Battletech Shattered Sphere: The Arcadian Free March

Intro Post - Brief History, Info, and House Proctor Data

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
So in my desperation to find a creative outlet and not just spend my days playing FFXIV (which I've barely played for about 3 weeks now), I stumbled upon the From The Ashes: Shattered Sphere game Slacker and others are running on SB and felt an old itch come back. Slacker encouraged me to pursue that itch and I decided to, and just in time for the end of their third "in game" year. Since much of the map was taken up and I thought the Aurigans claimed (the player had left, in actuality), I found a spot on the Lyran-Marik border, with the Lyran world of Arcadia (not to be confused with the Pentagon world in Clan space) and wrote up the Arcadian Free March, starting with 20 worlds that have almost no fluff about them outside of a tad bit about Dar-es-Salaam.

SInce I've written about 38k words of story material and 24k words of fluff for Field Manual: Arcadian Free March, I figured I'd post both here. I'll start with the FM to give you a grounding in the faction, then commence the story posts.

First, to establish the particulars of this AU BattleTech, the intro written for the rules document:


The point of divergence: 2780. Terra lies in ruins, the SLDF successful at toppling Amaris, but at a hideously high price. Perhaps most devastating for the morale of the broken army of liberation, its commander, General Alexsandr Kerensky lies dead, victim of a nuclear decapitation strike in the liberation of Moscow.


What happens next is...unfortunate. Kerensky’s second, Aaron DeChavilier, is unfortunately not him, and the SLDF splinters as the House Lords begin to prepare for Armageddon. The formation of Comstar happens, but with the SLDF staying behind and fortifying an “inner ring” around Terra, Jerome Blake’s vision is stillborn and they’re just a phone company, with none of the religious undertones.


The First Succession War is correspondingly both more brutal and more even, with a number of New Dallas and Kentares type incidents. It also exposes the fundamental cracks in the Great Houses. The Second Succession War takes a hammer to the splintered glass, and each of the Great Houses fragments into a number of Successor States. DeChavilier’s successors have, meanwhile, fortified the inner Union and rebuilt those worlds, at the cost of letting dozens of worlds go. They care not for what happens beyond the border providing the Ares Conventions are kept to, an important caveat that probably stops a complete degeneration into barbarity. As the Second Succession War sputtered to a halt, the survivors looked around at an Inner Sphere that had fifty states where five once stood and was home to hundreds of independent worlds.


The Third Succession War was never officially declared, but a new age of warfare was upon the Inner Sphere-with resources exhausted, worlds shattered, technology lost, and most of humanity’s FTL capable ships in ruins. The era saw raids for resources, the occasional atrocity, and endless suffering. It also saw scraps of hope, as without Comstar’s active attempts to suppress recovery, and the Union’s willingness to intervene if war crimes got out of hand, the Successor States managed to slowly recover some of the technology lost to them.


The year is now 3030. Dozens of small states are scattered across the Inner Sphere and are now jockeying for worlds, prestige, and technology. A Second Age of War is upon the Inner Sphere. Welcome to From the Ashes: Shattered Sphere.


The Arcadian Free March

Capital World: Arcadia
Capital City: Roslyn/Laughlin Capital District

Major Worlds: Gienah, McAffe, Dar-es-Salaam, Concord

Minor Worlds: Launam, Ford, Giausar, Megrez, Nestor, Uhuru, Hyde, Seftenberg, Zwenkau, Eilenburg, Hollabrunn, Mariefred, Togwotee, Danais, Bondurant

National Flag: The hoist half of the flag is blue, the opposite red, and a stylized white hawk spreads golden wings in the center.

Head of State: March-Princess Sara-Marie Proctor, Duchess of Arcadia

Head of Government: March-Princess Sara-Marie Proctor, Duchess of Arcadia; some authority divested to the current Lord of the Privy Council, Duke Simon Allen of Togwotee.

Legislature: Bicameral. The Free March Assembly, elected by commoners from each world under a democratic scheme of representation, has certain powers regarding limits of taxation, regulation of commerce and industry, and criminal and civil law (including both feudal and non-feudal contract law). Final authority rests in the March-Princess, who retains the power to accept or deny proposed legislation. The Ducal Council, a body made up of each ruling planetary family in the Free March, functions as an advisory body for the Assembly and the March-Princess, although with a unanimous vote they can reject legislature outright instead of merely returning it for Assembly reconsideration with a majority negative vote.

Speaker of the Assembly: Jessica Maxwell of Concord
Chairman of the Ducal Council: Duke Abdulla Qadim Rayhan of Dar-es-Salaam

Currency: Arcadian Pound Sterling (£). The C-Bill is also widely employed as recognizable currency due to its inherent value.


History

The collapse of the Great Houses brought chaos to their former borders. While some worlds managed to retain some semblance of law and order under beloved noble families, others were not so fortunate.

In Arcadia's case, the rule of the local dynasts, the Duncans, ended bloodily. The planet fell to a broken collection of LCAF units turned into warlords, each vying for control of the planet's vital Star League factories as well as the farmlands needed to feed their troops. The residents of the world, noble and commoner alike, were reduced to destitution and were often forced into labor under various guises of debt peonage, even outright slavery. A planet known for being a paradise turned into a hell.

On February 17th, 2890, the harbinger of change came, in the northern township of New Salem when a local farming family brought their only daughter into the world. Sara Proctor grew up among a religious community. At the age of 14 she was one of many unfortunates whisked away by the labor conscriptors of one of the warlords, "Prince" Carl Tabot. After four years of degradation and suffering as part of Tabot's household staff, Sara fled, stowing away on the DropShip Melanie before it departed Tabot's capital of Sannazaro. To her good fortune, the crew under Captain Fabian Comeau took her in, and she began fifteen years of travel across the breadth of the broken Inner Sphere. It was during this time that she picked up the skills she would later find useful, be it the diplomacy of trade, maintaining ships, and dealing with mercenaries and regular troops. She learned to pilot a BattleMech, initially as a backup to one of the crew's regular pilots, and would grow in skill as time passed.

By the time she was in her mid-30s, Sara was an accomplished traveler, even something of an adventurer, with stories of battle and romance swirling about her. She inherited the Melanie from Captain Comeau after his death in a pirate skirmish, and the proceeds for their business gave her the resources that could easily have become a business empire. A life of luxury was hers for the taking. But a new, burning desire to do something about her homeworld turned her thoughts back to Arcadia. Her resources went toward the recruitment of mercenaries and other adventurers like herself, and it was at the head of an impromptu band that she led the Melanie back to her home.

In her absence Tabot had consolidated power and was on his way to becoming ruler of the planet. His reaction to her arrival was a growing anger that would become all-consuming rage, such that his own followers avoided using her name and spoke of her only as "Nemesis".

The war between the two raged for two years, with Sara gaining an early advantage in aerospace forces due to a strategic blunder by Tabot and the support of Greek-Arcadian districts on the continents of Constantine and Islay. Bit by bit, she liberated the rest of the planet, although not without loss, and prevented an attempt to wipe out her home region at great cost to her forces and almost at cost to her life.

Starting in March 2928, Sara began a series of offensive moves that drew Tabot's loyal forces out of Sannazaro and Poussin. Tabot was convinced she'd overstretched her forces, and hearing she was personally leading the central force, he went for a decapitation strike with the bulk of his forces by striking her headquarters at the town of Parnon.

In truth, he was masterfully deceived. Sara had used herself as bait, drawing his forces into the fight and then holding against superior numbers long enough to bring her flank forces in. Tabot's forces were encircled and swiftly rolled up. Tabot himself perished at the hands of Sara, his Zeus falling to her Black Knight.

Triumphant in war, Sara turned her energies to revitalizing Arcadia. A convention of the surviving nobility and the representatives of the townships and cities declared Sara the Duchess of Arcadia. The planet's tattered legal system was overhauled to eliminate debt peonage and the other means of forced servitude that made slaves of the populace. Land reform and other means were taken to dismantle the warlords' holdings and provide for a return to a civilian economy with guaranteed rights for commoners and nobles.

Arcadia's surviving industrial works gave the planet the means to rebuild swiftly and to resist encroachments from pirates and grasping neighbors. An old Star League naval yard was refurbished with the growing proceeds of trade receipts, expanding the system's trade networks and bringing neighboring worlds into its economic orbit.

A lostech 'Mech factory, and careful work on recovered machines from the decades of fighting, allowed for the Arcadians to put together a striking force of Star League-era BattleMechs. Old veterans of Sara's campaign of planetary liberation formed two crack units, the Arcadian Guards and the Arcadian Rangers, that loyally serve House Proctor to this day.

Between economic influence and the military power of Arcadia, Sara achieved the lasting legacy of her life in 2956, with the foundation of the Arcadian Free March by the accessions of Gienah, Launam, and Hyde. She took the title of March-Princess as ruler of the new state. The slow process of consolidation began. Six more planets - Nestor, Giausar, Ford, Megrez, Concord, and McAffe - would join over the next thirty years before her death in 2986 at the age of 96.

Her son, William Proctor, inherited the throne as March-Prince. His reign would be marked by the continued expansion of the Free March through peace and war, including a protracted five year conflict with Dar-es-Salaam over Senftenburg and Mariefred and a two-year conflict on Dar-es-Salaam itself that finally ended in their admission to the Free March. When March-Prince William passed in 3008, he was succeeded by his daughter Sara-Marie, at the time only 25 years old.

The current ruling March-Princess has seen her realm's mostly-peaceful expansion to its current count of twenty worlds, with only minor conflicts with pirate bands to mar the peace. But in the wake of recent conflicts among the Successor States, it is clear Arcadia's time of quiet is coming to an end. Whether or not Sara-Marie will have to draw her grandmother's sword, that is for the forces of history to determine…



House Proctor

Coat of Arms: A lowered sword of white fringed with a golden aura splits a pair of dark gray manacles, framed by the family motto in gold, all on a shield of blue and red. Motto: Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere (We Dare Defend Our Rights).


Current Head of the House: HSH (Her Serene Highness) March-Princess Sara-Marie Abigail Proctor, Duchess of Arcadia (2983-)

The ruler of the Free March for the last 24 years, March-Princess Sara-Marie is the granddaughter of the Liberator and third ruler of the realm. Her reign has been marked with primarily internal expansion, broadening the base of the Free March economy, without the military actions that so characterized her father's reign. She has a sense of duty to her family and people that will be sorely tested as the Second Age of War continues to rock the Inner Sphere, and at times, even traditions will not stop her from acting as she believes she must.

Her Husband: HGH (His Gracious Highness) Prince-Consort Thomas Reginald Heresford, Earl of Martleford on Ford (2984-)

A scion of the English nobility that governs the planet Ford, Prince-Consort Thomas never imagined he would attain this rank. It was by chance that, as a young cadet at Ayrshire, he met the Heiress-Apparent and developed a rapport with her, even after her father's illness required her to withdraw from the AFFM and devote herself to her future role as March-Princess. The two remained in contact and, inevitably, married. To say they are passionately in love would be a misstatement. What they do have is a mutual affection, and Thomas - while austere - has a warmth that provides his wife the emotional support she needs while seeing to the fates of twenty planets and over forty billion souls.

Issue:
HH (His Highness) Captain Prince Thomas George Proctor, Company CO Arcadian Guards (3006-)

A dutiful young heir, Prince Thomas - "Tom" to his parents and siblings, distinguishing him while sharing his father's first name - nevertheless chafes under the social demands of his rank. Observers and commentators note that he often seems impatient at long social functions and much prefers his military duties. It is noted that upon his graduation from the Ayrshire Military Sciences Academy, his mother assigned him the family BattleMech Liberator, Sara Proctor's Royal SLDF-model Black Knight.

HH Lieutenant Prince Mark Henry Proctor, Lance CO Launum Armored Cavalry (1st Free March Cavalry Brigade) (3009-)

Prince Mark has the customary "middle child" issue even as a twin, as his twin sister was the first daughter of their parents and received special attention (or so he felt growing up). This drives his swelling ambition to stand out in the AFFM and prove himself every bit the MechWarrior and officer as his older brother. He pilots a 55-ton Fusilier BattleMech, an original design of the Free March, that has been upgraded with recovered Star League-era technology.

HH Lieutenant Princess Melissa Prudence Proctor, Flight CO AFMS Ranger ASG (3009-)

Princess Melissa grew up with a fascination for space that led to her decision to pursue a career as an Aerospace pilot. In her studies at Ayrshire Military Sciences Academy she proved herself more than capable as a pilot, leading to her assignment to the Audacious-class DropShip Carrier Ranger as the pilot of an SLDF-model Lightning Aerospace Fighter. Melissa's great joy is to fly her craft through the void and enjoy the quiet black of space.

HH Princess Abigail Maria Proctor (3014-)

Now eighteen years of age, Princess Abigail - "Abby" to her family - looks like an Amazon from her size, but in truth is the gentlest of the children. While military service is widely expected by the rest of the family, she personally harbors a desire to go into veterinary studies and tend to animals.

HH Prince William Patrick Proctor (3016-)

The baby of the family, "Willy" is keen to follow his older brothers and sister into service and prove himself an inheritor to March-Princess Sara the Liberator. He gets along with family, but has an unfortunate tendency to long for pretty girls beyond the usual expectations of teenage boys.


Other Prominent Family:

HL (His Lordship) General Lord Alexander Robert Proctor, Landgrave of Lowen on Hyde (2970-) (Son of Sara Proctor's second son Jacob)

Like his father and uncle, Lord Alexander has served in the AFFM for much of his life. He now oversees the Planning Staff, giving him great influence in operating the military, and is an open advocate of expansionism even if it requires the use of military force. In his marriage with the Landgravine of Lowen he has produced five children, all of which have become officers in the AFFM.

HL General Lady Tabitha Raquel Proctor, Countess of Parnon (2974-) (Daughter of Sara Proctor's second son Jacob)

Early in her career, Lady Tabitha signed up for service in the Military Intelligence Department. Now she serves as the Department Head and oversees the Free March's efforts to gain the information to protect their nation as the Second Age of War rages around them.

HL Doctor Lady Rachel Elizabeth Proctor-Smythe (3002-) (Daughter of William's second child Gabrielle, Socialite and Activist)

The niece of March-Princess Sara-Marie and daughter of the current Baron of Staffordshire on Ford, Lady Rachel eschewed the family's traditional military service due to her personal convictions and became a civilian doctor of medicine. As a physician she is conscientious and capable, but outside of her ruling aunt - whom she has called "Auntie Sara" since childhood - and Princess Abigail, who admires her, her relations with the rest of the Proctor family is strained.

HL Captain Angelina Sara Proctor-Grimke, Company CO Arcadian Guards (3006-) (Daughter of Lord Alexander)

The third of Lord Alexander's children, Angelina is an exceptional MechWarrior and military officer, strengths that have led to her assignment to the premier unit of the AFFM, the Arcadian Guards. She pilots an SLDF Black Knight built by the Kong Interstellar Defense Works on Arcadia.
 
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FM: AFM - Government of the Free March

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Government of the Free March


It is the nature of the Inner Sphere that most worlds have hereditary rulers, save for some of the new governments arising that are attempting to emulate 20th Century socialist structure. The Free March is no exception.

The Arcadian Free March is governed by the Constitution of the Free March, ratified by the founding worlds in 2956. The constitution served to provide for each world to retain specific privileges and governance separate from the new body while recognizing power to the newly-established central government, which set up facilities near in the Arcadian capital of Forsyth in the Laughlin Capital District, named for Lord Andrew Laughlin, the Arcadian noble and negotiator who completed the negotiations alongside the new March-Princess Sara Proctor. As Inner Sphere constitutions and documentation goes, it affords a significant number of civil rights to citizens of all classes, commoner and noble, and provides for democratic government structure in the legislature. That said, the nobility of the founding worlds insisted on retaining certain powers, especially their rights to enter into land tenancy and other feudal contracts, and control of the military forces and foreign policy. The sovereign is invested with significant authority in those respects, effectively serving as both head of state and head of government. Their power is subjected to some oversight, as both constitutional form and custom dictate they consult the advice of the Privy Council and the Ducal Council on various matters outside of foreign policy and the exercise of military power.

As for who can hold the position, the relevant article openly states that "The March-Principality shall be held by the currently-reigning Duke or Duchess of Arcadia", tying the position to the hereditary inheritance law of Arcadia. The Constitution also provides for the formal styling of the ruler as "Serene Highness", with the consort provided the style of "Gracious Highness". Only the children of a March-Prince or March-Princess are to be considered Prince or Princess and given the styling "Highness", which predominates over all other titles.

The Privy Council is established by the Constitution as "an assemblage of persons of distinction to execute the high duties of government office serving at the pleasure of His or Her Serene Highness", divided into Officers of State and Privy Councillors and overseen by the Lord of the Privy Council, by custom a noble of at least Viscount rank. The Officers of State function as the Cabinet of the Free March, serving as the Secretaries of the various government Offices, with the Speaker of the Assembly and the Chair of the Ducal Council seated as Officers of State as well. By custom former Officers of State are likewise granted status as Privy Councillors, as are prominent scientists and legal scholars and retired Chiefs of Staff of the AFFM, although in practice the whole Privy Council rarely meets outside of ceremonial occasions such as the March-Princess' Annual Address.

The members of the Privy Council can be but are not always drawn from the legislature of the Free March. It is a bicameral structure with the Assembly below and the Ducal Council above. The Assembly is defined in the Constitution as "the representative of the peoples of the Free March, representing their will in determining the laws to govern all their worlds." Every world is divided into districts of "not less than a hundred million persons", who elect Assembly Representatives to represent them on Arcadia. The Constitution allows for the Assembly to elect its own officers without the consultation of the monarch, including the Speaker of the Assembly who oversees debate and maintains the rules, protocols, and general decorum of the chamber. By the Constitution only the Assembly can draft new law, although the March-Prince or March-Princess is allowed to propose tax and customs legislation to provide for government revenues.

Laws decided upon by the Assembly are sent to the Ducal Council. The primary function of the Ducal Council is to provide the nobility of the Free March a brake upon the power of the Assembly, preventing popular passion and fury from leading to laws being rushed into being, while providing the planetary rulers a body to represent their interests in the capital and to the ruler. The Council consists of the representatives of the ruling family of each world (regardless of their title and style). Under the Constitution, the Council is provided with the authority to "advise the representatives of the Assembly and His or Her Serene Highness as to the merits and value of proposed laws", but they have no authority to draft law themselves. If a law wins a majority vote, it is sent on to the March-Princess for the final approval. If the law was unanimously elected, unwritten custom is that it will be approved regardless of the feelings of the sovereign. A law rejected is, meanwhile, sent back to the Assembly, which must either re-draft the law for immediate reconsideration or has to wait a year before they can vote on it again. Should it pass a second time, the Ducal Council is restrained from blocking it again (although they retain the legal power to do so, it is considered a violation of the purpose in question). If rejected by a unanimous vote, the bill is considered completely dead and cannot be re-drafted, only left fallow for a year. This has only happened twice in the history of the Free March, a reflection of how careful the Council is to avoid from appearing in lockstep against the democratic wishes of the citizenry.

Apart from the legislature, the Free March Judiciary are known as the March Law Courts. Appointed by the ruler of the Free March from a list typically agreed upon by the Speaker of the Assembly and Chair of the Ducal Council, these lawyers judge cases involving the laws of the Free March, including but not limited to criminal proceedings, civil lawsuits, and matters of interplanetary commerce and contract law. They have limited power to rule on feudal contracts should the appellant subordinate show cause that his or her rights as as noble citizen of the Free March have been violated by his superior. The Admiralty Courts likewise rule exclusively on matters involving spacecraft, such as smuggling and piracy. The highest court is known as the Supreme Court of the Free March, consisting of nine justices making the final ruling on matters of Free March constitutional law. They are likewise appointed by the ruler from candidates suggested by the Assembly and the Ducal Council. By tradition the members of the Supreme Court are made Privy Councillors and given the grade of Knight-Commander in the Order of St. Michael.

The worlds of the Free March each retain certain individual characteristics and forms that are unique to their histories. Hollabrunn, for instance, is ruled by a Landgrave and not a Duke. The Duke of Concord's powers are, outside of military authority, entirely ceremonial, with civil authority in the hands of the President of the Concord Congress, and no feudal contracts accepted under the Concord common law. The position of Duke of Senftenberg is an elective one, not hereditary, with the planet's Council of Nobility deciding on a new ruler upon his or her passing.


Offices of State

The Offices of State act as government ministries, seeing to various aspects under the competence of the Free March's government. Their governing officers, typically entitled Secretary with some exceptions, act under the oversight of the Lord of the Privy Council, currently His Grace Simon Allen, Duke of Togwotee.


The Office of the Treasury
The Treasury Office controls the revenue of the government, dispersing funds as required by law and engaging in revenue collection, including enforcement of the same. They also oversee the relevant regulations on the financial institutions operating in the Free March. They are under the Treasury Secretary, Sir Karl von Newburg of Hyde.

The Exchequer
Not to be confused with the Treasury Office, this smaller organization sees to the treasury of the March-Princess, which is typically employed for the social duties of House Proctor and to the upkeep and costs of the family estates, as well as the Ducal Palace. Its revenues are derived from the tenants of Proctor-held estates across the Free March, the operations of civilian ships owned by the Proctor Estate, and the dividends of bank accounts and stock portfolios gained over the century since Sara Proctor accumulated her first fortune. The current Lord of the Exchequer is Dame Rhonda Cranston of Arcadia.

The Office of Foreign Affairs
The Foreign Office oversees the network of diplomatic missions the Free March maintains with other governments in the Inner Sphere. They man the consulates, consulates-general, and embassies on other worlds, and provide the staff for all consuls, consul-generals, ministers, and ambassadors. They are also the administrative overseers of the Security Information Service, the Free March's intelligence agency. The Foreign Secretary, responsible for advising the Privy Council and March-Princess on foreign policy, is His Lordship Edward Baden-Grey, Earl of Prestwick on Ford. The Director of the SIS is Sir James Bronson KCSM.

The Office of Protocol
The Protocol Office sees to the ceremonial side of the government, organizing all necessary resources to that effect, while also advising on new developments involving the styles and forms of address among the nobility. They work closely with the Foreign Office to assist diplomats with the often-touchy issues that can arise with matters of noble rank and the protocols involved in dealing with the nobility. The Protocol Secretary is His Lordship Wilbur Pentworth, Count of Lowery on Arcadia.

The Office of Defense
The civilian side to the AFFM, this is a small office by comparison since the AFFM directly answers to the March-Princess. Their primary purpose is to ensure relevant laws are enacted and to defend the ruler's military policies to the Assembly and Ducal Council. The Defense Secretary is Lord Richard Marcus, Viscount of Hartleford on Ford.

The Office of Commerce and Industry
Responsible for enforcing the commercial and business regulations, the Commerce and Industry Secretary is Harold Cushing of Concord.

The Office of Energy Supplies
This government office is responsible for policy regarding energy needs. Not all worlds in the Free March have kept the Star League-era infrastructure that made energy cheap and easy to distribute, requiring some administrative action to ensure the citizens of the Free March have access to basic power for their homes and fuel for their vehicles. The Energy Secretary is Sir Frederick Mountbatten of Ford.

The Office of Justice
The Justice Secretary oversees two distinct subordinate offices: the Attorney-General, who represents the government in criminal and law enforcement matters as well as other issues, and the Solicitor-General, responsible for the government's civil law cases. The Office also oversees the law enforcement agencies of the Free March. The current Secretary is Lady Karla Lockwell of Arcadia.

The Office of Education
The Education Secretary sees that laws about the basic education standards of the Free March are upheld, generally acting to ensure the planetary educational authorities have the appropriate curriculum. The Education Secretary is Dame Laura Roslin.

The Office of Employment and Labor
Responsible for seeing to issues of labor relations and matters of unemployment in the Free March, this office handles matters involving everything from strikes to recommending wage standards and pension systems. They also maintain the government pension system for its employees. The Labor Secretary is Lord Patrick Rogers, Baron of Yakima on Togwotee.

The Office of Health
The government ministry that enforces regulations on the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. They also operate the Rural Medical Service, which provides physicians and surgeons for the benefit of rural communities across the Free March. The Health Secretary is Doctor Sir John C. McGinley-Cox of Arcadia.

The Office of Agriculture
Sees to the well-being of the Free March's agricultural production, including cash crops and foodstuffs. The Agriculture Office acts to ensure every world in the Free March has adequate food supplies. The Agriculture Secretary is Lady Helga von Dusseldorf, Landgravine of Leuburg on Hyde.
 
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FM: AFM - Free March Titles of Nobility and Stylings

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Free March Titles of Nobility and Stylings


When Director-General Michael Cameron of the Terran Hegemony established the Peer Listin 2351, he set the stage for the rise of a new class of noble families across the worlds of Humanity. Over the preceding centuries the power and influence of nobility had been in decline, with several notable royal and princely families dying out or dissolving due to economic depression and war. In the centuries since, the new class of nobles have spread across the Inner Sphere. The Great Houses each had their own system of establishing noble titles, and the kind of land grants it came with, such as the Lyran practice of titles of nobility not coming with a land grant but ownership stakes in corporations and the like.

With the fall of the Star League, the constant warring has introduced a recurrent element of feudalism to the Inner Sphere's noble classes, as families sign contracts with ruling lords to provide military service in exchange for grants of land and titles. This has varied power on some worlds, but in the Free March, the status of the member worlds as former border planets on the Lyran-Free Worlds border means most of the planets in question have feudal or semi-feudal contract law in place, which the Free March recognizes.

There are some further complications in that local culture can influence how noble titles are awarded and what comes with them. Concord, for instance, does not allow feudal contracts by law, and the number of noble titles are limited to those established before the Concord Government Reform Laws of 2904 re-instituted American-style republicanism as the guiding force of the planet's government. By contrast, a number of worlds in former Lyran territory are still governed by Lyran-style laws on feudal contracts and noble stylings. Arcadia itself, despite losses to the Slaver Lords during the Age of Chains, still has a number of older noble families that have since been joined by new nobility created by the Proctors (whose line has itself combined with the Barons of Kalios, a Greek-Arcadian noble family). Dar-es-Salaam follows Arabic custom on nobility, such that while the ruling Rayhans are styled as Dukes and Duchesses off-world, on their homeworld they still adopt the style of Amir (or Emir when used in English).

Under Free March law, each world continues to follow its own system, with some guidelines established by the Free March Constitution and subsequent legislation. The most important of these guidelines is the Order of Precedence, which determines the relations of various titles toward one another and is maintained by the Protocol Office.


Titles of Nobility


Knight

The lowest title recognized under the Order of Precedence, Knights are divided into three categories: feudatory Knight, free Knight, and Knight of the March. The former are the lowest members of the planetary feudal structure seen on several worlds who are given a grant of a parcel of land or an ownership stake in a commercial or industrial enterprise in exchange for military service to a lord of higher rank. Free Knights are likewise planetary nobility but have no standing feudatory contracts whose titles are also usually hereditary (but not always). Both types tend to be officers in the militia brigades of the Free March with some being admitted into line regiments if they have finished a sufficient military education under AFFM regulations. The final category, Knight of the March, is for those awarded Knighthood by the March-Princess in the yearly Honors Lists at New Year's and on the March-Princess' birthday. This is a civil rank more than military, although it is granted to military officers as well, granted for recognition in any number of fields, and is typically joined with a Knight's Cross of the Order of St. Michael. Unlike the feudatory Knights and Free Knights, Knights of the March are life-titles and not hereditary, and they do not come with awarded lands. They are allowed a coat of arms but it is not passed into the family. The style for this rank is "Sir" or "Dame".

Baronet/Ritter
This title only exists on Ford and on the former Lyran worlds of Hyde, Mariefred, and Hollabrunn. It is typically hereditary and is not considered a full peerage. As "Ritter" is conventionally translated into "Knight" in English it leads to some confusion on non-German worlds, so such nobles will sometimes call themselves Baronets to clarify their rank. On the worlds they're found in, they might wield some political authority over small towns and rural districts where their estates are centered, although planetary law, custom, and Free March law all tightly limit their powers. The style for the rank is "Sir" or "Dame".

Baron/Freiherr
The lowest of the peerage titles. Barons/Baronesses or Freiherr/Freifrau are hereditary ranks passed down through families by the laws of inheritance governing worlds. Feudatory barons often command a company's worth of men and machines (typically employed with the militia of a planet), including subordinate baronets and knights, and often hold a significant estate or ownership stakes. On some worlds they have political authority over cities and major townships. New barons can be created by planetary rulers, with the March-Princess having the right to name Barons of the March and to grant them financial bonds but not lands (although as Duchess of Arcadia she has the right to grant land to new Arcadian barons). The style for the rank is "His Lordship" or "Her Ladyship". Heir-Apparents and spouses use the style as well, but younger children cannot.

Viscount
This title is only used among the nobility of Ford and with some extant titles remaining on Concord. Typically, in feudatory terms, they have the resources to employ more military force than a Baron, but not much more, typically a reinforced company or, at their wealthiest, a battalion of foot infantry, and if they have any political authority that is not derived from appointment or election, it is usually over a sizable district. The Duke of Ford is the only figure in the March who can bestow the title, both as a hereditary peerage with a land grant or as a courtesy title that works as a life peerage. The style for the rank is "His Lordship" or "Her Ladyship".

Count/Earl/Graf
Known as Earls on Ford (unless female, then they are Countesses), Counts on most other worlds, and Graf on German-majority worlds, this rank is the first to be considered of the higher nobility. On planets with land grants they hold significant estates and on some worlds are hereditary governors of large districts or continents. Their wealth is sufficient that they can often afford a battalion or two of troops and over a company of BattleMechs or a squadron of aerospace fighters. Planetary rulers can grant these titles. The March-Princess can also grant the title of Count as both a lifetime courtesy title or as a hereditary title, although outside of her competence as Duchess of Arcadia, she cannot grant land or political authority. The style for the rank is "His Lordship" or "Her Ladyship".

Marquess/Landgraf
Found on Ford and the German-language worlds, a Marquess or Landgraf (Landgrave) is considered of higher precedence to a Count, although typically their resources and power are not greater. Among the German-speaking worlds (save Hollabrunn) the distinction is typically that a Landgraf serves in the military where a Graf may not, and more of their holdings are devoted to military pursuits, which given the Free March's place on the old Lyran/FWL border demonstrates the reason for their higher place in the Order of Precedence. The Landgrave of Hollabrunn is an exception as the ruler of Hollabrunn, holding equal status to the other planetary rulers despite the name of their title. The female form of the title is Marchioness/Landgräfin (Landgravine). Because of its greater nature, this title is typically not granted as a courtesy title outside of a few rare occasions. The style for the rank is "His Lordship" or "Her Ladyship", while on Ford they are also addressed as "The Most Honorable" and the Landgrave of Hollabrunn is addressed as "Your Grace" as a planetary ruler.

Duke/Herzog
The highest rank of nobility beyond the Proctors, a Duke or Duchess (Herzog or Herzogin) are the rulers of planets in most of the March. With the exception of the Duke of Concord, all have feudatory subordinates of some sort, and govern their worlds according to their own laws and the Free March Constitution. A number of Dukes have afforded raising regiments of troops, even an entire regiment of BattleMechs, particularly those that were once independent. Only the March-Princess can bestow a dukedom, and they are typically reserved as potential courtesy titles for the children of the sovereign, although a planetary ruler not of ducal rank can be elevated to the style as well. The style of a Duke is "His/Her Grace".

Prince
The rank of Prince or Princess is reserved for the children of the ruler of the Free March or their Heir-Apparent and is held for life. It does not pass down unless the holder inherits the Free March. although the children of Princes and Princesses are allowed the style of "Lord" or "Lady". The style is "His/Her Highness".

Consort-Prince/Consort-Princess
A lifetime courtesy title awarded to the spouse of the ruler. The style is "His/Her Gracious Highness".

March-Prince/March-Princess
By the Constitution of the Free March this title goes to the current Duke or Duchess of Arcadia, now the holding of House Proctor. As the reigning sovereign of the Free March they hold a great deal of political power, including control of the military and being in charge of foreign policy, the granting of new patents of nobility and titles, and the power to determine alterations to the Order of Precedence at which they are the head. The style of the title is "His/Her Serene Highness".
 
FM: AFM - Departments of the AFFM

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Departments of the AFFM


As with any organization, the AFFM has an established administrative system and attached bureaucracy filling various needs that keep the troops going. After all, someone has to buy the toilet paper and the rations, not to mention the ammunition and the fusion fuel.

The AFFM is divided into several Departments. Each is overseen by a four star general officer with a three star officer typically serving as chief of staff. Since the Department heads collectively form the Command Staff of the AFFM and meet in that capacity, the chiefs of staff often handle some of the day-to-day matters with their own personal staff.


Army

The Army Department controls the ground forces of the AFFM, currently consisting of ten line BattleMech regiments with attached units and twenty-four militia brigades, each of which includes a BattleMech regiment for a total of thirty-four BattleMech regiments. Militia Command oversees the operation of the Free March Militia while the line units are under the Field Army Command. It is overseen by the Field Marshal of the Free March, currently General Manfred von Halbech, the Count of Ritterwald on Mariefred. His Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Lord Petros Konstantinous, Baron of Argos.


Navy

The Navy Department controls the naval forces of the AFFM, both the WarShips and combat DropShips of Combat Command and the various transport JumpShips and DropShips of Transport Command. Combat Command is currently in command of two refurbished SLDF destroyers, four "ultra-light" corvettes, four aerospace fighter carrier DropShips with their air wings, eight flotillas of assault-type DropShips, and five scout JumpShips. One combat DropShip, the AFMS Galatine, is based on the Fortress-class DropShip and is permanently assigned to the Army. Transport Command controls seven flotillas of JumpShip, eight flotillas of combat transport DropShips, and a flotilla of non-combat Logistic Support DropShips. A number of these ships have been placed under the command of specific Army regiments for purposes of swift deployment. The current Chief of Naval Operations is Admiral Her Grace Mary Katzenburg, the Duchess of Hyde. Her Chief of Staff is Vice Admiral Sir Vasily Kamarov.


Aerospace

The Aerospace Department occupies a peculiar niche in the AFFM, as it is only semi-independent due to the integration of its officers into the Army and Navy at the Wing command level and above. Because of this peculiarity, the head of the Aerospace Department, while called the Air Marshal, might be either a General or an Admiral depending on whether they came up among the naval aerospace forces or the planet-based aerospace forces. Currently this department fields twenty-six active wings of Aerospace fighters; ten attached to Army forces and sixteen to Navy. The Air Marshal of the AFFM is Sir Moshe Golan. His Chief of Staff is Vice Admiral Sir Marcus Andersen.


Marine Forces

The AFFM's Marine Forces Department is the smallest of the combat branches. Currently it only fields two line battle armor battalions assigned as Marine Expeditionary Units to the Navy's two heaviest WarShips, a regiment that commands Marines stationed aboard the rest of the fleet and as guards for diplomatic missions, and a regiment that acts as a training command. The current head of the Marine Forces Department is General Sir Harold Puller - who is commonly called "the Commandant" by members of his service - and his Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Dame Alicia Harverson.


Planning

The Planning Department, also known as the Planning Staff, produces the AFFM's operational plans in the event of conflict. They employ information given by the Free March's intelligence services and reports from both public and private services to maintain a steady, up to date series of plans to account for various scenarios ranging from open war to dealing with pirate incursions. The officers in this Department all have some field service experience, although current-serving field personnel often feel otherwise. The current head of the Planning Department is General Lord Alexander Proctor, Landgrave of Lowen. His Chief of Staff is Vice Admiral Dame Amara Little.


Military Intelligence

The Military Intelligence Department, often simply called the Intel Department, is responsible for providing intelligence information on possible or active threats to the AFFM's field commanders and general officers. They employ analysts, communications specialists, cryptographers, field agents, and interrogation specialists in both active intelligence and counterintelligence roles, as well as all relevant support staff. They maintain a sometimes tenuous relationship with the Free March Security Information Service, who are tasked with providing them with relevant intelligence data as needed or requested. The head of the Intelligence Department is General Lady Tabitha Proctor, Countess of Parnon. Her Chief of Staff is Vice Admiral Sir Franz Wolf.


Supply and Procurement

The Supply and Procurement Department oversees the AFFM's logistics, acquiring and managing the supplies the service needs on all of the worlds it maintains forces. This is one of the larger bureaucracies of the AFFM due to the need to maintain forces on twenty worlds, including needing to deal with suppliers at local, planetary, and interstellar levels. The current head of the Department, known as the Quartermaster-General, is General Lady Paula Lowen, Landgravine of Kessel on Mariefred. Her Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Sir Feodor Dubinsky.


Medical

The Medical Department oversees the operations of the AFFM's Medical Corps, Field Hospital Service, Naval Medical Service, and Veteran Hospital System. They are responsible for organizing the doctors, surgeons, corpsmen, and nurses that tend to the sick, injured, and wounded of the AFFM's personnel, seeing to the training and proper employment of medical personnel, regulating the conditions and operation of field hospitals, naval vessel infirmaries, mobile surgical units, and casualty clearing stations, and operating the network of Veterans' Hospitals and Medical Centers that tend to the needs of retired AFFM personnel under the laws of the Free March. It is one of the AFFM Departments that includes civilian personnel, although they primarily serve in administration, training, and the Veteran Hospital System. The head of the Department is Admiral Doctor Sir Forrest McCoy and his Chief of Staff is Vice Admiral Doctor Sir Leonard Gillam.



Military Education

The Military Education Department is responsible for the training and recruitment of all AFFM personnel. They operate all Basic Training Camps, Naval Training Centers, Officer Commissioning Schools, and Advanced Specialty Training Schools in the Free March, as well as the Ayrshire Military Sciences Academy. The Department also operates the Free March Service System that, when applicable by planetary and Free March law, drafts citizens into the AFFM for service (typically in the Militia or Naval Transport Command). The Department is led by General Dame Ophelia Jardin and her Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Lord Piotr Saratov, Baron of Petropavlovsk-Giasaurskiy.


Engineering Corps

The AFFM Engineering Corps Department is a small but elite organization that helps to plan out military fortifications and oversees military construction projects. They have a close connection to the Navy and provide the bulk of military manpower for the shipyards of Arcadia and McAffe. The Engineering Corps is also available to assist in civil engineering projects at the request of local and planetary government. Every officer of the Department is a graduate of the Ayrshire Military Sciences Academy by default, as completion of one of the Academy's Military Engineering Programs is a prerequisite for service in Engineering Corps. The current head of the Department is General Sir Ephram Hancock. His Chief of Staff is Vice Admiral Sir Theodore Barnes.



Judge Advocate General's Office

The Department of the Judge Advocate General is responsible for all aspects involving military law. This includes providing advice to military field commanders as to the laws of war and their applicability to orders and investigating and prosecuting violations of military law by the members of the AFFM as laid out in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The JAG Office oversees military attorneys, legal researchers, and investigators, as well as clerical workers, and is authorized to hire civilian personnel for the research role as well as certifying civilian attorneys to practice in military courts (as one of the rights of AFFM personnel is to hire civilian representation to oversee their defense). The JAG Office also provides personnel experienced in naval law to work with the Admiralty Courts. The head of the Department, typically addressed as the Judge Advocate General, is General Dame Sophia MacKenzie. Her Chief of Staff is Vice Admiral Sir David Chegwidden.


Investigation and Enforcement

The Investigation and Enforcement Department operates the Military Police and Investigative services, which are responsible for dealing with criminal activity in the AFFM, and the AFFM Accountability and Oversight Office, which maintains the administrative machinery to deal with everything from supply contractor malfeasance to abuse of AFFM funds and resources by personnel. Since various planetary and Free March laws complicate the ability of military law enforcement to deal with civilians, the AFFM's Military Criminal Investigative Service employs civilian law enforcement agents trained in the same facilities as the Free March's other law enforcement agencies. These agents are often the only civilians with any authority on military vessels or in military bases. The head of the Department is General Sir Alan Stockwell. His Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Lord Owen Tallmadge, Baron of Lakeland.


Mercenary Relations

This Department is one of the smallest in the service, as the AFFM has only periodically made use of mercenary troops. It employs analysts, researchers, and JAG-provided attorneys to conduct contract negotiations with mercenary representatives as well as to keep an up-to-date listing of available and active mercenary units to assist in either hiring or should they be an opposing force in an operation. The Mercenary Relations Department also maintains a small Mercenary Quartermaster's Office connected to the Supply and Procurement Department, for mercenaries with contracts that allow them access to the AFFM's logistics network. The current head of the office is General Sir Joachim von Peiper, Landgrave of Bremer on Senftenburg. His Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Dame Joanne Ridley.
 
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FM: AFM - Military Education

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Ayrshire Military Sciences Academy



Situated in the coastal town of Ayrshire about 200 kilometers northeast of Sannazaro, the Military Sciences Academy is the main institution from which the AFFM draws its officer corps. Initially founded by a grant from Kong Interstellar during the era of the Star League to provide local pilots for their 'Mech factories, the Academy was heavily damaged and mostly abandoned during Arcadia's Age of Chains, when the warlords divided the planet. Upon the Liberation, Duchess Sara saw to MSA's refurbishment, aided by support from the other worlds once the Free March was founded. The initial course cirriculum was based on SLDF practice, with experts from the Terran Union providing some limited assistance and equipment. Ayrshire provides officer courses for all branches of the AFFM, but thanks to their SLDF-designed simulators, their MechWarrior program is by far the finest and provides ready graduates annually to fill out the AFFM's BattleMech regiments.
 
FM: AFM - AFFM Rank Structure

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
AFFM Rank Structure

The ranking system of the AFFM is based on a combination of SLDF practice and historical usages dating back to the 20th Century with some modifications. Like many Inner Sphere house militaries Naval commands use an alternative naming list, even if under AFFM regulations the ranks are equivalent in base pay (before specialty considerations). The Aerospace Forces likewise use alternative rank names for everything up to junior field officers. Above the level of squadron command Aerospace units employ the rank structure of the service which they are employed to support.

Like most traditional militaries, the AFFM's ranks are divided into four categories: enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officer, commissioned officer or field officer, and general officer. The first two are drawn from volunteers and drafted personnel who have not yet graduated from either an Officer Commissioning School, the collegiate Reserve Officer Training Corps, or the Ayrshire Military Sciences Academy.


Enlisted Ranks


Private/Crewman/Airman Recruit

The lowest rank, this is assigned to fresh volunteers or draftees into the AFFM, with the distinction decided by which branch they are assigned to after their completion of the AFFM Military Aptitudes Exam. Promotion out of this rank usually takes place after 4-6 months, although some personnel are returned to it as a result of punishment under military law and regulations. Instead of a rank insignia they typically wear an empty patch where the rank would normally go.

While the official rank title uses the "-man" suffix, it is common practice to employ "-woman" where appropriate.

Private/Crewman Apprentice/Airman
This is the basic rank of enlisted personnel of the AFFM. Their rank insignia is one raised chevron.

Private, First Class/Crewman/Airman, First Class
This rank is typically awarded to privates who perform their duties exceptionally, although it is not in favor with the entire AFFM. Soldiers of this rank are often tasked with greater responsibility to prepare them for promotion. Their rank insignia is two raised chevrons.

Lance Corporal/Senior Crewman/Specialist
The highest rank for basic enlisted personnel, Lance Corporals and their equivalents are often in charge of small detachments of enlisted personnel, like an infantry fire team or the crew responsible for a specific aerospacecraft. Their rank insignia is two raised chevrons and one lowered chevron.



Non-Commissioned Officers


Corporal/Petty Officer/Corporal

The first non-commissioned officer rank. Corporals are often section leaders in infantry or oversee specific work details. In militia they are often the lowest-ranked MechWarriors. Their rank insignia is two raised chevrons and two lowered ones.

Sergeant/Petty Officer 1st Class/Air Sergeant
Sergeants form the backbone of the AFFM, with their experience qualifying them for wider command responsibilities such as squad leadership in infantry or command of vehicles, second-in-command of militia BattleMech lances, or working as management in supply and other logistics commands. Their naval counterparts oversee work teams or perform specific duties with electronic gear they have been trained to operate and maintain. Air Sergeants likewise direct the tasks of the support air crews for aerospace craft. Their rank insignia is three raised chevrons and two lowered ones.

Color Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer/Staff Sergeant/Gunnery Sergeant
These veteran NCOs oversee greater numbers of enlisted personnel in their commands and are often tasked with seeing to the seasoning of newly-commissioned officers, especially those fresh out of the academy, as they often hold positions like second-in-command of a platoon or the senior NCO of a vehicle unit or departmental work crew. The Free March Marine Corps refers to personnel at this rank as Gunnery Sergeants, typically shortened to "Gunny". Their rank insignia is three raised chevrons and two lowered ones with a star in the middle.

Master Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer/First Sergeant
With over two decades of service to their name, these NCOs hold key positions in the management infrastructure of the AFFM. They are mentors, senior managers, and often advisors to senior field officers. Their rank insignia is three raised chevrons and two lowered ones with twin stars in the middle arranged side by side.

Sergeant Major/Master Chief Petty Officer/Sergeant Major
The men and women at this rank have power rivaling even field officers, as they often help oversee entire departments within the AFFM administrative structure or work as the senior NCOs of field combat units. Many will have served for thirty years before reaching this rank. Their rank insignia is three raised chevrons and two lowered ones with three stars in the middle, arranged in a pyramid shape.

Command Sergeant Major/Command Master Chief Petty Officer/Command Sergeant Major
At this rank, the NCOs work side by side with the general officers in charge of major military formations or commands, giving advice born from their long experience. They govern the promotions into the higher echelons of the AFFM's NCO rank structure. The most respected among them is often entitled the Command Sergeant Major or Command Master Chief of the AFFM. The rank insignia for this rank are three raised chevrons and two lowered ones with a hawk insignia in the middle.


Commissioned Officers


Cadet/Officer-Candidate

A rank assigned to those still in officer training. Cadets are for academy students while personnel undergoing an Officer Commissioning School course or enrolled in the ROTC are called Officer-Candidates for the duration of their education. They wear thin silver bars arranged into a row, each bar representing a year of military collegiate education.

2nd Lieutenant/Ensign/Lieutenant
The lowest officer rank. 2nd Lieutenants command platoons of infantry or vehicles or serve as MechWarriors in line regiment lances. In the Aerospace forces a Lieutenant is the junior pilot in a Flight. Their rank insignia is a vertical silver bar.

1st Lieutenant/Lieutenant (J.G.)/Flight Lieutenant
In infantry and vehicle commands they are only distinguishable by having the different rank insignia. 1st Lieutenants are typically lance commanders in BattleMech regiments, and are sometimes referred to as "Lance Lieutenants" in this capacity, while Flight Lieutenants oversee a wingman in Aerospace Flights. Their rank insignia is a vertical gold bar.

Captain/Lieutenant/Squadron Captain
These officers are the basic backbone of the officer corps, having a few years of experience to season them and prepare them for greater command responsibilities. In the army and aerospace contingents they command companies and squadrons. Naval Lieutenants usually serve as either detachment commanders on large ships or as control officers. Their rank insignia is two vertical gold bars with a hawk insignia set between them.

Major/Lieutenant Commander
Majors are typically employed either as commanders of individual aerospace wings or as the executive officers of battalions. Their naval counterparts usually oversee departments on large ships or may even command the smaller DropShips, or serve as executive officers on unarmed JumpShips. At this rank the distinct aerospace unit ranks are no longer seen, with aerospace forces' rank system determined by whether they are employed as planet-based wings or to the carriers of the naval forces. The rank insignia is three vertical gold bars with a hawk insignia over the middle bar.

Lieutenant Colonel/Commander
Once a Major-rank officer has proven themselves as command material in battalion XO positions, they are raised to Lieutenant Colonel rank and often given their own battalions. In ground-based aerospace units a Lieutenant Colonel commands a group, which consists of at least two wings. Their naval counterparts often command unarmed JumpShips, transport DropShips, and smaller armed DropShips, command the Aerospace Groups on the carriers (they are often referred to by the acronym "CAG", for "Commander Aerospace Group"), or serve as the executive officers of WarShips. Their rank insignia is a silver hawk with wings spread set under a sword.

Colonel/Captain
The highest of the field officer ranks, Colonels command infantry, armor, or theoretical artillery regiments. They also serve as executive officers for BattleMech regiments, although typically this may include directing the regiment themselves at a tactical level. Their naval counterparts are known as Captains, usually referred to as "naval Captain" to distinguish them from land force and aerospace captains. Naval Captains typically command WarShips and large armed DropShips, or as the commander of DropShip and JumpShip flotillas. Their rank insignia is a gold hawk with wings spread set under a sword, an insignia that is sometimes referred to as having a "gold bird" as opposed to a "silver bird".


General Officers


Brigadier/Commodore

After over two decades of service, officers who remain in the service and prove their command capability rise to the general officer ranks. The first is Brigadier for ground troops or Commodore for naval and aerospace forces (the latter are sometimes called Air Commodores to purposes of distinguishing them). Brigadiers command the brigades of the AFFM and are considered the COs of the line BattleMech regiments. Commodores are executive officers for the Naval Battle Groups and Naval Strike Groups of the AFFM, and may theoretically command Aerospace Regiments should they ever be formed. Their rank insignia is a single gold star set on a silver square.

Major General/Rear Admiral
Major Generals are tasked with executive command of larger-scale operations such as planetary invasions or defense, usually referred to as the chiefs of staff for AFFM OpForces or Planetary Defense Commands. Their naval counterparts can serve a similar purpose if naval formations come together to form an operational fleet. They are also found in senior management positions in the AFFM's upper echelons. Their rank insignia is two gold stars set side-by-side on a silver square.

Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral
These officers are COs of Planetary Defense Commands and AFFM Op Forces. They are often the immediate responsible authorities for major military operations, including planetary-scale campaigns, while Vice Admirals may also find themselves responsible for directing naval fleets. Whichever service they came up through, they are expected to be capable of blending all of the services together for successful operations. They may also serve as chiefs of staff to the department heads of the AFFM. Their rank insignia is three gold stars arranged into a pyramid on a silver square.

General/Admiral
In practice these are the highest ranks employed by the AFFM. They are the commanders of the AFFM's Departments. In war they would be appointed as theater commanders for multi-system operations. These officers typically wield the ultimate responsibility for the AFFM. Their rank insignia are four stars arranged at the cardinal points of a silver square.

Field Marshal of the AFFM/Chief of Naval Operations/Air Marshal of the AFFM
These are not ranks so much as positions. Officers of appropriate background among the Generals and Admirals of the AFFM serve as the senior commanders of the three main combat branches of the AFFM, overseeing the ground, naval, and aerospace fighter forces respectively. The Air Marshal's position is considered the most tenuous given how the aerospace forces are organized, often acting more as an advisor on aerospace craft capability than a commander of military forces. There is no special insignia for these positions.

Chief of Staff of the AFFM
The Chief of Staff oversees the high staff operations of the Free March military, chairing the Department and Service heads of the AFFM when they officially meet as the Command Staff. They can be either a General or Admiral and serve at the pleasure of the March-Princess, to whom they serve as senior military advisor. All Chiefs of Staff of the AFFM are considered members of the Privy Council of the Free March even after retirement. Upon retirement from active service it is custom for the March-Princess to grant them a title of nobility.

March-Prince/March-Princess
By the law and custom of the Free March, the ruler is the Commanding Officer of the AFFM. Whatever their military status before their accession to the throne, they are authorized to wear the uniform of an AFFM officer at all formal occasions. Their rank insignia is a golden hawk with spread wings on a silver square, the wings and tail-feathers of the hawk beyond the perimeter of the square.
 
FM: AFM - Commendations and Awards of the Free March

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Commendations and Awards of the Free March


It is a long tradition of military services to reward exemplary service, especially service in combat, stretching back to the armies of Classical Greece recognizing valor among their own, or the Roman Army granting Civic Crowns to Roman legionnaires who saved the life of a comrade. In later eras such awards were usually grants of money or land, or in the case of commanders, admission into feudal and chivalric orders like the Order of the Golden Fleece or the Order of the Garter. As war transformed into the flying steel of projectile fire, common soldiers and field commanders alike were granted awards in the form of medals or by the practice of being deliberately named in official reports for conduct above and beyond the call of duty (the practice of being "named in despatches", as the British Army once called it).

The reward of martial excellence and prowess has followed Mankind into the stars, and the Free March is no exception to the rule. The prompt and proper reward of good conduct is universally considered a necessity to maintain morale and inspire those in service to greater acts of courage and duty. As such, the AFFM retains a number of rewards granted to personnel for excellence.


Bronze Wing
The Bronze Wing, in the shape of a fully-spread bronze-colored hawk wing set on a disk with a red ribbon, is a general reward granted for exceptional conduct in non-combat duties. Commonly rewarded for the performance of administrative and support duties, many soldiers believe that support service officers are the only ones who care about it.


Good Conduct Medal
Granted to AFFM enlisted personnel with at least three years of service and who have not committed a violation of the Free March Uniform Code of Military Justice in the past two years.


Silver Wing
The Silver Wing is awarded to AFFM personnel who perform beyond the call of duty in a situation involving mortal danger. This can include combat, major accidents, or cases of a vessel suffering a severe mechanical problem. It is a fully-spread silver-colored hawk wing set on a disk with a blue ribbon.


Arcadian Service Cross
Initially created by Duchess Sara for the Liberation forces, the Arcadian Service Cross is for exceptional conduct in combat operations. It is a silver Greek cross set in a wreaths with a green and blue ribbon.


Order of Military Glory (Wisam al-Iftiqhar al-Askari)
Created following the fall of the Lyran Commonwealth, this commendation is awarded by the Duke of Dar-es-Salaam instead of the AFFM, and is ordinarily restricted to his subjects of the Muslim faith. Duke Abdulla has indicated intent to grant it to other Muslims dwelling in the Free March, although none has yet been granted. Under the terms of Dar-es-Salaam's admission into the Free March, the AFFM allows the commendation to be worn as a military honor even if, technically speaking, it is not an official award of the Free March itself. The award is a medal with a green field depicting crossed Arab scimitars, with a ribbon of green and white.


Distinguished Flying Cross
This award is granted to aerospace fighter pilots who win a specific number of victories against enemy craft or who perform similar feats of military excellence. The medal is a blue Greek cross with a pair of silver wings in the middle, attached to a blue and silver ribbon.


Navy Cross
This is typically granted to naval personnel who perform exemplary acts to win engagements or preserve their ship from damage or loss. The medal is a gold Greek cross with a silver five-pointed star in the middle. The ribbon colors are gold and black.


Military Cross of Valor
An award granted to ground force personnel who perform exemplary military duties in combat situations at severe risk to one's life. It is also typically granted to MechWarriors credited with a specific number of victories against other BattleMechs in a specific engagement or campaign. The medal is a crimson Maltese cross set under a silver five-pointed star. The ribbon colors are red and silver.


The Order of the Liberator
This award is granted in both military and civil grades by order of the March-Princess. It is reserved for citizens or personnel of the Free March who, through military or civil action, rescue captives or persons held in forced labor or bondage. It has been granted to military personnel who rescue captives from pirate bands as well as police officials and other civilians who cause the dismantling of human trafficking operations. It is a neck order (that is, worn as a necklet close to the throat instead of hanging down over the chest) displaying the Proctor crest of a sword severing the chains of a set of manacles, the necklet ribbon being in red, blue, and magenta colors. It may be granted to foreign persons at the discretion of the March-Princess, but the only occasions so far have been posthumous awards.


The Order of St. Michael
A prestigious honor formed by March-Princess Sara shortly after the founding of the Free March, it comes in four grades: Companion, Knight, Knight-Commander, and Knight Grand Cross. It is awarded to civilians and military officers for services rendered to the Free March, with the selected grade determined by the scope of their service. Those knighted in the New Year and Birthday Honors Lists are automatically made Knights of the Order of St. Michael. The upper grades in particular are granted primarily to high ranking officers for decades of successful service, as well as to major civic leaders and statesmen. AFFM officers who reach the rank of Lieutenant General or Vice Admiral are typically awarded the Knight-Commander grade, regardless of prior awards, while the Knight Grand Cross has only been granted twenty times since 2960. The Order of St. Michael in all grades is awarded at the discretion of the March-Princess, including to foreign leaders and dignitaries. The actual award is a given as a neck order, consisting of a white disc set in a silver starburst with the sword-bearing likeness of St. Michael in the center. With the Knight Grand Cross, the starburst itself is set upon an Iron Cross.


The Order of the Sword and Hawk
Named for the emblems of House Proctor and the Free March, the Order of the Sword and the Hawk are awarded by the sovereign for service to the cause of the Proctor family and the ideals of the Free March. It comes in military and civil grades and requires the recipient to have risked their life openly. The medal is a silver hawk with a sword clasped in its talons and wings spread on a Greek cross of blue.


The Grand Cross of the Free March
The absolute highest military award in the Free March, it is awarded to personnel who act with extreme risk to their own lives to aid comrades or turn the tide of an action. Of the twenty-nine awards handed out since March-Princess Sara established the award in 2961, eighteen were posthumously granted. The medal is a gold Maltese Cross set in wreaths with a pair of crossed swords, whose hilts are joined by a white and gold ribbon bearing the words Virtutis Gloria Merces, Latin for "Glory is the reward of Valor". It is worn from the neck with a ribbon of blue, red, and white. The award automatically confers a knighthood upon the conferee, as well as a grant from the March-Princess to support survivors in the event of a posthumous award.
 
FM: AFM - AFFM Unit Organization

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
AFFM Unit Organization


The Armed Forces of the Free March have adapted the traditional SLDF unit structure in many ways, although with innovations and alterations based off even older historical practices and the experiences of the services since their inception. In practice, some of the larger units listed have only existed as paper units for exercises, strategic studies, or for immediate campaigns. In general everything above the regiment/brigade level for armies and group level for aerospace forces exists only as a possible organization. The Free March Navy likewise practices a loose form of the planned force structure due to its available assets, with flotillas, strike groups, and battle forces as the highest organizational element typically in service.

In terms of combined operations, the AFFM forms Operational Forces or OpForces out of specific regiments, brigades, aerospace forces, and naval units. These units are provisionally commanded by three star officers, typically Lieutenant Generals due to the relatively smaller size of the naval general officer corps.




AFFM BattleMech Organization
ElementComponent UnitsCombat Strength
Lance4 BattleMechs4 BattleMechs
Company3 Lances12 BattleMechs
Battalion3 Companies + Command Lance40 BattleMechs
Reinforced Battalion4 Companies + Command Lance52 BattleMechs
Regiment3 Battalions + Command Company132-156 BattleMechs
Division (Theoretical)3-4 Regiments396-624 BattleMechs
AFFM Vehicle Organization
ElementComponent UnitsCombat Strength
Platoon4 vehicles4 vehicles
Company3 Platoons12 vehicles
Battalion3 Companies + Command Platoon40 vehicles
Reinforced Battalion4 Companies + Command Platoon52 vehicles
Regiment3 Battalions + Command Company120-156 vehicles
Division (Theoretical)3-4 Regiments360-624 vehicles
AFFM Artillery Organization
ElementComponent UnitsCombat Strength
Section1 gun1 gun
Platoon4 sections4 guns
Battery3 platoons12 guns
Battalion3 batteries36 guns
Regiment (Theoretical)2-4 battalions72-144 guns
AFFM Infantry Organization
ElementComponent UnitsCombat Strength
Fire Team4 troops4 troops
Squad3 fire teams12 troops
Platoon2 squads + Command Section28 troops
Company3 Platoons + Command Squad96 troops
Battalion3 Companies + HQ320 troops
Reinforced Battalion4 Companies + HQ416 troops
Regiment3 Battalions + HQ1,020-1,328 troops
Brigade2-5 Regiments + HQ2,040-6,640 troops
Division (Theoretical)2-4 Brigades4,080-26,560 troops
AFFM Battle Armor Infantry Organization
ElementComponent UnitsCombat Strength
Squad6 troops6 troops
Platoon4 squads24 troops
Company3 platoons + Command Squad78 troops
Battalion4 companies312 troops
Reinforced Battalion5-6 companies390-468 troops
Regiment2-3 battalions624-1,404 troops
AFFM Aerospace Organization
ElementComponent UnitsCombat Strength
Flight2 fighters2 fighters
Squadron3 flights6 fighters
Wing3 squadrons + Command Flight20 fighters
Group2-5 wings + Command Squadron46-106 fighters
Regiment (Theoretical)2-3 groups92-318 fighters
Division (Theoretical)2-3 regiments184-954 fighters
AFFM Naval Organization
ElementComponent UnitsCombat Strength
Flotilla2-6 ships2-12 ships
Squadron2 flotillas4-24 ships
Task Force2+ squadrons8-48+ ships
Fleet (Theoretical)2+ Task Forces16-96+ ships
 
FM: AFM - Unique Equipment of the AFFM

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Unique Equipment of the AFFM


Due to the nature of the Succession Wars, virtually every military outside of the Terran Union equips its units with whatever they can find that is operational, or can be restored to operation. Between this and the machines owned by members of the nobility, there are no truly universal designs as there were in militaries of old.

That said, due to the increasing production facilities of the March, including the Kong Interstellar Defense Works at Roslyn, some units have become more prevalent than others as the products of these factories. While many of the models built are of widely-known type, specialized variants unique to the AFFM are also found.



Aerospace Fighters


VPR-1 Viper: The flagship design of Gienah Aerospace Industries and first build in 2978, the VPR-1 is a thirty ton aerospace fighter made for interception and light tactical strike roles. A 150-ranged fusion engine powers the fighter, which has 8.5 tons of protection against enemy fire. The model's armament is a pair of medium lasers in the fighter's nose section and an SRM4 launcher on each wing with two tons of ammunition, an arsenal that does lead to a slight and persistent heat increase if the pilot repeatedly fires all weapons. As the craft uses pre-Star League technology it is not export-restricted by the Free March's Defense Technologies Security Act, allowing for GAI to accept contracts from other worlds, states, and mercenary companies. Sales of the Viper have been consistent over the decades, giving Gienah the funding to pursue other aerospace projects.

ZRO-116b Zero: This thirty-five ton light fighter was produced on license by the Kong Defense Works during the later years of the Star League. Refurbishment of the Works by the Proctor government of Arcadia and the Free March eventually restored functionality to the autofab machinery that produces this effective light fighter. Armed with pulse lasers - a medium-size per wing and a medium and large in the nose - it provides decent firepower to go with ten and a half tons of ferro-aluminum armor and a 175-rated XL Engine. The only drawback is the dispersed fuel systems, which can cost the craft much of its available fuel if connecting lines are cut by damage or a malfunction.

ZRO-116e Zero: With the costly assistance of engineers hired from the Terran Union, the Kong Defense Works was able to convert some of their Zero production to new variants. The 116e is meant as a stand-off fighter and potential strike fighter, stripping out almost all of the energy armament to put ten-salvo LRM launchers in the wings, with the nose housing reduced to a single medium laser. This complicated the internal design of the Zero due to the need to pack the LRM ammunition into the fuselage, further dispersing the divided fuel tanks across the craft's frame. The loadout does reduce heat generation, eliminating the slight heat problem the 116b develops if firing repeatedly.

ZRO-116g Zero: Another variant produced at the Kong Works, this one is centered around an ultra-autocannon/5 mounted to the nose alongside a normal medium laser, with each wing again mounting a medium laser as well Since the ammunition space was reduced compared to the 116e, the 116g's dispersed fuel system is less problematic and more as it was on the original models.
 
FM: AFM - Arcadian Guards

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Arcadian Guards: Pride of the Free


The Arcadian Guards were founded from the survivors of the Liberation War to protect Arcadia in the difficult years of rebuilding. Repeated battles with pirate and mercenary raiders honed the unit's edge over the decades until it was the premier unit of what became the Free March. Today the Arcadian Guards are the fine spearpoint of the AFFM, fielding the best weapons technology the Free March can get access to and accepting only the best from the AFFM's officer corps and enlisted ranks. While nominally posted to Fort Defiance near the capital, the unit typically rotates to other planets every other year for exercises, and to keep their edge. They have been permanently assigned DropShip and JumpShip assets to allow for rapid deployment across the Free March, with Brigadier van Reiter having access to the might of a Fortress-class DropShip, the AFMS Galatine.

The Arcadian Guard unit insignia is a hawk with swept-wings bearing a sword in its talons, a sheared pair of manacles in its wake. The unit's dress colors are the red and blue of the Free March flag.

Arcadian Guards (Elite/Fanatical)
CO: Brigadier Lennart van Reiter
XO: Colonel Lady Amber Kelly
 1st (Assault) Guards 'Mech Battalion: Lt. Colonel Dimitri Deligiannis
 2nd Guards 'Mech Battalion: Lt. Colonel Gertrude Kosinski
Bravo Company CO: Captain Lady Angelina Proctor-Grimke
Charlie Company CO: HH Captain Prince Thomas Proctor
 3rd Guards 'Mech Battalion: Lt. Colonel Razeem al-Abbas
The Battalions of the Guards Regiment are reinforced by support companies. An extra company of heavy and assault 'Mechs provides the 1st Battalion with a strong punch against enemy units and fortifications. 2nd Battalion, primarily consisting of Heavy 'Mechs, enjoys the assistance of a company of Archer and Catapult BattleMechs to provide fire support. It is also noted for having two company commanders from the ruling House, including Prince Thomas, the heir of the Free March. 3rd Battalion has a strong mix of medium and light BattleMechs with an expanded recon element, allowing it to quickly exploit gaps in the enemy lines produced by the other battalions. It often employs the Assault DropShips assigned to the Guards for maximum tactical mobility, at least,, when the Assault Guards aren't employing them to establish beachheads.

Arcadian Guards Armored Infantry (Veteran/Fanatical)
CO: Colonel Joshua Parkinsons
The Arcadian Guards Armored Infantry utilize the best Battle Armor suits outside of the Terran Union itself, providing everything from base defense to urban combat support.

Arcadian Guards Aerospace Group (Veteran/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Tanya Osinski
 1st Wing (Light): Major Jack Rawlins
 2nd Wing (Medium): Major Marjorie Duchamps
The pilots of the Arcadian Guards enjoy some of the best Aerospace Fighters in the Inner Sphere, allowing them to provide strong air support to the ground troops in the event of a fight.

Arcadian Guards Artillery (Veteran/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Ludwig von Roth
The Regimental Support Artillery is capable of laying down punishing support fire in an open fight, utilizing the expanded battalion of artillery and a battalion of dedicated air defense vehicles for resisting enemy air attack. Lt. Colonel von Roth prides himself on training his gunners to quickly set up their guns straight from their assigned DropShips. He also enjoys command of the Long Tom artillery cannon employed by the AFMS Galatine while directing the fire support missions of his command.
 
FM: AFM - Arcadian Rangers

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Arcadian Rangers: The Liberator's Own


The Arcadian Rangers are the oldest regiment-sized unit in the AFFM. They were founded in 2926, shortly after Sara Proctor commenced the War of Liberation, from a number of light and medium machine pilots in her forces. The Rangers became her personal unit, often skirmishing with the forces of Prince Tabot, and at the Battle of Parnon they rallied to the defense of Sara's center and endured the assaults of his heaviest BattleMechs until the encirclement was completed. Following the war they were retained in service, becoming a flagship unit of the AFFM alongside the Arcadian Guards. The Arcadian Rangers have often been at the forefront of the Free March's battles, employing combat drop tactics and utilizing their speed and skill to raid enemy territory, disrupting supply bases and communications. The Rangers enjoy the best the AFFM can provide in personnel and equipment, including organically-attached Assault DropShips and a JumpShip Flotilla with LF Batteries to improve their strategic mobility. Currently stationed on Eilenburg, the Rangers await the call of the March-Princess to fight for the Free March, and for the Arcadia that their predecessors fought to save.

The unit patch of the Arcadian Rangers depicts a uniformed rider on a rearing horse holding a rifle, flanked by green trees to each side and with a snow-capped mountain in the background. The unit's dress colors are sky blue, forest green, and white.

Arcadian Rangers (Elite/Fanatical)
CO: Brigadier Ioannis Papadoulos
XO: Colonel Abdul-Rahim Barak
 1st Rangers Battalion: Lt. Colonel Tasha Zayman
 2nd Rangers Battalion: Lt. Colonel Alex Summerton
 3rd Rangers Battalion: Lt. Colonel Julian Masters
The Rangers are built for utilizing their DropShip assets to raid enemy rear areas with rapid deployment and high-risk combat drops. The unit has extensively trained over the years in these risky maneuvers to maximize disruption to enemy communications and supply. The 1st Battalion employs a company of fire support 'Mechs like the Trebuchet to give it extra firepower while the 2nd and 3rd specialize in raiding maneuvers utilizing their speed.

Arcadian Rangers Armored Infantry (Veteran/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Rivka Eliyahu
The Rangers Infantry battalion provides combat support in urban environments and base protection details. In combat maneuvers Colonel Eliyahu is emphasizing the unit's potential for supporting the combat drop operations with new battle armor suits with drop jet functionality.

7th Arcadian Fighter Wing (Lucky Number Seven) (Veteran/Reliable)
CO: Major Hans Grunwald
The 7th Fighter Wing was established before the foundation of the Free March, utilizing the Star League-era factory complex on Arcadia for gear. Their nickname came from the unit's several close scraps in combat and training operations, where imminent disaster always seemed to slide right by. These light fighters are employed as aerial scouts and interceptors by the Rangers, aided by the weapons on the regiment's Assault-type DropShip force.
 
FM: AFM - 1st Free March Cavalry

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
1st Free March Cavalry: E Pluribus Unum


After the foundation of the Free March, the formation of the AFFM led to the obvious concern of creating a unit to encourage cohesion among the member worlds. The solution was hit upon by the first Chief of Staff of the AFFM, Lord Gunther Katzenburg of Hyde. He proposed the combination of the Hyde Lancers, Launam's 1st Armored Cavalry, and Gienah's Heavy Fusiliers into one brigade, the Free March Cavalry. The unit was formed officially in 2960 and has since served faithfully as one of the premier line units of the AFFM, winning battle honors in the Senftenberg Campaign and the liberation of Togwotee in 3006. It remains a desired posting for AFFM personnel from the prestige of the unit.

The colors of the 1st Free March Cavalry are ice blue and burgundy red. The brigade patch depicts two white horses rearing up back-to-back on a blue shield with a stylized scroll below the shield displaying the unit's moniker: E Pluribus Unum, the Latin for "From many, one". The individual patches of the component units continue to be used by the battalions in question, in conjunction with the brigade patch. It should be noted that many a civilian has accidentally earned the ire of the pilots of the unit by accidentally referring to it as a regiment, or not recognizing the unique histories of the component battalions.

1st Free March Cavalry (Veteran/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Erica Tasker
XO: Colonel Joshua Chambers
 Gienah Heavy Fusiliers: Lt. Colonel Jacopo della Rovere
 Hyde Lancers: Lt. Colonel Wolfgang von Sternberg
 Launum Armored Cavalry: Lt. Colonel Gerard Ferrera
 8th Urban Combat Team: Major Jason Iglesias
The Gienah Heavy Fusiliers are a heavy-weight 'Mech battalion capable of sustained combat with peer opponents. A company of dedicated air-defense vehicles and BattleMechs give them enhanced durability against enemy air support, and the battalion often employs the organic Assault-type DropShips in maneuvers against enemy forces. The Hyde Lancers act as flank guards and a counter-attack force with the aid of an organic artillery detachment to provide immediate fire support. Launum's Armored Cavalry is the maneuver element of the brigade, exploiting gaps in the enemy lines with the aid of dedicated reconnaissance assets. Each unit, while only a battalion, maintains independent battle histories and honors on top of those earned as a combined brigade of the AFFM. In addition, the 8th UCT acts as a brigade-level support force for close combat situations, employing a mixed force of armor, SRM carrier vehicles, and a mixed lance of Hunchback and UrbanMech BattleMechs.

14th Free March Infantry (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Qasim bin Farouk
The 14th Free March Infantry is a battle armor unit that has trained extensively in closed terrain environments. Colonel Farouk hopes to one day expand his command to a full regiment to better control battle spaces.

9th Free March Artillery (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Uwe Rudigen
The 9th Free March Artillery specializes in mobile fire support operations to accommodate the flow and tempo of an evolving combat situation.

11th Aerospace Fighter Group (Snake Eyes) (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Sandra Mayfield
The 11th Fighter Group includes two wings, one primarily of light weight fighters and another with medium weight units. This grants them some flexibility in providing for air support missions, interception of enemy air strikes, and escort for the unit's organic DropShip contingent.
 
FM: AFM - Proctor Light Horse

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Proctor Light Horse: Dare to Defend


The Proctor Light Horse, like the Arcadian Rangers, date back to the War of Liberation. The initial Light Horse of New Salem were founded by Nathaniel Proctor in 2924 as a classical force of horse-mounted scouts and cavalry skirmishers exploiting the terrain of the Plymouth Peninsula to harass and undermine Prince Tabot's raiding parties. When Sara returned her cousin was quick to devote his skirmishers to her cause, providing vital reconnaissance and raiding parties in the rural reaches of Arcadia. Upon Sara's victory, Nathaniel and his riders stood down. The unit's revival came half a century later, with the AFFM seeking another light regiment to complement, but not replace, the Arcadian Rangers. Recalling the history of the War of Liberation, the AFFM drew upon Nathaniel's impromptu unit as inspiration, naming the unit the Proctor Light Horse in both his honor and that of the aging, declining March-Princess Sara. The new regiment of light 'Mechs has served in several campaigns, including the Desert War with Dar-es-Salaam and the campaign against the Cutter Brigade on Hollabrunn in 3018. They have won many victories with daring and mobility, prompting recognition from the AFFM in the form of a comprehensive refit with top-of-the-line machines of SLDF quality. The Light Horse has recently been assigned to McAffe to monitor the Rimward frontier of the Free March, and will undoubtedly be first into the fray of any conflict.

The regimental colors are the dark green and gray of the forests of the Plymouth Peninsula. The regimental patch depicts a prancing brown horse set over a sword pointed upward. The unit motto "Dare to Defend" is emblazoned below the horse.

Proctor Light Horse (Veteran/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Erwin Fischer
XO: Colonel John Smythe
 1st Batt: Lt. Colonel Jack Perkins
 2nd Batt: Lt. Colonel Lila MacInnes
 3rd Batt: Lt. Colonel Faiza Raisuni
The Light Horse's battalions are equipped primarily with light tonnage BattleMechs as well as fast mediums. The unit emphasizes maneuver, particularly against heavy opponents, and can catch a heavier force by surprise with their close support and fire support elements. An expanded reconnaissance element helps the Light Horse keep the initiative and evade enemy traps.

20th Free March Infantry (Veteran/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Nasruddin Hekmatyar
The battle armored infantry of the 20th have been outfitted with the best suits available, emphasizing mobility. The unit has experimented with magnetic grapplers to let battle armor squads ride "shotgun" on the shoulders and backs of the Light Horse's 'Mechs, a tactical innovation that may prove a shock to opponents not expecting such heavy infantry support.

14th Aerospace Wing (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Major Jacqueline "Wildcat" Walters
The light fighters of the 14th aid in battlespace recon and provide air escort and fighter cover for the Light Horse and their attached DropShips. Major Walters is a graduate from the Ayrshire MSA's Top Gun Program, the only aerospace piloting officer to do so and not join the Navy's air wings. She pushes her pilots to match her skill in the air, with some mixed success.
 
FM: AFM - 1st Free March Regiment

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
1st Free March Regiment: First In, Last Out


Founded in 2962 by the newly-formed AFFM, the 1st Free March Regiment was intentionally started from scratch at all levels with no pre-existing units folded into the unit. This allowed the troops of the 1st Regiment to form their own clean identity without the baggage of amalgamated units and lost histories, providing a template for the later regiments to follow. The 1st participated heavily in the campaigns of consolidation, including the capture of Tayma on Dar-es-Salaam that prompted Duke Faisal's accession to peace talks and integration into the Free March. The 1st has a reputation for tenacity and holding firm when subjected to attack. Today the unit is stationed on McAffe to monitor the unclaimed worlds to Rimward and protect the key planet from attack.

The unit patch is a big red "1" on a shield of blue, a hawk with wings spread upward at the heart of the insignia. The unit's parade colors are the blue and red of the Free March flag.

1st Free March Regiment (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Donald Harrington
XO: Colonel Aristotle Kotsopoulos
 1st (Heavy) Batt: Lt. Colonel Nathaniel "Steel" Heywood
 2nd (Medium) Batt: Lt. Colonel Joanna Rodriguez
 3rd (Light) Batt: Lt. Colonel Nadia Sarakova
 1st Urban Combat Team: Major Nicholas Tallman
The 1st Battalion includes a company of mixed heavy and assault 'Mechs to assist in direct assaults. 2nd Battalion's purpose is to exploit holes in the enemy line to disrupt their formations, with attached anti-air assets to deal with loss of air superiority should it occur. 3rd Battalion provides reconnaissance support and skirmishing in rugged terrain. The 1st Urban Combat Team's SRM carrier vehicles and other short-range combat machines give the unit an edge in urban combat environments.

4th Free March Infantry (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Paul Roshinsky
The 4th Free March Infantry provide the unit necessary infantry support. While the unit is trained to the standard of AFFM regulars, many officers familiar with the battalion feel that it is not quite as capable as it should be. Colonel Roshinsky's performance evaluations cast doubt as to whether he will remain in command for long.

18th Free March Artillery (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Abdul bin Hussein
The 18th prides itself on its skill at rapid deployment to and from its assigned DropShip berths.

20th Aerospace Wing (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Major Natasha Samsonov
Descended from refugees from the former Draconis Combine, Major Samsonov has worked twice as hard as most AFFM pilot officers of her rank, ensuring her light fighters have pilots ready to provide the necessary air escort, interception, and recon assistance to help the 1st succeed in its missions.
 
FM: AFM - 2nd Free March Regiment

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
2nd Free March Regiment: The Iron Wall


The 2nd Regiment was officially formed in 2972, as the Free March's growing industries expanded the AFFM's abilities to sustain multiple BattleMech regiments in service. The unit made its name and fame in 3011 when stationed on Mariefred. The Skullcrackers, a mercenary unit turning to piracy, raided Mariefred with the intention of looting the world's capital of Braunberg. The militia broke under the Skullcrackers' heavy and assault 'Mech formations, scattering and becoming combat ineffective. The 2nd Regiment rallied into a defensive position on the approaches to Braunberg and held against the numerically-superior mercenary unit for several days of relentless assaults. In a news report that spread across the Inner Sphere, a witness remarked that the 2nd's 'Mechs stood like "an iron wall" against the repeated attacks of the now-desperate mercenaries. The reputation stuck long after the 2nd drove the Skullcrackers from Mariefred, and the unit now looks with pride upon its reputation for solid, unyielding defensive strength. It is perhaps in light of this reputation that the AFFM has stationed the 2nd to Arcadia as of late, and the 2nd has repeatedly proven its defensive strength in wargames against even the vaunted Arcadian Guards.

The 2nd Regiment's patch was changed after Mariefred. While initially a copy of the 1st Regiment's save the change of the numeral to a 2, the blue shield of the patch has been replaced with the likeness of a castle wall of iron-colored gray. Likewise, the 2nd has added iron gray to its ceremonial parade colors.

2nd Free March Regiment (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Nathan Mackensen
XO: Colonel Claudia von Hammer
 1st (Heavy) Batt: Lt. Colonel Lionel Goldwright
 2nd (Medium) Batt: Lt. Colonel Manfred Stresemann
 3rd (Light) Batt: Lt. Colonel Anna Rogers
 4th Urban Combat Team: Major Eli Gaon
While the 2nd has the same support units as its sister regiments, the unit's experience on Mariefred has seen the tactics preferred shift to defensive purposes. In both simulations and wargames, AFFM observers have noted the officers of the 2nd seem more inclined to remaining on the defensive, only launching precise counter-attacks when they judge an enemy utterly exhausted by failed attacks.

11th Free March Infantry (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Michael Klimas
The 11th has been part of the 2nd Regiment since before Mariefred. Originally a mechanized infantry battalion, it suffered grievously on Mariefred trying to screen the fleeing militia and was nearly dissolved after the battle. The AFFM instead retained the battalion on the roll and rebuilt it, converting it into a battle armor battalion as part of the 3018 Line Infantry Reform Plan.

8th Free March Artillery (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Maria Monk

19th Aerospace Wing (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Major Dwight "Howlin' Mad" Murdoch
Many in the AFFM are waiting for the inevitable psychological evaluation that sees Major Murdoch drummed out of the service. Yet despite his pilots' insistence that he is truly mad, he continues to pass the evaluations, a mystery that bedevils many of his subordinates… and superiors.
 
FM: AFM - 3rd Free March Regiment

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
3rd Free March Regiment: The Comeback Kings


The 3rd Regiment was the last regiment to be founded for over a quarter of a century, coming into service in 2995. Early in its history the 3rd was blooded in the fighting on Senftenberg against the Dar-es-Salaam Regulars before said unit was shattered by the Arcadian Guards' timely arrival. The unit was reformed after the peace and re-assigned to the former Marik world of Megrez. In 3019 the Black Warriors of the Circinus Federation landed in force on Megrez as part of an extended piracy raid into the Inner Sphere, supported by allied pirate bands that gave them the equivalent of three regiments of 'Mechs. In conjunction with local militia forces the 3rd waged a fighting retreat against the Black Warriors and their pirate allies, avoiding defeat for two weeks until they succeeded in a counter-attack that overran the pirates' main base camps, leading to the rescue of captives and reclamation of goods and items looted during the campaign. The pirate coalition broke up over recriminations, allowing the 3rd Regiment to secure most of the planet before reinforcements from the rest of the Free March burned in and scared the pirates into fleeing. The 3rd was credited with turning the tables on the Black Warriors' campaign, earning them their sports-like moniker. The regiment is currently posted to Arcadia as part of the AFFM's concerns over the Skye War and the prospect of the conflict spreading.

The insignia patch of the 3rd Regiment is the blue shield under a red Arabic numeral "3", a hawk in the center. The unit's parade colors are blue and red.


3rd Free March Regiment (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Mark Waters
XO: Colonel Antigone Xenakis
 1st (Heavy) Batt: Lt. Colonel Henry Adams
 2nd (Medium) Batt: Lt. Colonel Darrell Lewis
 3rd (Light) Batt: Lt. Colonel Joachim Mueller
Organized in the AFFM's standard TO&E for a Free March Regiment, the 3rd's primary innovation is the dispersal of its close support elements to give organic assistance to each battalion instead of organizing them into an Urban Combat Team. The 3rd emphasizes maneuver more than the other March Regiments.

22nd Free March Infantry (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Jack Dukakis
The 22nd's commander is new to his posting. Lt. Colonel Dukakis was placed in command at the request of Brigadier Waters to get the 22nd into shape, which he has done to great grumbling by the armored infantry of the battalion.

10th Free March Artillery (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Nasira al-Rashid
Colonel al-Rashid is something of a rogue, considered an apostate by others from Dar-es-Salaam and not afraid to confirm her lack of religious conviction. Her only loyalty, spiritually or otherwise, is to the Armed Forces of the Free March, and the AFFM's awards and commendations for her unit's excellence in gunnery shows that loyalty is a two way street.

8th Aerospace Wing (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Major Peter Richter
The 8th Aerospace Wing's light fighters may lack the armament for effective ground support, but the pilots train hard to provide the ground pounders the air cover they need. Major Richter works closely with the anti-air assets of the 3rd to provide a coordinated air defense effort. He has requested more space-flight training for the purpose of better protecting the 3rd's DropShip contingent during hostile planetary approaches.
 
FM: AFM - 4th Free March Regiment

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
4th Free March Regiment: The Shiny Ones


The 4th is the newest unit of the AFFM, officially assuming duties in 3027 on Arcadia. While their personnel are rated Regulars by the AFFM in terms of combat capability, and there are some veterans transferred from other units, the 4th itself has no combat history to speak of and has spent its few years of life on quiet garrison postings. The unit's nickname comes from its participation in the Liberation Centennial celebrations on Arcadia in 3028. While marching through Roslyn, a reporter attending the festivities observed a child taking in the sight of the red and blue BattleMechs moving down the streets. Looking to give their coverage something tender for home audiences, the reporter asked the boy about which of the machines were his favorites, and he answered "the shiny ones". As the unit's insignia were clear in the video footage, the 4th Regiment became associated with the child's remark, even if the pilots are not particularly enthused with their new unofficial moniker. It has proven to fuel many a jibe from members of other, tested units about the 4th's lack of a combat record. In their current posting on Concord this has led to a number of minor incidents with the members of the Concord Borderers, although unit morale is still considered to be acceptable by AFFM authorities.

The unit patch is the blue shield and hawk of the Free March Regiments with a red "4". The colors are red and blue.


4th Free March Regiment (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Lawrence Adkins
XO: Colonel Nigel Shawcross
 1st (Heavy) Batt: Lt. Colonel Rana al-Samman
 2nd (Medium) Batt: Lt. Colonel Thomas Michaels
 3rd (Light) Batt: Lt. Colonel Jamshid Karriyev
 7th Urban Combat Team: Major Margeret Spellman
Untried in combat, the 4th often holds exercises on the plains of the Susquehanna River Basin on Concord's southern continent to keep their skills up. AFFM observers consider the unit to have become fairly proficient in rapid maneuver.

25th Free March Infantry (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Ernst von der Tann
The 25th was attached to the 4th at formation instead of raised as part of the new unit. This has led to some friction as the 25th has its own battle history, including participation in the Hollabrunn Pacification against the Cutter Brigade. The MechWarriors of the 4th are often unappreciative of being reminded that they have yet to generate any such history.

6th Free March Artillery (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel John Hitchcock
The unit's morale has picked up since the removal of Colonel Hitchcock's predecessor, who succumbed to substance abuse and struggled with the rise to battalion command. The new CO is working to improve his gunners' efficiency in delivering support barrages to the other units.

9th Aerospace Wing (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Major Karl Rabe
The commander of the wing is a proficient pilot and capable commander, but he is noted for preferring his amateur science studies.
 
FM: AFM - 1st Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
1st Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry: The Sword of the Faithful


Of all the AFFM's units, the 1st Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry has the most unique battle history, as much of it was gained in combat against the AFFM. Through the 2990s the unit was frequently employed during Duke Rashid's efforts to expand his power base to other worlds. It virtually conquered Mariefred before the arrival of the Arcadian Guards turned the campaign and compelled eventual withdrawal. On Senftenberg the Cavalry inflicted losses on the 4th Free March Militia and the Proctor Light Horse before withdrawing from the planet in good order. Its record in the Desert War was likewise distinguished, even if the collapse of the rest of the Dar-es-Salaam army, and the death of Duke Rashid in combat, ultimately led to Duke Faisal accepting the peace terms that brought the key world into the Free March. As part of the accession, the 1st Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry were inducted into the AFFM, becoming comrades to their former foes. For several years after the war the Cavalry were considered an unreliable unit by AFFM commanders, and new transfers from other worlds encountered a hostile culture. But since Duke Abdulla's succession in 3022, the unit's behavior has become more conciliatory, with transfers dealing with less hostility (if still often facing culture shock from the strict Islamic mores practiced by many of the regiment). Even now, only about five percent of the personnel of the Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry come from other worlds.

The insignia of the regiment is a field of green with the takbir written in white Arabic script and a pair of crossed cavalry swords below.


1st Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Abdul Rahman Rayhan
XO: Colonel Sadiq al-Banna
 1st Batt: Lt. Colonel Fariq Hadi
 2nd Batt: Lt. Colonel Yacoub al-Rumaihi
 3rd Batt: Lt. Colonel Calvin Hodges
In recent years the Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry has been refitted and adjusted to match the composition of the AFFM's line regiments, although the unit chose to disperse its urban combat specialists across all battalions. The Cavalry specializes in rapid maneuver and trains extensively in the deserts of their homeworld, maintaining outposts and bases throughout the Rub' al Khali, the continent that is made up entirely of the planet's most harsh and inhospitable desert. They are considered specialists in fighting in hostile environments thanks to the conditions they operate in.

Rayhan House Guards (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Colonel Khalid bin Faisal Rayhan
While the Rayhan House Guards are only at battalion-level strength, the traditions of the ruling family have led the AFFM to accept that the commander, the younger brother of Duke Abdulla, be a full Colonel. This leads to some occasional command issues given Colonel Khalid is the same rank as the regimental XO.

19th Free March Artillery (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Sergei Semyenov
The 19th Artillery is an AFFM unit drawn mostly from other worlds. This causes some cultural friction and the unit is known for a high number of transfer requests. Regardless, Colonel Semyenov works to maintain his unit's capability as effective support for the rest of the regiment, and he has become an expert in deploying artillery in desert and mountainous terrain.

The Wings of the Faithful (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Major Halim Naguib
The lone aerospace unit of the House Rayhan forces before their accession to the Free March, the Wings of the Faithful were less a regular line squadron and more a collection of off-world mercenaries of Islamic faith who swore loyalty to House Rayhan. By the terms of Dar-es-Salaam's membership in the Free March, the unit was brought into the AFFM rolls, allowing them to be outfitted over the years with the products of the Free March's aerospace factories. Given the ramshackle and salvaged nature of the machines employed during the planet's independent days, it has provided a remarkable improvement to their capabilities.
 
FM: AFM - Concord Borderers

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
Concord Borderers: Liberty For All


The Concord Borderers were formed in 3022 with a financial grant from Duke Charles Franklin of Concord in conjunction with the AFFM. Raised primarily from residents of the planet, the Concord Borderers are a unique medium-weight unit that is being considered as the template for strong defensive regulars to supplement the Free March Militia. They proved their capability in the Raid of 3031, when mercenaries-turned-pirates struck Concord for supplies while fleeing the expansion of the Marik Commonwealth. With assistance from the 22nd Free March Militia, the Concord Borderers counter-attacked the pirates' landing zones. The elimination of their aerospace cover led to the disabling of the pirate DropShips, compelling their surrender and the recovery of all stolen valuables and captives. The Borderers have employed some of the more intact pirate salvage in repairing and refitting their unit. They continue to train with the 22nd and the newly-arrived 3rd Free March Militia.

The regimental colors are red, white, and blue, matching the national flag of their American ancestors. The regimental patch depicts a red-and-blue field on which stands man in the uniform of an 18th Century Continental Army uniform with a musket rifle held in both hands across the chest, a circle of thirteen white stars surrounding him. Travelers from the Lexington Concord have noted the thematic similarities to some of their nation's insignia.

Concord Borderers (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Andrew Tapping
XO: Colonel Sarah Grimke
 1st Batt: Lt. Colonel Nigel Lewis
 2nd Batt: Lt. Colonel Hassan Qadir
 3rd Batt: Lt. Colonel Janice Fieldman
The Concord Borderers employ organic artillery and anti-air support with their 1st and 2nd Battalions, which are primarily made up of medium-weight BattleMechs. They also share access to a group of close support combat vehicles, including a lance of Hunchback BattleMechs. The 3rd Battalion is a light unit with reconnaissance elements to ensure the regiment has improved capability to trace enemy movements.

3rd Free March Infantry (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Anna del Annunzio
The 3rd Infantry is a former Jump Infantry unit refitted in 3030 with battle armor. They've been attached to the Concord Borderers as infantry support.

5th Free March Artillery (Regular/Reliable)
CO: Lt. Colonel Elena Chrousala
The gunners of the 5th have a reputation for soldierly misbehavior that Colonel Chrousala, a devout Greek Orthodox officer, takes pains to try and restrain. So far, her efforts have been in vain.

6th Aerospace Wing
CO: Major Nicola Jansen
The 6th has registered increased fuel consumption by AFFM Logistics Command, reflecting Major Jansen's insistence on repeated orbital flights to keep her pilots trained in space operations as well as atmospheric.
 
FM: AFM - The Free March Militia

Big Steve

For the Republic!
Founder
The Free March Militia: Guardians of the March


The Free March Militias are raised through local recruitment and draft lotteries as dictated by planetary and Free March law. They are the result of the Planetary Defense Act of 2960, one of the first major military legislation acts of the newly-formed Free March, providing the funding for the AFFM to maintain at least one militia brigade for each world of the Free March. The enlisted personnel are almost universally drawn from the world of origin for the militia brigades (with some notable exceptions), with many of the officers coming from Officer Commissioning Schools instead of the Ayrshire Military Sciences Academy. Equipment is generally salvaged material and not up to the quality of the line regiments. Current AFFM doctrine has eschewed armor support in favor of a full regiment of BattleMechs for each militia, enabled by the Free March's basic 'Mech production capacity, the extensive use of privately-owned machines by local nobility and communities, and the repeated salvage of defeated pirate and merc units over the decades. These militia regiments are backed by anti-air, fire support, and close support elements, a company of Anti-Infantry support 'Mechs, an air cavalry battalion, and two regiments of foot infantry. The battle histories of the brigades are fairly basic, as they are usually employed as support for the line regiments in major skirmishes and engagements.

The current commanding officer of the Free March Militia Command is General Lady Marcia Thompkins, the heiress to the Duke of Ford.

All Free March Militias have the same basic unit patch, a silver shield bearing the flag of the Free March with the brigade's number emblazoned underneath in white (as in, the 15th FMM would have the number 15 beneath the shield).

1st Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Nicholas Meyer
The 1st FMM is the garrison militia of Arcadia itself and the prototypical militia regiment.

2nd Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Ahmed El-Hashem
The designation of the 2nd FMM was transferred in 3024 to the militia brigade on Dar-es-Salaam. The brigade is noted by AFFM authorities for only being recently reconciled to the Free March, prompting the upgrade of their loyalty rating.

3rd Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Nikos Kypriotou
The 3rd FMM is one of the rare brigades that comes from multiple worlds, being made up of excess volunteers and draftees from McAffe, Megrez, and Ford. The unit was recently re-assigned to Concord to beef up the planet's defenses due to the Skye War.

4th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier James MacReady
The 4th is drawn heavily from the Scots and Ulstermen communities on McAffe. Aside from its brigade patch, many of its machines employ either the Scottish Lion Rampant or the Ulster Flag.

5th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Karen Summers
The 5th is the garrison unit of Gienah. One if its primary duties is protecting the aerospace factory complex outside of the planet's main city.

6th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Alec Thompson
The garrison of the border world Danais.

7th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable) - Eilenburg
CO: Brigadier Hans Gruber
The garrison of Eilenburg.

8th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Joanna Michaels
Launam's garrison. The 8th has only recently come out from under a cloud, with numerous officers implicated in corruptions scandals. Brigadier Michaels has been forced to replace over half of the officers.

9th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Benjamin Harrison
The militia for Ford.

10th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Nadia Simonov
Giausar's militia, the 10th FMM has drawn much of its number from the community of starovéry, the Old Believers of the Russian Orthodox Church. AFFM authorities are concerned about this disparity, as the Old Believers number only a tenth of the planetary population and a quarter of the Russian communities, but over forty percent of their infantry and a third of their MechWarriors hail from the Old Believer townships.

11th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Friedrich von Bohlen
The 11th FMM is one of the brigades with a notable combat history, having worked with the 3rd Free March Regiment in repelling the Black Warrior attack on their homeworld of Megrez.

12th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Marvin Jekyll
Nestor's garrison has attained a reputation for dirty fighting, leading many to nickname the brigade "The Dirty Dozen".

13th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Rudi Weddigen
The 13th was broken by the Skullcrackers in the mercs' attack on Mariefred, and only avoided annihilation thanks to the 2nd Free March Regiment. This failure haunts the brigade's battle history.

14th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Pierre Comeau
Bondurant's garrison has gained a positive reputation among the people of Bondurant for aiding in the difficult monthly harvests of the planet's stormy growing plains.

15th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Hank Adams
The brigade's recruits and draftees are heavily drawn from the Native American tribes that colonized the northern continents of Togwotee

16th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Chidike Okonkwo
Uhuru's militia are noted by the AFFM for showing promise in defensive operations, and higher-than-usual morale for a militia brigade.

17th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Nathan Waltrip
The 17th was formerly the 2nd, but was re-designated as part of a militia reorganization. It serves the founding world of Hyde. The Katzenburgs, the ruling family of Hyde, openly subsidize the soldiers' salaries as an expression of charity, although some AFFM officials are unhappy by the arrangement.

18th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Greta Fischer
Zwenkau's militia has readied itself to take advantage of the jungle terrain that dominates the approaches to the planetary capital.

19th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Farhan Mohammed
The garrison of Hollabrunn is the latest recipient of a persistent legend among the Free March Militia brigades, with the assignment of a Succession War-era Zeus BattleMech to the command company of the brigade in 3031. The Zeus in question has been passed around the brigades since the founding of the Free March, with the legend attached that it is the machine of the Slaver Lord himself, and that Prince Carl's spirit cursed the machine he died within. Brigadier Mohammed, a son of Dar-es-Salaam, is not impressed by this superstitious legend, although recent incidents in field training have done nothing to dispel the matter.

20th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Laura Mikolos
The garrison of Senftenberg has recently been whipped into shape by Brigadier Mikolos after failing several AFFM audits. The unit's morale has improved as a result, although only after the removal from service of several troublemakers.

21st Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Sean Douglas
A newer brigade formed from contingents taken from several worlds under the 3028 amendments to the Planetary Defense Act, the 21st is part of McAffe's enlarged garrison.

22nd Free March Militia "The Green Mountain Boys" (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Louis Adams
The 22nd is drawn from Concord's population, a great number hailing from the planetary district of Vermont. The unit has adopted its current nickname as a result, and have some skill in defending mountainous terrain.

23rd Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Lord Abraham Proctor
The 23rd was drawn from Arcadian recruit and draft classes. It has the unique distinction of being commanded by the grandson of Nathaniel Proctor, the famed cousin of March-Princess Sara, and is the only militia brigade to be commanded by a member of Arcadian nobility. "Old Abe" has proven popular among his troops for his strict-yet-fair command style.

24th Free March Militia (Green/Reliable)
CO: Brigadier Ruth Daube
The newest FMM to be raised, the 24th's personnel mostly hail from Eilenburg. Brigadier Daube has ambitions to run the 24th with enough skill to be transferred back into the line commands of the AFFM.
 

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