2ND KATHLEEN COMPANY
"THE FLYING REDS"

2ND KATHLEEN COMPANY

“The Kathleens represent the highest of one's resilience, bravery, and dedication. Now they'll be used as the Midwest's finest.”

Captain Greene, 2165

Throughout the history of the former Canadian state, the Canadian Armed Forces were a major part of its culture. From the steps of the incomplete White House to the Dunes of the Gobi Desert, the CAF has always contributed to the wider Western military effort. However, after the Flash, Canada was left in a state of ruin. All of Western Canada had been abandoned by the central government in Ottawa, which could barely control its territories, especially the always-rebellious province of Quebec. A foreign intervention in the Quebec conflict by the aggressive Northeastern Union eventually led to the collapse of the Canadian state, and the rump Canadian Provisional Authority didn't last much longer under the Midwestern banner. The absorption of the CPA and the creation of the Canadian Auxiliary Corps meant that Princess Kathleen's Commandos would also be absorbed into the new CAC. This led to the creation of the Kathleen Company.

 Specializing in Airborne, Guerilla, and Urban warfare, Kathleen Company is an unorthodox unit of the New Model Army. Composed entirely of soldiers from the now defunct PKC, Kathleen Company is the only CAC Unit to have been christened in the field, meaning it does not follow the strict regulations and changes of other Canadian units. For example, it retains the same commanders as it had when the unit was first dropped on the Sunrise Isles, has the same members, and currently does not accept new members. The unit also has an extremely unique culture, with the main points being its celebration of the Canadian identity and a small amount of them rejecting being a "Midwesterner", save for the majority members of the Unit who have conformed to identify with their new government. Members of the Kathleen Company are still allowed to wear their red berets, making it one of the few units allowed to keep a piece of their heritage. 

All of Kathleen Company and the rest of the CAC hold high reverence for King Grover I, the final monarch of the United Kingdom, alongside the rest of the royal family, as Canada is viewed as a part of its commonwealth in remembrance of the last time the country was truly united. The vacant monarchy of Canada is viewed with an almost religious zeal, with a portrait of King Grover and Princess Kathleen seen in most Kathleen Company posts and them being referred to in an almost godly tone. Most members of the NMA proper view this worship as a farce, many not knowing what the concept of 'Britain' even is, and understanding that this royal family is likely long gone. Regardless, however, the 25th's Command has allowed Kathleen Company's members to retain their beliefs for now.

The storied history of Kathleen Company, which originates from the pre-flash era, has led to it being the most highly decorated, experienced, and oldest unit of now gone Canadian Federation. Kathleen Company now serves underneath the command of the 25th Naval Infantry, with only their lower echelon officers being Canadian.  

MEMBERS OF THE 2ND KATHLEEN COMPANY

Kathleen Company is also among the most diverse units in the New Model Army due to their recruitment strategy before integration. However, the aftermath of the Second Canadian War has changed many people's perception of the world they now live in. Generally, the members of Kathleen Company are well trained to do their duties, however, the majority do not have much experience in regards to an operation such as the one their in within the Sunrise Isles. The Company generally comprises two groups: Loyalists and the Old Guard.

THE LOYALISTS

Around 30% of Kathleen Company is made up of so-called 'Loyalists'. They mainly consist of PKC recruits and officer cadets who fled their training center or managed to survive the Battles of Ottawa and Montreal. They successfully fled Canada after being transported to the MWU by their Command to protect the 'Next Generation of Commandos. ' Afterwards, they completed their training with the NMA within the territories of the CPA and integrated into the Canadian Auxiliary Corps. These soldiers are more cautious, weary, and susceptible to propaganda. They are proud of their Canadian identity but have accepted the Union and are willing to integrate into its society, and so a growing number of them are declaring themselves as full Midwestern citizens, or wish to live a peaceful life in the habitable lands of the Ontario Peninsula or the Western territories rather than returning to a frozen wasteland or the slums of Ottawa. This puts them at odds with the Old Guard. 

THE OLD GUARD

The majority of the Company is made up of the 'Old Guard'. These soldiers have been battle-hardened for countless years in the CAF and the PKC, and they participated in the initial landing operation on the Sunrise Isles at the onset of the Second Canadian War. They are supposed to and are often used as advisory personnel to NMA troops and also mentors to the lesser experienced, though most often they are thrust into combat whenever possible. They are generally very 'gung-ho' and more inclined to get into frontline combat, but perhaps also suffer from combat shock and PTSD due to their experiences. What holds them up is their fierce, and perhaps even fanatical, loyalty to Canada and King Grover, and the rejection of Midwestern values. Their disdain for Midwestern integration often puts them at odds with the Loyalists and proper members of the NMA, and thus, they are placed under higher scrutiny by the Command of the 25th and are held in suspicion by other units, which puts the future of the 2nd Kathleen Company in uncertainty.

FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

"The future of this great nation, and her people, resides in the Frontier we have before us."

Anonymous Grain & Frontier Congressman, 2164

The Frontier Development Program was conceived by Army Command in February 2165, soon after the formation of the Canadian Auxiliary Corps. It was intended as a way to gain the loyalty of Canadians that had fled from Canada soon after the Second Canadian War, alongside developing rural communities of the Union's frontier regions, predominantly areas that had been captured from the Great Lakes Coalition West. The program is offered to members of the CAC who have completed their service time, and they may be given the following:

• A Land Grant of 175 Acres in the Northwest Territories

• Construction/Farming Equipment provided by the Bureau of Agriculture

• Firearms Permit to keep a Military Service Rifle to defend the homestead/community

• Military Benefits/Pension for 3–5 years, tax-free

• Government Confirmed Midwestern Citizenship.

The opportunity to own land and also reconstruct their communities is an enticing opportunity to many, however, the Program is yet to take off in earnest due to the recent creation of both the program and the CAC, but it generally has been received positively by service members. Army Command has also initiated a propaganda campaign within the CAC, claiming the Coalition stole historical Canadian land in the Ontario Peninsula and that they have the opportunity to 'resettle' the land via the program, alongside reclaiming cities such as Toronto and Hamilton under the Midwestern banner as soon as the Great Lakes Coalition East is defeated.