The Cohors Frontis is the Republic's long-range scouting and exploration arm. Where the Classis Navalis projects power and the Legio Terrestris holds ground, the Frontis extends the Republic's awareness into the unknown. The Explorer is the first eyes of the Vigil — Semper Vigilo begins with the Frontis.
The Branch is structured around Expeditions (Expeditiones) — autonomous, self-sufficient scouting missions typically lasting days to weeks. Expeditions are organised into Patrols (Explorationes) at the Decanus level and individual Scouts (Exploratores) at the Miles level.
- Branch (Cohors Frontis) — all scouts — Praefectus Frontis.
- Expedition (Expeditio) — 6–20 scouts — Centurio — Dux Expeditionis.
- Patrol (Exploratio) — 2–5 scouts — Decanus — Caput Explorationis.
- Scout (Explorator) — 1 pilot — Miles.
Mission-type composition varies: deep-space survey, jump-point reconnaissance, planetary survey, hostile-space patrol.
Specialisation roles
- Explorator Navis — Survey Pilot.
- Explorator Prior — Pathfinder.
- Cartographus — Cartographer.
- Scanner Operator — Active sensors.
- Surface Scout — Planetary reconnaissance.
- Relay Operator — Communications relay.
Most common pairing: Pathfinder + Cartographer.
Expedition findings report to the Praefectus Frontis, who routes intelligence products to: Praetoria Vigiliae (threat data), Praetoria Materiae (resource deposits), Praetoria Operum (construction sites).
Expeditions in deep space operate with high autonomy. The Dux Expeditionis has authority to make tactical decisions without Praefectus approval when communication is not possible. Where an expedition enters potentially hostile space, the Praetoria Vigiliae may attach an Intelligence Liaison (Legatus Vigiliae) at Decanus level.
Reading notes
- Autonomy is doctrine, not exception. Expeditions operate outside communication range by design.
- The Frontis is the Vigilia's partner, not its subordinate. Bilateral handoffs.
- Armed escorts for Frontis expeditions are formally requested from Cohors Arma.
- Expedition Logs are the primary doctrinal record of the Frontis.
Glossarium
- Expeditio
- Expedition — autonomous scouting mission, the Frontis core unit.
- Dux Expeditionis
- Expedition Commander (Centurio rank).