Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy Cadre

Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy.jpg
Sun Zhang Academy Cadre
Affiliation Draconis Combine
Parent Command DCMS
Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy‎‎


The Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy Cadres consist of graduates from the first phase of training from the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy. Their training continues as active duty in the Cadres. The students are evaluated after tours of duty that last nine months, after which those that pass graduate.[1] The Cadres are considered Free-Floating Regiments, but with an excellent relation with the DCMS Procurement department.[2]

Training[edit]

Located on the Draconis Combine's original capital world of New Samarkand, the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy is particularly notable in that it graduates the most MechWarriors per year of any training facility in the Inner Sphere at over four hundred. The Academy also has an aerospace fighter pilot program. It is considered the most prestigious military academy in the Draconis Combine and all of its graduates receive a daishō sword. The Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy boasts Coordinator Theodore and his son Hohiro Kurita among its alumni. The Sun Zhang Academy Cadre represents the ultimate test for would-be MechWarriors who have spent the previous four years at the academy. In the Cadre, they are treated to real combat and are expected to react like warriors in the long and glorious tradition of the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy.[2] Jinjiro Kurita was also a graduate of Sun Zhang.[3]

Though traditionally the Academy trained only MechWarriors and aerospace fighter pilots, the arrival of the Clans prompted the DCMS to add a course of study for battle armor infantry as well.[4]

The cadets serve in a Cadre for nine months and at the end of the term, they are either allowed to graduate or must serve another term in the Cadre. Most do not graduate after their first term in the Cadre.[2][5]

Life in the four Cadres is extremely tough. Cadets are expected to lead patrols in enemy territory, walk unafraid through minefields, and generally perform tasks that would make even the most hardened MechWarrior hesitate. Alumni are used to death, and the death rate among the cadets, including suicide, are extremely high. Those who survive will be treated with great respect for the rest of their lives.[2]

Procurement is not a problem for the Sun Zhang Academy Cadres.[2]

'Mechs in the Cadre are white with blue stripes, and the unit's crest is a setting sun. All cadre Regiments are classified as light.[2]

After the Jihad the ISF and O5P added severe psychological and loyalty testing to their evaluations to prevent another Black Dragon Society coup.[6] During the Jihad the Thirteenth and Sixteenth Cadres were used along the Combine's border with Clan Ghost Bear. The Fifth was stationed on Kessel, and suffered heavy losses against the Word of Blake. The Fourteenth Cadre was effectively destroyed on Luthien, with the few survivors being drafted into the 1st Genyosha.[7]

As of 3145 the rigors of recent years has strained the Academy, the best cadets being whisked away to line units before they can serve in one of the Cadres. Though this meets the demands for units bulking out their forces, it starves these cadets of finishing their training. With the same orders to expand their rosters, the Academy has increased its enrollment tenfold. This has led to the creation of the 17th, 18th and 19th Cadres.

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy Cadre
General Isoroku Kurita 3025[8]

Tactics[edit]

Different per Unit.

Units of the Sun Zhang Academy Cadre[edit]

At the start of the First Succession War the First through Twelfth Cadre regiments were in service.[9]

Notes[edit]

Color Schemes and Insignia[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 89
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 148 "The Sun Zhang Academy Cadre"
  3. First Succession War (sourcebook), p. 129
  4. Objectives: Draconis Combine, p. 29
  5. Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 50
  6. Field Report: DCMS, p. 5
  7. Field Report: DCMS, p. 14
  8. House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 137 "SUN ZHANG MECHWARRIOR ACADEMY"
  9. First Succession War (sourcebook), p. 137
  10. Second Succession War, p. 97, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery: Deployment Table"
  11. Second Succession War, p. 97, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery: Deployment Table"
  12. First Succession War, p. 137, "Deployment Table"
  13. First Succession War, p. 137, "Deployment Table"
  14. Second Succession War, p. 97, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery: Deployment Table"
  15. First Succession War, p. 137, "Deployment Table"

Bibliography[edit]