entire purpose is to die. However if they are somehow extremely lucky and survive for five years they will be released, under heavy surveillance and to a colony of the Federation's choice.

Though if you thought dying in combat was the only thing that the Sinner had to worry about, you're sorely mistaken. To supplement workers on the Frontier region and even farther in Human space the Federation puts these men to work in mines, factories, and many other manual labor jobs except construction. The work is at times back breaking and almost always dangerous. Through most of the Sinner's history they have lost more men to work accidents than actual combat.

Equipment:

These men are outfitted with basic Marine rifles (pictured, M-37 Retaliator) and various other combat gear. Though their armor is what is different. They are given simple steel plate armor like the knights of old, and the helmets or other armor plates may vary depending on your ethnicity (A German is pictured here). Their average gear only weighs about 8kgs all together, as their armor is heavier than a Marines'.

In the invasion of Voorchala some were given Power Armor, as there was a massive surplus of suits and the Sinners saw massive success when supported by them.

Structure:

A squad of Sinners (nicknamed 'Seven Sinners,') has six convicts and one Marine (known as a Volunteer Sinner) leading. The Marine may be of any rank to lead this unit. In some cases this is how officers are chosen, by choosing Volunteer Sinners that have the lowest casualty rate combined with highest success rate.

If this Marine falls in battle, another Marine may take temporary command or a designated Sinner within that squad will take the reins. Sinners are also sent to reinforce enlisted units that are under strength, and are used as a fluid reserve for when no other replacements are available.

Insignia:

The insignia of the Sinners is heavily inspired by the Schutzstaffel divisions of the 40s, going as far as to use their all too known 'lightning bolts' to mark the Seven Sinners. The Crucifix is to symbolize martyrdom, their sacrifice to Mankind in repentance of their misdeeds.