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The '''Adeptus Astartes''' (commonly known as '''Space Marines''', and colloquially as '''Angels of Death''') are the most elite and feared fighting forces of the [[Imperium]]. The primary unit of organization is the [[Chapter]], a self-contained army fully equipped with its own transport, non-combatant support staff, etc. There are around a thousand Chapters, each comprising a thousand Space Marines. There are far too few Space Marines to form the Imperium's main military forces; instead they operate as highly mobile strike forces. They are entrusted with the most dangerous missions, such as lightning raids behind enemy lines, infiltration , and tunnel fighting⁶. Through selection, training , and conditioning, Marines are physically, mentally , and spiritually superior to any other Imperial soldier.⁵ [[Image:space marines deployments.jpg|thumb|right|Space Marine Deploymentsdeployments.|250px]]

The first Space Marines were created from the genetic material of the [[Primarch]]s, after they were spirited away from the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]] by the [[Gods of Chaos]]. Twenty [[Space Marine Legion|Legions of Space Marines]] were created, each from the genetic material of a specific Primarch.

The Legions which had remained loyal were eventually reorganised reorganized according to the dictates of the [[Codex Astartes]], in the event known as the [[Second Founding]]. Each Legion was divided into several autonomous Chapters , which remain the primary unit of the Space Marines to the current day.

Successive [[founding]]s over the millennia have created new chaptersChapters. There are now around a thousand chapters Chapters in existence, each Chapter ultimately descending from one of the loyalist Legions.

==OrganisationOrganization==The Adeptus Astartes is comprised of autonomous [[Chapter]]s, each of which is a complete army in itself, possessing its own transport, [[Warp]]-capable spacecraft, non-combatant personnel , and [[fortress-monastery]] based on a planet or fleet. There are roughly a thousand Chapters, each led by a Space Marine with the rank of [[Chapter Master]]. A chapterChapter's fighting force numbers a nominal 1,000 Marines, divided into ten companies, each of which is commanded by a [[Captain]]. Companies are further divided into squads of ten battle-brothers.⁵

The Chapter Masters owe their allegiance to the Emperor. Ultimately , the Chapter is subject to the orders of the highest-ranking among the [[Adeptus Terra]], although only in a general sense.⁷

===Tactical organisationOrganization===The traditional Codex Chapter is tactically organized into a number of different types of squad: [[Tactical Squad|Tactical]], [[Assault Marine|Assault]] , and [[Devastator Squad|Devastator]]. The squad types are equipped and trained to fulfil fulfill a specific battlefield role, each of the three types designed to complement each other on the battlefield to make a far more effective whole. In addition to these three squad types, veterans can be formed into [[Veteran Squad (Space Marines)|Veteran]] or [[Terminator Squad]]s, while the initiate Marines are formed into [[Space Marine Scout|Scout]] squads.

Terminator squads are drawn from the best and most experienced warriors of the entire Chapter. The veterans wear the uniquely powerful [[Terminator Armour|Terminator armourarmor]]. These squads are formed when circumstances necessitate the concentration of the Chapter's most capable warriors and potent equipment into one or more heavily-armed and powerful units.⁸

A Chapter cult is an integral aspect of a Space Marine Chapter. Every Space Marine belongs to the Chapter's cult, and accordingly , every Marine of a Chapter is a spiritual brother as well as a brother -at -arms. These warrior cults emphasise honouremphasize honor, comradeship , and strength. Chapter cults, often thousands of years old, have each developed their own distinct traditions, and in many cases these cults predate the [[Imperial Cult]], the official religion of the Imperium. Each Space Marine cult is unique and autonomous, ministered by an inner priesthood of warriors known as [[Chaplain]]s. The practises practices of Space Marine cults, rumoured rumored to be barbaric and bloody, serve to make Space Marines all the more feared by the mass of humanity.

The distinctive [[Power Armour|power armourarmor]] is worn by all Marines in battle. Some members of the Chapter's first company may instead be armoured armored in the heavier [[Terminator Armour|terminator armourTerminator armor]]. [[Carapace armourarmor]] is worn by [[Space Marine Scout|Scout]]s instead of power armourarmor. There is also a 4th fourth type of armour armor called [[Artificer Armourarmour]] , worn by most marines Marines who have served 3 three centuries for the Emperor or performed a notably brave action in battle.

==Recruitment and trainingTraining==

Recruits are chosen from the best warriors among [[human]]ity. Naturally , this make makes [[Feral World|feral world]]s prized recruitment grounds, as such harsh and primal conditions produce the best warriors. However , [[Hive World|hive worlds]] are considered the ideal source of potential recruits, the populace of the lower levels composed of some of the most murderous scum in the human Imperium. Whole gangs of hive scum are sometimes hunted down and captured for recruitment. Among the most valued traits in a recruit are aggression and psychotic-level killer instinct. Much more rarely, certain [[Civilised World|civilised civilized worlds]] are also recruited from.^7,5

The potential recruit is first subjected to testing, including tissue compatibility tests and psychological screening. Relatively few get past this initial selection process. Those that do pass are termed ''"neophytes''", and the process continues with the surgery, indoctrination, conditioning , and training that will make them Marines.

The surgical process takes a great deal of time. The recruit receives implants, along with chemical- and hypnotherapy , and training necessary for allowing the functioning and development of the implanted organs. The implants transform their bodies and minds and give them inhuman abilities - making them capable of spitting acidic venom, absorbing the memories of the dead by eating their flesh, darkening their skin to protect it from radiation, and operating for long periods without sleep by switching off parts of their brains at a time. After this implantation process and the associated training, the recruit becomes a ''"initiate''".

==Daily routineRoutine==

Space Marines have very organised organized daily routines including combat training, prayer , and indoctrination sessions with very little free time. This lends itself well to the disciplined and monastic nature of the Space Marines.

*[[List of Space Marine equipment|Space Marine ArmouryArmory]]

*[[Quotes Space Marines|Space Marine Quotes]] - Space Marine related quotes

*¹:[[Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition)|''Codex: Space Marines'' (3rd Edition)]]*²:[[White Dwarf 98 (UK)|''White Dwarf'' #98 (U.K.)]] (1988) ''The Origins of the Legiones Astartes'' by [[Rick Priestley]], ''reprinted in:''**''[[Warhammer 40,000: Compendium]] '' and [http://uk.games-workshop.com/spacemarines/initiation/2 the GW web siteG.W. website's ''The Creation of a Space Marine'']*⁴:[[Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition)|''Codex: Space Marines'' (4th Edition)]]*⁵:''[[Warhammer 40,000: Compendium]]'', pP. 129

*⁷:''[[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]]'', pp. 133,153*⁸:[[Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition)|''Codex: Ultramarines'' (2nd Edition)]]*⁹:[[Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)|''Codex: Space Marines'' (5th Edition)]]

==External linksLinks==*[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?community=&catId=cat1350002&categoryId=400028&aId=9600100 Space Marine Chapter Gallery]*[http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?autocom=pages&do=show&id=1 Imperial forces painterForces Painter]