BACKGROUND LORE

"The last thing many would expect, is for a civilian organisation to be operating on the front-line. Despite the many raised eyebrows when it was first revealed, they have proven to be a useful auxiliary element to the Expeditionary Force, filling in the gaps for support roles such as mechanics and medics when needed. Some even engage in R&D along with their military counterparts. 

Perhaps a more morbid and cynical point of view, would suggest the only reason UU Command allows their presence on the battlefield, is that they’re hoping the Resistance would hesitate firing at non-combatants, giving ample opportunity for military elements to take them down. 

As of the new year, the CWU have cut most direct involvement within the Combine faction, only now acting as loyalists tolerated by UU high command. Their status has not gone without recognition, however, as the CWU have CL1 protection and their Site Admin a prominent role within the faction. 

There is some suspicion that some of the CWU members that have been sent to the front-lines, were there due to punitive or even political reasons. It would not be hard to see why, being removed from the relative comforts of city life and forced to live one similar to a soldier, is in the eyes of CWU officials, one hell of a punishment. 

This isn’t to say that the CWU are a perfectly loyal group of citizens. Some members have nullified their status by aiding rebellion forces, in the hopes of gaining a better life should they win. As such, the union is now employing a sort of disguised scout, to catch and punish the CWU caught."

• Official CvR Lore Document

HOW TO COUNTER

• Despite their non-combatent status, CWU members are armed. They are allowed to defend themselves should you harass them or their comrades.

• Remain vigilant if you see a CWU member near a group of Combine. You are free to execute them if they heal any Combine unit or repair Combine vehicles/fortifications.

• CWU have access to Combine radio, and will certainly attempt to give them any noteworthy intel. Keep a close eye on them, and turn them away whenever possible.

Non-standard Rank structure

Given how the CWU are not a part of the conventional Combine military, they adhere to a completely different ranking structure: