Standard Operating Procedure

Notice
This page might not always be up to date. It is best to read SOP in the in-game guidebook instead to avoid misunderstandings or referencing outdated information.

Standard Operating Procedure

These are sets of regulations and polices of the UNMC.

Failure to follow the Standard Operating Procedure may result in Failure to Follow Procedure charges, found in Marine Law.

Commanding Officer Privileges

• The Commanding Officer may alter any aspect of SOP (unless otherwise noted) as long as these changes do not contradict marine law. They may not modify marine law.
• Should there be any concerns about the use of this privilege, any personnel may contact Provost Marshal Office to inquire about the legitimacy of changes and request they be overturned.
• MP must be informed of any changes made to SOP before it is implemented.
• The SOP may not be modified to the extent of causing grief or physically burdening marines. Modifications such as walking only, or modifying SOP to imprison a marine for a custom offense with malicious intent is not permitted.
• Standard-issued equipment that marines are provided in their squad rooms and requisitions cannot be restricted or prohibited in any way. Marines have the right to freely carry and use the equipment they are provided.

General Regulations

Rules of Engagement

The following are the standard rules of engagement, and may be modified by the Commander as necessary as the operation proceeds.

• Any useful equipment found within the AO such as weapons or tools may be requisitioned for operational use by any UNMC personnel.
• Buildings and obstacles within the AO may be constructed/deconstructed for strategic or tactical function. The use of explosives is authorized for demolitions.
• Wildlife not part of the operation may not be needlessly hunted if passive. Wildlife that approaches Secure Areas or compromises the personal space of marines or their formations, or are otherwise hostile may be shot.
• Any sapient life that is not overtly hostile must be halted and questioned of their intentions. Survivors are to be debriefed and given the option to board the warship as a passenger, and can be offered this freely.
• Any non-UNMC military or paramilitary personnel may be allowed to continue their operations if they prove beneficial or indifferent to UNMC operations or interests.
• The use of force is authorized to disable non-compliant personnel.
• Hostile personnel deemed a threat to UNMC personnel may be killed on sight, unless they are surrendering.

Communications

• Communications over UNMC radio and announcements should be done in plain English to maintain clear and concise communication. Other languages* and speech forms may be used freely outside this. (*Other languages meaning languages provided by the game mechanics, and not written by the player in another language.)

Ship Modifications and Dismantling

The ship may only be modified with approval from the Commander. The Chief Engineer can also approve changes to the ship, unless it affects another department, which would also require approval from the department head.

• A Duty Officer is unable to authorise ship modifications.
• The MP must be notified of changes being made prior to them taking effect.
• The Commander has final word over changes to the ship.
• Changes to the brig and CIC that compromise security of these areas are forbidden.
• Dismantling parts of the ship to utilise materials for operation use is forbidden unless severe enemy contact is confirmed, and where significantly more resources are required than on hand.
• Any personnel may fax Provost Marshal Office to contest a decision made by the Commander about dismantling the ship. If these changes are prior to hostile contacts, MP may take action against the Commander, following regular procedure.
• Removal of vendors or machines is not illegal modification unless it alters the function of purpose of an area.
• The deconstruction of crates and barrels are not considered ship modifications.

Equipment Regulations

Standard Issue Equipment

• Standard issue equipment is defined as any military uniform, armor, weapon, or accessory personnel find in their crew vendors, as well as anything they emerge from cryosleep with or anything normally available from requisitions.
• The Commanding Officer may issue special equipment on a case by case basis, such as special headsets or special weaponry for certain marines or squads as long as it does not violate marine law.
• Heads of staff may also assign spare headsets (excluding headsets of Command-level and Heads) to members of their department.
• Alcohol must be stored in the officer's mess, Commanding Officer's mess, Commanding Officer's quarters, and the Liaison's private quarters.
• SOP regarding equipment found in armories can be found in the Non-modifiable department section.

Uniform Regulations

UNMC and affiliated personnel are required to be wearing appropriate clothing during operations. SOP may not be changed to allow personnel to deploy without clothes or uniform.

• Deploying marine squads must be wearing their uniform, boots, and protective armor at minimum.
• MP must be wearing their uniform, boots, and protective armor at minimum, at all times.
• All positions required to wear armor at all times may temporarily remove it after an operation has ended for social events, such as memorials. Other forms of clothing like service jackets may be used during this time.
• Other personnel must wear their uniform and assigned footwear, or a standard issue replacement.
• Shipside personnel should not be in armor unless the ship is on a security alert, or are deploying to the AO.
• MP, Intelligence Officers, and flight crew are permitted to wear armor on the ship, as part of their job.
• Any headwear that is worn must be standard issue, or an acceptable replacement.
• The Commander has the right to declare enforce helmet wearing by squad leaders, fireteam leaders, specialists, and smart gun operators. It is otherwise assumed to not be enforced. Anyone of higher rank may still order any personnel below them to wear a protective helmet.
• Folding or otherwise shortening uniforms is permitted.

Department Uniforms and Clothing

• Department specific uniforms and headgear are limited to personnel within that department, unless provided by the department head or Commander.
• Department headwear should not be used unless approved by the head.

Equipment handling regulations

• Weapons should be holstered when not in use. Personnel must be allowed to holster on their first offense.
• Under normal circumstances, weapons may only be fired in the firing range.
• Training equipment like training grenades and training ammunition must only be used in firing ranges, or controlled areas approved by the Commander, Chief MP or Senior Enlisted Advisor.
• Weapons may not be left unattended unless properly secured in spaces intended for them, like weapon racks or cabinets.

Weapon Regulations - Code Restrictions

Weapon use and possession are allowed if you or someone you are responsible for are in immediate, life-threatening danger and the appropriate code-level has not been set, but you should otherwise always follow code restrictions.

Code Green:

• MP may carry Non-lethals and sidearms, excluding riot equipment.
• MP may carry flashbangs, but may only use them in self defense or defense of others.
• Deploying MP may carry all standard issue weapons, provided they are used in escorting and protecting non-combat personnel, or are escorts of the Commanding Officer.
• Deploying combat personnel and Officers excluding medical personnel may carry all standard issue weapons.
• Deploying non-combat personnel may carry a sidearm.
• Personnel issued weapons through their vendors at the start of an operation as well as weapons they emerge from cryosleep with may retain these weapons.
• Commissioned Officers may carry sidearms as long as it does not inhibit their duties.
• Long or large bladed weapons are treated the same as firearms in carry restrictions.
• Civilians are excluded from the right to retain issued weapons unless they are deploying to the AO. These weapons should otherwise be kept secure in personal quarters or armories.
• Personnel who abuse their right to a firearm can have this right revoked by the Commander. The Chief MP may also do this if the person is ranked lower or is a civilian.
• The Chief MP or Warden may authorise use of riot equipment within the brig for training or defensive purposes.

Code Blue:

• All crew personnel are authorised sidearms.
• MP may carry lethal weapons to subdue external threats.
• MP may use non-lethal riot equipment to subdue marines during a mutiny or large gatherings of insubordinate personnel.

Code Red:

• No weapon restrictions on standard issue weapons.
• Civilians may be issued sidearms for the duration of this code for self defense purposes.

Code Delta:

• All weapons, standard or not, are authorized to be used by any capable person.

Department Regulations

Regulations of specific departments, excluding non-modifiable regulations are listed here. The head of the department holds responsibility for it and answers directly to the Commander of the ship.

• Department heads are not to deploy to the AO, with the exception of the Chief Engineer (under circumstances listed in the engineering section.)
• Any crew that intend to deploy, including Staff Officers, require permission from either the head of their department or the Commander, where the Commander can overrule the department head.

Medical

• The Chief Medical Officer has final say over the medbay and medical operations aboard the warship, except when overridden by the Commander.
• They may authorize or prohibit experiments at their discretion, and set medbay procedures.
• They may only fire medbay staff in the case they have performed crime.
• When in medbay, all personnel, excluding the Commander, are required to listen to and obey the orders of the CMO.
• During code Delta, medical personnel are to either escape in pods and evacuate the ship, or hold in Secure Areas with the marines to provide medical support.
• Pills must be kept within pill bottles.
• All reagent-containing medical equipment, such as syringes, pill bottles, and autoinjectors must be labelled with accurate contents and dosing information. Vended or otherwise existing medicine not created by personnel do not have to be relabeled unless the contents are modified.
• Surgery tools and other medical devices when not in use must be placed within their designated containers.

Requisitions

• No equipment may be taken from requisitions by non-requisitions personnel without the Quartermaster or Auxiliary Support Officer's approval.
• Requisitions personnel may refuse to provide service if a valid reason is provided, such as a civilian attempting to request grenades from the weapons supply. The decision may be overridden by the Quartermaster or Commander
• The Quartermaster has control over the requisitions bay and the right to decline service to any personnel, including officers. Any order to provide or decline service, including orders relating to the management of the operational budget, may be ignored.
• Their decisions on such matters may only be overridden by the Commander.
• During code Delta, the requisitions department is to follow orders from command. All requisitions personnel are to join the marines in either holding the warship, or assisting with evacuation of civilians, depending on the orders of command.
• The Quartermaster has control over the kitchen and Mess Technicians assigned to it. Mess Technicians are not required to provide service to anyone if they provide a valid reasoning, such as rudeness.

Engineering

• The Chief Engineer is in charge of modifications made to the ship as well as performing repairs, and maintenance.
• The CE is still required to follow the ship modifications section of SOP.
• The Auxiliary Support Officer holds authority over the Chief Engineer.
• The ordnance technicians are part of the engineering department.
• During code Delta, the engineering department is to follow orders from command. All engineering personnel are to join the marines in either holding the warship, or assisting with evacuation of civilians, depending on the orders of command.

NON-Modifiable SOP

The SOP written in these sections may only be modified with PROVOST permission.

NON-Modifiable Department Regulations

Equipment and Clothing

• Equipment, clothing, and any similar items from personal job-specific vendors may not be awarded or otherwise handed out unless it is standard issue equipment that can be obtained through requisitions normally, or is equipment specifically intended to be used by another designated person, such as spotter equipment from a sniper specialist being given to a rifleman that is becoming a spotter.
• Armory equipment is unrelated to this, and has its own regulations.

Armories

• Armory equipment may only be given to all personnel during a Code Red or Code Delta scenario. Officers must be prioritized before enlisted.
• Equipment found in armories such as the M890 Tactical Shotgun are not allowed to be handed out without a clear, understandable, and urgent reason. Deployment is not an urgent reason.
• The Commanding Officer's weapons may also not be handed out.
• Equipment stored in armories may not be part of a supply drop, rewards or prizes, and may not be used to form a squad.

AI Core

The AI Core is the direct responsibility of any active AI Service Technician assigned to the ship. They are authorized to remove any personnel present in the core excluding pre-authorized personnel listed in the Access section. In the absence of one, the responsibility is the Commanding Officer's, then the Chief Engineer.

Access

• Access to the AI core is strictly by appointment only.
• Only UNMC synthetics, AI Service technicians (Including WEYA technicians), the Commanding Officer, and the Chief Engineer have free access.
• Prior to any authorized appointments, weapons should be deposited at the reception desk and returned after the appointment has concluded.
• Anyone bringing weapons into the AI Core lose their right to access it and may result in Core Security Protocol being engaged. Pre-authorized personnel and MP responding to a legitimate security threat are exempt.
• Access rights are not transferable. Only UNMC Synthetics, AI Service Techs, and ARES may grant access to the AI core, through access requests.

AI Core Security Protocol

ARES is equipped with various tools to ensure the AI Core remains safe during emergencies.

• ARES, through UNMC Synthetics, is authorized to remove trespassers by physical force.
• Circumstances that pose a serious threat to the integrity of the AI Core, ARES or UNMC Synthetics may initiate a core lockdown, resulting in all access routes being sealed and automated sentry guns located in the core chamber being armed.
• If lockdown procedures are ineffective or compromised, nerve gas may be deployed from vents to incapacitate intruders.

Military Police

• MP personnel must always carry non-lethal detainment methods (excluding riot equipment) to perform their duties.

Use of listening devices

• MP are authorized to use their provided listening devices within the brig at their discretion.

Any use of these devices outside of the brig must follow these requirements;

• They must receive permission from the Commander, or in their absence the Chief MP.
• The Commander may only authorize use if there is reasonable suspicion of intent to or conspiracy to commit a crime in that area.
• MP may not break or enter, nor have someone else do so, into an area they do not have access to in order to place devices.

Restricted Areas

Personnel may only legally access areas their ID grants them passage to, unless someone of that area grants them temporary access. The head of the department may overrule this, and the Commanding Officer may overrule the head.

• The Commander may restrict anyone from accessing any area.
• Entry without access or permission through any means will be charged with Trespassing.
• Heads of departments may request anyone but the Commander to leave their department, or be charged with Trespassing.

Access Modification

All personnel have the access needed to perform their assigned duties. Only the specified personnel may modify access levels to the ship, under the following conditions:

• The Commanding Officer may modify any access to a person's ID card for any reason.
• The Commander may modify any person's access to any or all departments with the head of department's approval.
• Department heads may grant and approve access to their work area when employing recovered personnel.
• In emergencies, such as missing command staff, any Officer may modify their own access.

NON-Modifiable Command SOP

Forward Operating Bases

The Commander in charge of an operation must take the minimum precautions to ensure security and defense for stationed personnel, and incoming transport, when designating a Forward Operating Base.

• The FOB must be a Secure Area and designated by the Commander.
• The FOB does not have to be placed adjacent to a landing zone, but the primary landing zone still requires its outlined defenses.
• Only Bravo may be stationed as the primary landing zone and FOB's primary defense. Any additional squads may assist where needed, and combat technicians may also be ordered to help reinforce the FOB and primary landing zone defenses before resuming their original squad's orders.

Secure Areas

• Additional areas may be designated as Secure Areas by any CIC Personnel. These are not considered a FOB, and their secure status may be revoked for any reason by any CIC Personnel.
• These areas dictate where certain shipside personnel are allowed to be given permission to work.
• These areas are no longer secure if there is a breach or the area is being attacked by hostiles.

Field hospitals

• It must be designated as a Secure Area.
• The field hospital must be designated as such by the Commander or Chief Medical Officer.

Primary Landing Zones

• Selected for the entire duration of the operation by the Commander.
• The primary landing zone must be reinforced with a minimum of a line of non-makeshift defenses, including stationed marines.

Conduct of Briefing

The Commander is to ensure a proper briefing before any operation is being held and personnel deployed, but may be skipped in the event of a code Delta or another emergency situation of the same severity.

Scout Specialists and Intelligence Squad members may deploy before the operation begins, if all members have a collective briefing of their orders and are ready to deploy before the main briefing.

• It must be performed in an area where a proper inspection of personnel can be held and where personnel can hear any orders.
• Areas that interfere with non-combat personnel must be avoided, for example the medbay.
• Briefings at minimum must include the Squad Leaders.
• Briefings at minimum must include CIC Personnel, unless the CIC Personnel are performing other essential roles at the time, and may be excused by the Commander at their discretion if the MP are notified beforehand.
• Failure to adhere to attend the briefing when required as stated above will incur neglect of duty charges.

High Ranking Officers

UNMC Officers ranked Major or above but are not already the Commanding Officer of the ship receive these rights:

• The same arrest immunities normally granted to the ship Commanding Officer.
• The right to accept being appointed as the ship Commanding Officer by the Commander.
• The right to take the Commanding Officer position of the ship if the Commander would need to be replaced as defined by Definitions, becoming the new Commander as well.

NON-Modifiable Deployment Restrictions

Nuclear Protocol

In the event of nuclear ordnance being deployed, all personnel are authorized to deploy to the FOB to protect it during countdown, which overrides all other department SOP preventing deployments.

• The Commander may order personnel to remain aboard the ship at their discretion.
• Prisoners may not be deployed.

Command Field Deployment

• The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer have the exclusive, non-transferable right to deploy to the frontline for the sake of commanding their personnel from a direct point of view.
• Deployments must be for the sake of the personnel and operation, and not for the personal glory.
• The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer must not be deployed at the same time, if both are present.

Preparing to Deploy

• Deployment must not be done unless they are confident CIC can be managed in their absence.
• Actions taken by CIC Personnel during the absence is the responsibility of the Commander, not the Duty Officer.
• If the Commanding Officer is present, the Executive Officer requires permission to deploy.
• Both must notify CIC Personnel of their intent to deploy.
• The Commanding Officer may appoint honor guards for their own protection but Executive Officers must request permission from the Commanding Officer to do the same.

When Deployed

• A deploying Commander must still command and communicate frequently with both the CIC and marine crews.
• Combat should be reserved when assisting the marines in a supporting capacity, in defense of others and self, or directly leading an offensive maneuver.
• They should avoid unnecessarily putting themselves in danger, and remain close to marines to focus on providing clear orders.

Shipside Personnel

Personnel normally restricted to shipside duties such as doctors and Military Police may be deployed to the FOB; however special circumstances or clearances are needed.

• A Duty Officer may not deploy.
• Civilians (Personnel that are not enlisted or officers of the UNMC) may deploy at their discretion, provided their landing zone is not in direct danger.
• All recovered personnel defined by NON-Modifiable Third-Party Personnel do not require permission to deploy.
• Department Heads may not deploy at all, except the Chief Engineer under some conditions.
• All personnel that intend to deploy, including Staff Officers require permission from either their head of department, or the Commander.
• The Commander may overrule the department head regarding deployment.

Engineering

• The Chief Engineer may deploy to the FOB if there is an Auxiliary Support Officer on board, but still requires permission from them or the Commander.
• Both the Chief Engineer and maintenance techs may only deploy with the purpose of building the FOB, and telecommunications, but must leave if these areas are no longer considered secure.

Medical

• Doctors and Nurses may deploy to the FOB, and designated Field Hospital, until they are no longer Secure Areas.

Requisitions

• Cargo techs may deploy to the FOB to assist in organizing and accounting for supplies.

Military Police

• CIC Personnel may request up to four volunteers from the MP to be deployed to the FOB and Secure Areas to protect deployed shipside personnel and handle arrests.
• This is unrelated to Commanding Officer escorts, and can be overridden by either higher ranking personnel or the Commander.
• At least one MP must remain on the ship at all times. If the Chief MP is present, it must be them.
• The Warden may deploy to perform requested arrests in the absence of MP officers, but must otherwise remain on the ship.
• Deployed MP may move between Secure Areas and should be avoiding combat while doing so, unless in protection of non-combat personnel like doctors or themselves.
• MP must retreat and assist non-combat personnel in retreating from a Secure Area if it is no longer secure.
• MP may be required to transfer a prisoner from the AO to the ship, and should, to the best of their ability, ensure the prisoner makes it to the ship safely.

NON-Modifiable Third-Party Regulations

Marines are encouraged to recover any third-party personnel found in the Area of Operations.

General

• All recovered personnel must be searched on arrival by the MP, with all weapons and unauthorized items secured within the brig. They may keep their tools provided they are not used for crime.
• They should be given a medical examination if personnel are available.
• Recovered personnel have the right to remain silent and must not be punished for invoking it.
• MP are not required to detain civilian prisoners that are recovered.

Military and Paramilitary

• Third-party military or paramilitary personnel may be allowed to continue their operations if they prove beneficial or indifferent to UNMC interests. (This is also located in the Rules of Engagement)
• They may be given permission to keep their weapons and equipment on the warship, provided they are beneficial to the operation.
• They may also be denied access to the warship.

Returning to the AO

• Recovered Personnel may deploy back to the Area of Operations and request their equipment be returned. MP must, however, escort them back to the dropship to ensure they deploy.
• Returning from this deployment requires another search, but medical examinations may be skipped.

Employment of Recovered Personnel

Recovered civilians may be given a temporary position in a department relevant to their experience.

General

• Employed personnel must be given an ID identifying them in their new position with access to their work area.
• Employed personnel are below all personnel in assigned departments, and must obey orders.

Enlisting

• The Commander may offer to enlist recovered personnel into combat positions should they have the qualifications, such as a rifleman, corpsman, or combat tech, under the rank of private.
• A Duty Officer is unable to enlist recovered personnel.

Eviction

Recovered personnel may be evicted and denied access to the ship by the Commanding Officer, Commander, and Chief MP, where the higher ranking person may overrule the other.

• Recovered personnel may be evicted if they commit any major crime.
• A Duty Officer is unable to request an eviction, except where a crime done by the person is of a violent nature.