Union Armed Forces personnel carry a range of equipment nearly as great as the number of worlds they come from. However, there are some standards for non-specialized personnel which are generally available to all units. Below are some of the standard-issue articles of equipment a UAF soldier (Elite or otherwise) could expect to have access to. Senior Allies and Allies would also have access to this equipment. Provisional Allies vary on a case-by-case basis, as do Last Chancers, although obviously a Last Chancer will not carry any equipment that is uniquely identifying unless a viable cover story can be created.
It is important to note that Elites are generally exempt from being required to carry most of this into battle. However, in many cases, it is ill advised, if not outright foolish, to leave it behind - standard issue equipment is usually free of charge and provides a handy backup in case one's main capabilities are compromised unexpectedly.
Armaments
* Weapons - the UAF, being a military organization, is familiar with standard weapons, and as one might expect, provides them to its members whenever possible.
* Sidearms - All combat personnel are expected to carry a sidearm if they are not naturally gifted in ranged combat or highly skilled in melee combat. This typically comes in two technological forms - kinetic projectile or energy burst/beam. Kinetic projectile weapons are generally along the lines of standard handguns (e.g. the Desert Eagle, Magnum, Sig Sauer, etc.) Many will have upgrades in terms of subspace systems to allow them to carry more rounds than standard-issue unmodified weapons, though they do not strictly require it.
Energy-based weapons also come in a variety of types, although the most commonly issued are Starfleet phasers, which are most often issued as Type II "cobrahead" phasers due to their versatility. Specialists in more esoteric ranged combat, such as archery or throwing knives, can also find the necessary equipment (such as a bow or crossbow) and a steady supply of ammunition from the armory.
* Main ranged armaments - main armaments are much more varied than sidearms, and as such generalizing them is very difficult; however, all the standard weapons one might expect a military to have are likely represented somewhere. Familiar rifles such as the M-16 and AK-47, usually augmented magically or alchemically, are available.
More sophisticated weapons such as phaser rifles are also available. Main armaments usually require more certification to obtain than sidearms, due to their increased versatility and power. Elites typically have whatever specialist main armament they require and most favor their own equipment, if they even have it at all (magical girls, for instance, are not terribly likely to want or need an M-16 or phaser rifle).
* Melee armaments - A variety of melee armaments are available. All personnel are able to access simpler instruments such as knives and batons. More skilled users are also able to obtain more useful weapons, such as swords, spears, lances, battle axes, and so forth. Various types of energy-based weapons are also available. However, while Elites are welcome to take what they need, they (and many other specialists) often have specialized equipment that is superior to what is available in the UAF armory.
Note that even if a melee weapon is common, it may not be available - for instance, obtaining a Jedi light saber from the armory is not possible (and unless you're a Jedi or a superb swordsman, not advisable unless you like having accidentally severed appendages replaced after training accidents).
Identification
* Badge - Most UAF front-line personnel (and all Elites that are either standard ranked or at the level of Ally or above) carry a badge with a variety of holographic and magical authentication information integrated into it. This badge confirms the holder's authenticity and authority.
Most general soldiers will not use this like a police officer, although it is not uncommon for an Elite to do so (e.g. introducing oneself, "Union Armed Forces Sergeant Luigi Mario"). However, even among those who do not use it in this manner, it is important to carry one to help verify one's claims of identity, especially if operating with Union civilians in the area.
In the event of loss of radio, a UAF badge usually has a small IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) transmitter built in to tag the bearer as friendly.
* Dog tags are also issued as identification. Unfortunately these more primitive tools, although they carry just as much (if not more) identifying and authenticating information than a standard badge does, are typically for use in identifying those who cannot identify themselves, e.g. the seriously wounded or the dead. Dog tags are typically worn by most on-duty ranked personnel, although Elites are often an exception to this. However, despite their morbid uses, dog tags can be quite vital in emergency situations where treatment must be rendered immediately - dog tags have saved many lives. Sometimes the lives saved are not even those of the person wearing them - dog tags can carry obscure information for medical situations such as blood types, which may allow a medic to perform services such as an emergency blood transfusion.
* Uniform - Standard-issue uniforms for humanoid organisms that wear clothes come in the form of a standard shirt/pants combination that comes in a variety of camouflage patterns (most often "jungle" or "urban" for non-area-specific duty). Specialized variations can include "chameleon" technology or magitech to help adapt the shirt to the area surrounding it.
Such uniforms are highly sophisticated despite their simple appearance, and can usually provide some low level of protection against body blows and bullets (essentially acting as low-grade armor), as well as a good deal of temperature control, allowing for comfort in a wide range of temperatures, even without specialized suits.
The uniforms also have a number of smaller amenities that are helpful, such as extra pockets, low-level emergency medical treatment options (varying in sophistication, depending on the individual and the particular uniform being used, though they're merely intended as emergency first aid or for minor injuries) high durability, and extremely easy cleaning, making them much more useful than regular clothing.
* It is worth noting that many Elites do not wear their uniform regularly, if at all. This is particularly true for allies. However, everyone gets one, as seldom as it is worn, and they are often encouraged to wear them at official functions, particularly those where formal wear would be required. Considering they also tend to be useful in terms of camouflage and other pragmatic matters, it is also encouraged that they be worn when they are useful in actual combat.
Communication
* Computers - Several types of small computer systems are employed by various troops. There is no one particular computer terminal in use, although portable units are almost universal among soldiers. An example of a popular one is the Starfleet PADD, which is capable of most computing and communication tasks with a minimum of hassle and a decent degree of robustness.
All computers must be able to interface with the central UAF computers, ARTHUR and SCION, although due to the robust capabilities of their AI systems, this is typically not an issue.
* Radio - All UAF personnel in the field are issued personal radios. These come in several types, although the most standard among the Elites is the CODEC. All radios issued are based on subspace technology, allowing them to transmit at faster-than-light speeds. They also include backup transmission on standard radio frequency (RF) bands, although RF is not nearly as fast or long-range as subspace.
Typically radios will interface with the Union or general Multiversal communication networks to expand their range, but can often transmit for a long distance by themselves. For convenience, most standard radios are also able to access certain voice-only communication systems, such as the telephone. Radios also tend to have auxiliary features, such as emergency homing beacons.
* A CODEC is a small, cybernetic device that is partially nanite-based and interfaces to some degree with the cerebral cortex, allowing one to "hear" the radio as though something were actually being spoken to them. They also allow for some degree of "subvocalization," which is something akin to techno-telepathy and allowing one to "think" into the radio.
Attempts to sabotage CODECs in terms of turning them against their masters (e.g. ordering the nanites to attack) is limited at best - the CODECs are designed to go out of their way to avoid triggering an immune system response, which is important in Elites that may end up rejecting the device, and as a result are highly resistant to this type of interference and usually produces pathetic or useless results even if it is achieved. As a consequence, most units do not allow for high-level cybernetics, with visual interfaces and mental controls only affecting CODEC status and operation.
Concentrated thoughts to reconfigure the CODEC can be accepted, although it is "smart" enough not to act on idle or random thoughts - one must generally be at least moderately coherent and putting as much mental effort into commands as one would to press a button in real life. CODECs can be disabled or destroyed at any time by the user and disabled at will by UAF command through the proper encryption protocols and authorization codes.
* Other types of transmission systems include hand-held or wrist-mounted units. These are usually secured and often keyed to specific users, although it is usually fairly simple to configure them to be used by other personnel, allowing backup radios to be handy in case someone not normally on the bands must be allowed access to them in an emergency.
One example is the Starfleet comm badge. Another example are the built-in radios employed by most Autobots.
* High-level magic users or psychics are also allowed to access the communications network with their powers, if they are able to consistently communicate using them and are able to follow security protocols.
Users are warned that it is possible for these transmissions to be intercepted just as transmissions between technology-based radios are, and it is just as important that they be able to use the encryption interfaces as it is for anyone else who is using a radio.
* Generally no matter what the radio type, personnel are encouraged to carry a backup radio of some type that is different in some significant way from their normal radio - for instance, if a soldier has a CODEC, then they should probably carry something like a handheld radio for emergencies.
Medical & Miscellaneous
* HAZMAT containers - field personnel are often issued standardized HAZMAT containers. Colored bright orange, these boxes self-collapse, but can be expanded when the need arises. They are able to contain a wide variety of threats, including magical, radioactive, antimatter, negative matter, biological, chemical, and other threats. They are generally not able to hold an Elite (they are too small even if their systems would allow it), but can hold most artifacts that can fit at least long enough to get it to safe containment at R&D.
HAZMAT containers appear to be made of plastic, but are actually made with high-grade plastisteel technology. They are very difficult to damage or break. While the internals of HAZMAT containers are not generally recycled intact (they are broken down to base elements to prevent contamination hazards), the outer shells are frequently reused if the container itself is not damaged and there is no evidence of cross-contamination, though in a highest-level threat situation even the shell is disintegrated.
* Food - Food comes in a variety of forms, often being issued as ration packs that are similar to MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). As most organic life in the Multiverse can eat human food, it is usually based on human food, although many of the packs are toned down in terms of flavor for easier consumption by species who find stronger-flavored human dishes distasteful. MREs contain decent nutrition for working on the go, though they are no diet food and are heavy on calories.
MREs are supplemented by ration bars that are able to provide sufficient nutrition for an individual for up to two days without any other form of nourishment, although subsisting on these bars and nothing more for an extended period of time will likely have adverse health effects in the long run, if nothing more than a lack of fiber and subsequent intestinal discomfort. MREs are generally only eaten in the field - on base, traditional galley service or replicated food is usually served.
More exotic beings are typically given rations as well, appropriate to their biology. In particular, mechanical personnel are typically given fuel suitable for their bodies, although attempts are made to minimize the number of fuels that need to be kept in stock (for instance, energon that has been modified to be able to be accepted by beings other than Transformers may make up a large portion of this supply).
* Medical equipment - Most UAF personnel are familiar with standard first aid. Several packages of first aid equipment are available, including technology based (which includes devices such as dermal regenerators, blood infusors, and bone autografters), and magic based (including heal potions, healing materia, and magical devices). Dedicated medical personnel have much more specialized and sophisticated packages available to them. In general, in a unit (e.g. a specific, organized fire team that work together on a regular basis), at least two soldiers should carry these, although all personnel are encouraged to carry at least a simple one.
* Other - many other types of equipment one might expect from a military, such as binoculars or SCUBA gear, are available to Elites that have the appropriate training (e.g. don't expect to get SCUBA gear unless you actually know how to use it). However, most soldiers, including Elites, cannot hope to hold something for every occasion, and must carefully choose what they carry with them into battle.
