Militaires Sans Frontières

Militaires Sans Frontières (French for Soldiers Without Borders), abbreviated as MSF and also known as Outer Heaven, was a private military company in the early 1970s founded and led by Big Boss. Because of their mercenary status, their questionable tactics on the battlefield, and their usage of an off-shore forwarding base in the middle of the Caribbean Sea during the mid-to-late 1970s, they were frequently referred to by their enemies as pirates.

Origins
After leaving the Patriots in 1972, Naked Snake, a.k.a. Big Boss, formed the "Militaires Sans Frontières," so as to provide military force for anyone who needs them, regardless of nations or ideologies. As such, the MSF also specialized in providing the full range of military services, including combat, logistics, training, weapons, outfitting, and R&D. In addition, the MSF was also designed to merge the small footprint and exceptional performance of Special Forces groups and the full military might of a full regular army, as a means to fully break free of nation-states. Employed by the Colombian government sometime after 1972, Snake and the MSF fought an opposing mercenary unit led by Kazuhira Miller. After MSF defeated the enemy force, Snake offered Miller a place in the group, which he accepted, later becoming its second-in-command. During this time, Miller also viewed MSF as being a "new kind of business" regarding guns-for-hire, that is neither tied to mercenaries nor to a foreign legion, and also intended to help Big Boss succeed in his goals for MSF. In addition, between its founding and its employment under the Colombian government, it often relocated in order to avoid the CIA, should the CIA be coming near their base.

In November 4 of 1974, the Militaires Sans Frontières were stationed in Colombia when they were first approached by Ramón Gálvez Mena and Paz Ortega Andrade, representing Costa Rica. The two requested that the group assist "the nation without a military" because of a mysterious security company that had recently invaded their country, presumably for the CIA. In return, Gálvez offered the group an offshore plant to use as a base off the coast of the Caribbean. Despite some rumors that it was a mercenary group, Snake did not seem to consider it as such, and protested at Galvez's assumption that they were just a pack of "Dogs of War" when the latter attempted to hire them. After some persuasion from Miller, and curious as to The Boss's supposed involvement in affair, Snake accepted the mission.

The MSF then commenced operations against the occupying force in Costa Rica, later identified as the Peace Sentinel, who were attempting to develop an unmanned nuclear weapon known as Peace Walker. The MSF's existence was threatened toward the end of their mission, when Peace Sentinel leader Hot Coldman, intended to launch a nuclear strike at Mother Base. The MSF considered evacuating, but Miller had some confidence that Snake would succeed in stopping Peace Walker's launch. Eventually, the MSF left Mother Base to aid Snake in stopping the Peace Sentinels, who had relocated to neighboring Nicaragua.

During their mission, the MSF also dispatched several of its forces into other war zones for income, in order to increase its numbers and resources (namely small arms, missiles and uniforms) as well as to feed its personnel, in the fight against the Peace Sentinels. In addition, after capturing territory from the enemy forces, the MSF temporarily used them as training grounds for their troops in various weapons and fighting styles.

Following Peace Walker's destruction, Paz came to stay aboard Mother Base. At some point during her stay, the Militaires Sans Frontières adopted a cat that they found on one of the missions, which Paz named "Nuke." Big Boss and Miller briefly discussed who their "queen bee" was within the MSF, in regards to Mother Base's hexagonal beehive-like structure. Unable to decide between either Paz, Cecile, Amanda, or Strangelove, they both agreed that they should instead have an "army of queen bees."

The MSF also completed development of the bipedal tank Metal Gear ZEKE, while later installing it with Peace Walker's nuclear warhead as a deterrent against enemies while establishing their nomadic nation, with Snake referring to the group as being "the real Peace Walkers." They had been able to do this undetected because both the KGB and the CIA were too busy trying to cover up the chaotic events at Nicaragua to notice. The MSF were later to be dispatched to Angola for their services, which Miller relayed to Cipher during a secret business telephone call (the latter party having earlier promised Miller with MSF's expansion in exchange for going along with Cipher's true plot of getting Big Boss to rejoin them). Cipher planned to have the MSF act as a deterrent for their new world order, with Paz Andrade issuing this demand to Snake, after revealing herself to be a triple agent. Having hijacked MSF's Metal Gear ZEKE on Mother Base, she intended to frame the group as being an extremist cult, following Snake's refusal, by launching a nuclear strike on the East Coast of America. However, that plan failed when the MSF defeated ZEKE, with Paz presumed dead after falling into the ocean. Miller also ended up admitting to his knowledge and involvement in Cipher's plot to Big Boss afterwards and apologized.

Ground Zeroes
Ten days later, the Militaires Sans Frontières learned of Paz's survival via leaked Cipher transmissions, and that she had been incarcerated at a U.S. prison camp in Cuba known as Camp Omega. Chico, who had been captured by the group XOF, was also imprisoned at the camp, so the MSF arranged a rescue mission for the two. By rescuing Paz, they hoped to gain more information on Cipher, as she was their only viable link to the organization. Because of the politically sensitive nature of the mission, Big Boss infiltrated the facility alone. In addition to that mission, MSF also had to contend with the upcoming arrival of UN nuclear inspectors at Mother Base, and were concerned about the consequences should their nuclear weapons program be revealed.

However, MSF and Mother Base ended up attacked by XOF, resulting in the destruction of Mother Base as well as several casualties. The Diamond Dogs were ultimately formed as a result.

Logo and slogan
The MSF's emblem design was based on Pangaea, the supercontinent that is theorized to have existed 250 million years ago, before the component continents were separated into their current configuration. This could possibly represent Big Boss's take on The Boss's idea of a united world. The emblem also bears a resemblance to the one later used by Outer Heaven (it looks very much like a skull).

During their operations in Colombia, the Militaires Sans Frontières' slogan was "Libertad o Muerte", which is Spanish for "Freedom or Death." The slogan was made famous during the independence struggle of several countries, notably including Brazil, the United States of America, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, Republic of Macedonia, and Uruguay. Despite the logo, however, Big Boss initially believed that their revolution should result in neither their victory nor their death.

Personnel
Some of the personnel who joined up were former United States Army members who fought in Vietnam,  while others claimed to be former SAS. In addition, shortly after Zadornov's capture, the MSF managed to recruit several Soviet soldiers, and Miller considered having Zadornov join MSF to bolster the Soviet soldiers' morale.
 * Snake/Big Boss (founder/commander)
 * Kazuhira Miller (sub-commander)
 * Troops
 * At least sixteen servicemen (while in Colombia)
 * Drill instructor
 * Various volunteers
 * Various enemy defectors
 * Various rescued POWs
 * Huey Emmerich (R&D scientist/bipedal weapon developer)
 * Strangelove (R&D/AI researcher)
 * Paz Ortega Andrade (guest)
 * Cécile Cosima Caminades (Scout)
 * Amanda Valenciano Libre (commander of the Sandinistes)
 * Chico

The Militaires Sans Frontières, during their missions in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, mostly fished to get their own food.

Every month, the MSF held birthday parties for the soldiers. It primarily consisted of drinking large amounts of alcohol and acting crudely, although any real fights were surprisingly rare.

Base of operations


The MSF's camp on the Barranquilla Coast of Colombia was not their first encampment, as they had previously relocated several times, to avoid the CIA's presence. At least one of their camps also possessed an infirmary.

The Colombian camp included a one room cabin that functioned as its main office, given the fact that Big Boss and Galvez discussed their business in there, and contained some large water containers due to the roof constantly leaking water during rain storms.

Shortly after being assigned to repel the armed forces out of Costa Rica, the MSF were provided with an offshore plant on the Caribbean to use as their base of operations. The plant, dubbed Mother Base, had three struts positioned in a way that resembled a triangle, as well as a tower in the center, although throughout the course of their operations in Costa Rica, and later Nicaragua, it was further expanded as its personnel and equipment grew. The Colombian camp was still used for entrance exams, however, which composed of the recruits wishing to join MSF wanting to fight Big Boss to see if he is the real deal. In addition, the Militaires Sans Frontières, after neutralizing the Peace Sentinel presence at Puerto del Alba, Rio del Jade's boathouse, Aldea Los Despiertos, the U.S. Missile Base in Nicaragua, and the Miner's residence near the Mine Base, temporarily used these locations as training locations for medium-range target shooting, long-range shooting, urban combat, medium-range target shooting, and long-range target shooting, respectively.

Unit divisions
There were five divisions within the Militaires Sans Frontières, at least during their time at the Mother Base:


 * Combat Unit: The main fighting/sneaking force of the Militaires Sans Frontières and source of income. Roster limit is 100.


 * R&D Team: Responsible for enhancing or otherwise creating weapons and equipment. Roster limit is 50.


 * Mess Hall Team: Responsible for providing the food for the Mother Base which affects morale. It was formed by Kazuhira Miller shortly after Big Boss encountered a LAV-typeG unit at Bananal Fruta de Oro as a precautionary means of provisions for the troops. Roster limit is 50.


 * Medical Team: Responsible for the healing of any personnel requiring medical attention due to sickness, injury or PTSD. They are also involved with R&D in regards to the development of weapons with various ways of knocking out personnel (e.g., emitting sleep gas or developing tranquilizers). The idea of a medical team for the Mother Base's Sick Bay was also planned by Kazuhira Miller after Amanda was airlifted to Mother Base wounded with a broken leg, although a Medical Team for MSF itself existed long before then. Roster limit is 50.


 * Intel Team: Responsible for providing intel for the Militaires Sans Frontières in regards to enemy activity or a weakness of the enemy that could be exploited as well as offering support from Mother Base for MSF soldiers on field missions. The Intel Team also often works with the R&D Team to develop various radars for MSF, and could also deliver supplies to allied mercenary units. It was brainstormed by Kazuhira Miller shortly after Chico ended up rescued. It was also implied that the Intel Team, or a similar unit called the MSF Intel Corps., were responsible for the recording/adapting of various old data files for the MSF. Roster limit is 50.


 * Besides the five divisions, the Mother Base has a Waiting Room, where new staff wait to be assigned to one of the divisions, a Sickbay for treatment, and a Brig for captured enemies. The Mother Base can hold a total of 350 members (351 with Snake).

Recruitment policy
The exact methods of recruitment during MSF's operations in Colombia and other countries prior to Costa Rica are unknown, although the method in which Kazuhira Miller was recruited into the group suggests that they take at least one survivor from a defeated enemy force and allow him the option of joining the group. During the MSF's mission in Costa Rica, it did recruitments via fulton recovery by capturing enemy soldiers or rescuing prisoners, with the military soldiers either being convinced immediately upon arriving at Mother Base, or having to spend time in the brig before they could decide to join. Some time afterwards, however, because of MSF's growing size making it similar to a corporation, a voluntary recruitment program was enacted, with several soldiers joining up. Many volunteers however, have very poor skills. Some of the joining soldiers will also take an entrance exam and find out if Big Boss was indeed how they heard of him by fighting him in a minute, with any soldiers who lose to Big Boss, having been convinced that his skills are accurate, joining up. Several soldiers will also sometimes join up after MSF completed a mission in operations outside Costa Rica, and several soldiers are also exchanged with allied mercenary units. Members that join include infantries, commandos, mechanics, nutritionists, doctors, scouts, actresses, and veteran voice actors.

Training regimen
As a military organization, the Militaires Sans Frontières adopted a training regimen for instructing new personnel. The training included, but was not limited to, mastering the use of the line of sight, changing stances, movement, rolling, unarmed combat, Stun Rod usage, and various forms of CQC. Doing 200 stomach crunches and running laps was also implied to be a required part of the MSF training. Also, the soldiers also can have the opportunity to have multiple CQC fights with Big Boss nearing the end of the training session as a special treat if he is present.

Uniform


The standard Militaires Sans Frontières uniform (during their missions in Colombia) included:


 * Two-eyed balaclava (Note: only the standard infantry wear this as part of the uniform)


 * Utility SPIE (Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction) Harness
 * 2x US LC-2 Individual Equipment Belt w/ QR (Quick-Release) Buckle
 * 3x US M1956 Universal Ammo Pouch
 * 2x US 1-Quart Plastic Canteen w/ LC-1 Canteen Cover
 * US M1967 Nylon Field Pack (Butt Pack)


 * Drop-leg flap holster (visually resembles the Bianchi M12 / UM84, a holster adopted by the U.S. military nearly a decade after the formation of MSF)


 * Jungle fatigues (olive drab fatigues customized with a black knee brace on the right side and brassards, the latter set adorned with the MSF logo on the left brassard, and in some cases, the FOX logo on the right brassard)

During their missions into Costa Rica, the Militaires Sans Frontières later procured other variants of the uniforms used for enhancing camouflage in the area. There are several that are aesthetically similar to the Jungle fatigues, although they emphasize certain elements of camouflage more than others, such as the Leaf camouflage increasing the camo index near jungle environments. "Naked" variants with a black muscleman shirt in the place of the regular top of a uniform exist (Big Boss usually forgoes a shirt of any variant when he uses it). They also procured a Battle Dress as well as a Sneaking Suit. In addition, some of the higher ups will sometimes loan soldiers their own uniforms.
 * Jungle boots

Fatigue/camouflage uniforms

 * Leaf


 * Tiger Stripe


 * Choco-chip


 * Auscam


 * Squares


 * Splitter


 * Snake

Naked uniforms

 * Leaf


 * Tiger Stripe


 * Choco-chip


 * Auscam


 * Squares


 * Splitter


 * Snake



Other

 * Sneaking Suit


 * Battle Dress
 * Battle Dress w/helmet


 * Tuxedo


 * T-shirt


 * Neo-Moss


 * Stench

Weaponry
MSF utilized a wide variety of weaponry, including various United States and Russian technologies, and those from the Western and Eastern Blocs, as well as antiquated weapons dating back to World War II.

Close-range weapons

 * Stun rod
 * Mock stun rods (training sessions only)

Handguns

 * Mk.22 Mod 0 Hush Puppy (MSF standard issue)
 * Mauser C96
 * Semi-automatic Mauser C96
 * Full-auto Mauser C96
 * Smith and Wesson Model 19
 * Smith and Wesson Model 19 w/ laser sight
 * M1911 pistol
 * M1911A1
 * M1911A1 w/ suppressor
 * Customized M1911 pistol
 * Customized M1911 w/ suppressor
 * Walther Kampfpistole
 * Walther Kampfpistole with rifle stock
 * Support supply marker (gun)
 * Support strike marker (gun)
 * Banana
 * Makarov PM
 * Makarov PB/6P9
 * EZ gun
 * EZ gun (life recovery)
 * EZ gun (psyche recovery)

Shotguns

 * Twin barrel shotgun
 * Twin barrel shotgun (rubber slug variant)
 * Ithaca M37 pump-action shotgun
 * Long Barrel Ithaca M37
 * Ithaca M37 accurized model
 * Heckler &amp; Koch CAWS
 * SPAS-12

Assault rifles

 * M16A1 (MSF standard issue)
 * RK-47 (AK-47)
 * RK-47 w/grenade launcher
 * RK-47 w/smoke grenade launcher
 * Heckler &amp; Koch G11
 * M653 Carbine
 * M653 Carbine w/grenade launcher
 * M653 Carbine w/shotgun
 * M653 Carbine w/smoke grenade launcher
 * ADM63 (Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/PM md. 1963/AMD63)
 * ADM65 (Pistol Mitralieră model 1965/PM md. 1965/AMD65)
 * RPK
 * FN FAL
 * SUG (Steyr AUG)
 * FN FNC (suppressed) (post-Peace Walker)

Submachine guns

 * Ingram MAC-10
 * Ingram MAC-10 w/suppressor
 * Ingram MAC-10 w/bullet jacket
 * Uz61 (Vz.61 Scorpion)
 * Uz61 w/suppressor (Vz.61 Scorpion with suppressor)
 * Heckler & Koch MP5
 * MP5A2
 * MP5SD2
 * Thompson M1928A1

Sniper rifles

 * SVD
 * High-capacity SVD
 * Night-vision SVD
 * Walther WA2000
 * M1C Garand
 * Psyche recovery M1C
 * M21
 * Remington M700
 * Life recovery M700
 * M700 bull barrel
 * Mosin Nagant
 * PTRD-41
 * PTRS-41
 * Stealth Gun
 * Rail gun/dynamo

Machine guns

 * M60
 * Stoner M63
 * PK/PKM machine gun
 * Rheinmetall MG 3
 * M134 gatling gun
 * Electromagnetic wave gun

Missiles

 * RPG-2
 * RPG-7
 * FIM-43 Redeye
 * XFIM-92A (FIM-92 Stinger prototype)
 * Carl Gustav M2 recoilless rifle
 * Multipurpose Carl Gustav M2 recoilless rifle
 * Fulton-ammo Carl Gustav M2 recoilless rifle
 * M47 Dragon
 * M72 LAW
 * M202A1 FLASH

Throwing weapons

 * AN M18 smoke grenade
 * M67 fragmentation grenade
 * Chaff grenade
 * Sleep gas grenade
 * AN M18 colored smoke grenade (red, blue, green, yellow, black)
 * M116/A1 stun grenade
 * Empty magazine
 * Support strike marker (thrown)
 * Support supply marker (thrown)
 * Electromagnetic net

Placeable weapons

 * C4
 * Support supply marker (set)
 * Support strike marker (set)
 * M18A1 Claymore mine
 * M15 anti-tank mine
 * Aerial mine
 * Decoy
 * Fulton mine
 * Cookbook
 * Magazine
 * Solid Magazine
 * Liquid Magazine
 * Solidus Magazine
 * Super Magazine

Mother Base weapons

 * Surface-to-surface anti-ground missiles


 * Anti-ship missiles


 * Rockets

Food and recovery items

 * Rations
 * Curry
 * Spicy Curry
 * Great Curry
 * Future Curry
 * Tortilla chips
 * Mate
 * Lime soda
 * Zero-calorie soda
 * Men's cologne
 * Various Caribbean fish and other aquatic animals
 * Gallo Pinto
 * Costa Rican coffee
 * French '72 Wine (ordered by MSF subcommander Kazuhira Miller in a failed attempt at impressing Cécile)
 * Bacon

Other equipment

 * Fulton surface-to-air recovery system
 * NVG
 * Stealth mat
 * Cardboard box
 * Love Box
 * Box-Tank
 * Stun Box-Tank
 * Smoke Box-Tank
 * Box Bomb
 * Stun Box
 * Smoke Box
 * Assassin's Straw Box
 * Rescue Box
 * Analyzer
 * Shield
 * Colored shields
 * Sonic Eye
 * Binoculars
 * Rangefinder camera
 * Sony Walkman
 * TPS-L2
 * WM-2
 * WM-EX88
 * NWD-W202
 * Stealth Camouflage
 * Radio w/ a circuit to reverse the audio phase.
 * Unidirectional signal headset (Colombia)

Radars

 * Soliton Radar
 * Surround Indicator

Temporary equipment

 * ID Card
 * Huey Emmerich's ID Card
 * Guard ID Card
 * Jigsaw

Vehicles

 * Jeeps (at least one) (Colombia)
 * Motorcycles (at least one) (Colombia)
 * Destroyers (at least three) (Colombia)
 * PT boats (at least one)
 * Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship (one)
 * LVT-5 Amphibious Assault Vehicles (at least four)
 * UH-1H Iroquois (at least 13)
 * Mi-24D "Hind D" (at least 6 )*
 * T-72 Ural tanks*
 * T-72A tanks*
 * KPz 70 tanks*
 * MBTk 70 tanks*
 * LAV-TypeG (Armored Vehicle General Purpose (AVGP): Grizzly prototypes)*
 * LAV-TypeC (Armored Vehicle General Purpose (AVGP): Cougar prototypes)*
 * BTR-60PAs*
 * BTR-60PBs*
 * Mi-24A Hind As*
 * AH56A Bombers*
 * AH56A Raiders*
 * Metal Gear ZEKE

* Several of these were stolen from Peace Sentinel. Also, some of the vehicles in question were also customized, giving a black and red hue.

After recruiting enough personnel, Mother Base's hangar section was expanded to include a strut containing a runway strip, implying that the MSF intended to use fighter jets or similar aircraft.

Known weapons and equipment invented
Although the Militaires Sans Frontières procured much of their weapons and equipment, or their design specifications to create their own variants, there were a few weapons and equipment that they invented themselves.


 * Metal Gear ZEKE
 * Stealth Gun
 * Support Strike Marker (pistol)
 * Support Supply Marker (pistol)
 * Mother Base Hexagon model
 * iDroid

Codename system
Similar to FOXHOUND and its predecessor FOX, the Militaires Sans Frontières utilized an animal based codename system for its various members outside of the highest level personnel. Below is an incomplete list of the codenames.

Behind the scenes
The Militaires Sans Frontières appears in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker as the protagonist group led by the main player character. Through the Mother Base hub, the player can completely customize the organization, expanding it via member recruitment, assigning soldiers to certain units, and even utilizing these soldiers during missions, with each possessing various levels of expertise for different job roles.

The name Militaires Sans Frontières is reminiscent of the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), a secular humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization created in 1971, best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic disease. In a trailer for the HD version of Peace Walker, it is stated that the group is not in any way affiliated with or inspired by the real MSF, which is also included in the intro for the game.

It is possible that Snake utilized the resources for Army's Heaven in order to form the Militaires Sans Frontières, which he received from Gene during Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

According to the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Official Art Works book, the MSF logo was originally going to be a shield with an eye-patched skull inside that has a knife in its mouth, in reference to both the FOXHOUND logo and the logo for the Outer Heaven Mother Company. In addition, the banner was originally going to have the motto "The choice is between loyalty to one's country, or loyalty to oneself," derived from a saying The Boss told Big Boss while he was Naked Snake. Storyboard concept artwork included in the same book also showed that the MSF camp in Barranquilla Coast was originally going to be destroyed in a fire, presumably caused by Zadornov, causing the MSF to then move by boat to Mother Base, to which Big Boss was then sent by a Huey helicopter to his arrival point at Playa del Alba. The last image also had him standing with several backpacks, implying that the story originally intended for Big Boss to be leading a group through Playa del Alba in order to investigate the shipping facility.

According to both concept art located in the Official Art Works book and Kutaka Negishi, the female MSF soldiers, when donning naked uniforms, were originally going to end up topless barring their equipment harness. However, it was edited to have them wearing a tank top instead due to various circumstances. He also stated that he was only allowed to show the back of one ripped render of the original concept, although he hoped to release the front in the future.

The balaclavas worn by the soldiers of MSF bear a resemblance to the FaceCamo mask from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Both appear to be made from a leather-like material with similar stitching, and feature attached components partially lining either side of the jaw, with the only major difference being the presence of eye holes for the MSF.

During the 2012 GDC event, Kojima Productions did an engineer-recruitment event for their next Metal Gear Solid game and the FOX Engine. The event was named "Development Without Borders," a reference to the English translation of the MSF.