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  Author’s Preface- 
  I want to take a moment and say thank you to Frank Chadwick and Loren Wiseman who were the 
  authors of the article ‘Zhodani Military Organization’ that appeared in JTAS #11 and has inspired my own 
  interpretation as seen here. Also a special thanks to Marc Miller for being the mastermind and “spiritual 
  advisor” of the creative team that worked on Traveller® “adventure in the far future”. –svw3 
   
  Introduction – 
  Within the ranks of the Zhodani military establishment exists the paragon of elite light infantry 
  forces in the universe. They are the commando forces of the elite Consular Guard. The commandos are a 
  product of the synergistic fusion of technology, psionic development and applied military doctrine. Many 
  in military circles would agree that the commandos’ pre-eminence rests firmly on the extraordinary psionic 
  capability of teleportation (the psionic jump), that is not to say that the they are not on par with the Imperial 
  Marines where tactical proficiency is concerned. Yet, it is this unique psionic capability that allows the 
  Zhodani Military High Command to overmatch their opponents through tactical mobility and surprise. 
  Thus, Zhodani commanders have an edge in maintaining the strategic initiative. Oftentimes commando 
  missions can enhance ongoing military operations by inhibiting or sapping the initiative, tactical flexibility 
  and or morale of enemy forces. This force multiplier effect is inversely proportional to the commandos’ 
  actual size and strength1. It is noted that the commando forces represent 2% of the actual combat battalions 
  deployed in the Zhodani military theater of operations confronting the Imperium and it’s allies in or near 
  the Spinward Marches. Also, it stands to reason that they are the most feared unit of the Zhodani ground 
  forces2. 
   
  Doctrine and Training- 
  The commandos by nature are light troops and as such are vulnerable to enemy armor and or 
  artillery/orbtillery fire. They rely on stealth and mobility to carry the day. It is important to take into 
  account that these elite troops usually go into combat with only their high-energy weapons, tac-missiles and 
  battledress. They don’t have the staying power and organic heavy support weapons of a normal lift infantry 
  company/battalion. Thus, operations are planned to make use of: surprise (via jump capsule infiltration or 
  psionic infiltration), speed, maximum violence in a short period combat exposure, and a sound exfiltration 
  (either a physical retrieval or psionic) plan to minimize friendly casualties. Though they are capable of 
  fighting pitched battles, they prefer to perform swift direct action operations that have a higher likelihood 
  of force preservation. When they are committed in pitched battles they are often inserted at the critical 
  center of gravity of operations. Often the case their insertion proves to be the coup de grace for the enemy 
  and regrettably they can take heavy casualties in execution these operations.  
  It is important to discuss the commandos’ unique capability of teleportation. The Zhodani military 
  procedure for psionic infiltration begins with the detachment directors (clairvoyant/telepaths) constructing 
  the mental image of the infiltration zone (IZ). The image is a combination the directors using clairvoyance 
  to view the IZ and other intelligence data3. This image is then telepathically “downloaded” to the 
  commandos, who concentrate on the image for the psionic jump. Operational commanders and staffs when 
  selecting an IZ have to take into account items such as temperature, latitude and longitude, and velocity of 
  the target compared to the jump point of origin4. If telepathic infiltration operational parameters are 
                                                   
  1 “Commandos cause disruption and moral deterioration greatly out of proportion to their actual 
  numbers”, JTAS # 11 ‘Zhodani Military Organization’p.26. 
  2 “Even though the 95 Groupments (battalion –sized units)known to be in the Spinward Marches represent 
  only 2% of the combat battalions in the sector”. p26. 
  3 JTAS#11 ‘Zhodani Military Organization’p.28 
  4 Book:3- Worlds & Adventures p.44 
  
  not heeded, they can have disorienting effects on the jumping troops and diminish combat effectiveness on 
  the ground. operations have been aborted when troops are psionically infiltrated and are too disoriented or 
  injured due to environmental factors or poor planning to execute the mission. These are important factors 
  that have to be addressed when planning a psionic jump and are often avoided by a thorough proper 
  reconnaissance (clairvoyant, electronic, visual, thermal and seismic) of the target and the IZ. Some 
  telepathic infiltrations over distant ranges (5-50km) or operations with telepathic exfiltration can be very 
  draining and as a precaution commandos take psionic booster drugs to enhance performance5. Another item 
  of doctrine of critical importance is the disguising of the commandos from enemy intelligence collection 
  efforts. The concealment of commando units from enemy intelligence multiplies the chances of a 
  successful outcome of their employment in the theater of operations. Commandos’ counter-intelligence 
  (CI) sections work at great lengths to conceal the logistical and electronic signatures of commando 
  formations. CI sections further conduct electronic warfare to inhibit enemy collection activities and 
  broadcast misleading unit signatures to confuse enemy analysts. Operational security (opsec) surrounding 
  commandos’ movement and deployment is tight to prevent accidental disclosures of information. 
  Successful missions occur when opsec is effective, it is in some part due to the fact that the opposition 
  lacked the information that psionic commandos where in the area and countermeasures weren’t taken. 
  When Zhodani counterintelligence and opsec efforts fail the losses are devastating. 
   
  Ground Operations- 
   
  Raids- The frequent tactical operational targets of the commandos in surface operations are: command and 
  control centers, key logistic points, communication nodes, and staging areas for special weapons. Strategic 
  missions are normally planetary raids in conjunction with naval forces along the periphery of the axis of 
  advance or deep penetration operations hitting the rear area systems with the primary objective of tying 
  down and otherwise obligating useful enemy military resources in a static defensive posture. The secondary 
  objective is to destroy or damage targets of strategic value: governmental complexes, industrial centers, 
  high-density population areas, and locations of cultural importance. Thus crippling the enemy’s ability to 
  execute the war from the home front and further lowering civilian morale and support. 
   
  Prisoner Snatches- Commandos are used in detachments (squads) to infiltrate enemy formations and 
  snatch prisoners for interrogation and tactical intelligence exploitation. Sometimes, if an enemy ranking 
  officer’s whereabouts are known, a commando raid to snatch the target is launched for the value of gaining 
  strategic intelligence. 
   
  Intelligence Collection and Deception Missions- Small sub-detachments of two to three commandos will 
  infiltrate and establish observation points in enemy held areas to collect intelligence and act as forward 
  observers. Sometimes pathfinder teams infiltrate in advance of operations in order to provide security or 
  further collect Intelligence on the IZs. Many teams could be infiltrated and act as decoys in order to deceive 
  the enemy as to the true target and tie down counter-attacking forces. 
   
  Disruption Operations in Support of Conventional Forces– High profile missions conducted by the 
  commandos are often in conjunction with conventional forces offensive or retrograde operations6. These 
  types of direct action missions offer the senior military commanders the ability to react at a moments notice 
  to a change in the fluid tactical environment. Commando units further act as a strategic reserve to exploit 
  any breakthroughs. Units are directly inserted into the combat area are: to lay ambush at vital enemy 
  chokepoints; to overwhelm and seize fortified strongpoints; to materialize behind enemy spearheads to 
  disrupt or ambush follow-on forces7. 
   
  Counter Insurgency Operations- The operational capabilities of the Consular Guard Commandos usually 
  facilitates a very quick mop up of insurgency forces. The Psi-abilities of the direction team combined with 
  proper intelligence gives a comprehensive target package. Acting as and area fire force  swift and often 
                                                   
  5 JTAS #11 ‘Zhodani Military Organization’ p.26-27 
  6 p.28 
  7 p.28 
  
  surgical application of the commandos neutralizes or eliminates insurgent high profile or value targets and 
  it allows Zhodani field commanders to maintain the initiative in COIN ( counter-insurgency) operations.  
   
   
  Naval Operations- 
  A commando groupment is always attached to a fleet command. Commando troops or 
  detachments are dispersed to various ships and squadrons within the fleet. There they spearhead (via 
  teleportation) boarding actions that have lead to the capturing or crippling of enemy naval vessels8. They 
  are also frequently are employed in advance of operations (using either teleportation or Jump Troop 
  capabilities) to support the Zhodani Special Naval Landing Forces (ZSNLF) seizure of star 
  ports, orbital stations, and in establishing Beachheads on the surface. 
   
   
  Operations other than war- 
  It is rare in Zhodani society that the military is seen aiding civil authorities against it’s own 
  citizens. There are documented times that the commandos have been used in hostage rescue operations and 
  special tactical situations that demand their area of expertise. Usually the commandos in these cases are 
  operating against non-Zhodani or extreme fringe groups (rare though present within the Consulate). It is 
  also known that the Tavrchedl’ are now retaining in times of peace commando squadrons that operate in 
  special tactics and hostage rescue roles9. 
  Also, the commandos are sometimes detached to special security duties guarding members of the 
  supreme consulate. This duty is highly prestigious and the selection for such an assignment is competitive. 
  The duties include personal and site security whether at Zhodane or aboard the renowned Dranzhrin Class 
  Consular Corvettes. Those commandos selected often attend select special courses pertaining to VIP 
  security, advanced unarmed and blade combat, and special protocol training in how to interact with non-
  Zhodani dignitaries. This special assignment lasts an Olympiad and the benefits are increased chances for 
  promotion and social advancement. 
   
  Training- 
  The selection and training of the commandos contrast somewhat with the normal practices of the 
  military. The nature of Zhodani society as being one that embraces psionics enables potential commando 
  candidates to be identified at early ages. The Consulate through state sponsored youth programs and 
  psionic institutions accurately gage the aptitude and fulfill the training of Zhodani youth who show 
  significant psionic potential10. Many of these adepts are recruited early on for service in the Consular 
  Guard. Recruits possessing the teleportation talent and strength required for the commandos are enticed by 
  strong incentives (financial and social) to enter that respective branch of the Consular Guard. Commando 
  volunteers undergo an intense two-year training syllabus: heavily stressing light infantry skills and tactics; 
  military teleportation attunement and procedures; jump capsule and protected forces training; and not to be 
  left out are the basic cascade of commando skills. Upon completion of training, they are promoted to the 
  grade of commissioned specialist (the equivalent of imperial warrant officers) and are assigned to their first 
  commando troop. Officers are selected usually from the Nobility are trained beside there troopers in order 
  to create an esprit de corps and install a healthy confidence between the leaders and the troops. Officers 
  also undergo a further year of training in operations planning and staff work in order to be able to function 
  independently with their commands with out the need for extensive staff support and guidance. When not 
  conducting operations commando units undertake intensive training cycles to maintain unit tactical and 
  individual skill proficiency. It is also important to note that the commandos contain personnel who are not 
  teleportation adepts. And while they go through just as rigorous training syllabus and a jump capsule 
  qualified, they are for the most part are vehicle drives and gunners in the commando squadrons. Specialist 
  staff officers (intelligence, medical, communications, and etc...) and support technicians attached to the 
  headquarters or support squadrons.. 
   
                                                   
  8 Adventure 7:Broadsword
  9 GRUPS Traveller: Alien Races 1 p.41 
  10 JTAS#9 ‘Contact: Zhodani’ p.9 -11 
  
   
   
   
  Organization-  
  The Commandos are organization 
  and structure reflects that of a light 
  highly mobile self-contained unit. 
  The following formations are 
  provided of examination. 
   
  Commando Force- The 
  Commando Force is the largest 
  tactical formation of teleportation 
  capability deployed in the field by 
  the Zhodani. It is the similar to the 
  scope and size of a regiment. They 
  are part of the organizational tables 
  of the as one of the three jump 
  troop regiments assigned to the 
  elite Consular Guard jump 
  divisions. A commando force is also attached as corps troops to Consular Guard Lift Infantry and or Lift 
  Mechanized Infantry Corps level formations In the consular army it is a attached as army troops to regular 
  Zhodani Field Army level formations. It is commanded by General and consists of a Force Headquarters 
  and Signal Squadron, three Commando Groupments, and a Force Support Squadron. 
   
  Force Headquarters and Signal Squadron- 
  - The Command Troop contains the commanding general his deputy and the force battle staff (personnel, 
  intelligence, operations, logistics staff officers and deputies and a the master warrant officer) they are 
  protected by an eight-man security detachment on the battlefield. The command and staff is divided into 
  two large command grav sleds, which are fully integrated C7I command centres, each with a driver and 
  gunner. 
   
  -The Combat Electronic Warfare and Intelligence Troop supplements the already existing capabilities at 
  the groupement level as well as the platoon’s function to ensure the force’s survival in the combat 
  electronic warfare and intelligence dimension of the modern battlefield. It comprises of an Intelligence 
  section that has a production team of two officers (assimilation and analysis), a counter intelligence officer 
  and technician ensuring tactical operational security, two interrogator specialists, two tactical intelligence 
  support specialists (droid operators) and the drivers in 2 intelligence support sleds. The electronic warfare 
  section contains a jamming and deception sled, manned by a warrant officer and four technicians with a 
  driver, and an Intercept /direction finding sled that has also a warrant officer and four technicians with a 
  driver. It is important to know that the CEWI troop has a significant number of Droids attached to the unit 
  to enhance capabilities. The intelligence section fields 4 reconnaissance druids and they are carried on the 
  intelligence support sleds. The electronic warfare section has two remote jamming droids and four remote 
  direction finding / intercept droids they are all carried by their respective sleds and greatly enhance 
  the CEWI capability of the troop. 
   
  -The Communications Troop for the Force is supported by the signals troop. They are capable of laser, 
  maser, radio, microwave and meson communications. The unit communication network is interfaced digital 
  and encrypted for security. A junior officer commands the troop and two warrant officers assist him. The 
  troop is divided into a meson comm. sled with an NCO and four tech with a driver, three Laser, maser, 
  radio, microwave comm. sleds each with an NCO, driver and three techs. A communications utility support 
  sled has a driver and it carries the four repair technicians who assist in maintenance and repairs of the 
  troop’s communications equipment. 
   
  
  -The Nuclear Damper Troop is dedicated to force protection duties from incoming nuclear weapons 
  attacks. It is commanded by a lieutenant and contains six damper projector vehicles each with a crew of a 
  driver, a NCO and two technicians, and a damper support vehicle with a driver and two repair technicians. 
   
  -The Point Defence Troop provides a defensive umbrella fro the Force to operate under. It contains four 
  vehicles: 3 point defense sleds and a Fire Direction Control/Sensor sled. Commanded by a lieutenant the 
  troop’s PD sleds consist of a driver an NCO and a gunner. The FDC/S sled has a driver, the lieutenant and 
  three FDC/S technicians. It can also deploy three PD Sensor droids who enable the continuity of coverage. 
   
   Force Support Squadron-. 
   
  - Command section- The command section overseas the disposition and efficiency of the force support 
  section. It consists of the Squadron Commander (captain), a deputy (senior warrant officer), and ha two 
  grav sleds for admin and support of the command and allocation of support resources. 
   
  - Medical Troop- Lead by the Force surgeon (Maj) it consists of a treatment section containing the 
  Physician his deputy a admin specialist officer, two physician assistants and seven medics and six medical 
  droids, all of which are contained in three grav-vehciles that make the mobile treatment station. The 
  Evacuation section commanded by a NCO contains four field grav-ambulances, each capable of supporting 
  four patients, containing driver, gunner, 2 medics and two medial litter droids. Support Section is a grav-
  sled with a driver to Tech specialists and four repair droids who service and repaier the medical equipment. 
   
  - Maintenance troop- Commanded by a senior warrant officer this Troop’s role is to service and repair all 
  of the Force equipment and to provide expanded service to the groupments assigned. It contains six 
  maintenance vehicles for service and repair each consisting of a driver, gunner, NCO and four techs and 
  four repair droids. 
   
  - Support Troop- The Support Troop provides logistical support as well as culinary support to the force. 
  The Logistics section contains six logistics vehicles with two personnel assigned and four robots apiece the 
  logistics 
  vehicle are stocked with required sundries and parts needed to support battlefield conditions. There are 
  three culinary an hygiene support vehicles that each support a groupment with food and hygiene facilities. 
  The support Troop is commanded by a senior warrant officer. 
   
  Commando Groupment- The commando groupment  is a 
  battalion-sized tactical element and is attached to regular 
  army jump divisions (albeit they contain supplemental 
  firepower in the jump divisions), Consular Guard Lift 
  Infantry and Lift Mechanized Infantry Divisions, A 
  groupment is further attached to regular army corps as corps 
  troops and to Zhodani fleet formations. A colonel who is 
  assisted by a lieutenant colonel commands the groupment a
  it is composed of a Headquarters and Signals Squadron, three
  Commando Squadrons, and a Support Squadron. 
  nd 
   
   
  -Groupment Headquarters and Signals Squadron- The 
  Groupment Headquarters and Signal Squadron comprises of a command troop, combat electronic warfare 
  and intelligence (CEWI) troop, signals section, a nuclear damper section and a point defense section. The 
  command troop contains the Colonel his deputy and the force battle staff (personnel, intelligence, 
  operations, logistics staff officers and deputies and the groupment chief master warrant officer) they are 
  protected by an eight-man security detachment on the battlefield. The command and staff is divided into 
  two large command grav sleds, which are fully integrated C7I command centers, each with a driver and 
  gunner. 
   
   
   
  
  - The Combat Electronic Warfare and Intelligence Troop supplements the already existing capabilities at 
  the level as well as the platoon’s function to ensure the force’s survival in the combat electronic warfare 
  and intelligence dimension of the modern battlefield. It comprises of an Intelligence section that has a 
  production team of two officers (assimilation and analysis), a counter intelligence officer and technician 
  ensuring tactical operational security, two interrogator specialists, two tactical intelligence support 
  specialists (droid operators) and the drivers in 2 intelligence support sleds. The electronic warfare section 
  contains a jamming and deception sled, manned by a warrant officer and four technicians with a driver, and 
  an Intercept /direction finding sled that has also a warrant officer and four technicians with a driver. It is 
  important to know that the CEWI troop has a significant number of Droids attached to the unit to enhance 
  capabilities. The intelligence section fields 4 reconnaissance druids and they are carried on the intelligence 
  support sleds. The electronic warfare section has two remote jamming droids and four remote direction 
  finding / intercept droids they are all carried by their respective sleds and greatly enhance the CEWI 
  capability of the troop. 
   
  - The Communications Section for the Groupment is supported by the signals troop. They are capable of 
  laser, maser, radio, microwave and meson communications. The unit communication network is interfaced 
  digital and encrypted for security. A junior officer commands the troop and two warrant officers assist him. 
  The troop is divided into a meson comm. sled with an NCO and four tech with a driver, and a Laser, maser, 
  radio, microwave comm. sled with an NCO, driver and three techs. A communications utility support sled 
  has a driver and it carries the four repair technicians who assist in maintenance and repairs of the troop’s 
  communications equipment. 
   
  - The Nuclear Damper Section is dedicated to force protection duties from incoming nuclear weapons 
  attacks. It is commanded by a Staff Sergeant and contains two damper projector vehicles each with a crew 
  of a driver, a NCO and two technicians, and a damper support vehicle with a driver and two repair 
  technicians. 
   
  - The Point Defence Section provides a defensive umbrella fro the Force to operate under. Commanded by 
  a warrant officer it contains four vehicles: 3 point defense sleds., PD sleds consist of a driver an NCO and a 
  gunner. The FDC/S sled has a driver, the warrant officer and three FDC/S technicians. It can also deploy 
  three PD Sensor droids who enable the continuity 
   
   
   Groupment Support Squadron- 
   
  - Command Section – The Coordination of support elements for the squadron rests with the command 
  section of the support squadron. Commanded by an captain the squadron support section contains two 
  command and control vehicle, both have a driver, gunner and vehicle commander. The section also 
  includes the Senior squadron NCO and the squadron XO all who assist in the coordination of support 
  efforts 
   
  - Medical Section- Commanded by the squadron Physician Associate, the section is composed of a 
  surgical/treatment vehicle (with a driver, commander, gunner and three medical assistants and four medical 
  support droids) that performs minor surgery and tailgate medicine. The three other vehicles are the medical 
  evacuation grav –carriers that have a driver, gunner-commander, and two combat medics for casualty 
  treatment the vehicles have also the support of two casualty litter droids. 
   
  - Maintenance Troop – This troop attempts ot maintain the groupment’s equipment and weapons at a local 
  level, the more serious repairs and overhauls are completed at a higher echelon depot. It is commanded by a 
  senior warrant officer and has three repair sleds containing a driver, gunner and four repair specialists lead 
  by a experienced NCO. Each vehicle has two heavy repair droids. 
   
  - Support Troop - The support troop manages the supply chain and provision of stores for the commando 
  groupment. Led by a senior warrant officer it contains a warehouse section and three transport squads. The 
  warehouse section is composed of three heavy logistics vehicles and lead by an NCO with 12 enlisted men 
  that are assisted by four heavy logistics robots. The Transport squads are each two light logistics vehicles 
  
  commanded by an NCO. The squad is made up of two drivers two gunners and two logistics specialists. 
  Each vehicle has two logistics droids to aid them. 
   
  Commando Squadron- The commando squadron is a company-sized unit it is independently attached to 
  Independent Consular Guard Lift-Infantry and Lift-Mechanized Infantry Regiments. Commanded by a 
  major the squadron’s composition is: Command & Direction Troop containing a command party: the major 
  and his deputy , the squadron chief warrant officer, a security element of four commandos, a small staff of 
  two senior warrant officers who act as an intelligence and an operations staff technicians, and a senior 
  medical specialist. All members of the command party are teleport adepts. The direction section (where the 
  eleven detachment directors, clairvoyant / telepaths, are located), three Commando Troops and Commando 
  Mobility Troop. 
   
  - Commando Troop- The platoon sized commando formation (figure 4) is commanded by a captain and 
  assisted by a lieutenant and a troop chief warrant officer (he acts in the role of a Platoon Sergeant and is 
  normally a well-seasoned combat veteran) and has three detachments (squads) led by sub-lieutenants, and 
  he is assisted by two subalterns, and has eight commissioned specialists. It is important to note that the 
  command party also includes two additional teleport adepts who functions as a medical specialist for the 
  troop.. 
   
  - Commando Mobility Troop- The Mobility Troop provides a greater combat range, protection and 
  firepower for the commandos. Often used to transport the commandos to and from the battlefield at times 
  they are often used in conjunction with operations in a retrieval or insertion capacity. It contains twelve 
  Dravar family Grav AFV sleds each with a driver/mechanic. 
   
  Equipment- The Zhodani Consular Guard Commandos are equipped at highest quality arms and 
  armaments within the Consulate (tech level 14). Due to the restrictions placed by jump and psionic 
  operations emphasis is placed on portability and lethality. Guards Battledress is standard issue for teleport 
  and psionic personnel. The units’ support personnel are issued Guards Combat Armor and gauss weapons. 
  Powered troops enjoy a plethora of integrated weapon systems. Their primary weapon is ever-present 
  PGMP-13 personal weapon or FGMP-14 detachment support weapon. The Y-rack is a destructive infantry 
  enhancing system that launches hands-free a variety of grenade-sized munitions. A ranged weapon at the 
  commandos fingertips is integrated Tactical Rocket Launcher (with fire and forget HE, HEAP, SAM and 
  small yield (.2 Kt) thermonuclear rockets for engaging targets at range. The Thiazhashal corporation 
  designed the droppable Dravar Family of light armoured grav-fighting vehicles for the jump and 
  commando forces. They provide a mobility platform and improve the firepower of these light forces, and 
  they include: a standard infantry carrier, a armed reconnaissance/direct fire support version, command and 
  control versions (to include electronic warfare and communications), combat support (point defense, 
  screens, combat engineering, and etc.), service and support version (logistics, surgical, ambulance, and 
  repair versions). Unlike many interstellar organizations the Zhodani military makes extensive use of 
  warbots in conjunction with military operations in combatant and non-combatant roles. The commandos 
  due to the nature of psionic operations have little use for the warbots commonly seen in other Zhodani 
  formations11. Yet, they do have many ‘expert’ droids within the TO&E in order to assist support personnel 
  with support tasks. They include medical droids, repair droids, recon probes, remotesensor droids made by 
  either IAD, or Tliazhashal.12
   
                                                   
  11 Book 8: Robots p.11 
  12 P.17 
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Traveller/08 - Mongoose Traveller/Third Party Materials/Sourcebooks & Referee Materials/Zhodani_Commandos_Revisited.pdf