The 173rd Battlegroup is a roleplay-driven, military-structured organization operating under the UEE Navy banner. We run disciplined, story-led operations built around teamwork, clear command intent, and practical tactics, without forgetting this is still a game and real life comes first.
Founded February 2955, we are still growing. If you want to be part of a unit while it is being built properly, this is the right time to join.
We offer structured progression through merit. Rank, qualifications, and responsibility are earned through consistency, conduct, and performance.
We keep roleplay grounded and Navy-flavoured, but we do not demand theatre. You can play a character or operate as yourself inside a structured unit.
We are real-life friendly. No mandatory events. No forced training nights. We recognise all members have real lives outside of the video game world that is Star Citizen.
We support full membership and affiliate membership, with role limits for affiliates to keep operations stable.
We focus on PvE and campaign play. PvP is optional and controlled. No piracy and No griefing when representing the 173rd at ANY time.
We run weekly story-driven missions aligned to the live PU, usually Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (We are currently experimenting on 2 per week as of right now.)
You will not be expected to bring a fleet to fly with us. We provide ships for operations when needed, including capital assets and escorts. Javelin, Idris, Polaris, Perseus, Paladin, plus fighter and strike platforms such as F8C, F7C-M, P5G, T8C and more. Not only that, we supply the uniforms, the armour and the equipment. The only thing you need to provide is yourself!
We do not write ourselves as the hero unit. The 173rd operates as a supporting element to the wider Navy picture. We succeed by doing our job, not by being the centre of the universe.
Roleplay is encouraged but kept practical. We expect basic RP courtesy. Do not disrupt RP already in progress.
We maintain RP zones and lore archives on Discord for those who want deeper immersion.
There is no enforced “Sir”. Respect is mandatory. Forced theatrics are not. If you want to salute and keep it formal, do it. If you do not, you will not be punished for it. What we do expect is for you to remain professional when needed and leave the goofing off for the mess hall.
Operations are written and delivered as proper deployments. Briefings, redacted orders, and After Action Reports are normal here.
Our internal story moves alongside the live PU and can shift depending on mission outcomes and in-universe events. We keep it grounded and credible.
The 173rd has its own lore that is closely tied to all current and ongoing lore of the Star Citizen universe. We want as much as possible to be correct and believable.
Boot Camp is required only for brand new players. If you already know the basics, you will be assessed in-mission and may be waved through.
Boot Camp covers basic movement, kit setup, food and hydration, and the fundamentals of working as crew. Turret operation and multicrew discipline are included. Pilot training is separate and requires additional qualifications as mentioned below.
United Empire of Earth Naval Flight Academy (UNFA) is where all members of the 173rd gain their wings. This is the one and only qualification we set the bar high and the pass rate low. Only the best will succeed but not only will passing allow you to be a pilot in the 173rd Battlegroup but also gives you the stepping stone into a commission with the immediate advancement to Ensign.
Alternate Officer Track (ALOT) is a way for Non-Pilots to gain a commissioned rank. This is for those who can't fly to save their own skin but can command an army as if it was nothing. Like the UNFA, this is difficult as gaining a commission should be.
Other academies and schools are in the works to teach roles such as Engineering. As more gameplay loops come online, we will expand on the qualifications all members can go for. Some roles may require these qualifications but most will just require Boot Camp.
All members are tracked through internal service profiles. Records include rank, qualifications, missions, awards, and time in service. These records are also used to support promotion boards. The stronger your record, the easier it is to justify advancement. Every mission you attend, every promotion you ever receive is logged in your career profile and you can view this at any time as well as your current posting along with the rest of the fleet.
Those who have served in the real world military are certainly welcome in the 173rd. Some of the current members, including the Commanding Officer has prior service. At present, we do not have anything to give to those current or prior service members however we do plan to get something going for those who got on the wrong bus to college.
Apply first, then join Discord. If you apply and do not join Discord, your application will be rejected. Once you are in, a recruiter will contact you and ask you to fill in a quick google form which is what is used to create your military record profile. This form also includes things like what you would like to aspire to be (ie. Pilot, Captain, Engineer etc.) so we can assign you more easily.
If a recruiter is offline/unavailable, feel free to message in our public chat or even jump in the public voice channel. We have active members who will gladly jump in to answer questions and make you feel right at home.
Links
Apply (RSI Org): https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/orgs/2NDFLEET
UEE Military Records Department (Internal): https://173rd-ueenavy.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/rTnwWfdmUs
Everyone starts at the bottom. Progression is earned, not handed out.
Pilot, co-pilot, and command seats are assigned by qualification and trust, and they can be removed if standards slip.
Inactivity policy: 30 days for active members, 60 for affiliates.
Repeated inactivity or serious breaches of core standards can result in removal.
Noodles are the best food in the 'verse.
SIGNED,
LTJG Jack Mercer
173rd Battlegroup,
2nd Fleet, UEE Navy
