Editing Kestrel Crucis March Militia

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image = [[File:Crukestrel.png]]
| Designation = Kestrel Crucis March Militia
| Formed = 2754<ref name="FR2765:FSp21">''Field Report 2765: Federated Suns'', p. 21, "Federated Suns March Militias"</ref>
| Disbanded = 
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname = Kestrel CrMM
| Affiliation = [[Federated Suns]]
| Parent Command = [[Crucis March Militia]]
| Sub-Command =
}}
<onlyinclude>
The '''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' was responsible for defending the worlds of the Kestrel Combat Region.
</onlyinclude>
==History==
=== Formation ===
In common with the other March Militias found across the [[Federated Suns]], the '''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' or Kestrel CrMM was formed in [[2754]] as a result of the [[Preparedness Act]] enacted by [[First Prince]] [[Richard Davion]] in [[2735]]<ref name="FR2765:FSp3">''Field Report 2765: Federated Suns'', p. 3, "Strategic Update"</ref>. Richard established a formal training program aimed at increasing the general readiness level of the [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns]] reserve forces and formalized the structure of the March Militias, bringing the planetary militias into a common structure.<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>

Richard established a system whereby each of the Marches within the Federated Suns conducted internal wargames every two years, with those wargames being inspired by the [[Martial Olympiad]] conducted by the [[Star League Defense Force]] every four years. Each March Militia was formed as an ad hoc [[brigade]] drawing on the winners from each planetary militia across each Combat Region. These ad hoc brigades then competed against each other at a March level to earn the title of "Best Prepared" March Militia within each of the three Marches.<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>

The wargames proved to be very popular and by [[2750]] the prestige that was associated with the "Best Prepared" title inspired troops in every combat region to give their best effort, with some commands making plans years in advance to try and ensure that they were ready. After the close of the 2754 games First Prince [[John Davion]] activated all of the combat region commands as federal troops and formed them into the March Militias; while this move was controversial and provoked a flurry of judicial cases opposing the creation of the commands, it also added twenty [[BattleMech]]-equipped combat commands to the AFFS in a single stroke. Many of the planets that provided troops for the games were resentful of having their best militia troops pressed into federal service, and it would be [[2763]] before the last of the cases worked its way through the courts. With the final ruling going in favor of Prince John, he then moved to allay many of the fears expressed by the planets involved by laying down specific instructions that the March Militias wouldn't be deployed outside their home combat regions except under a small number of very rare and clearly-defined exceptions.<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>

Like the other Crucis March Militias the Kestrel CrMM was well-equipped, much more so than the average [[Capellan March Militia]] or [[Draconis March Militia]], and soon established a constant training regime. The Kestrel CrMM was highly active, leading to a readiness level greater than might have been expected of a militia formation, and acted as a mobile reserve for the Kestrel Combat Region and a staging ground through which planetary militia soldiers could move on into the AFFS, while retiring AFFS personnel moved into the March Militia to pass on their knowledge and experience.<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/> The Kestrel CrMM was one of ten March Militia brigades founded within the Crucis March in 2754, with the other nine being the [[Anjin Muerto Crucis March Militia|Anjin Muerto]], [[Bastian Crucis March Militia|Bastian]], [[Broken Wheel Crucis March Militia|Broken Wheel]], [[Islamabad Crucis March Militia|Islamabad]], [[Malagrotta Crucis March Militia|Malagrotta]], [[Marlette Crucis March Militia|Marlette]], [[New Avalon Crucis March Militia|New Avalon]], [[Point Barrow Crucis March Militia|Point Barrow]] and [[Tsamma Crucis March Militia]]s.<ref name="FR2765:FSp22A"/>

=== Succession Wars ===
During the Second and Third [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]], the Kestrel CrMM was called up to support units in the [[Draconis March]]. The unit has taken several trophies of their time on the front lines, including a Star League-era ''[[Thug]]'' piloted by [[Jinjiro Kurita]] and the [[1st Sword of Light|First Sword of Light's]] unit flag, which they captured when the [[DCMS]] unit attacked [[Robinson]] in [[2854]].<ref name=FMFS115/>

In [[3062]] the unit hadn't been called upon to serve in the front lines for nearly a century. This allowed them to develop their combat skills to a high degree, but training wasn't a substitute for combat.{{cn}}

===FedCom Civil War===
The Kestrel CrMM didn't participate in the [[FedCom Civil War]].<ref>''Field Manual: Update'', p. 134, "Kestrel CrMM"</ref>

===Jihad===
The Kestrel Crucis March Militia spent most of the [[Jihad]] moving around the worlds of their PDZ searching for pirates, [[Word of Blake]] troops, and enforcing [[New Avalon]]'s policies on the troubled worlds near the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]]. The constant planet-hopping has taken a toll on the troops and they wanted to remain on [[Edwards]] for a while for some rest and relaxation.<ref name="fra17">''Field Report: AFFS'', p. 17</ref>

After recuperating on Edwards for several years, the Kestrel CrMM reorganized into a [[Light Combat Team]]. They had also been deployed to [[New Valencia]] to take up their new permanent base. Like all post-Jihad Crucis March Militia units, the Kestrel CrMM was equipped with an engineering company of [[IndustrialMech]]s and engineering vehicles to rebuild the damage their garrison world suffered during the Jihad.<ref>''Field Manual: 3085, p. 65</ref>

===Dark Age===
When the Draconis Combine assaulted the Federated Suns, they took [[Kestrel]]. The Kestrel CrMM had been moved to [[Markesan]] however and survived. Despite the fact that they would have been killed, many members of the unit wished they could have fought the [[DCMS]] on Kestrel.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 82</ref>

==Officers==
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Kestrel Crucis March Militia'''
|-
| [[Major General]]||[[Hilda Delf]]||[[3025]]<ref name=HD138>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 138 (pdf version), "Kestrel Combat Region"</ref>
|-
| [[Leftenant General]]||[[Vivian Petty]]||[[3050]] - [[3062]]<ref name=20Yp22>''20 Year Update'', p. 22, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"</ref><ref name=ORp15>''Objective Raids'', p. 15, "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"</ref><ref name=FMFS115>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', p. 115, "Kestrel CrMM Profile"</ref>
|-
| Major General||[[Joachim Brandeis]]||[[3067]]<ref name=FMUp139>''Field Manual: Update'', p. 139, "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"</ref>
|-
| Leftenant General||[[Wade Plate]]||[[3085]]<ref name=FM3085p71>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 71, "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"</ref>
|-
| Leftenant General||[[Sean Jaffey]]||[[3145]]<ref name="FM:3145p91">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 91, "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns"</ref>
|-
|}

==Tactics==
The command staff could predict the movement of enemy formation, because of their knowledge of many ancient battles.<ref name=FMFS115/>

==Composition History==
=== 2765 ===
'''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)<ref name="FR2765:FSp22A">''Field Report 2765: Federated Suns'', p. 22, "Regimental Status"</ref>
:- One BattleMech regiment<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>
:- Two armor regiments<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>
:- Three infantry regiments<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>
:- One mobile artillery battalion<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>
:- Two aerospace wings, each of eighteen [[aerospace fighter]]s<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>
:- The Kestrel CrMM was stationed on [[Kestrel]] at this point in time.<ref name="FR2765:FSp22A"/><ref name="FR2765:FSp29">''Field Report 2765: Federated Suns'', p. 29, "Armed Forces Federated Suns Deployment Map 2765"</ref>

=== 2786 ===
'''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)<ref name="FSWp134"/>
:- At this point in time the Militia was a medium-weight unit operating at full regimental strength, and was based on Kestrel.<ref name="FSWp134"/>

=== 2821 ===
'''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical)<ref name="FSWp134">''First Succession War'', p. 134, "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"</ref>
:- At this point in time the Militia was a medium-weight unit operating at just below one-third of full strength, and was based on [[Markesan]].<ref name="FSWp134"/>
=== 2830 ===
'''Kestrel CrMM''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical) <ref name=2ndSSp95>’’ Second Succession War’’, p. 95 </ref>
: Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on [[Kestrel]] with an operational readiness of 68 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp95/>
=== 2864 ===	
'''Kestrel CrMM''' (Regiment/Regular/Fanatical) <ref name=2ndSSp95/>
: Note: At this point in time the heavy-weight unit was stationed on [[Kestrel]] with an operational readiness of 16 percent. <ref name=2ndSSp95/>

===3025===
'''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=HD138/>
:* CO: Major General Hilda Delf <ref name=HD138/>
:Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Kestrel]]. <ref name=HD138/>

===3040===
''' Kestrel CrMM''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)<ref name = HWo3039p136/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Kestrel]].  <ref name = HWo3039p136>''Historical: War of 3039'', p.136</ref>

===3050===
'''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable) <ref name = 20yup22/>
:* CO: Leftenant General Vivian Petty <ref name = 20yup22/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Kestrel]].  <ref name = 20yup22>''20 Year Update'', p. 22</ref>
		
===3054===
'''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)  <ref name = OpjRp15/>
:* CO: Leftenant General Vivian Petty <ref name = OpjRp15/>
:Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on [[Kestrel]].  <ref name = OpjRp15>''Objective Raids'', p. 15</ref> 

===3062===
'''Kestrel Crucis March Militia''' (1 [[Regiment]]/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMFS115/>
* CO: [[Lieutenant General]] Garman Doucette

'''Kestrel CMM Aerospace Wing''' (1 [[Wing (Military Unit)|Wing]]/Green/Reliable)<ref name=FMFS115/>
* CO: [[Hauptmann]] Rich "Blower" Blauer

'''Kestrel CMM Armor [[Brigade]]''' (2 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMFS115/>
* CO: Lieutenan General Joachim Brandeis

'''Infantry Brigade''' (4 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMFS115/>
* CO: Lieutenant General Lucinda Sanches

===3067===
'''Kestrel CrMM''' (Regular/Fanatical)<ref name=FMUp139/>         
* CO: Major General Joachim Brandeis

'''Kestrel CrMM Aerospace Wing''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp139/>         
* CO: [[Colonel]] Anders Heltzer

'''Kestrel CrMM Armor Brigade''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp139/>       
* CO: Leftenant General Bert Higby

'''Kestrel CrMM Infantry Brigade''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FMUp139/>       
* CO: Leftenant General Brody Kirk

===3079===
'''Kestrel CrMM'''

The decade of planet-hopping took its toll on the Kestrel CrMM. By this time they were down a third of their forces.<ref name="fra17"/>

===3085===
'''Kestrel CrMM LCT''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p71/>      
* CO: Leftenant General Wade Plate

'''Kestrel CrMM Aerospace Wing''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p71/>       
* CO: Colonel Jessie Andrews

'''Kestrel CrMM Armor Brigade''' (Regular/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p71/>      
* CO: Leftenant General Walden Bellman

'''Kestrel CrMM Infantry Brigade''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name=FM3085p71/>     
* CO: Leftenant General Sakura Ota

===3145===
'''Kestrel CrMM''' (1 [[Battalion]]/Regular/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p91"/>  
*CO: Leftenant General Sean Jaffey

'''Kestrel CrMM  Aerospace Wing''' (Green/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p91"/>  
* CO: [[Commodore]] Jo McLaughlin
  
'''Kestrel CrMM Armor Brigade''' (Regular/Questionable)<ref name="FM:3145p91"/>  
* CO: Leftenant General Valarie Cole
  
'''Kestrel CrMM Infantry Brigade''' (Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:3145p91"/>  
* CO: Leftenant General Helen Roberson

==Notes==
* ''Field Report 2765: Federated Suns'' attributes the Preparedness Act of 2735 to both [[Richard Davion]]<ref name="FR2765:FSp3"/> and [[Roger Davion (27th c.)|Roger Davion]]<ref name="FR2765:FSp21"/>. Because other sources indicate that Richard Davion was First Prince in 2735, and that Roger Davion died in 2703, the latter attribution is probably an error.
* Leftenant General Vivian Petty is a notable historian, having spent a lot of time delving into history tomes due to her assignment in a unit seeing little action for many years.<ref name=FMFS115/>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Federated Suns]]''
* ''[[Field Report: AFFS]]''
* ''[[Field Report 2765: Federated Suns]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Update]]''
* ''[[First Succession War (Source Book)|First Succession War]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[House Davion (The Federated Suns)]]''
* ''[[Second Succession War (Sourcebook)| Second Succession War]]''
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''

[[Category: Federated Suns Militia Commands|Crucis March Militia, Kestrel]]
[[Category:Federated Commonwealth Militia Commands|Crucis March Militia, Kestrel]]