You can get more detail by asking the other precentors, but in general, the Precentor Martial appears to be on the Comstar flagship giving executive orders and sticking around a few planets probably in former Davion territory. Precentor Blaine is in command of a Level IV (at Level III strength) and the bulk of our Jumpship/Warship assets, so he and the squadron are running all over the place. My level IV, the 79th, Protectors of Light, is slowly gaining strength over a number of planets in close proximity to one another. I am shuttling between them trying to start a grassroots movement and recruit like crazy for my own unit and the other current Level IVs. We have no warships and are using chartered and repatriated dropships to recruit, protect HPGs, enforce the Ares Convention, and perform humanitarian missions. We currently have functional boot/indoctrination camps within the 79th and some graduates will be shipped to the other two units or to reactivate new units like the Invader Galaxy.
Please do post on the Comstar thread. I think the Precentor Martial has heard about your book and is excited about the prospect.

Repost:

History of the 534th Division:

The 534th Division was formed shortly after the fall of the HPG Network. Many former members and decendants of members of the ComGuard felt that by assaulting the HPG network, these unseen attackers were attack that which they were once charged to protect. In their eyes, none of the factions that have formed since the collapse of the HPG network are capable of being the new caretakers of technology. They even the Republic is seen as unworthy of this charge, as they fault the Republic for allowing this to happen in the first place.

So, by secretly drawing upon the financial assets of the current ComStar and with equipment acquired from the Republic by new ComGuard operatives, the 534th Division was formed. The structure of the division is like that of a standard ComGuard Division with two exceptions. The 534th has task force of WarShips instead of standard JumpShips. With the exception of the flagship Hector's Revenge, all of these ships were either salvaged or had been decommissioned. Where ever they were acquired, these WarShips have been brought back to full functionality. The second difference is the capability of each Level III unit to work totally independently of each other. In truth, each Level III unit has been tasked with a specific function.
This was done in order to create a unit capable of operating on its own.

Current operations indicate that the 534th are currently working in the peacekeeping role which the ComGuard filled before the Jihad. Their doctrine is to try a *diplomatic* solution if possible. If this fails, then they will move in with military forces and work to end any conflict as fast as possible to minimize damage to civilian property and equipment/technology.

Unit Quote - "If knowledge is power, then we must be gods."

Primary Mission:
- Identify and destroy the people responsible for the collapse of
the HPG network.

Secondary Missions:
- Preserve the peace.
- Prevent a repeat of the First and Second Succession Wars.
- Enforce and follow the Ares Convention.

Last Known Condition:
-----------------------------
534th ComGuards Div: Precentor Arsenal-Wolf
-Level III-Kappa: Precentor Arsenal-Wolf
--Texas Class Battleship - Hector's Revenge*
-Level III-Kappa-Phi**
--Texas Class Battleship - Blake's Pride
--Fox Corvette - Swift Blade
--Fox Corvette - Silver Arrow
--Avalon Cruiser - Achilleus
--Avalon Cruiser - Spartacus
-Level III-Rho-Rho: Demi-Precentor Jutaro_Wolf
--Level II Truth Seekers(Special Security Force)
-Level III-Lambda-Sigma: Demi-Precentor Nickbishop
-Level III-Phi-Theta: Demi-Precentor mst3k
-Level III-Rho-Theta:
-----------------------------

Known Relations:
Former 1st SOG Battalion (now the AFFS SOG Regiment)

*This ship was decomissioned and was serving as a makeshift recharge station.
**This unit has been designated as their naval unit. As such, they ignore the standard unit size restrictions. They provide naval/aerospace support and transport to the other units.

Unit Designations:

The unit designations follow standard CSG conventions with the following exceptions: The second Greek letter designates the origin of the bulk of the personel within the unit. More details can be found in the ComStar FM. Level-III Kappa was formed from former Republic militia, therefore does not carry the additional Greek letter.

End of report.

My real name is Brian Suwisutigasame. (I know thats one hell of a last name.) Like Captain Chance, I am a student of military history. I am currently working as a volunteer computer technician for my local public school system. I am working on a major in Computer Engineering. While I do not plan on joining the military, I have been around many Veterans and current soldiers, and I have the utmost respect for anyone in the military. I have been a member of various military enthusiasts, and used to play Airsoft with a few of those soldiers that I was friends with. I first became interested in ComStar because of their initial roots as a neutral protector of technology. Seeing as how that kind of relates to my real life passion, I was naturally attracted to their mission.

My AIM screen name is Arsenal Wolf (same as here, but with no hyphen).

Contact me if you need any help (I have both the ComStar sourcebook and FM so I can probably help you with any continuity issues.)

The C3i used by ComStar was developed from the standard C3 created by the DC. The C3i was created because of a simple reason - the standard C3 simply could not handle the "base six" unit structure of the ComGuard. It's purpose is to coordinate and share targetting data within the unit in order to maximize the unit's effectiveness. To put it in its simplest form, the closest unit to the target is telling the others where to aim as if he or she were looking through their eyes.

The Command/Control/Communications (C3) computer system is an Inner Sphere only system that allows multiple units-to a maximum of twelve-to share targeting data, thus making accurate fire resolution much more precise. The system has sever drawbacks, however, in that parts of the network can be 'lost' due to the destruction or damage of the 'primary master computers' or due to the interference of an enemy electronic counter measure suite.

An Improved C3 Computer exists that eliminates the problems of losing the network due to the lose of the 'master computers' but it can only tie in six total units.

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2.) Since I know the INN site has not been updated in a while, does anyone know the current status of Jade Falcon forces in the Republic, and world possessed. Or is INN data most current?

I would assume the INN data is the most current.

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Ok, now more CBT aligned questions... 3.) What would be the plausibility of a ComGuard battalion, understrength, using a Conquistador-class Dropship? I wanted to use a vessel that would be a good troop carrier and command ship, and also be able to take care of itself. Also, because of the the whole alliance between Victor Steiner-Davion and ComStar even after his departure, it could be possible that some of these could have ended up in ComStar hands.

Average to good. The only probelm I see with the usage of a Conquistorador is that its setup for a RCT Command Team, not a ComGuard Level 2 or higher. You would need modification for it to truly fit well.

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4.) Would it be plausible for a ComGuard Dropship to be carrying a full compliment of Eisensturm aerofighters? I again point to the whole Victor thing, as well as the fact that they were sold on the open market.

Not as likely. I'd imagine the Lyrans held onto their Eisensturm's pretty tightly, as it is the best tech they have. Combine-produced omnifighters would be more likely.

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5.) Would anyone completely and utterly blow their tops if they found the Raptor with void-sig included? Just a possibility in my head for a unit, and if anyone had void-sig tech, it would be ComStar.

Void-sig? Yes. I don't care for Void-Sig. Null-sig and mimetic cammo would be quite reasonable though (as ComStar has access to both in good quantities).

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6.) Finally, does anyone know anything about ComStar's command structure as of current? I know they turned into more of a franchise business after the Jihad, but I wondered if they had anything resembling a military command structure.

As of 3132? By that time, the ComGuard is/has been disbanded. I would recommend going by 3067 standards. http://www.classicbattletech.com/cbt_is_comstar.html

Considering that the INN map doesn't even show any Jade Falcon possessions, I'd say no. ;)

The standard C3 could only coordinate 12 units if 3 seperate mini-networks were created, as a single C3 Master could handel only 3 C3 Slaves. The company commander would have to have mounted 2 seperate C3 Masters onto his or her 'Mech.

The former CSG Command Structure:

Precentor Martial
-Commander CSG
Precentor
-Senior Officers
-Commanders Level IV and V
-Equal to colonel or lieutenant general SLDF
Demi-Precentor
-Commanders Level III (sometimes Lvl IV)
-Equal to major or colonel SLDF
Adept
-Junior Officers
-Command Lvl II, work teams, or Indpendent Units.
-Equates to SLDF rank of captain or lieutenant
Acolyte
-Enlisted personel

In order to differentiate the ranks further, each individual bares two additional markings in addition to their position, a Roman numeral and a Greek letter. The Roman numeral shows the number of years at their current position. The Greek letter shows their current branch.

Personel recieve an automatic promotion upon 25 years of service at a certain rank.

Military/ROM

Epsilon - Mechwarrior
Pi - Aerospace
Iota - Infantry
Xi - Dropship Crew
Theta - Jumpship/Warship Crew
Zeta - Military Technician
Mu - Intelligence Analysis
Rho - Intelligence Gathering
Lambda - Ground Armor Crew/Pilot

Other

Alpha - HPG Operations
Beta - Scientific Analysis
Kappa - Medical
Delta - Intelligence (non-ROM/Military)
Gamma - Diplomacy
Sigma - Public Relations
Omega - Research
Eta - Education/Instruction
Nu - Recruitment
Tau - Historian/Archivist
Chi - Administrative Affairs
Phi - Financial/Monetary Control


Unit designations are based on the percentage of unit types, designated by the Greek letter. Letters closer to the beginning of the Greek alphabet will have a higher number of 'Mech units. Letters toward the end will have more infantry and armor. All ComGuards units will normally have a compliment of 39 Aerospace units. The whole unit design structure was created to emphasize combined arms tactics.

Thats all I can think of to help you with command/unit structures. If you need anything else, just ask.

I don't think there is a functional alternative however.

Here's a question, one about the 'Mech editing software 'The Drawing Board' which I have been using for quite a while for 'Mech stats and new designs. Strangely, the program now starts minimized and stays that way, no matter what I do. I have completely uninstalled and reinstalled the program multiple times (and deleting all remaining traces of it after uninstalling), but this seems to do nothing. This is the ONLY program on my computer that does this, and I am now stumped. Any ideas?

Do you want to use the MWRealms chat? Just PM me as to when or post and I'll do my best to be there.

Chance if you are reading this get in the chat.

Sorry guys. i didn't refresh the page so I didn't see the new post or PM until later today. I would have gone in to the Chat otherwise.

I set up an AIM account, screen name "Precentor Chance" and managed to chat with Arsenal Wolf. Darkarchon and Zeruel, please get AIM accounts and post here so we can ad you to our lists.