Armed Forces of the Federated Suns

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In the fictional BattleTech Universe, the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS) was the military branch of the Federated Suns, the Successor State ruled for most of its history by House Davion. After 3054 it was integrated into the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth (AFFC). This organization was short-lived, however, as the AFFC was largely folded back into the Federated Suns State Command after the Lyran secession in 3057. Ten years later, the AFFC was renamed the AFFS in conjunction with the renaming of the nation.

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[edit] Organization

Most units within the AFFS, with the notable exception of the Ceti Hussars, are organized around a BattleMech regiment, which is roughly 108 'Mechs. To this regiment, conventional vehicles (tanks, V.T.O.L.s, etc.), artillery, infantry, and even aerospace fighters that complement the 'Mechs are traditionally attached. In some units, however, the AFFS took this a step further.

Many units within the AFFS are Regimental Combat Teams (RCTs). Front-line RCTs are composed of one 'Mech regiment, three of vehicles, a battalion of artillery, five regiments of infantry, and a fighter wing. Second-line, or militia, RCTs are usually composed of smaller numbers of these supporting forces. RCTs are usually commanded by a Marshal.

[edit] Command

The AFFS has several layers of command. The first is that of the national authority. Headquarted in the Fox's Den on New Avalon, the Prince and his or her military advisors can effectively control the entirety of the AFFS from the high-tech command bunker. The top layer often concerns itself with matters of overall strategy, planning, and force readiness.

Often, responsibility for localized deployment of military forces belongs to the regional commanders. The Federated Suns is broken into three Marches: the interior Crucis March and the border areas of the Capellan March and Draconis March, which are commanded by Field Marshals. These Marches are further subdivided into Operations Areas: three for the Crucis March and two each for the Capellan and Draconis Marches which are also commanded by Field Marhals. Within the Crucis March, these OAs are further subdivided into traditional Combat Theaters. On the border Marches, however, the OAs are broken down into Polymorphous Defense Zones (PDZs). Regardless of the name, these regions are commanded by Marshals.

Finally, the AFFS also has brigade commanders. Largely concerned with matters of supply, orders for troop movements that orginate from New Avalon pass through brigade commanders. Brigade commanders often hold other roles within the AFFS, such as Field Marshal Andrew Terlecki, Jr. who, in addition to commanding the Deneb Light Cavalry, was named director of the Crucis March in 3067.

[edit] Prince

The head of AFFS is the First Prince of the Federated Suns. Since the Prince must serve five years in the AFFS in order to become Prince, the AFFS has a long tradition of able leadership and whole-hearted support from the soverign of the realm. Traditionally, the Prince names a Champion who oversees the day-to-day affairs of the AFFS, though the Prince maintains sole authority. With the creation of the Marshal of the Armies, however, the Prince's Champion has evolved into the chief military advisor.

[edit] Marshal of the Armies

Created along with the Federated Commonwealth Alliance, the MotA was originally responsible for overseeing the AFFC. With the secession of the Lyran Alliance, the duties of the MotA and Prince's Champion started to overlap. Regent Katherine used this to confuse the command structure to ensure loyalty to her. With the ascension of Regent Yvonne, however, the two offices became united in the person of Jackson Davion. In the 3130s, however, Prince Harrison again divided the two offices.

[edit] High Command

While technically an advisory body, the High Command is made up of the leaders of various departments within the AFFS. These include the chiefs of Strategy and Tactics, Military Education, Quartermaster, and Military Intelligence. As such, it would be foolish for the Prince to fail to heed the High Command's advice.

[edit] Units of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns

The AFFS is primarily broken down into brigades, though some free regiments do exist.

[edit] Davion Brigade of Guards

The Davion Brigade of Guards are the descendants of the personal bodyguard that Lucien Davion created to defend the President of the Federated Suns. Over time the Brigade emerged into a modern military unit and was eventually integrated into the AFFS. Today it serves as the elite of the Davion military. In the early 3060s, the brigade consisted of five regular RCTs and three specialized units, the Davion Light Guard for rapid attacks, the Davion Heavy Guard made up mostly of heavy mechs and the Davion Assault Guard made up nearly entirely of Assault Mechs.

[edit] The Avalon Hussars

The Avalon Hussars are the descendants of the Terran Marines that served on the world of New Avalon in the early age of human colonization of space. Today the Hussars are the heart of the AFFS, a group of units loyal to House Davion and to the ideals of the Federated Suns.

[edit] Syrtis Fusiliers

The Syrtis Fusiliers are the honor guard of the leader of the Capellan March. For that reason their fortunes have been tied to the Hasek family for years. The Hasek Family is an ambitious and often scheming group of leaders that have commanded the Capellan March since the time of Prince Alexander. The Syrtis Fusiliers are respected for their skill in combat but at times have been held in suspicion by an AFFS that questions their loyalty to the First Prince.

[edit] Crucis Lancers

After General Kerensky's exodus, some Star League soldiers remained in the Inner Sphere. Some of these drifted into the Federated Suns. During the First Succession War Prince John Davion organized them into the Crucis Lancers. The Lancers hold tight to the traditions of the Star League even as they have fully integrated themselves into the AFFS.

[edit] Ceti Hussars

The Ceti Hussars are a group of units that were created specifically for the short raids that became the mainstay of warfare in the Third Succession War. Each Hussar Regiment is divided into three small units each centered around a Battlemech Battalion.

[edit] Chisholm's Raiders

Marshal John Chishom, who was well regarded as an excellent military commander, but constantly critical of the military establishment was forced into retirement in 2892. Going to his homeworld of Colorado, he quickly became bored with retirement and took control of the planetary militia, and began to train them. Soon, word of his activities made it to High Command, where they investigated his training. After defeating many units that were both more skilled and better equipped, the militia was made into a front line regiment. Eventually the unit was built into two full RCT's. Both were loyal to Katherine in the Civil War, which resulted in their destruction. There are no plans to reconstitute either regiment as of the end of the Civil War.

[edit] Deneb Light Cavalry

During the Star League, there was a group of units known as the Rapid Deployment Mixed Armed Forces regiments that were created to be deployed at a moment's notice. After the fall of the Star League, the Light Cavalry needed to seek employment with one of the Successor houses in order to support themselves and their families. They chose the Federated Suns because they felt that it was the closest to the ideals of the Star League. The Light Cavalry became an important part of the AFFS and quickly became an important part of their roster with their rapid style of combat.

[edit] Robinson Rangers

Starting their life as a brigade of volunteers in the defense of Robinson, the Draconis March capital world, these original volunteers were wiped out in the First Succession War. To honor these volunteers, Prince Peter Davion authorized the construction of two Battlemech regiments. The Rangers fought the Draconis Combine in five major conflicts. Two things define the Rangers. Hatred of the Combine, and more importantly, a loyalty to the Duke of Robinson. In the early 3060s, Archon Katherine created the Third Rangers. While publicly a move to reinforce the Draconis March, was more a political move, and the unit spent more time on New Avalon than anywhere else. The Third was destroyed during the final battle of New Avalon, with no plans to rebuild the destroyed unit.

[edit] Federated Suns Military Academies

[edit] Albion Military College

Located on the capital of New Avalon, Albion was one of three Star League Military Academies located outside of the Terran Hegemony. After the collapse of the Star League, the Federated Suns took over full administration of the institution. Albion is known for its highly-skilled graduates and boasts a well-known alumni that includes Prince Hanse Davion.

[edit] Filtvelt

[edit] Kilbourne

[edit] New Avalon Institute of Science (NAIS) College of Military Sciences (CMS)

Arguably the most prestigious military academy in the Inner Sphere, CMS turns out high quality cadets in all military specialities. CMS used to be called NAMA, the New Avalon Military Academy. After NAIS was built around it and far eclipsed it in prestige, however, Katherine reorganized the institutions and placed NAMA under the jurisdiction of the NAIS. Home to some of the most advanced training equipment in the Inner Sphere, CMS benefits from its close relationship with the NAIS, which seems to rediscover lost technology on a daily basis.

[edit] Robinson Battle Academy

Located on Robinson, RBA is the principal training academy of the Draconis March. Its graduates are known for their loyalty to the Sandoval family and their hatred of the Draconis Combine and all things Japanese.

[edit] The War College of Goshen

Origninally founded by a pair of retired Generals from the Capellan Front, the WCG began its life as the Goshen BattleMech Academy. Within a decade, the College had expanded its curriculum to cover all areas of combat from infantery to aerospace and was renamed the War College of Goshen. Renowned both for is philosophical approach and its hands on method to teaching, the WCG produces well-balanced cadets who exhibit a keen understanding of their combat equipment and environment. This is partly due to the fact that all cadets save infantry routinely participate in live-fire training excercises.

Additionally, students are noted for their deep roots in academic studies of philosophies of war and peace. No cadet graduates without a comprehensive understanding of the history of warfare, the development of tactics though that history, and a complete education on the governance of the Federated Suns both in wartime and peacetime.

The Review of the War College of Goshen

[edit] The Warrior's Hall

Located on New Syrtis, The Warrior's Hall is the principal training academy of the Capellan March. Its graduates are known for their loyalty to the Hasek family and hatred of the Capellan Confederation.

[edit] Military Ranks

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