Formerly of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, 10th Lyran Guards, Schwarzkopf got tired of the general incompetence of the Steiner brass and the extreme favoritism shown to those with the money and proper connections (Adolf's family is only tenuously nobility - but more importantly, not very rich). As with so many young officers, he felt he was smarter, more handsome, and a better mechwarrior than those who got promoted instead of him.

Against the wishes of his father, Adolf brought his family mech (a Blackjack) to Solaris, where he ended up in the same stable as Takari. He enjoyed a 2 to 1 win-loss ratio, which was rather good, but hardly good enough to propel him to fame and fortune. He was recruited alongside the original Lancers, but didn't go through the interview process (since he was known to Takari).

He was given a place in the Katanas' command lance after Roq was murdered by DEST on St. John. He was upgraded to the Grasshopper named "Lindorm" in Puppy's honor, since it was felt his Blackjack was too light and slow. He's currently waiting for the Guillotine to finish refitting.

His callsign was originally "Black Adolf", from his old unit, where there were four Normans – but only one of them a Negroid. His mech was painted with a black head, mostly as a joke, and called “Schwarzkopf”. In the Katanas he's only called “Schwarzkopf” (mech still has a black head).