One of the many forces engaged in the ground fighting against the Kafer troops along the French Arm are the German Marines. Referred to collectively as SternTruppen ( Star Troops) or individually as SternSoldat ( Star Soldiers), these shipboard based troops are trained to fight in a multitude of environments, much like their American Marine counterparts.
The actual size of the total German Marine force is relatively small as the German Navy ( DSKM) maintains no dedicated troop or interface assault ships to transport them. The bulk of German marines are carried aboard warships, most of which are either landing capable or carry landers for the purpose of deploying troops planetside.
The German Navy currently maintains a single, small division of Marines which is actually closer to brigade size with a total number of combat troops in the neighborhood of 2000. Aside from planetside bases on Earth and Beta Canum, the largest single deployment is aboard the battleship Bismark which carries a battalion of 420 troops.
While small in number, the German SternTruppen are very elite, well trained and motivated, and possess a core veteran NCOs and officers experienced from the War of German Reunification in the early 2290's.
Standard issue combat gear for the SternSoldat is a KA-7 full combat suit with high-threat helmet, and SK-19 rifle or A-9 man-portable plasma gun, an ammo/equipment belt, and a KA-7 hostile environment kit. The combat armor's bulk makes movement quickly fatiguing, so most units are either deployed to hold an area or are delivered by APC or lander directly to assault positions. Standard duty uniform is a dark grey jumpsuit with basic rank and unit insignia. All metallics on this uniform are either silver or chrome.
Soldiers are organized into 11-man squads which consist of a squad leader and five two-man teams called Binoms ( BEE-noms). Platoons consist of a platoon leader, platoon sergeant, and three squads. Mechanized platoons also possess four APCs, each with a driver and a commander. Key weapons are issued by the platoon leader as needed. Platoon weapons consist of three A-4T heavy plasma guns, six Panzerfaust-93 anti-vehicle weapons, and one Hornisse light air-defense weapon.
1st Company, Mechanized; 2nd Company, Rifle; 3rd Company, Rifle; 4th Company, Tank; Headquarters Company.
420 troops, 15 hover APCs, 11 hovertanks, 11 Kz-7 walkers, 3 hover MRLs, 1 hover ARV. Additional equipment: 15 tracked APCs, 3 towed MRLs, 6 explorer ATVs, 12 utility hovercraft.
The German Marine shown in the illustration is assigned to the battleship Bismark. He is wearing KA-7 full combat armor with the standard high-threat helmet. Slung under his right shoulder is an SK-19 and holstered on his left side is a non-standard issue Keller PK-10 pistol. The cylindrical case hung from the back of the soldier's belt contains a facemask and neck ring attachments for making the combat suit air-tight. This allows the soldier to operate for a limited time in unbreathable or even vacuum environments. The case also contains a small life-support attachment which provides suit temperature regulation and a two-hour air supply. An optional backpack is available which can extend the endurance of the suit to a full 24 hours.