OBT Forum

Quote from: Takiro on May 23, 2009, 06:19:52 PM
225th Mechanized Infantry Division
Elements joined Federated Suns and Draconis Combine as per canon they compose the 1st and 2nd Crucis Lancers. Note there may have been a mistake on this SL unit number as I have one source with the 255th and another with the 225th.

It's the 225th - SLSB p. 151

Quote
250th Battlemech Division (The Stalingrad Division)
Elements joined the Federated Suns and went onto form the 3rd Ceti Hussars per canon

This reference is also suspect as 2 Brigades of the 250th formed the Screaming Eagles (FM:Mercs Rev, Merc Sup Update)

CJvR

Quote from: Takiro
Good point CJvR and could this be another reason why the Davions chose an assault on Capellan space rather than Draconis space? Available Forces. The Draconis March has a total of 24 Mech Regiments naturally stationed therein while the Capellan March has 27 Mech Regiments. Not much of a difference I know but it is still something. The Syrtis Fusiliers weighing in at 6 Mech Regiments are a potent weapon that the Combine front naturally lacks. So the ease of assembling such an invasion force could be another reason for attacking Liao rather than Kurita.
Well that and also possibly that the potential decisive targets and objectives for an invasion of the CC is closer to the border. The Road to Luthien, Benjamin or Galedon is long while Tikonov sits just on the border and St Ives just a pair of jumps away. Also in OBT beyond Tikonov would be the entire occupied TH ripe for "liberation" once the CC bled out trying to hold Tikonov. In all a very nice operation for someone aspiring to become First Lord, smash the Cappies and gobble up their TH conquests before they have the oppertunity to consolidate their gains.

Takiro

Quote from: lrose on May 24, 2009, 12:07:16 AM
What's your reference for the 255th?  Did someone just make a typo?

It may indeed be a typo.

Quote from: lrose on May 24, 2009, 12:07:16 AM
I'd drop the 250th from the 3rd ceti- we made the 2 dragoon regiments mercs. I would suggest the 3rd Ceti could be formed from the 200th Jump Inf, 225th mech or a mishmash of random SLDF troops.

I don't think the Crucis Lancers were formed from any units. Rather I think they were formed from individual soldiers or Lances (maybe even the rare company like McKinnon) that stayed behind. The books present things fairly black and white- i.e. the 15th Dracon joined the CC or the 116th Battlemech Division went on the Exodus- the truth is these are large formations and I doubt every soldier in the 116th Battlemech Divison went with Kerensky- surely some member of the unit decided he wanted to stay with his family rather then head off for the unknown. These are personnel who would then go on to form the Crucis Lancers.

Since we know the core of the 7th Crucis Lancers is a company (McKinnon's Raiders) I can agree with this.

Was also gonna point to training by the 8th, the 1894th, and others of the appropriate units to explain the canon confusion. They were trained by these SLDF units not composed of them.

Good stuff CJvR, there are plenty of easy targets close by.

Takiro

Excellent I will include the notation in the overview.

Takiro

Man this is taking a long time. Here is the completed notes on National Commands.

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
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

Takiro

Quite right Ice here are the Training Command notes.

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.

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

Rainbow 6

Makes sense to me.