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InStarfield, the United Colonies vies for governmental control of the known galaxy against the Freestar Collective. Open war is a thing of the past, thankfully, but the repercussions of that war made it clear to both sides that various degrees of military jurisdiction would be required. The major increase in Crimson Fleet activity, not to mention ruthless spacers and lawless Ecliptic mercenaries, has only further solidified this fact.
Enter the UC Vanguard, the United Colonies' special group separate from the traditional UC Navy. Knowing what you’re getting into is pretty important here, because they’re one of the four main non-Constellation factions in Starfield.
Separate But United
TheUnited Colonies Navyis the primary military arm of the United Colonies. It’s vast, well-supplied, and likely to have tens of thousands of active members at any given time. If total war breaks out, the galaxy will see these armies marching to battle, their great fleets overhead.
It’s important that we lay that out becausethe United Colonies Vanguard, or ‘UC Vanguard’ as it’s commonly called, isnotthe UC Navy. It isn’t so much a ‘formal’ army asa volunteer organization. Civilians are recruited to join the UC Vanguard, with the most common cause being a desire to become full-fledged citizens of the United Colonies.
Becoming a UC citizen generally involves toiling away for years to prove one’s merit. The privileges of property purchase, and even some starting funds to begin one’s new life as a formal member of the United Colonies, all add up to be quite a desirable goal.
Since the UC Vanguard is civilian-operated,members must supply their own ships and supplies. Once they’ve been accepted, they swear an oath of service, and then they’re sent on missions often involving playing a supporting role inthe United Colonies Navy, especially the UC Navy’s SysDef (Systems Defense) division.
Origins Of The UC Vanguard
When theColony Warbetween rival governments, the United Colonies and Freestar Collective, came to a close in 2311 with a Freestar victory, it became clear to the UC that certain infrastructure changes needed to be made. At the pivotalBattle of Cheyenne, which ended the Colony War,the Freestar Collective benefited greatly from the use of a civilian militia.
Recognizing this critical edge,the United Colonies government founded the UC Vanguard four years later,in 2315. Thus,the UC Vanguard has operated for 15 yearsby the time of Starfield’s main story, which is set in 2330.
UC Vanguard Hierarchy… Or Lack Thereof
When someone is accepted into the UC Vanguard,they’re given the role of captain. This coincides with the aforementioned requirement for recruits to provide their own starship. The thing is,captain is really the only rank a member of the Vanguard receives, save forCommander John Tuala, who serves as leader of the civilian organization, and has the final say-so on who can join the fold.
Players will meet Commander Tuala very early in Starfield, as he’s someone your companion Sarah Morgan will speak with during your traipse with her around New Atlantis. The captain designation is fairly convenient from a development standpoint; it means theUC SysDef characters you soon meet in the UC Vanguard questlinecan also address you the same way your own main companions do. “Captain.”
Since promotion is usually not part of the process, the end goal for many is to simply exit service upon attaining United Colonies citizenship. Potential candidates should bear in mind, there’s a not-insignificant mortality rate attached to the job.The UC Vanguard, true to its name, is often at the forefront of galactic dangers.
