Post by lowell on Sept 26, 2010 11:37:16 GMT -7
MILITARY SUBMISSIONS GUIDE
The following information is to serve as a guiding outline for those interested in fleshing the specifics of their empire’s military forces. It is by no means to serve as the StarScapes’ gospel written in stone for how one is to set up their forces. The myriad imaginations of all our members is far too unlimited for one document to cover in their expansive scope. A thousand monkeys writing on a typewriter for a thousand years would have a better chance than this writer.
What this document does hopes to accomplish is to give ourselves a common frame work of reference from which to pull from. A common ground of understanding so that if someone says they are attacking with two XS Cruisers with a platoon of Norn Centurions, we’ll have a pretty good idea of what they are talking about. This document also hopes to help people establish the size, and scope of their empire’s military based on their Doctrine and Empire’s Overview.
Out of all fairness, one can not say that they are attacking with a million Star-Destroyers capable of crossing twenty different systems when their peace loving empire’s main economy is farming, and manufacturing shoe-strings. An extreme point, but I think you get the picture.
I) DOCTRINE
Before deciding on the exact scale and magnitude of your military, a good place to start is with your armed forces doctrine. What is doctrine? Quite simply it is your military’s purpose. Are your forces a group of individuals forming a Volunteer Militia dedicated to the protection of their own planet, a Defensive Force marshaled together towards the security of their realm from all threats foreign and domestic, or an Expeditionary Force equipped to cross systems into hostile enemy territory?
All training, technology, magic/psionics, equipment and strategic development is organized and geared to support your empire’s military doctrine. Multiple engine drives for ten X Class Cruisers may be useless and tremendously expensive for an empire that only employs a small, but well trained Standing Militia.
However, Early Warning Satellites and Sensor Buoys may not be such a bad investment. Once you have your empire’s military doctrine, it becomes clearer to understand how to support it, and fulfill it to the best of your ability.
A) Doctrine Support
Choosing your doctrine maybe easy, but you need to reflect that choice by supporting it through two factors.
1) Your empires overview and culture - Morale.
Is your empire’s culture geared toward a military life? Are citizens expected or forced to serve in the armed forces? Do they see it as a benevolent service with an honorable tradition where those who serve are empowered with skill, and rank which may serve them later in life? Is it seen as a repressive arm of the government, or viewed as a refuge and shelter for the lower class and poor?
In other words, does your military have the support of its citizens or not? Or is it a mandatory service? This becomes a deciding factor when trying to establish a believable morale for your troops. Morale, however can also be manipulated by propaganda, which is a powerful tool onto itself. Whether morale is false, or real it’s a good idea to have it clearly established as your cultures attitude towards their military in your Overview, or Military section your submissions post. This will allow others to clearly get a sense of the kind of troops they are dealing with.
2) Government support. - Military Units
Your empires government will generally be footing the bill for your military. The larger your force and their Doctrine Mission, the more money is needed to maintain and equip it. Below is a list of military division units beginning with the smallest and least expensive to the largest and most expensive. Please note though that a small and poorly supported military does not mean that they are weak. The moral and training of the troops are an important factor not to be overlooked. A small, brave, well trained and fiercely determined unit can be as effective as an IGP Battle Force if they have the morale and motivation to fight.
I) Volunteer Militia - An armed organization marshaled together in times of crisis. Small in size, this is a unit developed to protect an outpost, a colony, or at the largest, a planetary continent. Volunteer Militias are terrestrial in nature and are mainly trained to fight ground, artillery, and single to two man craft in ship to ship atmospheric battles. A highly supported Volunteer Militia may employ 1-3 FTL ships as they are mainly stationed on a section of a single planet, moon, asteroid or starbase. The Volunteer Militia will have a core group of trained officers and staff and will generally maintain an armory of weapons, and equipment. However, their purpose is to swell in size on the first sign of trouble and to quickly train and equip new recruits.
II) Standing Militia - An armed organization formed together to defend several populated outpost, colonies or continents. Larger in size than a Volunteer Militia, a Standing Militia is better equipped and financially supported than their volunteer version as there is a constant need for their presence. In the case of a crisis, their number is also expected to swell and a ‘draft’ may be imposed upon their citizens. A standing Militia is trained to fight terrestrial and atmospheric battles, as well as Stellar Combat in single to two man fighter craft. They will have 1-6 FTL. ships, and a highly supported Standing Militia will have at least one Frigate class battleship. Several armories will be maintained along with at lest one fortification.
III) Volunteer Army - An armed organization formed to defend an entire planet, moon, asteroid belt, or space stations. A Volunteer Army is designed to marshal together in times of crisis. Small in number in relation to the population they have to defend, they are designed to swell in size when need by keeping several fortifications, armories, and at least one training facility/base. They are trained to fight all battles on and off their worlds and will have 6-9 FTL ships, and 1-3 Frigate class battleships and defensive weapons satellites.
VI) Standing Army - Larger in size than a Volunteer Army, the Standing Army is committed to the complete defense and peace of one to two planets, and their moons, asteroid belts, and space stations. Their equipment and financial support will be better than that of the Volunteer Army (essentially meaning that they have more if not better equipment and their officers are paid higher), and in addition to having several armories, fortifications and training facilities/bases, there will be a formal military academy for the training of officers in tactics, doctrine and the management of the armed forces. A Standing Army is also able to impose a ‘draft’ on its population through its government. A Standing Army will have 10-20 FTL ships, 3-9 Destroyer class battleships, weapons satellites, and at least one military space station.
V) Defensive Force - The Defensive Force is the military arm of a united empire consisting of a well-equipped fleet dedicated to the defense of their empire’s borders and territories. As such they are trained to fight and operate within their specific system. There may be sub-divisions of forces, for example, units responsible for the protection of individual planets, trade routes, stations, star-systems, or the empire’s outer borders.
Defensive Force can be quite an intimidating and formidable presence to deal with. They have the ‘Home Field’ system advantage and are intimately familiar with their territory (stellar and terrestrial). As such, many nasty and unexpected surprises could be in store for any unprepared invader daring (or stupid) enough to enter into their territory.
However, a Defensive Force is like a chain. It is only as strong as its weakest link. The ratio of territory to defend versus the number of units available becomes a crucial factor in the security of ones empire. There will always be gaps in a Defensive Forces lines, and if one attempts to make a solid wall of fleet ships around their empire, there could even be more dire consequences to pay.
For example:
Let’s imagine all of Empire A’s Defensive Force units have been positioned along their perimeter to protect them against the conquering forces of Empire B. On paper the strategy looks good, until their Admiral realizes that all his forces are spread too thin. Empire B sees this, and focuses all of their ships on one location and breaks through. With Empire A’s troops spread out along the borderlines, there is nothing to protect their Homeworld, or Dark Matter mining colonies. Empire B sweeps in and conquers.
In looking at the defense of ones territory - Homeworld, planets, star-systems, trade routes, stations and military bases, asteroid belts, etc., one must measure their total empire’s space as valued, strategic locations of importance. Which of them are acceptable losses of territory, and which are worth defending as strategic points of interest in the event of an invasion? With this knowledge one can then place their finite units (units being the number of ships and troops, and empire has, and finite meaning ‘limited’ in number in position to secure their safety.
Care and craft must be taken in the placement of ones forces in the defense of their realm, along with battle plans and tactics. Just remember, the Defensive Force does have the ‘Home Field’ advantage.
VI) Expeditionary Force Minor/Major - On the surface an Expeditionary Force is nothing more than an invasion fleet - on the surface. Their true purpose really depends on the doctrine of their native empire. Expeditionary Forces may be part of a defensive, multi-empire peace keeping organization (The IGP), a pirate fleet (The Mords and the Hunns), a organized band of rebels, units trained to escort merchant ships and patrol trade routes, colonist and explorers seeking new stars, or aggressive conquers seeking more stars.
Essentially, an Expeditionary Force are those fleets trained to cross and fight in other systems. They are also the most expensive of all military organizations. Training, equipment, multiple engine drives, weapons and communications are some of the major expenses needed to be covered when operating in multi-systems. The number of systems an empire can operate in determines whether they are rated as a Expeditionary Force Minor (MINEX), or an Expeditionary Force Major (MAJEX)
Expeditionary Force Minor - 2-5 systems
Expeditionary Force Minor - (Super Power*) - 6-10 systems
Expeditionary Force Major - 11- X
Obviously only the Major Empires and the IGP have the necessary resources and finances to support an Expeditionary Force Major, and once one realizes the number of systems these organizations are capable of operating in one can see why they are such a potential and intimating force in the galaxy.
B) Growth and Power - Doctrine Missions.
Each empire has the ability to expand, and to change their military doctrine. Those empires who have graduated from the ranks of Lesser Empire to Minor, may see the need to change their doctrine from Standing Army to a Defensive Force, or engage in an alliance with other empires and pool their finances and resources together to form a Expeditionary Force Minor for the defense of their sector.
At some point you will look at your empire’s military might, and after figuring out your doctrine and force level, try to figure ‘How’ to best use it responsibly. This is essentially called your Force Mission. The following is a list of possible military missions one may under take with their military which is closely based on those employed by the US Navy and NATO Forces**
Interstellar Presence - The ‘presence’ of an empire’s fleet forces (lets say a Carrier unit with Destroyer and Cruiser escorts) in the area of a trade route, off the border of an enemy empire’s space, or orbiting a planet can be an intimidating force, which will signal others to ‘back off’. The very presence of your military can deter others from making a move unless they wish to suffer the consequences. You send a very clear message without having to fire a shoot - “Mess with us and there will be serious trouble...”
Show of Force - The application of your forces military power to clearly send a message. It is a punitive action designed to strike against a specific target with a measures amount of force.
Ex. Minor Empires A, B and C strike back against the forces of the Empire Das a Show of Force for their past sneak attacks against their trade routes and merchant forces.
Stellar and Interstellar Embargo - In simple terms a blockade, in legal terminology an embargo. Embargo and inspection operations may be a common operation of your forces, but care must be taken to see if such an action is legal, or illegal - depending on whose territory one is in. Legal Embargos may need the approval or permission of the Galactic Council itself.
Freedom of Navigation - ‘Freedom of the Stars’ is a concept that many empires hold as one of the most important of Universal Rights - the right to cross through unclaimed star systems - Interstellar Space. Some rogue empires have and will attempt to close or claim those areas of interest as within their possession.
Ex. Allied organizations may send their Expeditionary Forces out to challenge this attempt to control or close free access to Interstellar Space.
Interstellar Escort - Trade routes are the financial arteries of many empires. Many of these routes as commonly preyed upon by smugglers and pirates after high value merchant ships or VIP vessels. Expeditionary Forces can provide escort protection and enforce the safety of these trade routes from known and unknown dangers across the galaxy.
Invasion - As mentioned earlier, Expeditionary forces are simply another word for an invasion fleet. Invasions can take place on two levels:
Interstellar - The crossing of foreign borders or systems with the objection of conquering the empire of enemy forces. Perhaps the largest Force Mission an empire can undertake.
Terrestrial - The terrestrial landing on foreign planets/moons/stations occupied by enemy forces with the objective of taking over and securing the world. Terrestrial invasions can be some the bloodiest and dangerous missions an Expeditionary Force can take. Combat can range from the use of weapons of mass destruction to close and personal hand-to-hand combat. However, the most crucial factor is the involvements of civilian lives, which will always be threaten, and the potential for such high losses can be a contributing factor to low troop morale and motivation.
Projection of Force - This is the projection of all of a fleets’ power marshaled towards one objective. The Projection of Force is in essence a war in space. It is the stellar battle field of two forces outside of their native systems where each military does not have the advantage. This mission may take on several options - the smashing of an Embargo line, the interception and destruction of an advancing armada fleet, hit and run sorties against enemy targets, to a reconnaissance in force.
Operations Other Than War - An Empires armed forces may be involved in missions, which are non-combatant in nature. These can range from Peace Keeping Forces, to NEOs (Non-combatant Evacuation Operations). An Empire’s Military may also employ different specialized branches to deal with specific mission that are best handled by highly trained troops in various areas. Hostage Negotiations, Anti-terrorist Forces, Relief Organizations, Military Observers, and Diplomatic Advisors.
Ex. In Operations Other Then War , the Archaen Fleet supports the Sisters of the Stellar Cross in their Relief Missions, both in financial contributions and by donating decommissioned ships to be refitted as Medical Frigates, or Stellar Ambulances. They also train many of their members in the areas of hostage negotiations, and some forms of hand-to-hand combat.
The following information is to serve as a guiding outline for those interested in fleshing the specifics of their empire’s military forces. It is by no means to serve as the StarScapes’ gospel written in stone for how one is to set up their forces. The myriad imaginations of all our members is far too unlimited for one document to cover in their expansive scope. A thousand monkeys writing on a typewriter for a thousand years would have a better chance than this writer.
What this document does hopes to accomplish is to give ourselves a common frame work of reference from which to pull from. A common ground of understanding so that if someone says they are attacking with two XS Cruisers with a platoon of Norn Centurions, we’ll have a pretty good idea of what they are talking about. This document also hopes to help people establish the size, and scope of their empire’s military based on their Doctrine and Empire’s Overview.
Out of all fairness, one can not say that they are attacking with a million Star-Destroyers capable of crossing twenty different systems when their peace loving empire’s main economy is farming, and manufacturing shoe-strings. An extreme point, but I think you get the picture.
I) DOCTRINE
Before deciding on the exact scale and magnitude of your military, a good place to start is with your armed forces doctrine. What is doctrine? Quite simply it is your military’s purpose. Are your forces a group of individuals forming a Volunteer Militia dedicated to the protection of their own planet, a Defensive Force marshaled together towards the security of their realm from all threats foreign and domestic, or an Expeditionary Force equipped to cross systems into hostile enemy territory?
All training, technology, magic/psionics, equipment and strategic development is organized and geared to support your empire’s military doctrine. Multiple engine drives for ten X Class Cruisers may be useless and tremendously expensive for an empire that only employs a small, but well trained Standing Militia.
However, Early Warning Satellites and Sensor Buoys may not be such a bad investment. Once you have your empire’s military doctrine, it becomes clearer to understand how to support it, and fulfill it to the best of your ability.
A) Doctrine Support
Choosing your doctrine maybe easy, but you need to reflect that choice by supporting it through two factors.
1) Your empires overview and culture - Morale.
Is your empire’s culture geared toward a military life? Are citizens expected or forced to serve in the armed forces? Do they see it as a benevolent service with an honorable tradition where those who serve are empowered with skill, and rank which may serve them later in life? Is it seen as a repressive arm of the government, or viewed as a refuge and shelter for the lower class and poor?
In other words, does your military have the support of its citizens or not? Or is it a mandatory service? This becomes a deciding factor when trying to establish a believable morale for your troops. Morale, however can also be manipulated by propaganda, which is a powerful tool onto itself. Whether morale is false, or real it’s a good idea to have it clearly established as your cultures attitude towards their military in your Overview, or Military section your submissions post. This will allow others to clearly get a sense of the kind of troops they are dealing with.
2) Government support. - Military Units
Your empires government will generally be footing the bill for your military. The larger your force and their Doctrine Mission, the more money is needed to maintain and equip it. Below is a list of military division units beginning with the smallest and least expensive to the largest and most expensive. Please note though that a small and poorly supported military does not mean that they are weak. The moral and training of the troops are an important factor not to be overlooked. A small, brave, well trained and fiercely determined unit can be as effective as an IGP Battle Force if they have the morale and motivation to fight.
I) Volunteer Militia - An armed organization marshaled together in times of crisis. Small in size, this is a unit developed to protect an outpost, a colony, or at the largest, a planetary continent. Volunteer Militias are terrestrial in nature and are mainly trained to fight ground, artillery, and single to two man craft in ship to ship atmospheric battles. A highly supported Volunteer Militia may employ 1-3 FTL ships as they are mainly stationed on a section of a single planet, moon, asteroid or starbase. The Volunteer Militia will have a core group of trained officers and staff and will generally maintain an armory of weapons, and equipment. However, their purpose is to swell in size on the first sign of trouble and to quickly train and equip new recruits.
II) Standing Militia - An armed organization formed together to defend several populated outpost, colonies or continents. Larger in size than a Volunteer Militia, a Standing Militia is better equipped and financially supported than their volunteer version as there is a constant need for their presence. In the case of a crisis, their number is also expected to swell and a ‘draft’ may be imposed upon their citizens. A standing Militia is trained to fight terrestrial and atmospheric battles, as well as Stellar Combat in single to two man fighter craft. They will have 1-6 FTL. ships, and a highly supported Standing Militia will have at least one Frigate class battleship. Several armories will be maintained along with at lest one fortification.
III) Volunteer Army - An armed organization formed to defend an entire planet, moon, asteroid belt, or space stations. A Volunteer Army is designed to marshal together in times of crisis. Small in number in relation to the population they have to defend, they are designed to swell in size when need by keeping several fortifications, armories, and at least one training facility/base. They are trained to fight all battles on and off their worlds and will have 6-9 FTL ships, and 1-3 Frigate class battleships and defensive weapons satellites.
VI) Standing Army - Larger in size than a Volunteer Army, the Standing Army is committed to the complete defense and peace of one to two planets, and their moons, asteroid belts, and space stations. Their equipment and financial support will be better than that of the Volunteer Army (essentially meaning that they have more if not better equipment and their officers are paid higher), and in addition to having several armories, fortifications and training facilities/bases, there will be a formal military academy for the training of officers in tactics, doctrine and the management of the armed forces. A Standing Army is also able to impose a ‘draft’ on its population through its government. A Standing Army will have 10-20 FTL ships, 3-9 Destroyer class battleships, weapons satellites, and at least one military space station.
V) Defensive Force - The Defensive Force is the military arm of a united empire consisting of a well-equipped fleet dedicated to the defense of their empire’s borders and territories. As such they are trained to fight and operate within their specific system. There may be sub-divisions of forces, for example, units responsible for the protection of individual planets, trade routes, stations, star-systems, or the empire’s outer borders.
Defensive Force can be quite an intimidating and formidable presence to deal with. They have the ‘Home Field’ system advantage and are intimately familiar with their territory (stellar and terrestrial). As such, many nasty and unexpected surprises could be in store for any unprepared invader daring (or stupid) enough to enter into their territory.
However, a Defensive Force is like a chain. It is only as strong as its weakest link. The ratio of territory to defend versus the number of units available becomes a crucial factor in the security of ones empire. There will always be gaps in a Defensive Forces lines, and if one attempts to make a solid wall of fleet ships around their empire, there could even be more dire consequences to pay.
For example:
Let’s imagine all of Empire A’s Defensive Force units have been positioned along their perimeter to protect them against the conquering forces of Empire B. On paper the strategy looks good, until their Admiral realizes that all his forces are spread too thin. Empire B sees this, and focuses all of their ships on one location and breaks through. With Empire A’s troops spread out along the borderlines, there is nothing to protect their Homeworld, or Dark Matter mining colonies. Empire B sweeps in and conquers.
In looking at the defense of ones territory - Homeworld, planets, star-systems, trade routes, stations and military bases, asteroid belts, etc., one must measure their total empire’s space as valued, strategic locations of importance. Which of them are acceptable losses of territory, and which are worth defending as strategic points of interest in the event of an invasion? With this knowledge one can then place their finite units (units being the number of ships and troops, and empire has, and finite meaning ‘limited’ in number in position to secure their safety.
Care and craft must be taken in the placement of ones forces in the defense of their realm, along with battle plans and tactics. Just remember, the Defensive Force does have the ‘Home Field’ advantage.
VI) Expeditionary Force Minor/Major - On the surface an Expeditionary Force is nothing more than an invasion fleet - on the surface. Their true purpose really depends on the doctrine of their native empire. Expeditionary Forces may be part of a defensive, multi-empire peace keeping organization (The IGP), a pirate fleet (The Mords and the Hunns), a organized band of rebels, units trained to escort merchant ships and patrol trade routes, colonist and explorers seeking new stars, or aggressive conquers seeking more stars.
Essentially, an Expeditionary Force are those fleets trained to cross and fight in other systems. They are also the most expensive of all military organizations. Training, equipment, multiple engine drives, weapons and communications are some of the major expenses needed to be covered when operating in multi-systems. The number of systems an empire can operate in determines whether they are rated as a Expeditionary Force Minor (MINEX), or an Expeditionary Force Major (MAJEX)
Expeditionary Force Minor - 2-5 systems
Expeditionary Force Minor - (Super Power*) - 6-10 systems
Expeditionary Force Major - 11- X
Obviously only the Major Empires and the IGP have the necessary resources and finances to support an Expeditionary Force Major, and once one realizes the number of systems these organizations are capable of operating in one can see why they are such a potential and intimating force in the galaxy.
B) Growth and Power - Doctrine Missions.
Each empire has the ability to expand, and to change their military doctrine. Those empires who have graduated from the ranks of Lesser Empire to Minor, may see the need to change their doctrine from Standing Army to a Defensive Force, or engage in an alliance with other empires and pool their finances and resources together to form a Expeditionary Force Minor for the defense of their sector.
At some point you will look at your empire’s military might, and after figuring out your doctrine and force level, try to figure ‘How’ to best use it responsibly. This is essentially called your Force Mission. The following is a list of possible military missions one may under take with their military which is closely based on those employed by the US Navy and NATO Forces**
Interstellar Presence - The ‘presence’ of an empire’s fleet forces (lets say a Carrier unit with Destroyer and Cruiser escorts) in the area of a trade route, off the border of an enemy empire’s space, or orbiting a planet can be an intimidating force, which will signal others to ‘back off’. The very presence of your military can deter others from making a move unless they wish to suffer the consequences. You send a very clear message without having to fire a shoot - “Mess with us and there will be serious trouble...”
Show of Force - The application of your forces military power to clearly send a message. It is a punitive action designed to strike against a specific target with a measures amount of force.
Ex. Minor Empires A, B and C strike back against the forces of the Empire Das a Show of Force for their past sneak attacks against their trade routes and merchant forces.
Stellar and Interstellar Embargo - In simple terms a blockade, in legal terminology an embargo. Embargo and inspection operations may be a common operation of your forces, but care must be taken to see if such an action is legal, or illegal - depending on whose territory one is in. Legal Embargos may need the approval or permission of the Galactic Council itself.
Freedom of Navigation - ‘Freedom of the Stars’ is a concept that many empires hold as one of the most important of Universal Rights - the right to cross through unclaimed star systems - Interstellar Space. Some rogue empires have and will attempt to close or claim those areas of interest as within their possession.
Ex. Allied organizations may send their Expeditionary Forces out to challenge this attempt to control or close free access to Interstellar Space.
Interstellar Escort - Trade routes are the financial arteries of many empires. Many of these routes as commonly preyed upon by smugglers and pirates after high value merchant ships or VIP vessels. Expeditionary Forces can provide escort protection and enforce the safety of these trade routes from known and unknown dangers across the galaxy.
Invasion - As mentioned earlier, Expeditionary forces are simply another word for an invasion fleet. Invasions can take place on two levels:
Interstellar - The crossing of foreign borders or systems with the objection of conquering the empire of enemy forces. Perhaps the largest Force Mission an empire can undertake.
Terrestrial - The terrestrial landing on foreign planets/moons/stations occupied by enemy forces with the objective of taking over and securing the world. Terrestrial invasions can be some the bloodiest and dangerous missions an Expeditionary Force can take. Combat can range from the use of weapons of mass destruction to close and personal hand-to-hand combat. However, the most crucial factor is the involvements of civilian lives, which will always be threaten, and the potential for such high losses can be a contributing factor to low troop morale and motivation.
Projection of Force - This is the projection of all of a fleets’ power marshaled towards one objective. The Projection of Force is in essence a war in space. It is the stellar battle field of two forces outside of their native systems where each military does not have the advantage. This mission may take on several options - the smashing of an Embargo line, the interception and destruction of an advancing armada fleet, hit and run sorties against enemy targets, to a reconnaissance in force.
Operations Other Than War - An Empires armed forces may be involved in missions, which are non-combatant in nature. These can range from Peace Keeping Forces, to NEOs (Non-combatant Evacuation Operations). An Empire’s Military may also employ different specialized branches to deal with specific mission that are best handled by highly trained troops in various areas. Hostage Negotiations, Anti-terrorist Forces, Relief Organizations, Military Observers, and Diplomatic Advisors.
Ex. In Operations Other Then War , the Archaen Fleet supports the Sisters of the Stellar Cross in their Relief Missions, both in financial contributions and by donating decommissioned ships to be refitted as Medical Frigates, or Stellar Ambulances. They also train many of their members in the areas of hostage negotiations, and some forms of hand-to-hand combat.