A Special Operations Fire Team (SOFT) is a very small, semi-autonomous combat unit used by the Star Army of Yamatai. These units began to appear around YE 37 and were originally part of Star Army Command and/or Star Army Intelligence. They are based around a small fire team of 4-5 infantry and a handful of support staff. These self-contained groups of elite soldiers are highly skilled at boarding actions, covert actions, and direct combat.
For reasons of security and secrecy, SOFT teams are highly compartmentalized; their operations are typically unknown to each other. If one cell were to be compromised, the breach would be contained. The Star Army does not list how many SOFT teams it actually has except at the level of Star Army Special Operations Command, and assigns their numbers seemingly at random.
In YE 43, SOFT teams were reorganised into the structure of Star Army Special Operations. Star Army Starship Captains, Star Army Rikugun Commanders and Base Commanders can all form their own teams, then register them with Star Army Special Operations. From YE 44, SAINT SOFTs were re-designated as Special Intelligence Fire Teams and continued to operate in their pre-SASO capacity.
SOFT teams are not often given assignments from Star Army Special Operations and are instead directed to assist in conventional engagements for the Star Army Starship Captain that formed and registered them from their own crew. SOFT teams are sometimes assigned by Star Army Special Operations to secretive and unconventional tasks that are important to the Star Army of Yamatai, but unsuitable for conventional forces like starships or legion units. Missions and tasks may include special reconnaissance, military intelligence, unconventional warfare, and counter-terrorism. SASO points the team at an objective, and the team figures out a way to achieve that objective.
Unlike other special forces employed by Star Army Special Operations, there is no formal training required to become part of a SOFT team, and membership is instead chosen from experienced soldiers by experienced officers. These members are then given training on the job, while already being expected to be carefully chosen by their registering officer.
The fire team generally consists of 4-5 “Operators”:
The fire team's support team may consist of:
SOFTs typically have a stealth shuttle, which is quietly inserted into the area of operations by a starship. They may also have a small forward operating base. There are enough power armors for the team and teams are authorized to carry almost any weapon in the Star Army's list of equipment. Their leader has additional access as listed here.
Authored by Wes and approved by Doshii Jun on December 2, 20152). Updated by ethereal to be in line with SASO.