Sample CS Units

[Aaryq]

I know in SB1 they go over example CS units and I'm sure it's also covered in other books as well. What I'm trying to do is pick your brains for your own "home brewed" CS units that you've used either as PC groups or when you're GM'ing and need CS for reasons.
For the sake of this thread, the unit cannot be larger than a Platoon-Sized Element. You're restricted to around 40 men (no hard and fast rule to limit your creativity).

To contribute, I will share one of mine with you. Use or modify as you seem fit. Warning: I over-think things way too much so I have lots of background as to the "why." Even if you don't have the "Why" I would still like to see your creations.

Supply Convoy for disputed/border areas
Total Men: 35 Troops plus 20 Skelebots
Lead Vehicle - Mark V APC: 5 crewmen, 12 Grunts, 4 Dog Boys, 1 Psi-Stalker, 1 EOD Specialist, 1 Military Specialist (mission commander), and 1 RCSG Scientist. Power Armor Capabilities are 4 Smiling Jack SAMAS and 2 Super SAMAS.
Trail Vehicle - Mark V APC: 5 Crewmen, 4 Technical Specialist (1 Each Medic, Technician, Mechanic, Electrician), 1 Military Specialist (assistant mission commander). The remainder of the space dedicated to passengers has been cleared for cargo (take a look at KC-130J or CH-53, seats can be installed or removed depending on if it's carrying cargo or personnel - I reckon it's the same way here).
Additional Forces: 20 Skelebots (commanded by either of the Military Specialists)

Background: This convoy is used to shuttle supplies from a Forward Operating Base (FOB) to a Combat Outpost (COP). In my games, I have one FOB to support many surrounding COPs. You would ask yourself why you would send a vehicle convoy to deliver supplies to an outpost when you can fly in support, right? The answer is that ground vehicles are cheaper to maintain than air vehicles. If you're just sending out the mail, some ammo, chow, and a few parts to an outpost you can spend 10 man hours to send a Mark V column out or spend 60 man hours to send an aircraft. From a logistical standpoint, it makes sense.

General Deployment: Typically the skelebots will be dismounted. 2 will be at least 1000m in front of the column as scouts and 2 will be at least 1000m behind the column as "Tail-End-Charlie". The remainder 16 will be dispersed evenly around the two vehicles (8 and . The remainder of the passengers will remain mounted in their respective vehicles unless commanded out by the mission or assistant mission commander (way too many circumstances to list here). The Dog Pack are the variable. If fighting a technical force like Free Quebec they would remain mounted. If they're in a supernatural environment (as the predominant threat) 2 of the Dog Pack (and 1/2 the time a Psi-Stalker) will be dismounted looking for magic/psionic/supernatural threats (this allows for them to rest
The Smiling Jack SAMAS will provide aerial overwatch, while the 2 Super SAMAS will remain mounted unless a fight starts or is about to start. Under normal circumstances only 2 Smiling Jacks will be in the air at a time - again, this allows for the pilots (and engines in this case) to rest.

Special Circumstances: There are a million scenarios that could cause the CS to deviate from a standard plan. I'll throw a few out for you.
Up to 8 (usually no more than 4) Grunts can be replaced by juicers in more hostile situations.
The Trail Vehicle can carry less cargo and have up to 4 (usually 2) CS Borgs for additional security (see above)
Additional aerial overwatch can be provided by a wide variety of CS flying vehicles. They try to remain in or above the clouds to stay out of view of ground threats to give some sort of element of surprise.
In urban areas, it would be smarter for everyone that is competent with a gun to dismount. Look up what happens to tanks in urban environments without infantry support.

Final Thoughts: This convoy can be increased in size quite easily. A Third Mark V with just crew can be added for additional cargo support. If you want a bigger convoy, my suggestion is to go with a 1 Combat Mark V (lead vehicle) to 3 Crew-Only Mark V ratio with at least 1 Trail Vehicle thrown somewhere in the mix. I would still keep an 8 to 1 Skelebot to Vehicle ratio. Sub out additional robots or tanks in place of "lead vehicle" as needed but keep in mind the mission is to ferry cargo, not assault a fortified position.

[Mack]

Minor comment: I'd assign the Skelebots to the each vechicle's Communications specialist instead of the Military Specialists. I figure the MilSpecs are busy with the overall mission, and I've never understood what the CommSpecs do anyway.

Major comment: I wouldn't use the Mark V APC at all. Instead, I'd use the Death Bringer APC because it flies and allows the team to bypass any ground obstacles. It grants a speed and safety that the Mark V can never match.

[Blue_Lion]

Comspecs are in charge of making sure every one can talk and that your radio network stays secure. So there job includes fixing radios establishing radio relays. They would also provide most the IT support for a tactical field base.

personaly I would see the skelabots fall under special unit command with detachments of troops deploying controlling and maintaining them and not mixed in with normal line units but attached as needed from a different unit.

I am willing the bet the CS has allot more marc 5s than death bringers they are cheaper and provide fire power and protection for units ground patrols. What you basically said was hey do not use strikers as they are ground vehicles but instead use Chinooks for all your APC needs. We have air troop transports but ground troop transports are still used because they have there own strengths.

[Dustin Fireblade]

Some older stuff, but the CS Battle Order here might be of interest -

http://www.nexusnine.net/doc/artc/cs/

[Mack]

I am willing the bet the CS has allot more marc 5s than death bringers they are cheaper and provide fire power and protection for units ground patrols.

Don't dispute that at all. But since the CS does have both, I'd make a threat assessment and use the flying APC's in the dangerous areas and keep the Mark V's in secure ones.