The WDF is composed of two branches: Navy and Marines and are chartered with the defense of the Whistler Colonies. They patrol the space lanes and partner with a semi-private entity operating under the name Guardian for near-orbit and planetary customs enforcement and search & rescue. Their jurisdiction ends once on the ground (or aboard a registered space station or outpost) and hands over to local law enforcement or the Colonial Marshall Service.
The Unification War generated significant pressure to create a standing Army as rogue colonies were occupied for longer terms, but The Council continues to press the Marines into this service.
Guardian Services, Ltd.
Guardian is a semi-private company spun off from the WDF in 425 to provide orbital Search & Rescue and interdiction. They exist in the legal boundary between the WDF and local law enforcement with funding from The Council to support a small navy.