Starships... The backbone of the United Federation of Planets' exploration and defence fleet. Beautiful, awe-inspiring vessels that glide effortlessly from star system to star system. Every officer and enlisted crewmember in the Fleet is justifiably proud to serve on any starship. But, there's more...

The most overlooked aspect of the Federation's defence is the vital need for specially trained ground forces to operate on a planet - instead of from orbit. The mighty ships of Starfleet have the power to devastate a planet, but are incapable of quelling a riot. They can level entire cities with phaser energy, but can't stop a civil war. They can take on twice their number of adversaries, but can't destroy a specific enemy entrenchment. Starships have incredible capabilities, but there are simply some things they will never be able to do. Fortunately, the Starfleet Marines can!

The Starfleet Marines. Just the name sends chills down the collective spine of hostile commanders throughout the galaxy. The enemies of the Federation know that an attack on the Federation or on any of her people will not go unnoticed or unanswered. While the ships of Starfleet battle them in space, the Starfleet Marines will pound them on the surface. Marines are specially trained for planetary operations of every kind - from covert landings to full-scale defensive warfare. With a fully equipped and well trained aerospace flight corps to support both stellar and lunar operations, the Marines provide a complete offensive/defensive package.
The Marines are the Federation's best weapon against an enemy presence on a member world - are the only hope for removing any enemy that manages to gain a foothold.

So when the Jem H’adar come knocking, who you gonna call?

The 377th MSG

 Thunder From Downunder

As a Marine affiliated battle cruiser, the USS Southern Cross provides a unique and formidable element to any Task Force or Fleet Operational Force that may be assembled by Starfleet due to the large military detachment that is posted on board.

This detachment, is the 377th Marine Strike Group; a multi-tasked Ready Response Force made up of heavy and light infantry units; aerospace fighter and support craft; a small, unique Special Operations team;  combat engineers and technicians; mobile medical units; and support crew. Each of the differing sections give the ability for the 377th MSG to provide a valuable and highly efficient and highly effective strike force or ready-reaction force to any military situation.

It is a multi-national unit, made up of officers and marines from primarily Australia, New Zealand and the United States, and they form part of the 11th Brigade,  SFMC – so-called the ‘Anzacs’ in recognition of the proud military heritage of their forefathers in Region 11. Those Marine unit members that are not also integrated to form part of the ship’s crew complement are situated on Decks 11 to 13.

Our mascot is Max, the Blue 'Roo who represents the core structure of the Unit - the 377th Infantry (Light & Heavy) Company. The 377th is nicknamed as 'The Thunder From Downunder" and our motto is "we're here to eat your lunch" - a reflection on the Unit's ability to quickly respond to any military situation, usually at disadvantage to their opponents.

As a combined unit, the 377th is able to provide a wide-ranging military  resource that is quite capable of consigning an array of highly trained, well equipped troops, in either full company strength, down to a single operating Marine.

The 377th is a valuable asset to the Task Force role in which we are operational and we are proud to be the military arm of the mighty USS Southern Cross.

377th MSG Marine Deployments

	UNIT HQ	Officer in Charge (OIC) 1LT Leo Brunelle (SO) Deputy Officer in Charge (DOIC) LTC Erik Stubblefield (SO)
	377th INFANTRY COMPANY 'THE BLUE ROOS' (Powered Reinforced)	Company CO BDR Bruce O'Brien Heavy Weapons Specialist SGT Ben Naylor
	377th SPECIAL OPERATIONS TEAM	Team Leader LTC Erik Stubblefield Team Composition   (classified)
	377th SQUARDON - 11th MAG	Squadron Leader 2LT Bradford Fletcher Fighter Pilot 1LT Christopher Barry Pilot PFC Lee McSweeney Fighter Pilot in Training CDT 2LT George Wolcott Fighter Pilot in Training CDT SGT Warren Wolcott
	377th COMBAT ENGINEERS 'The Cold Chisels'	Officer in Charge 1LT Chris Jacobs (R) Microgravity Specialist 1LT Michael Hayes (R) Field Scientist (Combat Ecologist) 2LT Sonja Thiede (R)
	377th MSH 'The Docs of War'	Unit Counselor 2LT Karen Norris Xenophysiologist MCPT Mylan Kelnar Battlefield Medic SMAJ Sofyan Sahrom Battlefield Nurse PFC Lorin Stubblefield (R)
	377th Combat Support Unit	Officer in Charge MAJ Josephine Fisher (R) Ship's Librarian MAJ Nick Hamze
	377th MARINE CADETS	Cadet Cadet CPL James Naylor Cadet Cadet LCPL Thomas Hart

The 377th will welcome any SFI member wishing to join their ranks and all enquiries should made through the OIC

Please Email the Officer in Charge – 2LT Leo Brunelle