Post by kaso on Nov 8, 2007 23:19:19 GMT -5
The Foedis-e Optimus Res Publica de Etruscan has historically been very militaristic and expansionist in policy. As a result citizens demand candidates that favor maintaining a strong standing army and demonstrate a sound military mind. It is for this reason that many consuls and senators have solid military experience. It is considered highly honorable by the aristocracy to lead a distinguished career in the military, however many commoners fear soldiers and veterans.
Historically speaking, laws concerning military service have varied widely. There have been points when hardly anyone had to or could serve, and also points when everyone available was given a gun and rushed to the front. Current laws state the following:
There are two strategic branches, Res Publica Velox (The Republican Fleet) and Res Publica Nauta Corpus (The Marine Corp).
RPV
Most nations of Friendly Wars (by most I mean all) use naval tactics that date back to 1555. Two opposing fleets assume battle formation and proceed to blow the crap out of each other at relatively close range with giant cannons, or swarm over an enemy shit in hand to hand combat. These tactics worked for the RPV as well, until Claudius's War, a bloody galactic wide war against the then Imperial Samorians. The RPV had experienced great initial success, but the Samorians proved superior in the traditional way of fighting.
And so the tactics changed from massive Ship O' The Line slug matches to the use of over the horizon (out of sight) carrier engagements. The RPV refused to fight the Samorians in the kind of war they had experience with. The Samorian ships stopped seeing RVP fleets at all, and only faced sudden swarms of torpedo bombers. The result was the decimation of the Samorian Capital ships.
RPNC
Like the fleet, the marines also went through a massive shift in ideology in engagements against the Samorians. Previously, the marines had maintained that it was vital to capture planets with ground offensives. This line of thought was mainly influenced by the need of young nobles who sought honor in combat. This focus proved very stupid. First, it tied down the RPV's resources; maintaining orbital support, keeping supply lines open, and the need to keep vital combat ships in orbit to keep the nauta from being cut off by the Samorian fleet where just a few problems for the RVP. Second, casualties where horrendous. Imagine the Russo-Japanese war, 10 fold, on a planetary scale, repeated for every planet, moon, Pluto class astral body, major asteroids, and orbital stations and you'll get the idea.
And so the dogma changed. Instead of a focus on traditional take and hold, the goal became rapid deployment and engagement of the enemy followed by strategic with drawl to orbit and then rapid redeployment. As a result, the RPNC became a highly organized, mobile, well trained group of soldiers that commonly faced vastly numerically superior forces. More over casualties where greatly reduced, allowing for the majority of soldiers to transition from green recruit to efficient warrior.
Historically speaking, laws concerning military service have varied widely. There have been points when hardly anyone had to or could serve, and also points when everyone available was given a gun and rushed to the front. Current laws state the following:
- All men, may they be freed or plebe or noble, must serve a minimum 2 years of service upon becoming a man in the eyes of Jupiter (passing a coming of age ritual).
- The terms of service can be extended up to six years excepting nobles, who may have their terms extended only another four.
- All households must have a minimimum of one son in the reserves.
- All who avoid their duty will be viewed as deserters and enemies of the state.
There are two strategic branches, Res Publica Velox (The Republican Fleet) and Res Publica Nauta Corpus (The Marine Corp).
RPV
Most nations of Friendly Wars (by most I mean all) use naval tactics that date back to 1555. Two opposing fleets assume battle formation and proceed to blow the crap out of each other at relatively close range with giant cannons, or swarm over an enemy shit in hand to hand combat. These tactics worked for the RPV as well, until Claudius's War, a bloody galactic wide war against the then Imperial Samorians. The RPV had experienced great initial success, but the Samorians proved superior in the traditional way of fighting.
And so the tactics changed from massive Ship O' The Line slug matches to the use of over the horizon (out of sight) carrier engagements. The RPV refused to fight the Samorians in the kind of war they had experience with. The Samorian ships stopped seeing RVP fleets at all, and only faced sudden swarms of torpedo bombers. The result was the decimation of the Samorian Capital ships.
RPNC
Like the fleet, the marines also went through a massive shift in ideology in engagements against the Samorians. Previously, the marines had maintained that it was vital to capture planets with ground offensives. This line of thought was mainly influenced by the need of young nobles who sought honor in combat. This focus proved very stupid. First, it tied down the RPV's resources; maintaining orbital support, keeping supply lines open, and the need to keep vital combat ships in orbit to keep the nauta from being cut off by the Samorian fleet where just a few problems for the RVP. Second, casualties where horrendous. Imagine the Russo-Japanese war, 10 fold, on a planetary scale, repeated for every planet, moon, Pluto class astral body, major asteroids, and orbital stations and you'll get the idea.
And so the dogma changed. Instead of a focus on traditional take and hold, the goal became rapid deployment and engagement of the enemy followed by strategic with drawl to orbit and then rapid redeployment. As a result, the RPNC became a highly organized, mobile, well trained group of soldiers that commonly faced vastly numerically superior forces. More over casualties where greatly reduced, allowing for the majority of soldiers to transition from green recruit to efficient warrior.