Man Blue Trousers
Radio Bob Approved
HAZOP {SHIELD}
Pictured; A Recruitment Poster Depicting SHIELD's Signature Mask
Pictured; A Recruitment Poster Depicting SHIELD's Signature Mask
The Betrayers
In the very beginning of the Occupation, The first Civil Protection Officers were men and women who had served as Law Enforcement and former military officials drafted into the newfound organization. This first Generation of Officers had seen first hand how Civil Protection was created and how it evolved over the coming two decades. The 1st Generation of these units would be the backbone of how Civil Protection doctrine was created, and many of their number were mastermind over the first formations of fully outfitted CP Assets, from the ragtag and broken Civilian Police that existed as a stopgap to curb global chaos after the war, To the specialized formations of skilled shock assault troops that exist today.
The Birth of the CPV
The Birth of the CPV began in the middle years of the occupation. Comprised mostly of seasoned Units all throughout the globe and including long Veterans from even before the 7 Hour War. The CPV was created as a means of a permanent feeder pipeline of CP Officers who, through great skill and cunning either surviving years of service, or as a reward for personal actions on the field. Units involved were extraordinarily skilled- long lived Veterans of the Global Spanning Law Enforcement force. They were the Veterans, the reliable, the skilled, the few. However, with time as these long service heroes died off, or "disappeared" as a result of in-service injuries or workforce emancipation. These units slowly declined into a shadow its former self during the latter years of the occupation.
The Demise of the CPV
CPV was intended at its creation to be a place where the fast-learners and high performers were to be assigned. But as time passed, more and more of the Units assigned to the CPV either perished in the line of duty or were fast-tracked into the Overwatch Transhuman Arm. A far cry from the "Elite" force as was intended. As a result of keeping the CPV as a "Semi Elite" organization, most of the older units were seconded to the Overwatch Transhuman Arm and joined the ranks of the Transhuman legions. Leaving the CPV as a shell of its former self. And thus ended the reign of the CPV force. However like a phoenix, SHIELD would arise from the ashes of the failed Veteran Force. A force of Hazardous Environment Officers and Close Range Assault specialists, a unit of punishment and reward all the same.
SHIELD. A Phoenix from the ashes
SHIELD was was the Civil Protection Veteran Force's dark shadow. A Phoenix rising from the ashes of the CPV program. SHIELD, shackled with a past of Elitism and Loyalty soon broke down as the original officers perished or moved on from the force. And so SHIELD was born. A widening effort to spec Civil Protection units as Hazardous Environment Officers. A grim band of warriors who would be the unremembered, the forgotten. A place where the failures are sent to die, and where the skilled are sent to eventually become Overwatch Soldiers. SHIELD, a force of failures, sadists, and Veterans. With a mortality rate so high that it must levy volunteers and conscripted from the very worst and best that Civil Protection has to offer.
But those who survive multiple deployments, are widely lauded and appreciated for their skill. But at what cost?
The Purpose of the HAZOP SHIELD
SHIELD exists as a strange niche within the echelons of Civil Protection. Made up of some of the worst Units ever to grace Civil Protection. Either too incompetent, too bloodthirsty, or simply too brutal. With a leadership composed of mainly time honored Veterans of the force, having served with illustrious honor since the very beginning of Civil Protection as a global force.
The Ground Units of SHIELD are known to well to be a combination of careerists, soldiers, law enforcers, and harboring some of the worst humanity has to offer. Killers, Murderers, Sadists, even traitors. All intertwined in a force that was designated to hunt the very Xen Fauna that plagues Earth alongside that of Overwatch Vortigaunt Catchers.
SHIELD Units are an extremely diverse bunch, unpredictable and cunning to an extreme. Each either a time honored hero, or the worst sadists to ever grace Civil Protection. But their strengths is not that of its individuals, but it is purely skill at arms. SHIELD Officers take to the Outlands and Canals like moths to a flame. Spending endless rotations out in the worst environments on planet Earth. Where Radiation, Poisonous Air, and extremely dangerous Flora have taken root across Earth. They are hardened, brutal, and immensely skilled in Small Unit Tactics, no terrain too difficult, and no Xenian lifeform too dangerous to bring down.
SHIELD has double roles both within a Urbanized Environment, and out in the Canals or Outlands.
{The Field}
SHIELD's sole directive is to slow the spread of Xenian Lifeforms throughout Earth. Acting as both hunter, and scavenger across Earth's Rad Soaked American Continent, or the harsh deserts of Arabia. They serve as Canal Patrollers, and inside of the Cities of Earth. Deadly close combat fighters, where their enhanced skill at arms, and equipment bring an edge over the average Anti-Citizen.
{The City}
SHIELD's directive in the City is to curb Anti-Civil Activites and that of Xenian Incursion by any means nesacary. Be it close shock assault with a two man team armed with shotguns and heavy armor. Or directly bringing the fight to Xenian lifeforms by rushing them with sheer force of numbers or heading as guards for infestation teams tasked with curbing the spread of Xen contamination. The Canal Patrols are often made up entirely of SHIELD host units, armed and armored and ready for anything the wilds may throw at them.
SHIELD Inductees, Volunteers, and Conscripts
SHIELD Recruits in three ways. The 1st, through Volunteers, the 2nd through Conscription, and lastly the 3rd through Inductees.
Inductees
A SHIELD Inductee joins the SHIELD Host after choosing a given squad like any other Recruit in Civil Protection. Here the "Inductii" is press ganged into one of the myriad SHIELD Squads throughout the world. Each specializing in a different type of combat environment. Here they are trained in a standardized curriculum of survival skills, combat tactics, and weapons familiarization before being sent out into the field. Many Inductii do not survive their first deployment. But those who survive and eventually traverse the ranks are lauded for their skill and cunning.
Volunteer
A SHIELD Volunteer is already an extent Unit within Civil Protection. Serving in other brother squads such as XRAY, UNION, HELIX, and VICE. But choosing to transfer over as a result of job switching or because they tire of their standard squads rather reactionary and sedentary lifestyle. Volunteers are respected for choosing likely the career path in Civil Protection where the mortality rate is high, and the field desertion rate even higher. But Volunteers are granted the respect they deserve, for entering a squad where they will most likely meet a violent end. The vast majority of SHIELD Unit are Volunteers.
Conscription
Conscription into SHIELD is generally reserved for the worst of Civil Protection, typically a punishment for units after amassing two consecutive blackmarks, or as a means to bring Traitors back into the fold. Sadists, Murderers, Brutalists, Incompetent, and traitors. These SHIELD Units are rightly feared for their terror tactics and lack of empathy. And generally use terror tactics in the field. Such as butchering captures, or burning down entire Anti-Citizen villages with people still locked within. These Units are hated, feared, and at the same respected. Many of these Units die within the first few deployments. But those who survive, the most blood thirsty, blood crazed, and fearless. Are often sent up for Overwatch Transhuman Arm conscription. In few cases, some of these Units return to true, and are returned to their squad or origin or offered a permanent position in SHIELD as a leader, or a teacher. But those few, are rare and far between indeed.
Curriculum
The Curriculum of SHIELD is diverse and extensive. Yet many units take to the Outlands or Canals with little training, or little training at all. Most training is given in a rushed method, and on the fly. Typically increasing the mortality rate for units twofold or even threefold as the Unit in the field comes across unexplainable phenomena, Xen Wildlife, and hazardous zones. Fortunately, each Unit is drilled heavily on CBRN tactics, alongside that of tracking and armor usage.
Equipment
SHIELD Units are equipped with a series of equipment to ensure survival in radioactive environments, and the harshest environments on Earth. Extreme Cold and Heat are no danger to these units and are thusly equipped with the following:
#1: Enhanced CP Mask : Designation "Respirator HAZOP"
The Enhanced Respirator used and common seen on the faces of SHIELD units is perhaps the only piece of standardized equipment issued to SHIELD Hosts across Earth. While many SHIELD hosts may possess differing tactics for differing environments, The mask is a ubiquitous piece of equipment. Capable of filtering out fine toxins from the air and impregnated with iodine to offer near perfect protection against radioactive particles. The Mask is also equipped with a HUD, and a basic GEN 2 night vision system adopted in part from the common Masks used by HECU Marines prior to the war, taking clear inspiration of the PVS-7 goggles of the pre war.
#2: CPTV Vest : Designation "Civil Protection Tactical Vest"
A enhanced ergonomics plate carrying vest lifted from the then prototype IOTV GEN I used in the continental united states prior to the war. Encompassing the regions of the chest, stomach, groin, neck, and deltoids on both arms. This armor is protective as it is heavy. Equipped with standard Level IV SAPI Vests, these pieces of armor slow down the Unit to a marginal degree. Hence why it is only used during sewer sweeps, and out in the field as needed pieces of PPE.
#3: Shotguns : Designation "Close Supressor Weapon"
Sadly, many of SHIELD Hosts throughout Earth use the standardized MP5 or MP7 loadouts with the occasional unit using a AR-15 legacy weapon or a Kalashnikov based weapon when long range engagements are expected, typically in the field. A piece of equipment issued to every SHIELD Unit is a shotgun of varying design and type. With the Benelli M4 being the weapon of choice. However units preferring to use lighter loads in their shotguns such as flechettes or incindiary tend to use pump shotguns of varying make and model. The most common being a Mossberg 590 series weapon or a Remington 870.
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