Takiro
Think we are all set. After I judge the Liberator contest we will go onto the FWLM!
Armed Forces of the Federated Suns
140 BattleMech Regiments (as of 2785)
Haven't forgotten about LordGrayson's post either which is very good starting point for the current state of the AFFS. How it reformed after the Civil War and Alexander's plans. Then the effect of the Reunification War, the impact of the Star League, the Hidden Wars, and finally the current state after the Amaris Coup. This stuff makes for a good overview.
The AFFS has a real Star League feel to it. Even before the break up of the Star League the Federated Suns was probably the biggest student of the SLDF which may have resulted in some organizational similarities. Arms control restrictions and cost cutting methods of the era likely limited the effectiveness of such a deployment but the reflection might remain the same. Many of the Davion formations are styled after a "standard" Star League division.
The Regular Army of the AFFS has been I have divided into five Commands (National, Training, Regional, Independent, and Militia) which I think fits nicely. Also it sounds very Star League which is another theme of the pre-war Davion military. These names are based on deployment and style rather than localized recruitment.
National Commands (40 regiments)
The National Commands of the AFFS Regular Army constitute the true offensive potential of House Davion. Widely deployed throughout the expansive Federated Suns these troops answer to Davion High Command above all. Their personnel generally the best the Federation can draw upon from around the nation. These commands were the easiest to account for because they many carried over to 3025.
Davion Guards (8 regiments)
Overview: The Royal Brigade of Guards is the crème of the AFFS. The New Avalon Dragoon Guards is an elite armor regiment attached to the Davion Guard.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: Davion Assault Guards, Davion Heavy Guards, Davion Light Guards, 1st Davion Guards, 2nd Davion Guards, 3rd Davion Guards, 4th Davion Guards, 5th Davion Guards
Avalon Hussars (26 regiments)
Overview: The main body of the AFFS Regular Army they are its single largest contingent
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: 1st Avalon Hussars, 2nd Avalon Hussars, 4th Avalon Hussars, 11th Avalon Hussars, 13th Avalon Hussars, 14th Avalon Hussars, 16th Avalon Hussars, 17th Avalon Hussars, 20th Avalon Hussars, 22nd Avalon Hussars, 23rd Avalon Hussars, 33rd Avalon Hussars, 34th Avalon Hussars, 36th Avalon Hussars, 38th Avalon Hussars, 39th Avalon Hussars, 41st Avalon Hussars, 56th Avalon Hussars (18 out of 26 accounted for)
Ceti Hussars (3 regiments)
Overview: Once an experimental combined arms unit of the AFFS based loosely on the Star League RCTs the Ceti Hussars have recently been expanded by Prince John to three full Combat Commands. New units were assembled from a mishmash of personnel drawn from the shattered 251st Battlemech Division (the Lipton Division), the 225th Mechanized Infantry Division, and the 200th Jump Infantry Division that swore fealty to House Davion. The 2nd Ceti Hussars have honed their skills by sparing with the 8th Striker and the 1894th Light Horse while the 3rd Ceti Hussars have done the same with the 199th and 396th Dragoon. Training with their brethren who have become mercenaries has quickly organized these commands into accomplished raiders.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: 1st Ceti Hussars, 2nd Ceti Hussars, 3rd Ceti Hussars
Crucis Lancers (2 regiments)
Overview: Prince John has recently assembled the Lancers by combining a small core of returning SLDF veterans with his finest two Regional Commands in the Crucis March. If the New Avalon and Kestrel Lancers prove successful many other commands could be raised in the same fashion fairly quickly. Some more notes here. One, that these are the Prince’s attempt to reform the AFFS prior to the start of the Succession War which may back fire further solidifying Regional Commands to their region. Two, that the Avalon Borderers and the Kestrel Grenadiers may have been a regiment larger very recently.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: 1st Crucis Lancers (New Avalon Lancers), 2nd Crucis Lancers (Kestrel Lancers)
Andalusian Cazadores (1 regiment)
Overview: The Federated Suns made a very lucrative offer of mercenary employment to the Deneb Light Cavalry after the breakup of the Star League. While this elite unit eventually chose to remain with its homeworld and stand with the Terran Republic Prince Davion won a valuable concession. Too avoid a potential crisis and appease one of the signatories of the Centuran Accords, Regent Amanda Cameron agreed to allow the Deneb Light Cavalry train a new Davion unit in similar techniques. The Andalusian Cazadores have learned quickly while supervising the transition of formerly shared border worlds to complete Terran authority over the House Liaos official protest.
This flamboyant unit led by General Fonsie Gasol and his younger brother Paco have already made headlines in the Federated Suns. Their daring exploits along the core worlds of humanity have endeared them to many. They maintain very close relations to their integral naval assets led by Admiral Sal Flores aboard the San Sebastian. Close coordination between the ground and naval arm of the Cazadores have allowed them this tremendous early notoriety. It has also started some clashes with traditional Davion officers.
Inspiration: BTSD replacement for the Deneb Light Cavalry
Child Units: 1st Andalusian Cazadores
Training Commands (6 regiments)
With approximately 5% of your total force reserved for these training formations the AFFS (140 ‘Mech regiments) could have as many as 7 ‘Mech regiments. However there are only two large Cadre units in the AFFS as of 2785. With both organized in standard SL divisional formation that gives you a total of 6 ‘Mech regiments, up one regiment from the traditional 3025 numbers.
List the Academies of the Federated Suns - Albion Military Academy (New Avalon), New Avalon Military Academy (New Avalon), Warrior's Hall (New Syrtis), Robinson Battle Academy (Robinson), Armstrong Flight Academy (Galax), Sakhara Academy (Sakhara), Point Barrow Military Academy (Point Barrow), Kilbourne Academy (Kilbourne), Chesterton Martial Academy (Chesterton), and Federated Naval Institute (Layover)
Albion Military Academy (New Avalon) - The oldest and most prestigious military academy in the Federated Suns was created in the 2400s as an officers school for the New Avalon Militia. The Star League took over Albion in 2604 renovating and expanding its facilities. After serving with the SLDF Davion citizens were welcomed into the AFFS frequently receiving rapid promotions. Many of the school's instructors refused Kerenslky's call for Exodus following the Amaris Coup leaving the Federated Suns in control of this state of the art academy. Albion has a fierce rivalry with NAMA who considers itself "the only true Davion military academy".
New Avalon Military Academy (New Avalon) - The NAMA was constructed about a decade after the SLDF took over Albion so that New Avalon could continue to contribute its fair share of soldiers to the AFFS. Considered the Davion Military Academy by the instructors and students of NAMA they are fanatically loyal to the House unlike others who served "foreign causes". Many Albion grads often complain about the attitude of NAMA grads who never really forgave the Star League for the War of Davion Succession.
Warrior's Hall (New Syrtis) - Began its service life as a military hall for the SLDF and the AFFS who frequently challenged each others skill. A series of Gauntlets was established by the two groups which eventually became a fully operational military academy teaching every discipline save Jumpship operations.
Robinson Battle Academy (Robinson) - As the Star League fell financing of this facility was approved. The Federated Suns newest military academy has just begun teaching its first classes.
Armstrong Flight Academy (Galax) - This facility is currently under construction at Galax to train naval crews for the coming war. Location was chosen for the nearby Federated Boeing Megaplex.
Sakhara Academy (Sakhara) - This private military academy was established by a retired group of Star League officers in 2613. While any who can pay their way is accepted the Academy turns out superb warriors. While graduating classes are few in number they have proven themselves in Davion service despite constant scorn for Davion grads at NAMA.
Point Barrow Military Academy (Point Barrow) - Known for its technical training
Kilbourne Academy (Kilbourne) - Backwater military school in the Draconis March
As for academies we have the Chesterton Martial Academy which was probably established after the Davion Civil War. I see many academies like those most likely to have been on March Capitals (Robinson for the Terran March, Filtvet for the Outworlds March, Tancredi for the Draconis March, and New Syrits for the Capellan March) before the Civil War disbanded after wards. Chesterton I was thinking could have been one of the new academies established by Alexander to poke the Liaos in the eye so to speak.
The Federated Naval Institute (FNI) on Layover would, along with Albion, be the only holdovers from the Federated Suns old military academy system. This oft overlooked facility could have been founded around 2330 as the premier naval academy for the Federated Peacekeeping Forces (FPF). There isn't much information on Layover except that it has vast deserts but the name of the planet/system could be a very interesting clue. Could this have been a place for "a short stop or break in a journey, usually imposed by scheduling requirements"? If so this could have been an early interstellar hub and reason to begin the growth of space industries. Layover is on the FS 2317 map near Robinson meaning it is an old world although it is outside of the Crucis Pact. Maybe we could set the founding date back some as a result but the reasoning is there. Anyway I figure the Institute always remained true to the Davions in spite of the treatment of the Navy which gradually was pushed to the back burner by the Army. This facility possibly was damaged in the War of Davion Succession starting some thinking of relocating the Naval Academy deeper in Davion space. Neglect and the new Galax facility are slowly spelling the end for FNI.
Regional Academies. This alternate recruiting strategy (aside from major and planetary academies) predates the 3025 era Training Battalions. Each Combat Region has an academy of some sort that trains troops for the regional forces- the best of those recruits may be selected for service with the line regiments. The quality of each academy would vary greatly and they would be more hands on and practical then say NAMA or Albion which would focus more on theory.
The old academy system. The Davion Civil War redrew many things throughout the Federated Suns including the old system of military education which was based on the Five Principalities. Each Principality maintain its own premier military institution which was torn down as a result of the Civil War. That is why many academies were founded during the Star League era as the modern AFFS came into being.
Albion Training Cadre (3 regiments)
Overview: The Albion Military Academy’s military contingent styled like a standard SL Division
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: 1st Albion Training Cadre, 2nd Albion Training Cadre, 3rd Albion Training Cadre
NAMA Cadet Cadre (3 regiments)
Overview: The New Avalon Military Academy’s military contingent styled like a standard SL Division
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: 1st NAMA Cadet Cadre, 2nd NAMA Cadet Cadre, 3rd NAMA Cadet Cadre
Regional Commands (67 regiments)
You can see the current arrangement (as of 2785) of Davion Marches and their twenty two separate Combat Regions on Fanmap 01. These forces, Regional Combatants, compose the bulk of the AFFS at this time. Such forces like the like the Clovis Guards, the Syrtis Fusiliers, the Messengers of Shiva, the Kestrel Grenadiers, and the Franklin Gorgons were alluded to in canon.
Apply standard Star League divisional organization (3 BattleMech Regiments) to these Regional Combatants and you emerge with more than sixty BattleMech units. By applying some variation based on regional wealth, location, and importance we came up with a total of 67 BattleMech Regiments spread over 22 Combat Regions of the Federated Suns.
Divisional strength also allows for historic growth of these units during the Star League era. Commands which may have been 1 or 2 regiments in size can then double thanks to the Arms Amendment of 2752 which legally allowed the Houses to double their armed forces.
Keeping in mind the arms control measures of the Star League and the Davion Landwehr Program these Regional Combatants rotate active elements. For example a third of these troops would be considered active at one time while another third was maintained on ready alert while the final third would be off duty their equipment mothballed. This would allow the legal buildup of the AFFS.
These Regional forces are locally funded and equipped by each Administration Area/Combat Region of the Federated Suns and so their size and equipment varies greatly depending on the support they get from their locality. However it is important to note that personnel are drawn from all over the realm. This check installed by Alexander to insure national loyalty. These forces are not exclusively meant for defensive operations but they rarely are deployed away from their Region and never outside their March.
Clovis Guards (4 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Clovis Combat Region, Draconis March
Inspiration: Mentioned in canon (HDSB and FM FS) part of the basis for Regional Combatants presented here
Child Units: Likely the 1st though 4th but combat losses from the War of Davion Succession could cause some variation
Robinson Reivers (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Robinson Combat Region, Draconis March
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: Likely the 1st though 3rd but combat losses from the War of Davion Succession could cause some variation
Franklin Gorgons (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Franklin Combat Region, Draconis March
Inspiration: Mentioned in canon (HDSB and FM FS) part of the basis for Regional Combatants presented here
Child Units: Likely the 1st though 3rd but combat losses from the War of Davion Succession could cause some variation
Verde Lancers (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Verde Combat Region, Draconis March. There could be a future tie in with the 12th Vegan Rangers who were assembled by the Duke of Verde.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: Likely the 1st though 3rd but combat losses from the War of Davion Succession could cause some variation
Tancredi Roughriders (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Tancredi Combat Region, Draconis March. This tackles the Roughriders issue which appears on page 59 of the original FM Mercenaries. This text points to the existence of a Roughrider unit in the Draconis March. Trying to incorporate information from every BattleTech product the Roughriders have been placed here.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants while addressing Hansen’s Roughriders origins
Child Units: Likely the 1st though 3rd but combat losses from the War of Davion Succession could cause some variation
Kilbourne Defenders (2 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Kilbourne Combat Region, Draconis March
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Kilbourne Defenders, 2nd Kilbourne Defenders
Marlette Musketeers (4 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Marlette Combat Region, Crucis March. One for all and all for one, no doubt this unit would claim some historic inspiration from the Musketeer legend of old Earth.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Marlette Musketeers, 2nd Marlette Musketeers, 3rd Marlette Musketeers, 4th Marlette Musketeers
Kestrel Grenadiers (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Kestrel Combat Region, Crucis March
Inspiration: Canon unit placed here to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Kestrel Grenadiers, 2nd Kestrel Grenadiers, 3rd Kestrel Grenadiers
Avalon Borderers (4 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the New Avalon Combat Region, Crucis March
Inspiration: Unit mentioned in canon text placed here to fill AFFS Regional Combatant
Child Units: 1st Avalon Borderers, 2nd Avalon Borderers, 3rd Avalon Borderers, 4th Avalon Borderers
Tsamma Kommandos (2 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Tsamma Combat Region, Crucis March. The word Tsamma is South African in origin and the use of Kommandos is a nod to their Boer culture. There is a mention in TRO 3025 about a Captain of pure Zulu descent serving in the Crucis Lancers under the Crusader. Yellow daisies on the forehead of their Crucis Lancer regiment.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Tsamma Kommandos, 2nd Tsamma Kommandos
Point Barrow Bulldogs (2 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Point Barrow Combat Region, Crucis March
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Point Barrow Bulldogs, 2nd Point Barrow Bulldogs
Remagen Panzer Brigade (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Remagen Combat Region, Crucis March. Forerunners of Little Richard’s Panzer Brigade detailed in FM: Mercenary page 73 which indicates the unit was formed from a Federated Suns unit known as the Panzer Brigade. The Remagen Panzer Brigade is close enough to incorporate this connection.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Remagen Panzers, 2nd Remagen Panzers, 3rd Remagen Panzers
Anjin Muerto Caballeros (2 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Anjin Muerto Combat Region, Crucis March. This unit has a certain Spanish flair and gives us a possible cultural link to the Cazadores in the AFFS even though Andalusia lies within the Point Barrow Combat Region. The European make up of the Federation could likely include this national heritage relatively easily. If the name of the planet really meant “Peaceful Death†could it have been a retirement colony originally?
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Anjin Muerto Caballeros, 2nd Anjin Muerto Caballeros
Broken Wheel Charioteers (2 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Broken Wheel Combat Region, Crucis March
Inspiration: Canon inspired nickname of a certain Crucis Lancer unit which will retain this nickname in the future
Child Units: 1st Broken Wheel Charioteers, 2nd Broken Wheel Charioteers
Killarney Kerns (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Killarney Combat Region, Crucis March. The Irish Brigade of the Federated Suns with several historical forerunners that they no doubt draw on.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Killarney Kerns, 2nd Killarney Kerns, 3rd Killarney Kerns
Messengers of Shiva (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Islamabad Combat Region, Crucis March
Inspiration: Canon unit placed here to fill this Combat Region’s forces
Child Units: 1st Messengers of Shiva, 2nd Messengers of Shiva, 3rd Messengers of Shiva
Chesterton Dragoons (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Chesterton Combat Region, Capellan March. Possibly the closest AFFS unit to SL standards thanks to its proximity.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Chesterton Dragoons, 2nd Chesterton Dragoons, 3rd Chesterton Dragoons
Emerson Pikemen (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Emerson Combat Region, Capellan March
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Emerson Pikemen, 2nd Emerson Pikemen, 3rd Emerson Pikemen
Hobbs Hospitaliers (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Hobbs Combat Region, Capellan March
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Hobbs Hospitaliers, 2nd Hobbs Hospitaliers, 3rd Hobbs Hospitaliers
Syrtis Fusiliers (6 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the New Syrtis Combat Region, Capellan March. The Fusiliers give the First Prince an extra reserve to reinforce the other fronts with, allow the Golden Worlds to be strongly garrisoned without drawing to many regiments away from the Regular Army and keep the Capellan March Lord loyal with the knowledge that the Crucis March has the muscle to keep the Davions in charge.
The Haseks aren’t ambitious in a selfish way at this point in history but "commissars" of House Davion. As the enforcers of New Avalon they are constantly be on the look out for the next Varnay and Liao treachery. The Haseks and their rebuilt Fusiliers take pride in their patriotic duty to First Prince and nation. Their size could also be a sign of favor from the Davions and seen as necessary to carry out their mission.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: 1st Syrtis Fusiliers, 3rd Syrtis Fusiliers, 4th Syrtis Fusiliers, 5th Syrtis Fusiliers, 6th Syrtis Fusiliers, 8th Syrtis Fusiliers
Seven Sister's Brigade (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Pleiades Combat Region, Capellan March. Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: The Electra Regiment, The Maia Regiment, and The Merope Regiment
Lothair Legionnaires (3 regiments)
Overview: The Regional Combatants of the Lothair Combat Region, Capellan March
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Regional Combatants
Child Units: 1st Lothair Legionnaires, 2nd Lothair Legionnaires, 3rd Lothair Legionnaires
Independent Commands (5 regiments)
Incorporating Independent Commands into the AFFS was a difficult challenge as we began with only two tiny units. The Argyle Lancers and McKinnon's Raiders were only a company in strength. However two future units of the AFFS, the 1st Aragon Borderers and the 1st Kittery Borderers, provided a clue into the purpose of these Independents. Both units were formed as the result of a decision to reinforce a planet's militia rather than send more Regular Army units to the world in question. To accomplish this goal the High Command sends in a lesser unit often battalion size to stiffen defenses. Since the two companies, the Argyle Lancers and McKinnon's Company, full of experienced SL personnel who strengthen AFFS garrisons at this time we had a mission statement. These commands are trouble shooters assigned tasks by the AFFS High Command as needed.
To go along with these small units we needed some bulk and luckily there was another military who utilized Independent Regiments that the AFFS could emulate at this time, the SLDF. Since the AFFS is mirroring the SLDF in many ways it stands to reason they would do so with their Independent Regiments. As such we can use the Star League Independent Regiments as inspiration for Davion Independent Regiments. With the Irregulars (see below) and a Striker Regiment we established a "C" theme (the Cuirassiers = Dragoons, the Cavaliers = Hussars, and the Chasseurs = Light Horse) to compose the Independent Commands of the AFFS in 2785.
Federated Irregulars (1 regiment)
Overview: Smaller units deployed as troubleshooters which might be a Terran intelligence amalgamation rather than a single official Davion unit. Never intended as a unified unit this command is composed of a bunch of experienced detachments sent to reinforce key areas throughout the realm.
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Independent Commands
Child Units: Argyle Lancers (company), McKinnon's Raiders (company), plus several others to be named
Nahoni Strikers (1 regiment)
Overview: Styled after an SLDF Striker regiment
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Independent Commands
Child Units: 1st Nahoni Strikers
Woodbine Chassuers (1 regiment)
Overview: Styled after an SLDF Light Horse regiment
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Independent Commands
Child Units: 1st Woodbine Chassuers
Exeter Cavaliers (1 regiment)
Overview: Styled after an SLDF Hussar regiment
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Independent Commands
Child Units: 1st Exeter Cavaliers
Kathil Cuirassiers (1 regiment)
Overview: Styled after an SLDF Dragoon regiment
Inspiration: BTSD creation to fill in AFFS Independent Commands
Child Units: 1st Kathil Cuirassiers
Militia Commands (22 regiments)
The March Militias do exist in 2785 even though they are drawn from Combat Regions and not PDZs which weren’t created until later. On the surface this makes them very similar to AFFS Regional Combatants but these formations have great differences. The March Militias are the only Regular Army units to recruit personnel locally and they function almost entirely defensively. They rarely leave their Combat Region even though they are funded by national military authorities.
Draconis March Militia (6 regiments)
Overview: The Militia for the Draconis March, one for each Combat Region
Inspiration: Inspired by canon formations in the HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: Clovis DMM, Robinson DMM, Franklin DMM, Verde DMM, Tancredi DMM, Kilbourne DMM
Crucis March Militia (10 regiments)
Overview: The Militia for the Crucis March, one for each Combat Region
Inspiration: Inspired by canon formations in the HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: Marlette CMM, Kestrel CMM, New Avalon CMM, Tsamma CMM, Point Barrow CMM, Remagen CMM, Anjin Muerto CMM, Broken Wheel CMM, Killarney CMM, Islamabad CMM
Capellan March Militia (6 regiments)
Overview: The Militia for the Capellan March, one for each Combat Region
Inspiration: Inspired by canon formations in the HDSB and FM FS
Child Units: Chesterton CMM, Emerson CMM, Hobbs CMM, New Syrtis CMM, Pleiades CMM, Lothair CMM
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Topic: Threat Assessment 2785 Notes (Read 38737 times)