Gunslinger Program

Gunslinger Program
Academy Information
Previous Name(s) Advanced Combat and Maneuvering Skills Project
Location Venus[1]
Founding Year Between 2682 - 2687[1]
Course Information
MechWarrior 2687 - 2781,
Restarted on 3062[2]


The Gunslinger Program, originally known as the Advanced Combat and Maneuvering Skills Project, was a special training program started by the Star League Defense Force in response to the First Hidden War.

History[edit]

The First Hidden War began after the Council Edict of 2650 forced many units of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery to be disbanded. This included a number of BattleMech regiments; however the Combine MechWarriors were allowed to take their 'Mechs with them. These ronin, lacking steady employment, challenged other MechWarriors to tests of personal combat, including those of the SLDF. The first of these latter duels took place in 2681 on the planet Benjamin, where the Combine MechWarrior easily defeated her SLDF counterpart.[3] As more soldiers fought and lost these duels, to both ronin and DCMS champions, the SLDF tried to determine how this was happening. After capturing a Combine 'Mech intact and determining that it was no more technologically advanced than the Star League 'Mechs, they realized that it was superior training which contributed to these victories.[1]

Determined to prevent any more loss of both men, matériel and honor, the Advanced Combat and Maneuvering Skills Project was started to produce superior duelists to take on the Combine warriors. The new program included a wide range of material, from ancient Asian martial philosophies to advanced neural-thought technology. The first graduating class of 2687 consisted of fifty-two warriors, all of whom were stationed within the Draconis Combine.[1] In the first-ever fight between these new Gunslingers and the ronin, Colonel Donovan Fresnel was able to fight his opponent to a draw after an hour of combat. Just ten days later, Lieutenant Karen Graham was able to defeat a ronin on Awano.[1]

These early victories however did not stop the issue of Combine warriors challenging the SLDF to duels; if anything it inspired them more so now that they faced worthy opponents. The SLDF was however successful in recruiting a few Combine dueling masters to join the ACMS, which was eventually renamed to the Gunslinger Program, and expanded the program further, moving it to the Military Academy of Aphros on Venus. By the time the dueling finished, the final tally between the two sides resulted in House Kurita winning 49% of the time, with the SLDF winning 47% of the time and the rest ending in draws.[1]

While the program would cease upon the collapse of the original Star League in 2781, it would be later revived by the reborn Second Star League in January 3062. Run from the Tukayyid-based Focht War College and open to troops from any member state, this Gunslinger program was a one-year course more specifically designed to teach the one-on-one combat style favored by the Clans.[2]

By 3250, the program had been revived again in some form, as evidenced by the work of Gunslinger Eli Sender.[4] Open to both Clan and Spheroid SLDF personnel alike who proved worthy and acting as a living symbol to aspire others, it borrowed a modified model off of the Republic of the Sphere’s Knights.[5]

Notable Members[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 The Star League, p. 59: "Urizen's Scheme"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Field Manual: ComStar, p. 79: "The Star League Defense Force - Focht War College"
  3. The Star League, p. 58: "First Hidden War"
  4. 4.0 4.1 Second Succession War, p. 11: "Introduction"
  5. Technical Readout: Dark Age, p. 4
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Star League, p. 59: "Famous Star League Gunslingers"
  7. Era Report: 2750, p. 84: "Major Personas - Daniel Allison"
  8. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 99: "Royal Black Watch - Notable Personalities"
  9. Technical Readout: 3039, p. 262: "CHP-2N Champion"
  10. An Ill-Made House
  11. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 212: "BL-6-KNT Black Knight"
  12. Field Manual: SLDF, p. 73: "202nd BattleMech Division"
  13. Operational Turning Points: Widowmaker Absorption, p. 12: "Ethan Moreau"
  14. Field Manual: ComStar, p. 98: "Fall From Glory", every member of the Black Watch being a graduate of the Gunslinger program
  15. The Star League, p. 83: "Conquest of the Hegemony", the Royal Black Watch is made up entirely of graduates of the Gunslinger Program
  16. Northwind Highlanders, p. 17: "Scenario 3: Fall From Glory", "Situation", every member of the Black Watch is a graduate of the Gunslinger program
  17. Field Manual: SLDF, p. 177

Bibliography[edit]