Editing Velatine Federal Republic (section)

==Military==

As a small Periphery nation, the VFR is limited in the amount of military power it can assemble. However, the constant threat of piracy in its area, and the importance of the military in its politics, means that it has spent a considerable sum on creating a professional looking military. Comparative to even other Periphery nations, however, it must heavily rely on conventional infantry and vehicles for most of its forces - its Battlemechs are limited in number, being either primitive versions or, ideally, salvaged or purchased from the IS or other Periphery nations. Because of this, Battlemechs and conventional forces work very closely together in support of each other. Another notable aspect of most Velatine Forces is grouping anti-air assets into their own separate company attached to regular vehicle battalions, making their vehicle battalions slightly larger. 

The VFR has compulsory conscription for men and women over the age of 18 - this does not need to be direct military service however, which leads to the VFR having a large contingent of support workers, which helps alleviate their issues with general low technology levels. 

===Forces===

The Velatine National Army is the military force of the VFR and is divided into a few general commands. Each Command has a General in charge of it who coordinates all aspects of the Command. 

'''Velatine Gendarmerie''' - The Velatine Gendarmarie is a national militia and police force, meant to compliment local militia and police. Mostly infantry, its real purpose is to enforce the will of the Federal Government on a local level and to monitor dissatisfaction. However, the Gendarmerie is somewhat trained in urban combat and anti-terrorist tactics. To help with their mandate, the Gendarmerie does operate some primitive SecurityMechs, more for intimidation than anything else. 

'''Velantive Territorial Defense Forces''' - VTDF is a large and decentralized militia - each planet in the Federal Republic is mandated to maintain a militia force of infantry and vehicles, and to protect their planets at any cost. While lacking in effective gear or any coordination beyond the local, the VTDF has shown to be tenacious when it comes to showing off pirates at least. The Territorial Defense Forces often choose to augment their forces with conventional fighters, though these are usually of quite primitive design as it is up to the VTDF in question to supply them.  

'''Velatine People's Army''' - The main armed force of the nation, the VPA uses mostly conventional forces complimented by Primitive and outdated Battlemechs and are designed to be deployed wherever they are needed. Most of their expertise comes from combating pirate groups. Mandatory conscription keeps the numbers of the VPA relatively high, though much of this is simply in their support forces. On paper the VPA is supposed to have a full Regiment's worth of mechs. However, this is rarely the case as its mech resources are often taken for deployment elsewhere. 

'''Velatine Air Force''' - The VAF was established to provide a single body to govern all of the Velatine air and space assets - these are attached to other military formations as needed. The reason for this is that the VFR has limited air capability, particularly as far as aerospace goes, and must be conservative and careful in its usage. The VAF also mains the "Conventional Reserve", a pool of conventional fighters. These are moved from planet to planet based on what the defense requirements are believed to be at the current time. The VAF does maintain its own ground forces separate from other military sections, which include both regular mixed forces for protecting their airbases, and also marines and paratroopers. 

'''Presidential Guard''' - The Presidential Guard is the most prestigious force in the nation, centered around a large infantry contingent as well as some battlemechs. Their main duty is simply as honour guard for the government, though they do deploy to support the VPA during conflicts - though many in the VPA complain that the PG receive the least dangerous and most glory hogging assignments. The PG is also designed to be entirely loyal to the federal government and to no one planet, meaning they are often also deployed in quashing civic unrest.

'''The Velatine Stradioti''' - The Stradioti is a unique unit in the VNA - based around a mercenary unit they still operate in that capacity, touring in the IS and Periphery to make money and salvage. Despite this, they are still a loyal part of the VNA - they return their profits and goods to the nation, and are required to return to aid their nation when ordered. While not as prestigious as the Presidential Guard, the Stradioti have the most real combat experience, and are most likely to sport salvaged or purchased IS models. Because they must operate away from the nation for extended period of times, the Stradioti are allowed to keep their own very limted aerospace contingent. The Stradioti also keep a skilled technical staff which specialize in salvage and battlefield repairs. As each battlemech in the Stradioti is valuable, the group tends to specialize in asymmetrical warfare, using ambushes, mobile warfare, flanking maneuvers, hit and run tactics and subterfuge to achieve victory. The Velatine Stradioti have, on paper, about a Regiment's worth of Battlemechs. However, they usually only keep two battalions in standard numbers with the third battalion varying significantly on composition based on how the units fortunes currently stand, and how well salvage is going. The Third Battalion often has a very eclectic mix of machines.

===Organization===

Uses standard lances. Since any class of mech bigger than medium are rare, usually Heavy or Assault mechs are organized into Demi-Lances instead, which are used to support regular lances instead of operating alone. Usually these two mechs operating together will be ones of the same speed type.

===Equipment===

Mostly vees and infantry. Mechs are normally light or at most medium. Infantry is usually mechanized, motorized or airborne. Due to difficulty in producing modern tech, Autocannons and Rocket Launchers are in wide use. To try and make up for the inherent disappointing performance of Autocannons, specialty ammunition for autocannons is widely produced. The one technology that the VFR has tried to always keep up on is melee weapons - because their mechs tend to be ammo reliant, ways to engage in close combat if a mech runs out of ammo are seen as important. In the case of lack of access to proper melee weapons, pilots of mechs with hands are trained in making use of improvised weapons - doctrine usually covers such armed mechs covering the retreat of allies without hand actuators. 

As a far Periphery nation the VFR struggles to maintain a viable aerospace contigent. Because of this, the VFR maintains a large number of conventional fighters on each of its world, and tends to have a decent spread of anti-aircraft equipment in its ground forces. Its aerospace assets are grouped into a separate airforce, (Barring those that the Stradioti use on campaigns) and are deployed where they are needed most.

The specialty in Autocannon weapons and the lack of an airforce has combined in an interesting way to make the VFR's armed forces somewhat experts in anti-aircraft technology, and it tends to have well trained and equipped anti-aircraft gunners. This is reflected both in their mechs and their vehicles. 

Because of their usage of combined arms, Velatine Infantry is usually mounted, being mechanized, motorized or airborne - this is one of the key strengths of the army and its infantry tend to excel in this kind of mobile rapid combat. In particular its airborne cavalry are quite well trained and are seen as the elite and most prestigious infantry forces.

===Uniforms===

The Gendarmie use black uniforms and are allowed to carry the Presidential Seal to show their service to the Federal government. The VTDF forces all wear cheaper olive drab uniforms with maroon edging, and all use their own combinations of patches and insignia. 

Maroon in the standard color for the uniforms within the VPA. The Velatine Stradioti use a similar uniform ot the VPA uniform, but are allowed gold trim on their uniforms and unique insignia. The Presidential Guard are provided highly elaborate white uniforms with intricate trim. Air and space forces wear powder blue uniforms with maroon trim. 

The dress uniforms generally involve jackets combined with berets - senior officers however are allowed peaked caps.

===Awards===

'''Rank Stars''' - Certain ranks within the VNA are seen as "career" ranks, with many remaining in them for a while. Rank Stars are awarded based on service time spent, giving an indication of seniority and a raise in pay. 

===Ranks===

'''Enlisted'''

Soldier - ''Recruits are simply ranked to as Soldiers - they are officially referred to by their role (such as Tanker or Infantryman)- but the common slang term "Soldato" is most often used, and has come to mean any traniee or fresh recruit - members of the military often refer to themselves in general as Soldato's as a term of respect.''

Corporal - ''Confusing to other militaries, a Velatine Corporal is more equivalent to a Private in other armies - the rank indicates having spent a minimum amount of time in the armed forces without blemishes on the record.'' 

Corporal Major - ''A corporal who continues to serve without black marks on their records is promoted to a Corporal Major and is granted more responsibilities - this is more equivalent to a Private First Class in other militaries. ''

Chief Corporal Major - ''A Chief Corporal Major commands a section of of his fellow soldiers. For those who are only filling in their required conscription, this is normally as high as they advanced. However, to encourage hard work, and bolster forces, the Star Ranking system has been added for this rank - A Chief Corporal Major is a one-star Corporal major, and they can be ranked up to a four-star major. This determines seniority and experience. Someone who has finished their conscription can choose to sign up for the "Citizen's Corporal" program - by taking retraining courses every year and they can slowly add more stars to their rank, and will be higher ranked and paid if they re-enlist in an emergency situation. This program is to provide an incentive for continued training and preparedness on the behalf of the citizens.'' 

'''Non-Coms'''

Sergeant - ''A Sergeant commands of squad of his fellow soldiers.'' 

Sergeant Major - ''A Sergeant Major designates a more senior sergeant within a platoon. ''

Chief Sergeant Major - ''A chief Sergeant Major is the highest rank of sergeant and normally serves as an adjutant to a Lieutenant. For career soldiers who are not becoming officers this is normally as high as they progress and it is seen as a rank of some prestige. Like with First Corporal Major, Chief Sergeant Majors who remain in their position for an extended period can receive up to four star rankings to represent increases in seniority and pay-grade'' 

'''Warrant Officers'''

''Warrant Officers are usually technical experts or specialists'' 

Marshal

Chief Marshal 

First Chief Marshal

Marshal-Lieutenant 

'''Junior Officers'''

Second Lieutenant - ''If in Lance or Platoon is 2nd in Command. Often only recently made officer.'' 

Lieutenant - ''A Lieutenant is the normal Commander of a Lance or Platoon''

Captain - ''A Captain commands a Company of troops''

First Captain - ''Used to designate the senior Captain in a Battalion. Traditionally given command of 3rd Company as this will not have oversight from Major or Lieutenant Colonel.'' 

'''Senior Officers''' 

Major - ''2nd in Command of Battalion. Traditionally attached to 2nd Company'' 

Lieutenant Colonel - ''Commander of a Battalion. Traditionally attached to 1st Company'' 

Colonel - ''Commands a Regiment. Due to the smaller size of the VDF many Colonels also work as 2nd in Commands and aides for Generals.''  

General - ''Can Command multiple Regiments. Ranked from one to four stars to denote seniority and rank. Any military operation of note will have a General coordinating all aspects of it - the importance and size of the mission usually determining degree of General''

El Presidente - ''Commands all Generals. Legally the nation's only Five-Star General - the official Presidential uniform reflects this. The VP is also considered a Four-Star General, mostly relevant in the case of communication breakdowns or attacks on government. ''

===Naval Assets===

Jumpship assets are limited naturally and the Stradioti are always allowed first usage of them due to their importance to the nation's economy. This means that within the nation the People's Army is sometimes slow to deploy - holding actions and defense by the Territorial Defense forces are thus vital to ensure the safety of the Republic.