The Colonial Armed Forces consists of two main divisions - the Colonial Fleet and the Colonial Army. While the Fleet seems to get the most press, both are indispensable parts of the armed forces and neither is a complete package. Without the Fleet, the Army would not be able to get from planet to planet, and without the Army, the Fleet would not be able to take and hold any planets.

Both services of the Armed Forces are very open in whom they employ. There are no restrictions on what jobs either sex may do. The Armed Forces does not draft people into service, instead its personnel have to decide for themselves whether they want to join. However, the cause against the Cylons is so great that no branch has to worry about a manpower shortage.

Military personnel from all branches train at the Military Institutes where they learn basic training before going on to academies for their chosen designations.

The Colonial Fleet The Colonial Fleet is generally considered to be the largest branch of the Colonial Armed Forces and one of the most prestigious. The Navy (as it is also referred to) is a space going force that deals with the protection of Colonial assets, be they civilian shipping or planetary defence. In addition to providing fleets of war to take the battle to the enemy and granting protection to those who need it, the Colonial Fleet also acts as a transport for the Colonial Army, providing troop and equipment transports to shuttle those troop to where they're needed. The largest branch of the armed forces, the Fleet (or Colonial Navy) deals with all matters space related, from patrol duties to all out war. The Fleet controls all space craft of the Colonial Armed Forces, and thus act as battle taxis for the Warriors and Army.

Colonial Warriors

The Colonial Warriors are actually a subset of the Colonial Fleet and technically come under their remit despite what people might think. Warriors are probably the most glamour members of the armed forces, flying Vipers in deadly combat with their foes, and when needed landing and acting as a frontline strike force. To some, the Warriors are the Army!

Warriors do fufil several roles in the Fleet. They are the fighter pilots of the Fleet, flying everything from the latest Starhound Vipers to electronic recon shuttles, and in addition they do act as a frontline strike and commando force. However, in this role, they are not expected to fight set battles, but merely to take small objectives and possibly act as a holding force until the Army arrives. They are not equipped with the heavy equipment needed to function in that type of role.

The Colonial Army:

Regardless of what a lot of people think, the Colonial Armed Forces does include a standing ground army. In fact, the Army is one of the biggest branches of the Armed Forces having many hundreds of thousands of troops stationed across many planets. The role of the army is the same as its been down the ages, that of taking and holding terroritory. While the Fleet can destroy enemy ships and conduct orbital bombardments, they cannot actually take any planets, and their Warriors can only particapate in small strike raids. Thus, it is up to the Army to land on planets and take them. In addition, it is the role of the Army to defend Colonies and ground bases from ground assault.

To help them in this role, the Army is equipped with a lot of heavy equipment. Tanks and armoured vehicles are the Armies substitute for spaceships, and they are also issued heavier weapons, such as artillery and tripod mounted guns. The average soldier is better equipped than a standard Warrior. They both carry hand lasers, but the soldier also carries laser rifles and routinely has grenades and explosives at their fingertips.

While the Army do not fly Vipers at all, they do have some atmospheric craftfor air support. Anything heavier than this usually requires a call to the Colonial Fleet.

There is a considerable rivally between the Colonial Army and the Colonial Warriors.

Other Branches:

There are no other main branches of the Armed Forces. There is no air force (the Fleet and Warriors cover that), and there is no such as a wet navy, that role being filled on a planet by planet basis based on which branch of the Armed Forces occupying the planet. Usually, it is an Army role.

Medals and Awards:

The Colonials use various medals to reward their Warriors.

Wound Award:
The Wound Award is a simple pin that is given to a member of the armed forces when they are wounded in action for the first time. It is small and simple to reflect on the fact that the recipiant has been wounded but has survived to fight again.

Distingushed Service Medallion:
The Distingushed Service Medallion is awarded for long term service within the armed forces.

Order of Bravery Medal:
This medal is given out for acts of extreme bravery where there is considerable risk to all concerned. Simply taking part in an outnumbered space combat will not qualify this, but taking on a Cylon capital ship all alone while trying to act as a rear guard might. A lot of these medals are given out posthumously.

Golden Cluster Award:
The highest award that can be given to a Warrior, and it is given for outstanding heroism and bravery.

The Star of Kobol:
The greatest award that the Colonials can bestow - in any situation, is the famed Star of Kobol. One has to perform some sort of amazing task to get one of these, and by 7200, the last to have been awarded, was in the last millenia.