The Last Command part2
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Fort Bradley Training Base Adjunct
Colchester
Federated Suns
April 22, 3024
Fort Bradley was large and sensibly arranged to support all three Regiments of the Light Horse and all their dependents at the same time if necessary. However, even as a military base it was not big enough to support basic training for new recruits.
To this end, a boot camp was constructed some distance away from the main camp. This sense of isolation away from the rest of the Eridani Light Horse would reduce distractions and help forge recruits into soldiers that could only rely on each other.
Recruits were assigned to communal barracks and randomly assigned into 84-man training companies, then three platoons of 28-men, further subdivided into 4 squads of 7 recruits each.
Men and women trained together in the same squad instead of segregating by gender. Not only did the Light Horse need to make full use of each possible soldier, given that these recruits were teenagers instead of young adults as the normal recruiting age, they were to be molded early on to give highest respect to each other and not let any physical differences get in the way of the mission. As junior soldiers, their training also served as standard schooling and would graduate to branch training after six months. This too was derived from the standard SLDF training program.
Squad leaders were not assigned during the first month.-.
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"Welcome to the SLDF," said the Base Commander David Frakes. "Looking at you here, some of you may have been born expecting to carry on duty your forebears have taken up. Some of you here may be the children of new elements serving in the combat postings of the Eridani Light Horse. Some of you here may not have any prior military background. Some of you may have been born suckling on myomer. None of that matters!
"There are no outsiders here. Nothing makes you superior to any other. Every recruit starts from the same position, and this training program is not designed to break you and rebuild you into what the military wants you to be - unlike what certain Great House training programs might do - but to make you the best of what you *can* be. To be part of something greater than yourself.
"Some of you might think our rituals of observance are outdated. But these all come from the most successful training program ever devised, designed to deal with any raw recruit and transform them into a well-drilled highly-motivated fighting and thinking man or woman.
"The manpower needs of the Star League Defense Force were near-unimaginable. As the largest military ever assembled, and the only military ever built from citizens of every nation and realm in the inhabited galaxy, a constant source of trained, professional soldiers was needed.
"Our mandate derives from Executive Order 34, issued by First Lord Nicholas Cameron in 2606, reaffirmed the Star League Defense Forces' right to recruit men and women from any member state without interference from its government.
"The SLDF opened hundreds, and eventually thousands, of recruiting offices in the Inner Sphere and Periphery. These offices had all the rights of a diplomatic mission: once someone walks through the front doors, that person is governed by the laws of the Star League, not the member state.
"The moment you entered these boundaries of my camp, you ceased to be whatever you may have been before. You belong to the Star League now.
"And we will make of you something great or die trying. We are the SLDF, and the only death is mediocrity."
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"Quit draggin' your feet, Urbie! GO! GO! GO! And you, is that a smile on your face, you fat tub of lard? Fall behind, Broadway, and I'll drive the Mech that will step on you myself!" the Drill Sergeant screamed at the group. "Education waits for no man nor woman! Hut! Hut! Hut! ON STEP!"
Devlin Stone was in no state of mind to get angry at anything. Even though like each recruit they were allowed a full night's rest, each of them felt a bone-deep exhaustion that lingered through the day.
They woke up early to clean and assemble and perform Personal Training Exercises, and then breakfast. Then digesting with cleaning and maintaining the barracks and their gear and then it was off to class.
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"Recruit Stone! Am I boring you, recruit?!"
Devlin Stone, already familiar with the protocol, stood up to attention as soon as his name was called.
"Sir, no sir!"
"Then what's with the glassy eyes recruit?! Are you asleep on your feet or just dumb?!"
"..."
"Answer me, recruit!"
"Sir, I don't know how to respond to that, sir!"
"A dumbass, then! Then maybe you can answer this, see if you've been paying attention! WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LINE REGIMENT AND AN INDEPENDENT REGIMENT?!"
"Sir, Line Regiments are assigned to divisional brigades as part of a divisional combat team! A BattleMech regiment, for example, contains only BattleMechs and trained for the best combat role for their equipment. They do not included supporting elements such as Armor, Infantry, or Aerospace Fighters, such roles are filled by other uniform Regiments in the division or by assigned supporting units!
"Independent Regiments unlike Line Regiment contain a full complement of support troops including armor and infantry. Many Independent Regiments also possess integral DropShip and JumpShip assets to facilitate their deployment!
"Good you can regurgitate a book! Now tell me why Independent Regiments even exist! Why can't the SLDF just use their Line Regiments for everything?!"
"Sir! The regiment is the smallest formation routinely deployed for front-line combat! The SLDF doctrine is to build companies, battalions and even sometimes entire regiments of one combat equipment, they are specialized to one role which eases training and logistics!
"But the Independent Regiment is a combined arms force that is a tactical solution. Independent regiments must be able to fulfill multiple combat roles and more aggressive SLDF officers and enlisted men are assigned to independent regiments!
"Independent regiments are designed to be deployed quickly and often in advance of the main force or where flexibility is required, sir!"
"Aggression! I like that word! Tell me why my precious Eridani Light Horse was the best fighting type of regiment in the SLDF!"
"It isn't, sir!"
One could almost feel the room boil from that declaration. The sergeant instructor sprang from the head of the room to glower bug-eyed at Devlin.
"Maybe I didn't hear that correctly. Maybe it was just a second of utter batshit insanity. Care to repeat your words, recruit!?"
"Sir, the Eridani Light Horse is a Light Horse Regiment, sir! The best at fighting WHAT, sir?! Even among independent regiments there are specializations, sir!"
"What are these specializations that our beloved Light Horse supposedly can't do?!"
"Sir! The three principal types of Independent Regiments are broadly analogous to the role of line regiments!
"Dragoon Regiments are the independent equivalent of heavy assault regiments, mixing heavy and assault weight Mechs and armor and rarely deploy their infantry in offensive roles, holding them back for defensive operations!
"Hussar regiments are analogous to Battle Regiments, composed of Medium and Heavy Battlemechs that fulfill multiple roles!
"Light Horse regiments are the eyes and ears of the SLDF. They are analogous to the Striker regiments which are employed for recon and breakthrough exploitation. They are the only line regiments to have organic aerospace assets, including Land-Air Mechs-
"Light Horse regiments function as quick-response troops usually grouped in multi-regimental formations known as Regimental Combat Teams! The Eridani Light Horse was formed of two Light Horse and two Striker Regiments, sir!"
"What sort of ignorant backwoods did you come out of, recruit?! Do you not have any sense?! What do you think our 121st and Command Lances are taking to battle, fucking *Urbanmechs*?!"
"Sir! The Eridani Light Horse Regimental Combat Team is still a quick reaction force but now doing the work usually expected of a whole division of the SLDF, sir!"
The sergeant jutted out his jaw and considered. Then with a grunt, he nodded. "Fair enough. Sit your ass down."
"Sir! Thank you, sir!"
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The many, many lectures on harassment and sex education was just embarrassing for them all.
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While Sgt. Henry Mormount taught Military History with the same level of energy as on the field, as if the battles he recounted were happening right at that very moment, Sgt. Janine Giacomo taught Military Science with crisp precision expecting the recruits to behave like full adults.
Hers was a thinking class, and recruits had to strain their brain with how they would respond to theoreticals.
The woman with voluminous reddish blonde hair spoke: "These are the TWELVE PRINCIPLES OF COMMAND, around which the SLDF and all its values and methods and doctrines revolve around. What all that of us need to do is to continue to follow these precepts and as long as it is done then the SLDF remains existent.
"Remember, following the twelve principles is what makes someone a true soldier of the Star League Defense Forces instead of merely using their equipment."
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1. Objective.
Always keep a clear goal in mind. With-out it, the lives you lose are meaningless.
2. Offensive.
When given the chance, attack and remain on the offensive for as long as possible. The enemy is weakest when backing up, and so are you.
3. Unity of Command.
Always know who is above and below you in the chain of command and what they are doing. It will not only help you in times of trouble, but it will also give you a better sense of how your mission fits into the overall picture.
4. Strength.
Never willingly enter battle at a numerical disadvantage. Even the sloppiest army can defeat you if it is bigger.
5. Economy of Force.
Do not waste your effort and supplies. Use just enough of your force to inflict the maximum amount of havoc on the enemy in the minimum amount of time. Save the rest of your strength to exploit your gains or protect yourself from counterattack.
6. Maneuver.
Learn the value of maneuverability. Being able to speed across the battlefield in a coordinated wave of force can overwhelm the toughest opponent with a minimum of bloodshed.
7. Surprise.
The element of surprise effectively doubles your force.
8. Intelligence.
Information is like eggs, the fresher the better. A good guess might win a battle, but a bad one can eventually lose a campaign.
9. Simplicity.
If a plan looks messy on paper or in a computer simulation, it is too complicated to succeed. The best plans often turn out to be ones drawn in the dirt and explained with a few hand gestures. A good solution applied with vigor immediately is better than a perfect solution ten minutes later.
10. Maintenance of Morale.
Instill pride and sense of duty, worthiness, and loyalty into your soldiers. Keep them informed, rested, and happy. Officers should visit the front often, not to meddle but for personal contact with the troops.
11. Administration.
This is the dullest, most mind-numbing of chores, but doing it properly is infinitely better than facing the enemy without ammunition.
12. Mercy.
Be firm and win the day, but once the fighting is over, treat your prisoners with respect and courtesy. Not only is it the correct and moral thing for a soldier of the Star League to do, but once enemy soldiers hear of your merciful treatment, they might also be more willing to surrender.
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"There were a number of institutional and doctrinal standards built from the pyres of some of the largest conflicts and studies involving millions of soldiers and those institutions and doctrines have stood us in good stead ever since.
"But foremost amongst those doctrines is perseverance. A soldier of the Star League does not give up. The mission, our duty, our orders—all are upheld, to the last man, bullet or wound."
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"Haw! You got sure some stones, Stone!" bellowed William Bloderwerg, the largest in the squad. He was the one the drill sergeant called Broadway because of that. "I'da been so scared to answer back the sarge like that."
"Impressive that it worked out… but was it wise?" said little Tom Lexington. The recruit was more interested in the Technician track than the MechWarrior or Armor track, but everyone had to go through basic training.
Salli Maza and Angela Bakko were the two girls in the squad. Salli was the older one and seemed to have taken the younger under her wing. She moved over to punch Devlin in the shoulder.
"Ow," he said. "What was that for?"
"For luck," Salli replied with a grin. "Good job. Being outstanding isn't a sin. Where did you learn all of that?"
Devlin's gaze looked distant for a moment.
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"Boy! Imagine what if Alexsander Kerensky didn't leave? With the might of the SLDF behind you and fighting all the Great Houses all at once - could you save the Star League or would you just be a great Terran Despot no different from any of them? How about in reverse - the return of the Star League in Exile?
"Behold! My strategic wargame opus PARADOX: INNER SPHERE!"
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"Father, the AI is cheating."
"Of course the AI is cheating! If you're playing honestly you're doing it wrong!"
"But… the SLDF…"
"Cheating harder doesn't mean cheating more obviously. It means having the disadvantage working for you instead. If your enemy is cheating in a predictable way, turn it against them. The morale is to the physical as the three is to one. But if you know your enemy and not yourself, and they know themselves and never your reality, you shall never fear a thousand battles!"
"It's still making Mechs right out of nowhere though. It's still unfair."
"Yeah that part isn't unrealistic at all."
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"Books," Devlin answered dully. "I learned from… books." Field Manual SLDF 2760, to be precise.
"Feh. Showing off, Urbie?" said Bennet Brooklyn, a tall but wiry teen. "Trying to angle for the squad leader job this early? Don't get to puffed up just because you got a Mech already lined up for you. An Urbanmech is just an Urbanmech, it's nothing to be proud of, Urbie."
Devlin shrugged.
Bennet scowled and pointed a thumb back at himself. "When my time comes, it's going to be something a lot more impressive!"
"No one's going to call you Awesome, Brooklyn. Give it up!" said Salli Maza.
"Yeah, like how long do you think you have to wait before the company leaders retire?" piped in Angela Bakko.
"S-shut up!" he hissed at them with a flushed face then turned back to Devlin. He poked at the boy's chest with a finger. "Don't feel too proud of yourself! A squad leader needs the respect of his squad and I don't respect you. If you get in my way, I'll step on you like a Marauder on an egg."
The oldest in the squad, Hudson Asner, looked up and considered if he had to intervene. He was somewhat lazy though and didn't want the job. It still remained that while Broderwerg was the biggest in the squad, it was Asner who had real muscles forged by farm work.
Devlin's eyebrows raised. He beamed. "Oh? Are we throwing hands? We can do that right now if you want."
Then he cricked his neck from side to side in that eerie way of his with no in-between motion in a birdlike or almost mechanical sort of way.
Brooklyn grimaced with disgust and backed away.
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"Son! We're going to figure out this Phantom Mech NewType bullshittery! Here, wear this welder's faceplate. Now take this glowstick. These drones are going to zap you with low power electrolasers until you can instinctively intercept the beams without looking."
"... Father, lasers travel at lightspeed."
"Dodge the aim, not the beam!"
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