Looking for great dental? Got screwed on your last death-and-dismemberment clause? Looking for a Merc Unit that cures what ails ya? Then look no further!
With our latest contract in the Sarna March successfully completed, the Greyhounds are once again recruiting!
Who we are:
We are an international (English speaking), multi-game war gaming clan.
A group of friends who share a passion of online War Gaming together.
We have many active and retired military in our ranks.
We strive to achieve full potential as War Gamers through Teamwork and Training.
We are NOT a hardcore clan, this will not be a second job, but we are looking for people who want to work hard and play hard when they can. Real life comes first, always.
What we offer:
A mature environment, we recruit 18+ and are not looking for drama.
Experienced MechWarriors and long-standing Greyhounds providing leadership and direction.
An active TeamSpeak 3 server to coordinate drops.
An opportunity to get out of a unit what you put in, command positions are open. Ability breeds opportunity in the Greyhounds.
The opportunity to get involved in the Metagame of MWO. Our intention is to aggressively pursue contracts and to take resources/planets and hold them.
The opportunity to play other games as well (World of Tanks, Company of Heroes, and IL-2 Sturmovik, DayZ, Star Trek Online, and whatever game is of interest at the time, for example, Diablo III).
A place you can call your home away from home.
What we are looking for:
Maturity (we are looking for players of 18+ years of age)
The willingness and ability to go through the recruitment, selection & basic administration process.
Team players who are willing to work towards a common goal. When the drop gets hot we will need to rely on people following orders and being able to take commands.
Loyalty. You must be willing to only be a member of the Greyhounds. No split tags.
Players with a love for the game.
Active players.
MechWarrior Experience is a plus, but not a requirement.
Where do I sign up!?!
Grab a jump ship towards Galatea and head for the Greyhounds Recruitment Office (directions available at the central Hiring Hall);
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GREYHOUNDS AS A MERCENARY UNIT, WE HAVE INCLUDED THE MRB'S DATAFILE BELOW, INCLUDING UNIT OVERVIEW AND BACKSTORY.
“GREYHOUNDS” (Mercenary Unit Datafile - Source: MRB)
1. General
1.1. Unit Logo
1.2. Unit Motto
“Run like the Greyhound, fight like the Wolf."
1.3. Unit Colours & Camo Patterns
Patterns vary, but usually contain different shades of gray. In line with the units' traditions and heritage, dark grey tones are used most often.
2992
As the Third Succession War raged on, the Lyran Commonwealths’ Archon Alessandro Steiner continuously attempted to increase his military might. Bolstered by the ‘success’ of the 2987 “Deep Raid”, he appealed to the Lyran populace to draft new units for the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF). As the recruitment drive went on, one of these newly created units was formed on the capital world of Alarion. The units' first commanding officer, Oberstleutnant Shane “Waff” Waldorff, looked back to ancient Terran history to find a name that would stay true to the Lyrans' Teutonic heritage. Being a student of history, he decided to derive the name from a well-respected Second World War German Wehrmacht Division: the 116th Panzer Division “Windhund”. Looking at the unit’s actual strength, however, one would be very hard pressed to call it a 'division'. Indeed, it was much more akin to a battalion. As such, Oberstleutnant Waldorff suggested that the units’ name be somewhat modified to reflect this. Thus, the fledgling unit was officially named:
The 116th Panzer Battalion “Windhund”.
The ‘Panzer’ part of the name was quite spot-on. Created as a heavy garrison unit, the 116th sported a bigger vehicle-to-Mech ratio compared to standard LCAF units. Indeed, the few BattleMechs allotted to the unit were long range support Mechs, intended to provided cover for well entrenched vehicles and artillery platforms. Also, in order to create a sense of unit pride and tradition, the units’ military ranks were somewhat different than the standard LCAF ranks, and were based on the ancient Wehrmacht structure.
The first years after its’ inception, the 116th mostly engaged in garrison duty throughout the Alarion Province, slowly building experience through smaller skirmishes against Free Worlds League (FWL) and Periphery raiders. Unit morale was relatively strong thanks to regular downtime postings to their world of origin. Since it was no frontline unit, however, and therefore stood quite low on the list of resupply and reequipping priorities within the LCAF, the unit was slowly whittled down to 65% operational strength by the end of 2997.
2998
After the 15th Lyran Guards had successfully defended Hesperus II during the Tenth Battle for Hesperus II, most of the planetary LCAF garrisons were shipping out to participate in the Lyran counterassault towards Kalidasa. As a result, LCAF HQ decided to move the 116th Panzer to Hesperus II in January 2998 to assist the Eridani Light Horse (ELH) with its’ garrison duties there. As well as working together with the renowned mercenary unit, this would also provide the now understrength 116th the opportunity to rearm and resupply. As 116th soldiers and officers mingled with the ELH’s men and women, however, the first seeds of the units’ mercenary future were slowly being planted.
This process was further accelerated when, during the same year, House Marik started the Eleventh Battle for Hesperus II. Having noticed that the planets’ defences were at an all-time low, the FWL seized the opportunity to launch another attack on Hesperus II with four 'Mech regiments. They were (narrowly) repulsed by the Eridani Light Horse, but only after the Light Horse's 21st Striker Regiment purposely disobeyed orders from their incompetent ranking LCAF officer. The 116th, mainly working in a support role to the ELH, still gained valuable combat experience. Unfortunately, not only did the battle put a dent in the units’ rearmament planning, but the units’ command started sharing the ELH’s frustration with the Lyran leaderships’ strategic and tactical incompetence.
2999
Late 2999, the 116th Panzer was moved back to Alarion for garrison duty in order to bolster its’ ranks with new recruits. While the units’ operational strength was back up to 85% equipment-wise, the fighting on Hesperus II had taken its toll on the manning roster. As the unit was shipped out, many 116th members remained behind, signing out of the LCAF and joining up with the ELH. This caused mixed feelings within the unit. On the one hand, the majority of the units’ members (including most of the officer cadre) remained loyal to the LCAF, even though increasingly frustrated with its’ upper leadership. On the other hand, a minority of members felt that the LCAF was blatantly failing its’ soldiers and putting them needlessly at risk through bad leadership and planning. The minority’s voice increased in volume when Draconis Combine forces assaulted Hesperus II yet again early in the year 3000, causing several casualties between ex-116th soldiers that had stayed behind. The Eridani Light Horse, sick and tired of Lyran military incompetence, did not extend their contract with the Commonwealth, and left the region for greener pastures.
3002
In 3002, the 116th Panzer was moved from Alarion to the Ford system as part of operation Concentrated Weakness. The redeployment was heavily questioned by the units’ members and command staff, as it seemed that many valuable worlds, including Alarion, were now left defenseless. During secret officer meetings, it was often suggested to either refuse the order or turn the unit into a mercenary garrison unit. Appealing to their sense of duty, however, Oberstleutnant Waldorff was still able to assuage their doubts (which he secretly shared himself) and got the redeployment going regardless.
3005
After three years of semi-official complaints regarding operation Concentrated Weakness, Waldorff finally got the attention of LCAF HQ. Unfortunately, it was not the sort of attention they had hoped for. As discontent with the current strategy was slowly spreading through the entire LCAF, HQ was keen on nipping all possible unit uprisings in the bud. Looking at the 116th, they decided that taking away the units' leadership and supplanting it with a more 'conventional' commanding officer would be the best course of action. Through the use of Lohengrin agents, very specific information about 116th supply status and geographic deployment was leaked to FWL partisans within the sector. The results would soon become clear.
During the fall of 3005, while the 116th was waiting for a sorely needed but somehow delayed supply convoy, a FWL raiding force attacked Ford. With unerring accuracy, they initiated a two-pronged attack towards the 116th HQ barracks and the units' salvage and repair station. With so many vehicles and Mechs in dire need of spare parts, it was decided to regroup most operational units around the HQ, and push back outwards from there. While this tactic proved ultimately successful in saving the HQ and eventually driving the raiders back off-planet, it could not prevent the looting and theft of miltary hardware, including several 'Mechs and vehicles, from the repair station...
For failing to prevent the loss of valuable military assets, Oberstleutnant Waldorff was accused by LCAF of professionnal incompetence and informed that he would be replaced during the units' next off-task rotation. The news created a storm of protest among 116 troops, but on their CO's assurances that he would defend his position in front of a military tribunal, the protest never devolved beyond internal grumblings.
As events would turn out however, such a tribunal would never take place...
3006
Aware by now that the Lyran strategy had definite holes in it, Captain-General Janos Marik of the Free Worlds League ordered deep raid attacks on several important Lyran worlds far from their border. The worlds of Alarion, Bolan, Pollux and Coventry, among others, were all attacked, with the Coventry Metal Works BattleMech factory taking damage from the 4th Regulan Hussars, a unit virtually unknown that far inside Lyran space. The effects on the Lyran military and citizenry was devastating, morale dropping to an all-tome low throughout the LCAF, including the 116th Panzer Batallion. Severely disappointed and disheartened by the attack on the units’ homeworld, many 116th members started leaving the unit, though official or unofficial means. In response, an emergency conclave was held by the units’ staff and NCO’s to address the fast increasing number of desertions and protests. After a long debate and unit-wide referendum, a consensus was reached: turn the 116th into a mercenary unit.
The units’ leadership had always been strong, and cultivating a sense of family figured highly on the officers’ and NCO’s list of priorities. It spoke highly of the strong bonds within the unit that when the decision had been made, around 70% of the remaining units’ members agreed to join the new mercenary unit. Of the remaining 30%, most chose to stay in the LCAF and were reassigned to other units.
The question on everyone’s lips however, was: how would the LCAF react to what, in essence, amounted to a full-scale mutiny of one of their units? Fortunately, the LCAF was facing far-reaching morale, leadership and strategic issues. Painfully aware that they could do very little should the unit go rogue, and leave the LCAF’s sphere of influence altogether, lines of communications were opened between the 116th leadership and LCAF high command. After long much debate, Oberstleutnant Waldorff was able to negotiate the following agreement. The mercenary unit would be allowed to keep 50% of its’ equipment, keeping it just inside the battalion strength limit. All other equipment, including all assault BattleMechs, were to be returned to the LCAF. Additionally, the unit was to enter a 10-year garrisoning contract with the Lyran Commonwealth, half of which the unit would be allowed to serve on Alarion. As the deal was struck, all that remained was organizing the unit into a mercenary force…
2.2. Mercenary History
Spoiler
3006
Returning to Alarion, the unit used its’ first few months as a merc unit to reorganize into a leaner & meaner mercenary command and organizational structure. As such, several changes were adopted.
The first one was to change the units’ name in order to emphasize its’ independence from the LCAF. After a majority vote by the senior commanders and NCO’s, it was decided to rename the unit as the “Greyhounds”. Keeping the units’ traditions and heritage had always been important, and the new name sent a clear message to their former masters while at the same time sounding more merc-like.
The second change was the recruitment of additional support staff into the command structure. No longer a standard House military unit, the Greyhounds needed specialists in fields they had never thought of: public relations, recruitment, logistics etc. Luckily, the general populace on Alarion still held the unit in high regard, and recruits were relatively easy to come by (helped in no small way by the fact that the LCAF recruitment offices were as good as empty).
Obviously, the units’ internal reorganization went much further than this. Although only barely at the battalion strength level, the decision was made to delete one of the units’ companies, in order to bring the others back up to full strength. Although still somewhat lacking in equipment, the manning roster would now allow for a more efficient command and control structure. The reasoning was that, should equipment levels rise, it would be far easier to integrate the new gear in fewer, well-established companies, rather than have several weaker companies bicker over the allotment.
3017
Near the end of the year 3016, the Greyhounds completed their 10-year contract, having successfully garrisoned several worlds along the LC-FWL border. Returning to Alarion in 3017, most of the following year was used to increased recruitment to make up for personnel attrition as well as equipment upgrades and maintenance. Also, a new contract was negotiated with the Lyran Commonwealth. The new 8-year garrisoning contract put them in charge of defending the fortified planet Beta VII, with a task cycle of 3 years on, 1 year off (to be spent on Alarion). This contract proved to be truly providential, as most interventions were limited to defending Beta VII or nearby systems from pirates and bandits. Gaining valuable salvage at very little cost in manpower or equipment, the Greyhounds were able to increase their operational strength while reinforcing their growing reputation as a reliable Merc garrison unit.
3025
With the contract with the Lyran Commonwealth once again at an end the Greyhounds returned to Alarion. Upon their return, they found that, in their absence, the LCAF had formed a new LCAF garrisoning unit: the 19th Lyran Guards. Under the command of Leutnant-General Danny Walters, the new unit was to be the sole permanent garrisoning force on the planet. Having eliminated the Greyhounds' contractual possibility to recruit and re-equip their unit while serving garrison duty on Alarion, the LCAF (seeing a definite possibility to reabsorb well-trained mercenary troops into their ranks) offered the Greyhounds two options:
1. Complete or partial integration into a new or existing LCAF unit, with the possibility for Alarion natives to join the 19th Lyran Guards;
2. Accept a long-term contract with the Lyran Commonwealth, but this time including an attached LCAF Liaison Staff overseeing many of the tactical and logistical aspects of the Grehounds command structure. In return, the LCAF High Command would grant special privileges to the Greyhounds with regards to recruitment and equipment acquisition on Alarion.
By now however, through personnel attrition and influx, the the units' membership no longer consisted of an absolute majority of Lyrans. The traditional bonds with Alarion having gradually weakend, the Greyhounds chose a third option. After a unit-wide vote, they left Alarion and moved their base of operation to Galatea, also known as the Mercenary's Star.
3026
Relocating the entire unit to Galatea continued well into 3026, although once the Greyhounds had finally set up shop, contract offers became quite plentiful. In order to strengthen the units' leadership base, Waldorff chose to accept 2 smaller, 3-year contracts. Consequently, he led two thirds of the Greyhounds to Kwangjong-ni himself on a garrisoning contract on behalf of Defiance Industries, while assigning his second-in-command, Hauptmann Simon "Tron" Harkon, to lead the remainder of the forces to Somerset. The Somerset contract came as a request for a merc unit to act as sparring partner for the Military Academy of Somerset. Having witnessed the LCAF's recent military debacles first-hand, the Academy's commanding officer, Leutnant-General Reginald Heathers, was intent on improving the LCAF's young officers ability to execute standard offensive operations. As such, a sparring partner specialized in defensive operations was sought out and found under the form of a small yet capable Greyhounds detachment.
Both contracts proved fortuitous to the Greyhounds. Waldorffs' group was able to entice several equipment upgrades from Defiance Industries during their time on planet, while Harkons' gained valuable combat training during a low risk operation. The fact that Harkons' group also lured away a couple of fresh MechWarrior recruits from the Academy near the end of the contract did not sit well with Heathers, though contractually, there was little he could do about it.
3029
Regrouping the entire unit on Galatea during fall 3029, Shane Waldorff caused quite startle within the unit by announcing his intent to retire as the Greyhounds' CO. While he would remain as a background advisor, he felt the time had come to pass the reins to a younger generation of officers in order to avoid stagnation within the units leadership. Having succesfully led and completed the Somerset contract, Waldorffs' chosen successor was found rapidly: Simon Harkon. Although saddened by their former CO's departure, many members saw this as an opportunity to show their mettle and rise to the challenge of higher responsibilites. As the Fourth Succession War exploded through the Inner Sphere, the Greyhounds spent the rest of the year on reorganizing the command structure of the unit and some well-earned R&R.
3030
After the astonishing successes of the Fourth Succession War, the Lyran Comonwealth had (re-)conquered many worlds from both the Free Worlds Lague and the Draconis Combine. Looking to catch a breath, the LCAF was on the market for many a mercenary unit to fulfill garrisoning duties on the freshly acquired planets. As such, the Greyhounds signed up for a 10-year garrisoning contract for three different worlds that had recently been taken from the FWL: Castor, Zosma and Graham IV. Much experience was gained in the field of counter-insurgency, but besides this and the occasional raider incursion, the contract concluded without much incident.
3041
The War of 3039 had an accelerating effect on the merger between the Armed Forces fo the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces. With the integration of both into the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonweath completed by 3041, the Greyhounds saw a golden opportunity to broaden their terrain experience by actively looking for a contract in the Federated Suns half of the Federated Commonwealth. Having spent a full year on maintenance, equipment upgrades and personnel recruitment, most unit members were now chomping at the bit for a new contract as well. Positive credentials from their long-standing service with their Lyran employers facilitated contract negotiations quite a bit, and by winter 3041, the Greyhounds were on their way towards the Sarna March for an 8 year garrisoning and counter-insurgency contract. Eight years were spent throughout the entire sector, gaining valuable combat experience in fending of Capellan raiders and terrorist incursions. The contract also spread word of the Greyhounds' competence to the ears of other potential employers. As many political factions and industrial conglomerates still saw the Greyhounds as very much tied to their erstwhile Lyran employers, the Sarna campaign proved execellent publicity to convince them otherwise. As a result, more and more contract enquiries from vaying sources started landing on Hauptmann Harkons' desk, asking for the Greyhounds' consideration upon completion of their current contract.
3049
It is confirmed that, as of spring 3049, all Greyhound units have returned to Galatea. It seems that much of the unit is in good condition, both equipment and personnel-wise. While many rumours abound about new contract negotiations taking place, no verifiable info has been gained from sources deemed reliable.
3. Unit Analysis
3.1. Unit Strength (as of 3049)
According to the MRB’s latest inquiries, the Greyhounds’ unit strength is now estimated at full-strength battalion level. The unit does field less ‘Mechs than a standard battalion, but uses mixed unit and layered defense tactics to compensate for this shortcoming. ‘Mech and vehicle maintenance levels are reported as excellent and general unit readiness is high across the board.
3.2. Command Structure (as of 3049)
Commanding Officer (CO): Oberstleutnant Simon "Tron" Harkon [MWO ID: TronHarkon]
Executive Officer MW Online EU (XO) : Oberleutnant David Decoster
Executive Officer MW Online NA (XO) : Leutnant Blam0
Regimental Sergeant Major MW Online EU (RSM) : Oberfeldwebel Dragana
Regimental Sergeant Major MW Online NA (RSM) : Feldwebel zealist
3.3. Unit Composition (as of 3049)
<DATA UNAVAILABLE>
3.4. Preferred Tactics
With its’ long history of garrison duties, both as a LCAF as well as a mercenary unit, the Greyhounds have proven remarkably successful in their defensive tactics. The unit favors combined arms tactics, as well as defense in depth. Lack of organic air assets is offset by emphasizing unit mobility as well as regular live AA gunnery training, by vehicles and ‘Mechs alike. Against stronger opponents, Greyhound units tend execute tactical retreats in a disciplined fashion, whittling down their opponent as they pull back to the next line of defense. Against relatively weak opponents, Greyhounds have been known to lure enemy forces through a supposedly weak gap in their front, only to shut the door behind them. Long range artillery and support ‘Mechs are then used to barrage the enemy into submission.
Then unit sometimes uses asymmetric / guerilla tactics, but this is not assessed as one of their fortes.
3.5. Performance Review (3006-3049)
Over the years, the Greyhounds mastered the art of defensive warfare, now offering potential employers an excellent and experienced garrison force at acceptable rates. Future employers should note, however, that the unit does not own an DropShip (yet), so strategic mobility is quite low. Travel expenses should be clearly defined in the contract as well. The unit also lacks any form of fixed wing air support. Indeed, the only air units identified in the Greyhounds’ inventory are a couple of scout and assault helicopters. Clients would do well to consider contacting other Mercenary Air Units to provide small air detachments on a short time basis. That said, the Greyhounds have never suffered much due to lack of air support due to their rigorous AA drills.
At the moment, the Greyhounds have very little experience in offensive operations (also due to the lack of a unit DropShip, probably) or large scale battles (since Hesperus II, anyway). It is rumored however, that the unit contracted ELH advisors to improve its’ ability to operate offensively and thereby increase their list of possible clientele.
Edited by David Decoster, 28 February 2013 - 02:30 PM.
Very nice Decoster looks very good. If you are looking for a place to play with good people you have found it with Greyhounds (116th Panzer). I have played with them in WOT for almost a year and it's been great. Great people + Great attitude = Great fun playing games. I look forward to the day this game goes live and Greyhounds take the field of battle.
+5 Points to Hip for the awesome sig that he adapted to the new corps' name.
- 5 Points to Hip for actually managing to spell the new corps' name wrong.
What do you expect as far as availability goes? You say you're looking for 18+, so I assume that you expect your players to have real-life obligations, and that gaming isn't always a high priority.
Absolutely. While we strive to be competitive, it should always stay fun in the first place, and your RL obligations play a part in that. Everyone puts in the time that he or she has available, given their RL circumstances. Some of us have taken leaves of absence of prolonged periods when required. We have no requirement for our players to play X amount of hours per week, for example. That said, we do have a tradition by which we at least inform our clanmates of periods of absence or lessened activity.
As a Founder, you're welcome to sign up wiuth our larger 116th multi-gaming community, by going to our website. Near the top, you'll find a button 'Joint the 116th', and then click 'Enlist'. It'll show you an application form to fill out. Once you've done that, you'll get temporary (pending full enlistment) access to our forums and Teamspeak server. Feel free to hop on there to ask questions on how to further complete the application process. Look for Salesninja (our NA XO for WoT), myself, or any personnel officer (the ones with golden 116 logo's next to their names in Teamspeak. If you have trouble finding our TS details, put up a question in your introduction thread in the forums.
I just have to underline that NOW is an excellent time to join this already very established clan infrastructure. Unlike many "starter up"-clans we already have a flourishing multigaming community with several hundred members, which means you can kick back with a little World of Tanks, Star Treck/Star Wars, Diablo III and get to know the guys you will be driving with in MWO... How cool is that?!
116th is also a very transparent organisation that revolves around member experience and participation. We encourage members new and old to take an active role in the organisation and help drive us as a community even further ahead of the competition.
There is nothing to loose, hook up with us on TeamSpeak and see what your missing out on... Welcome home!
I submitted an application. Am I supposed to *not* be able to post to the forum to introduce myself? Not only can I not create a new post, I can't reply to existing ones.
I submitted an application. Am I supposed to *not* be able to post to the forum to introduce myself? Not only can I not create a new post, I can't reply to existing ones.
Should not take more then a few hours to get your application through and forum posting enabled
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