Armed Forces of the Federated Suns
Sarna News
The Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS) is the military branch of the Federated Suns, the Successor State ruled for most of its history by House Davion. After 3041, 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.
Contents
- 1 Federated Suns Military Academies
- 1.1 Albion Military Academy
- 1.2 Armstrong Flight Academy
- 1.3 Filtvelt Military Academy
- 1.4 Kilbourne Academy
- 1.5 New Avalon Institute of Science: College of Military Sciences
- 1.6 Point Barrow Military Academy
- 1.7 Robinson Battle Academy
- 1.8 Sakhara Academy
- 1.9 The War College of Goshen
- 1.10 The Warrior's Hall
- 2 Federated Suns Uniforms
- 3 Military Ranks
- 4 Medals & Decorations
- 5 Military Departments
- 5.1 Department of the Army and Navy
- 5.2 Department of Mercenary Relations
- 5.3 Department of Military Administration
- 5.4 Department of Military Communications and Research
- 5.5 Department of the Quartermaster
- 5.6 Department of Military Education
- 5.7 Department of Military Intelligence
- 5.8 Department of Military Justice
- 5.9 Department of Strategy and Tactics
- 6 References
- 7 Bibliography
Federated Suns Military Academies
Albion Military Academy
Located on the capital of New Avalon, built in the 2400s. 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.
Armstrong Flight Academy
The AFA is located on Galax, home of Federated-Boeing Interstellar. Both F-BI and AFA benefit from the relationship that has started.
Filtvelt Military Academy
One of the newest additions to the Department of Military Education, Filtvelt is located near the Periphery. Given its location, many graduates serve with nearby units.
Kilbourne Academy
While the Kilbourne Academy trains MechWarriors, it is better known for its technicians. Since it is located near the Periphery, it is one of the few centers of learning in the area. Accordingly, non-cadets may attend non-military classes.
New Avalon Institute of Science: College of Military Sciences
Arguably the most prestigious military academy in the Inner Sphere, CMS turns out high-quality cadets in all military specialties. CMS used to be called NAMA, the New Avalon Military Academy. NAMA was founded during the Star League years after the League took over Albion Military Academy. After NAIS was built around NAMA and far eclipsed it in prestige, however, the institutions were reorganized and NAMA was placed 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.
Its large alumni base includes Prince Ian Davion, Morgan Hasek-Davion, Dan Allard, and Duke Kai Allard-Liao.
Point Barrow Military Academy
Point Barrow is known for quality technicians and engineers.
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.
Most scions of the Sandoval family attend the Battle Academy, so it enjoys strong support from them.
Sakhara Academy
Sakhara is one of a handful of private military academies in the Federated Suns. The small school is known for good cadets who form lasting bonds, making it a sort of fraternity.
The War College of Goshen
Based on Goshen, the War College was originally 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 infantry 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 exercises.
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 throughout that history, and a complete education on the governance of the Federated Suns both in wartime and peacetime.
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.
Most scions of the Hasek family attend the Hall, so it enjoys strong support from them.
Federated Suns Uniforms
Military Ranks
The AFFS has a robust ranking system that is mostly consistent across all branches. Officers show their ranks on the epaulettes of their uniforms, while enlisted ranks are worn on the sleeve. The background color of rank insignia indicates which branch of the AFFS the soldier serves. The service branch color assignments are:
- Red - MechWarrior
- Blue - AeroSpace Fighter Pilot
- Light Green - Infantry
- Tan/Light Brown - Armor
- Black - Naval Crew
- Gray - Technical Services
- Yellow - Administrative
- White - Medical
- Silver - Legal
- Brown - Logistics and Transportation
For examples of the rank insignia, please see the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns Military Ranks article.
Rank Structure in 3025 AFFS Ranks 3025
Medals & Decorations
These are honors such as medal and decorations are high prized in the AFFS. They are rewarded sparenly, only great heroic deeds are awarded or significate occupliments.[1]
Military Departments
There are nine major departments that report directly to the Marshal of the Armies. Though not combat forces themselves, these departments are vital to the AFFS' ability to conduct operations.[2]
The Department of the Army and Navy oversees all personnel issues, including transfers, staffing, and retirement. They also coordinate with other departments to investigate complaints about poor officers, inappropriate equipment, and supply problems.
Department of Mercenary Relations
This department appoints liaison officers to the mercenary units employed by the Federated Suns. Soldiers in this department also negotiate contracts and handle administrative tasks.
Department of Military Administration
This department handles all the tasks not covered by other military departments. This department oversees the Medical Corps, Chaplain Corps, and handles payroll for regular forces.
Department of Military Communications and Research
One of the newer departments, the Department of Military Communications and Research oversees research into HPG systems and joint research projects.
Department of the Quartermaster
The Department of the Quartermaster handles the procurement of material, parts, foodstuffs, uniforms, ammunition, and everything else the AFFS needs to fight. The Quartermaster Department is also responsible for shipping the appropriate items to the soldiers on the front lines. To facilitate this the Department maintains supply depots in each March, and during major operations keeps the supply lines short by setting up forward supply depots.
Department of Military Education
The Department of Military Education handles recruiting, training, and education of all AFFS soldiers. It also sets the standards for Federated Suns Military Academies. The DME also maintains the library systems used by the AFFS and the navigational charts used by the AFFS Navy.
Department of Military Intelligence
The Department of Military Intelligence focuses on collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence to AFFS commands.
Department of Military Justice
This department oversees the Military Police Corps, as well as the Judge Advocate General corps. The department is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and punishing criminal activities involving members of the AFFS.
Department of Strategy and Tactics
Formed during the Federated Commonwealth era, the Department of Strategy and Tactics examines every historical conflict and simulates potential conflicts to develop the grand strategies used by the High Command. The Department also works with the Department of Military Education to create new training materials that incorporate the latest information.
References
Bibliography
- House Davion (The Federated Suns)
- Field Manual: Federated Suns
- Field Manual: Updates
- Field Report: AFFS
- Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1
- NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
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