Topic: TA 2785: Military Efficiency Ratings (Read 6412 times)

Rainbow 6 · « **on:** November 14, 2009, 02:49:32 PM »

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TA 2785: Military Efficiency Ratings
Â« on: April 29, 2009, 06:09:46 PM Â» Quote Modify Remove Split Topic

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This is one aspect I'd like to focus on in our upcoming Fanbook. I mean size isn't the only factor determining military strength, its how you use it! Seriously folks, a general discussion or perhaps a simple rating system to indicate the orderly flow of communications and supplies through each military bureaucracy would be a good thing. Does your nation have ample transportation, effective command and control, etc. So preliminarily I jotted down a few notes and a first take on the order. 1 being the most efficient to 7 the least.

1. Draconis Combine - Coordinator Minoru Kurita has introduced many reforms that have angered some by made the DCMS a force to be contended with.
2. Free Worlds League - Captain-General Kenyon Marik's Resolution 288 has centralized authority over the FWLM for the first time in history
3. Terran Republic - built on the successes of the SLDF, badly damaged by the Coup
4. Lyran Commonwealth - resurgence of "traditional" practices such as Social Generals under Robert Steiner has hurt SL era reforms
5. Capellan Confederation - material shortages caused by poor industrial base
6. Federated Suns - the worst IS military because of regional and inter service rivalries
7. Periphery Nations - shattered infrastructure, long distances, poor communication

Thoughts??

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Re: TA 2785: Military Efficiency Ratings
Â« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2009, 06:22:00 PM Â» Quote Modify Remove Split Topic

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Quote from: Takiro on April 29, 2009, 06:09:46 PM
6. Federated Suns - the worst IS military because of regional and inter service rivalries

Why can't we all just get along anymore?

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Re: TA 2785: Military Efficiency Ratings
Â« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2009, 07:19:32 PM Â» Quote Modify Remove Split Topic

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Quote from: Takiro
1. Draconis Combine - Coordinator Minoru Kurita has introduced many reforms that have angered some by made the DCMS a force to be contended with.
The DCMS might have improved but fundamentally it is not that much changed, the Bushido and competent leadership will always make the DCMS dangerous. Dont underestimate the impact of the leaders at the very top and the morale of the troops, once that cracked after Kentares the DCMS fractured worse than any other military in the SW. The common knowledge that Jinjiro is nuts will probably cause a rather serious underestimaton of DCMS capacity.

Quote from: Takiro
2. Free Worlds League - Captain-General Kenyon Marik's Resolution 288 has centralized authority over the FWLM for the first time in history
The main advantage though is that Kenyon had decided on war, prepared for it and seized the initiative against weaker opponents. I would not rate the FWL ahead of the TR other than in absolute size.

Quote from: Takiro
3. Terran Republic - built on the successes of the SLDF, badly damaged by the Coup
The short time in existence will be a handicap, the TRAS will still basicly be growing into it's new organization and doctrine when the balloon goes up. The lack of the highground will be expensive in the opening of any campaign but fighting from behind old SL fortifications will help to compensate somewhat. The TR is also the state that is most sensitive to terrain losses given the shortage of natural resources meaning it must expose it's forces earlier than might be strategicly adviceable. Getting the fleet up and running is the most critical issue in 2785.

Quote from: Takiro
4. Lyran Commonwealth - resurgence of "traditional" practices such as Social Generals under Robert Steiner has hurt SL era reforms
Massive industrial capacity but poorly exploited combined with the absorption of half the Rim Worlds pulling much force out of position. The SW could not have ignited at a worse time for the LC, a few years later and the LCAF could be expanded by many brigades and a heavy taskforce or two all properly deployed. The leadership deficiencies would probably not be noticed until Skondia, or at least not the level of the problem.

Quote from: Takiro
5. Capellan Confederation - material shortages caused by poor industrial base
Material shortages are not that big an issue in the opening phases of the war though. For the short term the CCAF is as good as most militaries in the IS but the length of the war eventually broke it. In BTSD without the third of the TH Liao managed to grab in the opening the survival of the CC beyond SWII is doubtful.

Quote from: Takiro
6. Federated Suns - the worst IS military because of regional and inter service rivalries
Yeah the AFFS is not in a good state. Regionalism is the worst problem but even then it is a formidable force. Remeber that Jinjiro's blitzkrieg took 10 years to reach New Avalon. In addition the AFFS will be much stronger in relation to it's historic enemies. Neither the DCMS or the CCAF have the benefit of large spoils from the TH, the FS got very little of that so would be less affected by the loss of TH worlds.

Quote from: Takiro
7. Periphery Nations - shattered infrastructure, long distances, poor communication
Rather irrelevant really. No Peripherals will intrude in the squable of the great Houses and no house will waste assets on useless peripheral worlds.

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Re: TA 2785: Military Efficiency Ratings
Â« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2009, 07:37:33 PM Â» Quote Modify Remove Split Topic

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I might rate the Terran Republic a bit higher because of the potential of inner lines of communication.
The Draconis Combine might be still too Bushido oriented with their quartermaster putting loyal and noble units in top of their priority list.

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Rainbow 6 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:50:15 PM »

This is one aspect I'd like to focus on in our upcoming Fanbook. I mean size isn't the only factor determining military strength, its how you use it! Seriously folks, a general discussion or perhaps a simple rating system to indicate the orderly flow of communications and supplies through each military bureaucracy would be a good thing. Does your nation have ample transportation, effective command and control, etc. So preliminarily I jotted down a few notes and a first take on the order. 1 being the most efficient to 7 the least.

1. Draconis Combine - Coordinator Minoru Kurita has introduced many reforms that have angered some by made the DCMS a force to be contended with.
2. Free Worlds League - Captain-General Kenyon Marik's Resolution 288 has centralized authority over the FWLM for the first time in history
3. Terran Republic - built on the successes of the SLDF, badly damaged by the Coup
4. Lyran Commonwealth - resurgence of "traditional" practices such as Social Generals under Robert Steiner has hurt SL era reforms
5. Capellan Confederation - material shortages caused by poor industrial base
6. Federated Suns - the worst IS military because of regional and inter service rivalries
7. Periphery Nations - shattered infrastructure, long distances, poor communication

Thoughts??

Rainbow 6 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:52:15 PM »

Quote from: Takiro on April 29, 2009, 06:09:46 PM
6. Federated Suns - the worst IS military because of regional and inter service rivalries

Why can't we all just get along anymore?

Rainbow 6 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:53:18 PM »

Quote from: Takiro
1. Draconis Combine - Coordinator Minoru Kurita has introduced many reforms that have angered some by made the DCMS a force to be contended with.
The DCMS might have improved but fundamentally it is not that much changed, the Bushido and competent leadership will always make the DCMS dangerous. Dont underestimate the impact of the leaders at the very top and the morale of the troops, once that cracked after Kentares the DCMS fractured worse than any other military in the SW. The common knowledge that Jinjiro is nuts will probably cause a rather serious underestimaton of DCMS capacity.

Quote from: Takiro
2. Free Worlds League - Captain-General Kenyon Marik's Resolution 288 has centralized authority over the FWLM for the first time in history
The main advantage though is that Kenyon had decided on war, prepared for it and seized the initiative against weaker opponents. I would not rate the FWL ahead of the TR other than in absolute size.

Quote from: Takiro
3. Terran Republic - built on the successes of the SLDF, badly damaged by the Coup
The short time in existence will be a handicap, the TRAS will still basicly be growing into it's new organization and doctrine when the balloon goes up. The lack of the highground will be expensive in the opening of any campaign but fighting from behind old SL fortifications will help to compensate somewhat. The TR is also the state that is most sensitive to terrain losses given the shortage of natural resources meaning it must expose it's forces earlier than might be strategicly adviceable. Getting the fleet up and running is the most critical issue in 2785.

Quote from: Takiro
4. Lyran Commonwealth - resurgence of "traditional" practices such as Social Generals under Robert Steiner has hurt SL era reforms
Massive industrial capacity but poorly exploited combined with the absorption of half the Rim Worlds pulling much force out of position. The SW could not have ignited at a worse time for the LC, a few years later and the LCAF could be expanded by many brigades and a heavy taskforce or two all properly deployed. The leadership deficiencies would probably not be noticed until Skondia, or at least not the level of the problem.

Quote from: Takiro
5. Capellan Confederation - material shortages caused by poor industrial base
Material shortages are not that big an issue in the opening phases of the war though. For the short term the CCAF is as good as most militaries in the IS but the length of the war eventually broke it. In BTSD without the third of the TH Liao managed to grab in the opening the survival of the CC beyond SWII is doubtful.

Quote from: Takiro
6. Federated Suns - the worst IS military because of regional and inter service rivalries
Yeah the AFFS is not in a good state. Regionalism is the worst problem but even then it is a formidable force. Remeber that Jinjiro's blitzkrieg took 10 years to reach New Avalon. In addition the AFFS will be much stronger in relation to it's historic enemies. Neither the DCMS or the CCAF have the benefit of large spoils from the TH, the FS got very little of that so would be less affected by the loss of TH worlds.

Quote from: Takiro
7. Periphery Nations - shattered infrastructure, long distances, poor communication
Rather irrelevant really. No Peripherals will intrude in the squable of the great Houses and no house will waste assets on useless peripheral worlds.

Rainbow 6 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:54:22 PM »

I might rate the Terran Republic a bit higher because of the potential of inner lines of communication.
The Draconis Combine might be still too Bushido oriented with their quartermaster putting loyal and noble units in top of their priority list.

Hammer6R · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:19:29 PM »

Perhaps a poll to rate states on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the elite of the SLDF Royal Divisions?

Kit · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2010, 09:41:48 PM »

Just some overall notes I think I would like to pitch in:

1) Military effectiveness for forces can change quite a bit between when they are on the offensive and when they are on the defensive. The DCMS is a very good example of this. They are an aggressive organization and very good on the attack (in fact, this is what we see of them most of the time). However when they are forced to the defensive they do much less well. The same is true of the Federated Suns actually. By contrast, the Capallen Confederation has never really had a shining military history, but god help you if you attack them. House Steiner by its nature tends to suck at any operation that doesn't have them defending a fixed objective (thus they manage to bungle many offensive and defensive operations, but have still managed to effectively repel every attack upon Hesprus II).

2) Centralization of Power. Keep in mind here I am not talking about something like putting all troops under the same command structure, but rather having a few very high up individuals making critical decisions that make no sense for them to make. Again the DCMS is a good example as local commanders are not trusted to make the call to retreat generally and must get permission from the Coordinator himself (!) in order to pull back, regardless of how bad the situation is. The CC has had problems with this as well from time to time. The problem with this type of supreme control is it encourages group think and paralyzes your forces at lower levels as they have to wait for instructions while falling back on standard orders that may not make sense.

3) Unified Command. Here I am talking about stuff like how unified the nation is in the face of attacks, something that historically the Federated Suns and FWL have had the most problems with this (the Federated Suns having different Marches acting in their own best interests and the FWL having problems with the Provincial vrs. Federal troops question). Basically if area A gets attacked how likely is area B to send aid? Or if group A starts an attack how likely is group B to aid said attack? This isn't so much about inter service competition.

4) Competence of Command. Every faction has some problem with this from time to time, but House Steiner seems to be plagued with it more than any group because of the Social Generals. Not having brilliant leaders isn't so much a problem if they recognize that they arn't military masterminds, something that the Lyran military has the most problems with because promotions are more a matter of who you know rather than how effective you are. Ends up being a problem for all factions from time to time though (for example, FS positions tend to be inherited and the DCMS is honor bound to follow commanders even after they have been proven utterly ineffective).

With this in mind here is my ranking of the strength of the factions:

1) Draconis Combine - It is a close thing but at the start of the war they are the best led and prepared, plus acting to their strengths (on the attack).
2) Lyran Commonwealth - They have the best military units aside form the TRAS and the Social Generals haven't had much time to cause damage. Also, they are (mostly) on the defensive, which is what they are best at.
3) Free Worlds League - I put the FWL here because I believe that while they are well led and prepared they got over ambitious by fighting a war on 3 fronts and seeming to jump from target to target without much forethought.
4) Terran Republic - Partly a matter of situation, with a rebuilding military and fighting 2 competent foes, the TRAS has the major hurdle of building an experienced military from the scraps of the SLDF that they have still.
5) Federated Suns - They were caught way out of position and put on the defensive when they really like to be on the attack (not to mention the huge moral blow). When they reverse the DCMS push expect them to catapult up 3 places or more.
6) Capellan Confederation - Really the small size more than anything coming to play here. In a stand up fight they will lose to anyone. Thankfully they are playing to their strengths (sneaky raids and attacks that are not overly ambitious) so they should survive alright.

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Author Topic: TA 2785: Military Efficiency Ratings (Read 6412 times)

Rainbow 6

TA 2785: Military Efficiency Ratings

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Hammer6R

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Kit

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