Valtinist Rangers
The Valtinist Rangers were a sub-faction of Valtinism and were the military arm of the Valtinist faith, charged with protecting pilgrims and the Valtinist faithful across Terran Space. They also had a large logistical and charitable operations as well.
Founding
In the late 24th Century, the Valtinist SAC, after much debate, formed its own private militia force to protects its adherents. This group was referred to as The Rangers and was trained on Fort Verekker.
The Rangers was initially a force of about 5,000 men and women but continued to grow. There are some within the Valtinist faith who see the Rangers as contrary to the nature of the faith. However, the Rangers are encouraged to use non-violent means whenever possible but, that violence in self-defense is acceptable if unavoidable.
In the mid 25th century, the Rangers began to perform charitable works to compliment their militia.
First Ranger
The leader of the Ranger Faction is known as the First Ranger, widely considered to be the most visible and well known senior figure in the Valtinist Faith. The First Ranger is elected by the SAC following the abdication or death of the previous First Ranger.
Previous First Rangers:
- Leyton Reid - 2380-2400
- Paddick Montrose -2400-2455
- Fortis McDere -2455-2475
- Powell Hamlyn -2475-2510
- Marta Warren -2510-2535
- Owain de Bassari - 2535-2578
- Athena Henson-2578-2510
- Frederick Sondeheim - 2610-Present
Place within Valtinism
Valtinism has settled into three main factions, the Rangers, the Hassirites, and the Mainsteam since the founding of the Hassirites in the mid 25th century despite the emergence of the minor factions, such as the Navigators and Archivists. While not as numerous as the Mainsteam or Hassirites, the Rangers have maintained a strong presence in the SAC, balanced against the other two factions.
The Rangers are often viewed as the exclusive military arm of the Valtinist faith, often by politicians and outsiders to the faith. They possess a large logistical arm as well, along with a charitable sector who manage and support charities across Terran Space.
Despite being the Valtinist faction that has been the most hostile to the terrorist organisation Burning Path, in both rhetoric and armed conflict, the Rangers have been compared unfavorably to Burning Path, typically by secularist critics, causing considerable offence to the faction. First Rangers; Dr Athena Henson and Lord Frederick Sondeheim, spoke out against Burning Path regularly, with the later launching an armed campaign against them.
Beliefs
Rangers differ from the Hassirities and Mainstream factions in a few ways. Rangers believe that the will of the universe requires strength and discipline in the inhabitant so they may more closely follow the Plan. Potentially as a consequence of the formation of the Corps in the 2300s, Rangers have sought more understanding through physical exercise and mindful meditation, achieving a meditative state when performing physical activity as a contrast to the other factions, many Rangers participate in sports that give them a state of flow. Places of worship associated with the Rangers, like Luxor Cathedral on Tyr or the de Bassari Commune in Arcadia have dojos and training facilities attached, being a place of not only worship and contemplation, but of honing one's discipline and exercising one's body.
An integral part of being a Ranger, and especially one in active duty in the Ranger Marine Corps, is having the discipline for peace. As active Rangers have the potential to come into conflict with others and participate in violence, the Ranger faction puts a strong emphasis on peace and discipline.
To become angry or rash, or to let the standards slip may mean innocents could be hurt in the line of duty to the Rangers. They believe that stoicism and creating a core of resilience is the way that the Universe allows them to carry out its will, and that while violence is an anathema to the Universe’s design, as living beings are not subject to its will, some will choose violence but the Rangers must not.
In 2595 First Ranger Frederick Sondeheim updated the Valtinist Doctrine following his update to the Ranger doctrine, changing the Valtinist doctrine in a fundamental way, changing the wording from pacificist to peaceful.
A Ranger must always seek peace as a first resort, using their words and reasoning to avoid violence. Nonetheless, this is not to the extent that innocents or the Ranger comes to harm themselves, should the Ranger see no other option, they will react in self defence, seeking the most peaceful resolution for all.
This change was lauded by the Rangers themselves, who had struggled to reconcile the disconnect of their role protecting the faithful, and their beliefs of pacifism. This change was not resisted by the Hassirites or Mainstream, however when the Archivist faction was formed in 2615, they voiced their dissatisfaction with the change.
As of yet, they have not officially confirmed their stance on psionics.
Notable places of Worship
While no Valtinist places of worship are dedicated for a specific faction, and all are welcome, there have been a few notable places of worship associated with the Rangers
- de Bassari Commune in Arcadia - Founded during the construction of Arcadia in honour of the then First Ranger Owain de Bassari, the commune is located in the lower quarter of the city, with training dojos and multiple sports arenas where citizens of Arcadia enjoy physical activity
- Luxor Cathedral in Luxor, Tyr - Founded in 2600 by Lord Frederick Sondeheim, Luxor Cathedral is a large gothic Cathedral constructed from local stone and built on the site of Lord Frederick's investiture. Located in central Luxor in the centre of a park, with training dojos attached the place of worship is oft frequented by the locals.
Charity Work
The Rangers are very active in performing charity, with a large network of workers and resources across Terran Space. Due to the size, it is difficult to ascertain the true scale, however it is believed that the Rangers contribute approximately A$6 billion in social aid every 5 years.
The Ranger Marine Corps
The Ranger Marine Corps has been a prominent fixture of the Valtinist faith since they were founded. Initially founded to protect Pilgrims, their remit of duty has expanded to the faithful, with large scale Ranger deployments during the State of Chaos.
The training to become a Ranger is rigorous, equaling and surpassing the training to become a Republic Marine in some cases. They are trained not only in conflict, but to render humanitarian aid, and to be an outreach of the Faith.
Rangers are trained in infrastructure construction, repair and maintenance, warfare, civilian protection, tactics, logistics, and preaching. As such, training to become a Ranger takes longer than becoming a "normal" marine. The Corps has a similar command structure to the The Terran Republic Marine Corps, but with slight differences.
Colloquially, most people refer to the Marine Corps as the Rangers.
Deployments of the Ranger Marine Corps
- 2532-2533 - A force from the The Free Worlds Protection Pact liberate Whitworth with Valtinist Rangers in support. The final offensives fell to the Rangers, losing over 50% in a brutal and bloody campaign.
- 2544 - Rangers launch raids against site controlled by Church of the Ascension.
- 2615-Present - Skirmishes on St Lawrence mark the first official conflict between Burning Path and the Rangers, following First Ranger Sondeheim's condemnation of Burning Path, Rangers are deployed en masse to Avalon, St Lawrence, and Nova Terra.
In 2618 As Burning Path strike at the Rangers on St Lawrence, pushing the Rangers back in a surprising victory, they attempt to strike at Arcadia, but are soundly encircled by the Rangers in a false retreat. The Rangers use this momentum to win significant victories and swiftly put Burning Path's campaign on St Lawrence to an end, beginning to negotiate a ceasefire between Burning Path and themselves along with Governor Payden Hickock .
Training and Selection
Anyone may join the Ranger Logistical Structure (RLS), the selection process moves them toward a branch which best suits their needs. A candidate if willing and able may be selected to become a Ranger Marine, moving through the ranks in the Corps.
Additionally the applicant might be better suited for logistics or charitable work or community outreach and support, in which case they will be directed to those branches.
Once entered into the Ranger Marine Corps application program, the applicant moves into basic training at either Henson Base near Arcadia, Fort Vikun on Fort Verekker, or Sandlight Base on Tyr.
The first stage of training consists 8 weeks of "traditional" basic training. At the conclusion of this, the applicants are assessed once again and given the opportunity to either honourably discharge or transfer to a different aspect of the RLS if they do not wish to continue as a Ranger Marine or fail to complete the physical and mental tests at the discretion of the training officer. Approximately 30% of applicants drop out or are reassigned following this stage.
Following this stage, the applicants are formally given the rank of Novitiate and the full training begins. This training consists of the 2 further weeks bringing in aspects of construction, infrastructure maintenance and repair. Novitiate's are given leave of one week to rest and celebrate, then the training resumes for a further 10 weeks incorporating all learned thus far and including courses on explicit civilian protection and triage along with a section on leading a small group in prayer and providing counsel to others in dangerous areas that the Rangers are deployed to.
"Commissioned" officer training continues after basic for an additional year. The Rangers have their officers equal with the "enlisted" ranks for their first 5 months of training to build a sense of community and familiarity with the duties and training of the "enlisted" ranks so that the officers may better guide the Corps.
The Ranging
The Rangers hold a event every five years as a competition within the marine corps, as a test of the discipline, skill, and continued excellence of the Rangers to show the faith of the squads that compete.
Rangers compete in their squads, so not every Ranger completes every task, but the Squad must complete every task. These tasks can be broken down into three main categories, physical, mental and spiritual.
This event begins with a marathon while carrying the full kit of a Ranger through marked trails on a stage marked out by the host planet. Competitions of marksmanship, strength, swimming and other physical activities are also on display.
Mental tests consist of mock battles where one team of Rangers led by a Protector defends “Pilgrims” against another team led by another Protector. In addition to tactical and military mental aptitude tests, quizzes and general/specialised knowledge such as repairing civilian equipment or building infrastructure as well as military equipment are part of the event.
The spiritual portion of the Ranging has the participants creating art and engaging in debates concerning Valtinism or any matter at hand. This is the least rigorously judged part of the competition as the result is not important, the journey and the expression of one's belief is.
On the final day the top 5 squads in the competition must run another marathon while wearing their equipment (through wilderness with no signage, squads must navigate using only the maps provided), along with completing an obstacle course in their Squad. The final day emphasises teamwork and cooperation of the Squad. The instructions to repair a power generator are interspersed throughout the marathon and obstacle course that the squad must collect, after which the Squad must repair and restore power to the symbolic commune.
Winning the Ranging is seen as a great honour to the Squad, along with the Company that Squad belongs to. The Squad in question is allowed to display a purple flower on their right cuff to denote their devotion to the faith along with receiving a service medal for their victory.
Ranks in the Corps
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