Military organization (BattleTech)
Encyclopedia
Military organization article regarding military formations found in table top gaming Classic Battletech
by Catalyst Game Labs
.
The following is the fictional military organization article for some of the armed forces that exist in the fictional Battletech
universe.
based on the House's. The Wolf's Dragoons and other Clan-derived mercenary forces structure their units after the Clans'. A few mercenary commands derived from the periphera realms use the same organization as their home nations. Mercenary units rarely exceed more than a company or two in strength, and often field over-strength companies to give themselves an advantage against the regimental strength forces commonly used by Inner Sphere and Clan forces.
Note: A common tactic of some mercenaries is to restructure their forces to take advantage of Clan honor rules. However, such attempts usually have little effect in combat, as the Clans regard warriors who fight for monetary profit as honorless.
unit is the squad usually numbering around 7 troops, four squads form a platoon, than creating a company
consisting of 3 platoons, a battalion
at least three or more companies is usually the standard size of most infantry commands, due to the logistical and command centralization, and most rare, is the Regiment
consisting of at least three or more battalions.
At most times in a combined arms unit most of the infantry detachments are usually placed under company or battalion strength commands. It is very rare to find an entire infantry force under a command at the regimental level directly.
, formed around a four person unit instead, with three of these squads, usually most combat units field at best, is a platoon
, in rare circumstances even entire companies
of battle armor are fielded, but usually a platoon or less is detached to most sub-commands within the parent command
, as most tanks are cheaper than BattleMechs and much easier to field and maintain. Most commands usually sustain several companies
or battalion
s on a regular basis. In most planetary militias, the majority of the combat capability is in armored support vehicles.
composed of four BattleMechs. Most Houses' front line commands normally wield several companies
, battalion
s, or even regiment
s of BattleMechs. Only in front line combat units does a single command field such large numbers of Battlemechs at once. Most other units command companies of second-rate Mechs at best.
consisting of two aircraft, three lances form a squadron
, normally most aerospace components consist of at best a wing with a mix of fighters, bombers, and dropships composed of three squadrons in total at least, just as most forces in a rarity of chance a regiment is fielded as a whole in one theater of battle, with at least three wings, regiments are a fearsome force to oppose.
were formed units would be derived from elements called Points, each of these representing the minimum effective number of each kind of warrior caste (infantry, BattleMech pilot, etc.). Points were organized in groups of five called Stars, equivalent to a Lance, that in turn formed higher-level organizations.
From a game balance standpoint, the Clan organizational structure allows BattleTech players to quickly assemble a balanced game of two Inner Sphere Lances (8 Mechs) versus a Star of Clan forces (5 mechs). Superior Clan technology makes up for the difference in numbers, assuming similar weight classes of typical Mechs. Other formations are such as using infantry, vehicles, and even warships typically use the Star organization format.
Typically, Clan military formation consist of 1 Point (can include single Battlemech, OmniMech, 2 Aerospace Fighters, 5 Battlarmor, 2 vehicles, 5 infantrymen, or even single warship.)
See also Ranks & Clans Military Formations
Militia share a common heritage and organization. Both militaries use combined arms tactics and a simplistic command structure to minimize the effects of the loss of an upper command echelon. Neither the Word of Blake Militia nor the Com Guards use a formal organization above Level 4.
Level 1 consist of a single BattleMech, armored vehicle or aerospace fighter, or even a single infantry squad; leading to Level 2, formed around six Level 1 units also called a demi-company (6 Mechs); level 3 is made of six Level 2 units and is referred to as a battalion
(36 Mechs); Level 4 strength units consist of six Level 3 units (216 Mechs);also known as a division
; Level 5 units are formed by six Level 4 units (1296 Mechs); also called an Army
due to the size and scale of forces placed under a single command authority. Most Army commands are an administrative grouping, but few were deployed as field units. Commands at the Level 6 tier consist of six level 5 units, these are almost completely absent from the ComGuard military organization, and is used when regional command level of entire regions of space is needed.
Classic BattleTech
Classic BattleTech is a table-top wargame set in the fictional BattleTech universe that simulates combat between futuristic mechanized forces. Originally published by FASA Corporation, the game is now produced by Catalyst Game Labs under license from WizKids...
by Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs was created in May 2007 by InMediaRes Productions, LLC for the purpose of publishing print Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun sourcebooks...
.
The following is the fictional military organization article for some of the armed forces that exist in the fictional Battletech
BattleTech
BattleTech is a wargaming and science fiction franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2000, and owned since 2003 by Topps. The series began with FASA's debut of the board game BattleTech by Jordan Weisman and L...
universe.
Inner Sphere House Unit Organization
Despite differences in politics, culture, and religious beliefs, the Inner Sphere's root TO&E base is drawn from the same basic unit structure. Though each separate House differs from each in slightly in almost every aspect, each house originally based their structure of military forces based on the first Star League's own unit organization. Such conformity has enabled writers and readers alike to be able to calculate force numbers, and better understand the tactical situation within the story without having to know several different tables of originations.Mercenary Military Unit Organization
Many mercenary commanders, having either worked for one of the Great Houses or been part of a House's military, use a modified force structureForce structure
A Force structure is the combat-capable part of a military organisation which describes how military personnel, and their weapons and equipment, are organised for the operations, missions and tasks expected from them by the particular doctrine of the service or demanded by the environment of the...
based on the House's. The Wolf's Dragoons and other Clan-derived mercenary forces structure their units after the Clans'. A few mercenary commands derived from the periphera realms use the same organization as their home nations. Mercenary units rarely exceed more than a company or two in strength, and often field over-strength companies to give themselves an advantage against the regimental strength forces commonly used by Inner Sphere and Clan forces.
Note: A common tactic of some mercenaries is to restructure their forces to take advantage of Clan honor rules. However, such attempts usually have little effect in combat, as the Clans regard warriors who fight for monetary profit as honorless.
Infantry
The standard base unit of an infantryInfantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
unit is the squad usually numbering around 7 troops, four squads form a platoon, than creating a company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
consisting of 3 platoons, a battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
at least three or more companies is usually the standard size of most infantry commands, due to the logistical and command centralization, and most rare, is the Regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
consisting of at least three or more battalions.
At most times in a combined arms unit most of the infantry detachments are usually placed under company or battalion strength commands. It is very rare to find an entire infantry force under a command at the regimental level directly.
Battle Armor
In the same fashion as non-battle armor infantry units; the battle armor infantry base unit is the squadSquad
In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
, formed around a four person unit instead, with three of these squads, usually most combat units field at best, is a platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
, in rare circumstances even entire companies
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
of battle armor are fielded, but usually a platoon or less is detached to most sub-commands within the parent command
Armor
Covering every vehicle not a walking titan, the armored forces' basic unit is the four-vehicle lanceLance
A Lance is a pole weapon or spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior. The lance is longer, stout and heavier than an infantry spear, and unsuited for throwing, or for rapid thrusting. Lances did not have tips designed to intentionally break off or bend, unlike many throwing weapons of the...
, as most tanks are cheaper than BattleMechs and much easier to field and maintain. Most commands usually sustain several companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
or battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s on a regular basis. In most planetary militias, the majority of the combat capability is in armored support vehicles.
BattleMech
The base unit of a formation of battlemechs is a single lanceLance
A Lance is a pole weapon or spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior. The lance is longer, stout and heavier than an infantry spear, and unsuited for throwing, or for rapid thrusting. Lances did not have tips designed to intentionally break off or bend, unlike many throwing weapons of the...
composed of four BattleMechs. Most Houses' front line commands normally wield several companies
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
, battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s, or even regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s of BattleMechs. Only in front line combat units does a single command field such large numbers of Battlemechs at once. Most other units command companies of second-rate Mechs at best.
Aerospace
Normally referring to fighters and bombers the aerospace component of any houses force; most aerospace assets includes dropships, jumpships, and warships. The base unit is the lanceLance
A Lance is a pole weapon or spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior. The lance is longer, stout and heavier than an infantry spear, and unsuited for throwing, or for rapid thrusting. Lances did not have tips designed to intentionally break off or bend, unlike many throwing weapons of the...
consisting of two aircraft, three lances form a squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
, normally most aerospace components consist of at best a wing with a mix of fighters, bombers, and dropships composed of three squadrons in total at least, just as most forces in a rarity of chance a regiment is fielded as a whole in one theater of battle, with at least three wings, regiments are a fearsome force to oppose.
Clan Unit Organization
After the first Exodus the SLDF forces that fled the chaos of the Succession Wars first used the standard unit organization. During the Second Exodus, Nicholas Kerensky completely changed the culture and lifestyle of his followers as he shaped them into the original Warrior caste. He proclaimed that the use of the standard unit organization was the downfall of the Inner Sphere, so when the ClansClans (BattleTech)
In the BattleTech universe, Clans are fictional peoples.-History:The background fictional story of the Clans begins with the build-up to the 1st Succession War...
were formed units would be derived from elements called Points, each of these representing the minimum effective number of each kind of warrior caste (infantry, BattleMech pilot, etc.). Points were organized in groups of five called Stars, equivalent to a Lance, that in turn formed higher-level organizations.
From a game balance standpoint, the Clan organizational structure allows BattleTech players to quickly assemble a balanced game of two Inner Sphere Lances (8 Mechs) versus a Star of Clan forces (5 mechs). Superior Clan technology makes up for the difference in numbers, assuming similar weight classes of typical Mechs. Other formations are such as using infantry, vehicles, and even warships typically use the Star organization format.
Typically, Clan military formation consist of 1 Point (can include single Battlemech, OmniMech, 2 Aerospace Fighters, 5 Battlarmor, 2 vehicles, 5 infantrymen, or even single warship.)
See also Ranks & Clans Military Formations
ComStar and Word of Blake Unit Organization
Just as the Clans use an idiosyncratic organizational structure based on five-Point Stars, ComStar's military arm, the Com Guards (and its splinter faction, the Word of Blake), base their organization on multiples of six. The ComGuards, ComStar's military branch, and the Word of BlakeWord of Blake
Word of Blake was once part of ComStar, part of the fictional BattleTech universe, but splintered from the order due to a difference in beliefs.-ComStar:...
Militia share a common heritage and organization. Both militaries use combined arms tactics and a simplistic command structure to minimize the effects of the loss of an upper command echelon. Neither the Word of Blake Militia nor the Com Guards use a formal organization above Level 4.
Level 1 consist of a single BattleMech, armored vehicle or aerospace fighter, or even a single infantry squad; leading to Level 2, formed around six Level 1 units also called a demi-company (6 Mechs); level 3 is made of six Level 2 units and is referred to as a battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
(36 Mechs); Level 4 strength units consist of six Level 3 units (216 Mechs);also known as a division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
; Level 5 units are formed by six Level 4 units (1296 Mechs); also called an Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
due to the size and scale of forces placed under a single command authority. Most Army commands are an administrative grouping, but few were deployed as field units. Commands at the Level 6 tier consist of six level 5 units, these are almost completely absent from the ComGuard military organization, and is used when regional command level of entire regions of space is needed.