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 Wyzilla wrote:

 Furyou Miko wrote:
Even if they're not sterile, they're effectively sterile because their genetics are significantly altered from human norms. Even if a child were conceived, its body would be adapted to work with eighteen additional organs that it doesn't have, likely causing in-utero termination.

What?

Gene-seed doesn't change the Neophyte's genome, nor would it affect the non-gene seed gene seed.

I'm... really not sure that's true. I mean, there's virtually no way one could, for example, force bones and muscle density to increase without modifying the base genetics of the subject in some way. Hell, this is kind of proven by the fact that there's a noted tendency in the Astartes to physically resemble whatever Primarch it is that their gene-seed derives from - and this would be impossible without some manner of genetic modification.

It could be gene therapy rather than modification.

nareik wrote:
It could be gene therapy rather than modification.

That might be the case if the gene therapy was somatic and didn't affect the Astartes' gametes, but I don't think that would be possible. I've got to admit, I'm no expert here, but for one thing I don't think we're talking about regular gene therapy. For one thing, the genes being inserted are those of Primarchs, who are absolutely not similar with base humans in terms of their genetic structure. It'd be like comparing a bonobo with a gorilla - they're both great apes and have similarities in that regard, but one is unquestionably different from the other. At the very least, the Space Marines are hybrids when you look at it like that, and most hybrids thus far produced has shown an inability to breed on their own.

In addition, we know that the Emperor was experimenting with genetic modification, as that's what the labs he created the Primarchs in were designed for; indeed, the original Thunder Warriors are listed as one of the more productive experiments in that field, and we know that the Astartes are the "finished product" to the Thunder Warriors' "prototype." It stands to reason, then, that the Astartes are modified to such a degree that they're virtually a separate subspecies of human, at least on a genetic level.

War Kitten wrote:
No. Marines stay marines till they die. They might become injured and be forced to stay at base and help with chapter upkeep and training, but there is no true retirement.

Only in death does duty end

And that only applies if the Marine does not have the: "Even in death I still serve" clause to his contract.

Da Butcha wrote:
I think that, effectively, if you can be a Space Marine, you aren't going to want to quit or retire.

They carefully screen their applicants, then engage in extensive hypno-indoctrination. These guys have their minds and personalities rebuilt so extensively that many don't even remember their former lives or even their former names. Their entire psychology is restructured (aka And They Shall Know No Fear) and all sorts of basic mental/physical needs are altered (partial brain sleeping, non-existent or dramatically controlled sex drive, blah, blah, blah).

I'm pretty sure that in the process of making them functionally immortal, fearless, fanatically loyal, killers, they would be sure to alter their desires to kick back and relax. Then, the few marines who experienced strange urges to take long vacations and shirk off work could be considered corrupted and shot.

Sounds cool on paper, but if you read the HH novels, this results is equivalent to turning them into man babies. with guns.

Yes, and? It is what it is.

Exactly. They're not human anymore. Either physically or mentally.

The question was asking if they can legally retire or quit, not would they want to. I was asking if a mechanism was in place, not the desire. Everyone who answers with "but they're gene modified!" or "but they're indoctrinated!" or "but only in death does duty end!" or "they're not human anymore!" is not answering the question.

Worse, they're actually also completely wrong. Marines quit ALL THE TIME. Regardless of all of the above. They turn to Chaos or go renegade on a regular basis. They just quit without permission. The desire to escape the strictures of their Chapters undeniably exists.

In terms of actually answering the question, a lot of people have provided evidence that yes, in certain Chapters a mechanism exists where you can. Mainly with the Salamanders, who keep the closest to their non-Marine ties, and the Ultramarines, who have a pretty large civil society to run with Ultramar.

No, they don't take up farming, or painting, sure. But they can retire in special circumstances in some chapters, albiet into training or leadership roles connected with their Chapters, but they do can enter a semi-civillian life.

There are indicators that some have "retired". There are marines sent to serve in the inquisition or as bodyguards for important individuals, that learn to operate in ways not a marine.

Then you have the fallen...... many of which hide in everyday society, living amoung the average citizens.

Not all that trip, fall. Not all that fall, go to chaos. Some slip through the cracks in search of meaning to their lives.