Difference between revisions of "Taurian Defense Force"

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The Taurian Defense Force (or TDF) is the military of the Taurian Concordat. The TDF has traditionally been known for being the largest, best trained, best motivated and best equipped military in the Periphery or Deep Periphery (excluding the Clans). However, the TDF still pales in comparison with Successor State militaries, especially with that of the neighboring Federated Suns. Indeed, a history of aggression (both real and imaged) by House Davion has put the Concord in a state of high alert (some would say a state of paranoia) for much of its existence, lest the forced annexation of the Concord begun in the Reunification War to be completed. When the Concordat joined the Trinity Alliance in the latter part of the 31st century, the TDF's role expanded somewhat as, in exchange for advanced technology, it found itself helping the Capellan Confederation fight its wars.

Structure

The actions of the TDF are ultimately controlled by the Protector of the Realm, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and is given the rank of Senior Marshal. If the Protector lacks in military expertise however, the Protector may delegate another individual to serve as Senior Marshal. In times of conflict, the Protector can invoke emergency powers which grants them greater authority to prosecute the war effort.^[1]^[2]^[3] The work of carrying out the Protector's military policies falls to the Ministry of Defense, which serves as an advisory board to the Protector and provides civilian control over the Taurian Defense Force. Staffed with both civilian and military specialists, the department oversees everything from recruitment, to weapons research and development, to materiel acquisition.^[4]^[5] Up through the years of the Succession Wars, the Ministry of Defense's primary mission was to maintain a constant vigil in the event of an invasion by outside powers,^[4] though after the Concordat's entry into the Trinity Alliance its focused shifted towards using Capellan assistance to revamp the armed forces and prosecuting the defensive invasion of the Pleiades Cluster.^[5]

The Taurian Defense Force is divided into the following combat and support branches:

Concord Army - The Army consists of line BattleMech, armor and infantry regiments, as well as Mercenary units on long-term contract.^[6]^[7] When necessary the Army is supplemented by the Concordat Constabulary as well as other irregular forces, including planetary militias, corporate security forces and noble family regiments.^[8] The Taurian Special Asteroid Support Force is an elite, all-volunteer special force regarded as the last line of defense in protecting Taurus.

Concord Navy - The Navy consists of the TDF's Dropships and Jumpships (and when available, WarShips) when assigned to a Corps. These assets are divided into fleets, with each fleet divided into two demi-squadrons. Naval personnel are typically long-term volunteers, with officers generally serving four to seven years. In case of invasion, the Navy is the first line of defense for the Concordat.^[6]^[7]

AeroSpace Arm - The AeroSpace Arm is composed of the TDF's Aerospace Fighter force and maintains a large number of long-time volunteers. Despite this low turn-over, the AeroSpace Arm has long been considered the weakest of the three combat branches, due to a lack of equipment and trained personnel. During the 31st century, the TDF sought out Outworlds Alliance advisers to help modernize the AeroSpace Arm, which resulted in a gradual increase in competence and equipment.^[6]^[7]

Medical Division - The Medical Division provides medical attention to soldiers wounded in the field, with an emphasis on swift recovery and rehabilitation and the deployment of emergency medical technicians and surgical units at a moment's notice. In 3025 the care the Medical Division provided was on par with their Inner Sphere counterparts.^[6] Thanks to the Magistracy of Canopus providing aid through the Trinity Alliance, by 3067 the average Taurian soldier was receiving significantly better care than available in the Inner Sphere.^[7]

Transport and Service Division - The Transport and Services Division is responsible for transportation and recovery/repairs of men and material to battle areas. All military Dropships and JumpShips are under the control of the Transport and Service Division, unless otherwise deployed with another division or corps.^[6]^[7]

Administrative Corps - The arm of the Ministry of Defense, the Administrative Corps is responsible for all administrative matters, including pay, record-keeping, promotion, and mercenary contracts.^[6]^[7]

Propaganda Division - The Propaganda Division is tasked with disseminating information to maintain high morale within the TDF and counteracting negative rumors spread by instigators.^[6] Funding increases starting in 3062 have allowed the Propaganda Division to provide informative updates on Protector Shraplen's new government policies and spread the good news about the TDF's victories in the Pleiades Campaign.^[7]

Doctrine

One of the defining characteristics of the Taurian Defense Force is its fierce pride and fanatical devotion to defending the Concordat against outside aggression by any means the enemy makes necessary. Having never been signatory to the Ares Conventions, no quarter will be asked or expected by the TDF, and no "dirty trick" is above use in the defense of the homeland. This includes even the deliberate targeting of enemy JumpShips operating as part of an invasion force.^[9]^[8]

Strategically, the Concordat cannot afford to conduct a defensive strategy similar to that used during the Reunification War, where it concentrated around defending its important worlds and was able to trade space for time. With its shrunken size after the Reunification War, nearly all of the remaining border worlds of the Taurian Concordat are vital to the Concordat's survival, requiring the static deployment of its military forces as far forward as possible, leaving little strategic reserves.^[10] In the event of another Inner Sphere invasion, the TDF Navy would deploy to engage the enemy as far forward as possible (and sacrifice themselves if necessary) to blunt any advance on the Hyades Cluster. Ground forces not part of a permanent garrison would operate as Special Task Groups to conduct a variety of missions, launching local counter-attacks or raiding deep behind enemy lines to disrupt lines of communication.^[6]^[7] Eventually though the TDF would either be forced to withdraw again into the Hyades Cluster, surrendering many of its key industrial centers, or launch a desperate counterattack, with which its weakened military industrial complex may not be able to cope.^[10]

The arrangement of the Taurian Defense Force is reminiscent to that of the Napoleonic armies, with a thirty-first century twist. BattleMech regiments are organized into operational Corps, each under the command of a Marshal, with naval elements directly attached and answering to the corps commanders.^[1]^[8]

Organization

Taurian Concordat Assets

Deployment Status

In 2750 the TDF had a strength of 13 Regiments and 15 WarShips. As of 2765 they where well equipped with 21 Divisions split in (78 conventional regiments, 115 'Mech regiments), and the naval fleet had a volume of 31 vessels.^[11]

BattleMech units within the TDF are divided into separate Corps, each of which "coordinate" with more conventional assets:

Active Corps

These corps are active as of 3079.^[12]

Taurian Guards Corp

Always considered the showcase corps of the Taurian Defense Force, the Taurian Guards Corps were the primary defenders of the Hyades Cluster.^[13]

I Corps

I Corps was a Taurian Defense Force Brigade sized Military Formation originally assigned to the defense of the Taurian Concordat's border with the Capellan Confederation and later assigned to New Vandenberg. The brigade consists of three regiments of various sizes.^[14]

The Taurian Defense Force expanded I Corps duties to cover the new settlements created by the formation of the New Colony Region and later to fulfill the Taurian responsibilities to the Trinity Alliance.

III Corps

The Taurian Defense Force's III Corps is primarily assigned to defend the approaches to the Hyades Cluster from both the Federated Suns and Capellan Confederation.

V Corps

Originally a Corps to which the Taurian Defense Force assigned mercenary units, V Corps is primarily assigned to defender the Taurian Concordat's northern borders against activity from Pirates Haven and the Calderon Protectorate.

Inactive Corps

These are former corps, no longer active in the Taurian Defense Force.

II Corps

The II Corps was a military brigade command consisting of multiple-regiment forces used to defend Taurian Concordat.

Due to the Taurian Concordat's long-standing hatred of House Davion, the defenders of the Federated Suns/Concordat border, the II Corps is among the most steadfast and celebrated of units within the TDF.

IV Corps

Formed in reaction to the creation of the Federated Commonwealth, the Taurian Defense Force's the IV Corps was intended to bolster the defense of the Taurian Concordat's borders with the Inner Sphere.

VI Corps

Originally the newest Corps of the Taurian Defense Force, the VI Corps was initially designated a 'catch-all' formation, dividing its forces between colonial outposts and border duty. This changed after the ascension of Grover Shraplen to the Protectorship, with VI Corps staging a rebellion and becoming the defense force of the breakaway Calderon Protectorate.

Taurian Volunteer Guard

Independent (Planetary Militias)

Each world and colony also maintains a standing army of infantry and armor, with armor assets totaling at least 1 battalion, but climbing to more than 1 regiment on very important worlds.

Military Academies

Every Taurian world can boast at least one military academy, though most are specialized in training infantry and specialists.

The Concord also maintains a large military training academies for each branch, more than any other Periphery realm. Each school can manage 500 or more cadets, and allows foreign students. Foreigners must pay for their education, and maintain better test scores; Taurian nationals are not subject to fees, but their chances of acceptance increase if an "endowment" is given to the school.

Taurian academies focus on basic theory and training, giving students a strong aptitude for strategy and tactics. After the basic training, students are allowed to specialize in any offered field, based on test results. Graduates of all nationalities are allowed to enter any Taurian command at the appropriate starter rank.

Taurian schools are far less stressful than their Inner Sphere counterparts, but given the small populations of the Periphery, the rate of burn-out must be kept low. Study at academies in Liao space is considered a benefit when given a commission.

Taurian École Militaire

The Taurian École Militaire, located on Taurus, specializes in training for ground-based units.

Taurian Naval Institute

The Taurian Naval Institute, located on New Vandenburg, specializes in training for larger Aerospace vessels. With support from the Outworlds Alliance, the Taurian Naval Institute has appreciably improved in the thirty-first century.

Concordat Aerospace Flight School

The Concordat Aerospace Flight School, located on Samantha, is the poorest of the training academies, and focuses on Aerospace flight instruction. It appears that some of this lackluster performance is based on the Taurian cadets - specifically, the Concord simply is not supplying enough, talented candidates for whatever reason. Instruction at the Concordat Aerospace Flight School has improved since the Outworlds Alliance has offered assistance.

Uniforms

"Undress Blues" or "Military Undress" are permitted for work. Anything presentable can be worn, so this attire is dependent upon supply.

The Standard uniform of the Concord military is a red (ground forces) or dark blue (AeroSpace forces) tunic with silver (NCOs) or gold buttons (officers), black trousers, and black lapels. Oversized field caps (or forage caps) are worn by NCOs, which match the tunic. Officers (including all MechWarriors) and special forces are allowed black berets.

(Please note: The color scheme of the tunic changed. Circa 3025, infantry wore dark green, combat vehicle crews wore green, MechWarriors wore brown, navy wore sky blue, and support wore gray.)

The Standard Field uniform is a dull-red or burgundy fatigue uniform with rank insignia on their uniform lapels. Personal gear were designed along the lines of Davion and Liao models.

The TDF Dress uniform is a very practical modification of the standard uniform. The dress uniform merely adds a sash (silver for NCOs, gold for officers) displaying awards, and white gloves for officers, white leggings for NCOs. All soldiers are allowed black berets for their dress uniform. Concordat Marshals use gold shoulder lanyards to denote rank.

Colonel in full dress uniform
Marshal in full dress uniform
MechWarrior in duty uniform

Ranks

Their are six tiers within both Officer and Enlisted ranks. The title of each rank pays homage to those of eighteenth-nineteenth century Great Britain and France.^[1]^[15]

Rank	Insignia	Role
Enlisted Personnel
Recruit		Infantry trooper
Corporal		Infantry maniple commander; tank commander; junior specialist
Section Leader		Infantry squad commander; tank maniple commander; senior specialist
Force Sergeant		Platoon commander; tank lance commander; Aerospace Fighter pilot
Lance Sergeant		Assistant company commander; MechWarrior-in-training; air lance commander
Battalion Chief-Sergeant/Air Chief		senior battalion NCO; MechWarrior; flight commander
Officers (XO indicates executive officer, CO commanding officer)
Cornet/Ensign		Company CO; MechWarrior/'Mech lance CO (post-3065); Wing CO
Subaltern/Air Master, Junior Grade		Battalion CO; 'Mech company CO; air division XO
Brigadier/Air Master, Senior Grade		Regiment XO; 'Mech battalion CO; air division CO
Colonel/Space Master		Regiment CO; ship captain
Comptroller/Commodore		Multi-world force commander; 'Mech RCT CO; demi-squadron commander
Marshal (rank)		Corps commander

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 The Periphery, p. 74
↑ Field Manual: Periphery, p. 54
↑ Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 113
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 The Periphery, p. 71
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 105
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 ^6.6 ^6.7 The Periphery, p. 76
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 ^7.3 ^7.4 ^7.5 ^7.6 ^7.7 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 114
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 112
↑ Field Manual: Periphery, p. 51
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 The Periphery, ph 82-83
↑ Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 50, "Territorial State Troop Strength"
↑ Field Report: Periphery, p 12
↑ The Periphery, pp. 77, 81
↑ The Periphery, pp. 77, 81
↑ Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 112

Bibliography

[TP74-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 The Periphery, p. 74

[FMP54-2] Field Manual: Periphery, p. 54

[HMPS113-3] Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 113

[TP71-4] 4.0 ^4.1 The Periphery, p. 71

[TP105-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 105

[TP76-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 ^6.6 ^6.7 The Periphery, p. 76

[HMPS114-7] 7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 ^7.3 ^7.4 ^7.5 ^7.6 ^7.7 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 114

[HMPS112-8] 8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 112

[FMP51-9] Field Manual: Periphery, p. 51

[TP823-10] 10.0 ^10.1 The Periphery, ph 82-83

[11] Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 50, "Territorial State Troop Strength"

[12] Field Report: Periphery, p 12

[TPp77-13] The Periphery, pp. 77, 81

[P1Ep77.2B-14] The Periphery, pp. 77, 81

[HMPS-15] Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 112

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 {{Update Needed|[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]], [[Historical: Reunification War]]}}
-The '''Taurian Defense Force''' (or '''TDF''') is the military of the [[Taurian Concordat]].  The TDF is the largest, best trained, best motivated and best equipped known military in the Periphery or Deep Periphery (excluding the [[Clans]]).  However, the TDF still pales in comparison with Successor State militaries, especially with that of the neighboring [[Federated Suns]].  Indeed, Taurian history has put the Concord in a state of high alert (almost a state of paranoia).  The Taurians anticipate further depredations by the Federated Suns; if not prepared, the Taurians expect the forced annexation of the Concord begun in the [[Reunification War]] to be completed.
+The '''Taurian Defense Force''' (or '''TDF''') is the military of the [[Taurian Concordat]].  The TDF has traditionally been known for being the largest, best trained, best motivated and best equipped military in the [[Periphery]] or [[Deep Periphery]] (excluding the [[Clans]]).  However, the TDF still pales in comparison with [[Successor State]] militaries, especially with that of the neighboring [[Federated Suns]].  Indeed, a history of aggression (both real and imaged) by House Davion has put the Concord in a state of high alert (some would say a state of paranoia) for much of its existence, lest the forced annexation of the Concord begun in the [[Reunification War]] to be completed.  When the Concordat joined the [[Trinity Alliance]] in the latter part of the [[31st century]], the TDF's role expanded somewhat as, in exchange for advanced technology, it found itself helping the [[Capellan Confederation]] [[Capellan-St. Ives War|fight its wars]].
-==Overview==
+==Structure==
-The arrangement of the Taurian Defense Force is reminiscent to that of the Napoleonic armies, with a [[thirty-first century]] twist.  Ground TDF commands are divided into corps, and spread to garrison as much territory as possible.  The other branches of service are deployed as needed.  This includes the naval elements, which are attached to a particular corps and deployed as demi-squadrons (or half fleets).
+The actions of the TDF are ultimately controlled by the '''[[Protector of the Realm]]''', who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and is given the rank of Senior Marshal.  If the Protector lacks in military expertise however, the Protector may delegate another individual to serve as Senior Marshal.  In times of conflict, the Protector can invoke emergency powers which grants them greater authority to prosecute the war effort.<ref name=TP74>''The Periphery'', p. 74</ref><ref name=FMP54>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 54</ref><ref name=HMPS113>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 113</ref>  The work of carrying out the Protector's military policies falls to the '''Ministry of Defense''', which serves as an advisory board to the Protector and provides civilian control over the Taurian Defense Force.  Staffed with both civilian and military specialists, the department oversees everything from recruitment, to weapons research and development, to materiel acquisition.<ref name=TP71>''The Periphery'', p. 71</ref><ref name=TP105>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 105</ref>  Up through the years of the Succession Wars, the Ministry of Defense's primary mission was to maintain a constant vigil in the event of an invasion by outside powers,<ref name=TP71/> though after the Concordat's entry into the Trinity Alliance its focused shifted towards using Capellan assistance to revamp the armed forces and prosecuting the [[History of the Taurian Concordat#The Pleiades Campaign|defensive invasion of the Pleiades Cluster]].<ref name=TP105/>
-The Concord also has an extensive amount of special forces and paramilitary units.  These include [[Taurian Defense Force#Special Forces|Concord Constabulary]] (internal security and intelligence), the Taurian [[Taurian Defense Force#Special Forces|Special Asteroid and Support Force]] (a permanent, potent garrison left in the Hyades Cluster asteroid fields), and the [[Taurian Defense Force#Special Forces|Colonial Marshals]] (frontier peace-keepers).
+The Taurian Defense Force is divided into the following combat and support branches:
-Though formidable, the TDF is not a Successor State army - the great reduction of Taurian territory (and population and industry) following the [[Reunification War]] has pulled most of the fangs of the Taurian Defense Force.  The TDF is large by Periphery standards, but because of the large size of the Concord and distances between settlements, the TDF is spread thin.  Where once the TDF had more war materiel and personnel, losses incurred during the Reunification War have (in part) prevented re-mustering of the TDF.
+'''Concord Army''' - The Army consists of line [[BattleMech]], [[Combat Vehicle|armor]] and [[infantry]] regiments, as well as [[Mercenary]] units on long-term contract.<ref name=TP76>''The Periphery'', p. 76</ref><ref name=HMPS114>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 114</ref>  When necessary the Army is supplemented by the [[Concordat Constabulary]] as well as other irregular forces, including planetary militias, corporate security forces and noble family regiments.<ref name=HMPS112>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 112</ref> The Taurian [[Special Asteroid Support Force]] is an elite, all-volunteer special force regarded as the last line of defense in protecting [[Taurus]].
-Strategically, the Concordat cannot afford to conduct a defensive strategy similar to that used during the Reunification War.   During the Reunification War, The Concordat concentrated its defense on important worlds and leave others undefended.  After the Reunification War, nearly all of the remaining border worlds of the Taurian Concordat are vital to the Concordat's survival.  In the event of another Inner Sphere invasion, the TDF will be forced to withdraw again into the Hyades Cluster, or counterattack.  In the case of a counterattack, the already-weakened military industrial complex of the Taurian Concordat may not be able to cope.  Further, because the Taurian border worlds are of such high importance, the TDF maintains many static border deployments; a counterattack would not be possible without lowering the defenses of another, vital world.
+'''Concord Navy''' - The Navy consists of the TDF's [[DropShip|Dropships]] and [[JumpShip|Jumpships]] (and when available, [[WarShip]]s) when assigned to a Corps.  These assets are divided into fleets, with each fleet divided into two demi-squadrons.  Naval personnel are typically long-term volunteers, with officers generally serving four to seven years.  In case of invasion, the Navy is the first line of defense for the Concordat.<ref name=TP76/><ref name=HMPS114/>
-==Command Structure==
+'''AeroSpace Arm''' - The AeroSpace Arm is composed of the TDF's [[Aerospace Fighter]] force and maintains a large number of long-time volunteers.  Despite this low turn-over, the AeroSpace Arm has long been considered the weakest of the three combat branches, due to a lack of equipment and trained personnel.  During the [[31st century]], the TDF sought out [[Outworlds Alliance]] advisers to help modernize the AeroSpace Arm, which resulted in a gradual increase in competence and equipment.<ref name=TP76/><ref name=HMPS114/>
-Actions of the TDF are ultimately controlled by the '''[[Protector of the Realm]]''', who is the chief Taurian policy maker for both internal and external military and political affairs.  If the Protector lacks in military expertise, the Protector may delegate a Marshall.  The Taurian government maintains checks and balances, and as such, the Protector's policies are subject to advisor committees and judicial review.  In times of war, the Protector is allowed emergency powers which temporarily render the Protector's orders as absolute.
-In times of peace, the Protector is unofficially obliged to seek the advice of the '''Privy Council'''.  The Privy Council was formed from the heads of the leading families of the original Calderon expedition.  Council members come from all walks of life, and may attain this office by exceptional deeds, service, or political appointment by the Protector.  The Privy Council maintains expertise in many different fields, and convene monthly to make recommendations.  The Protector is NOT obligated to act upon these recommendations.
+'''Medical Division''' - The Medical Division provides medical attention to soldiers wounded in the field, with an emphasis on swift recovery and rehabilitation and the deployment of emergency medical technicians and surgical units at a moment's notice.  In [[3025]] the care the Medical Division provided was on par with their Inner Sphere counterparts.<ref name=TP76/>  Thanks to the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] providing aid through the Trinity Alliance, by [[3067]] the average Taurian soldier was receiving significantly better care than available in the Inner Sphere.<ref name=HMPS114/>
-The Protector's policies are enacted by a second "advisory" committee, the '''Ministry of Defense''', which only handles matters of defense.  The Ministry of Defense is staffed by civilians and military personnel, and acts as quartermaster, recruiter, and directs weapons research.  The primary responsibility of the Ministry of Defense is devising and (when required) enacting contingency plans, in the event of another Inner Sphere invasion.
+'''Transport and Service Division''' - The Transport and Services Division is responsible for transportation and recovery/repairs of men and material to battle areas.  All military Dropships and JumpShips are under the control of the Transport and Service Division, unless otherwise deployed with another division or corps.<ref name=TP76/><ref name=HMPS114/>
-==Organization==
+'''Administrative Corps''' - The arm of the '''Ministry of Defense''', the Administrative Corps is responsible for all administrative matters, including pay, record-keeping, promotion, and mercenary contracts.<ref name=TP76/><ref name=HMPS114/>
-===Branches===
+'''Propaganda Division''' - The Propaganda Division is tasked with disseminating information to maintain high morale within the TDF and counteracting negative rumors spread by instigators.<ref name=TP76/>  Funding increases starting in [[3062]] have allowed the Propaganda Division to provide informative updates on Protector Shraplen's new government policies and spread the good news about the TDF's victories in the Pleiades Campaign.<ref name=HMPS114/>
-'''Concord Army''' - The Army consists of line and mercenary [[BattleMech]] regiments.  BattleMech assets tend to be light to medium, with frequent heavy BattleMechs and rare assault BattleMechs.  BattleMech assets routinely practice in Special Task Groups; if not engaged during an invasion, STGs are trained to disengage, then strike at enemy supply lines and headquarters.  Though great in theory, it is unlikely the static defense employed by the Concord would be abandoned in time of invasion.  The Army also consists of line combat vehicle and infantry commands, which work well together, but when combined with BattleMech assets, quickly are relegated to cannon fodder.
+==Doctrine==
+One of the defining characteristics of the Taurian Defense Force is its fierce pride and fanatical devotion to defending the Concordat against outside aggression by any means the enemy makes necessary.  Having never been signatory to the [[Ares Conventions]], no quarter will be asked or expected by the TDF, and no "dirty trick" is above use in the defense of the homeland.  This includes even the deliberate targeting of enemy JumpShips operating as part of an invasion force.<ref name=FMP51>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 51</ref><ref name=HMPS112>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 112</ref>
-'''Concord Navy''' - The Navy (c. [[3025]]) consists of 117 [[DropShip|Dropships]] and [[JumpShip|Jumpships]].  These assets are divided into four fleets, and each fleet is divided into another 2 demi-squadrons assigned to a Marshal.  Naval personnel NCOs are typically long-term volunteers.  Naval officers generally serve 4-7 years.  In case of invasion, the Navy is the first line of defense.  This entails massing and assaulting an invasion force as far from the Hyades Cluster as possible; this is not the tactic used by the TDF during the [[Reunification War]].  All remaining vessels would be used for home world defense or strategic redeployment.
+Strategically, the Concordat cannot afford to conduct a defensive strategy similar to that used during the Reunification War, where it concentrated around defending its important worlds and was able to trade space for time.  With its shrunken size after the Reunification War, nearly all of the remaining border worlds of the Taurian Concordat are vital to the Concordat's survival, requiring the static deployment of its military forces as far forward as possible, leaving little strategic reserves.<ref name=TP823>''The Periphery'', ph 82-83</ref>  In the event of another Inner Sphere invasion, the TDF Navy would deploy to engage the enemy as far forward as possible (and sacrifice themselves if necessary) to blunt any advance on the [[Hyades Cluster]].  Ground forces not part of a permanent garrison would operate as Special Task Groups to conduct a variety of missions, launching local counter-attacks or raiding deep behind enemy lines to disrupt lines of communication.<ref name=TP76/><ref name=HMPS114/>  Eventually though the TDF would either be forced to withdraw again into the Hyades Cluster, surrendering many of its key industrial centers, or launch a desperate counterattack, with which its weakened military industrial complex may not be able to cope.<ref name=TP823>''The Periphery'', ph 82-83</ref>
-'''AeroSpace Arm''' - The AeroSpace Arm maintains a large number of long-time volunteers.  Despite this low turn-over, the AeroSpace Arm is weak, due to a lack of equipment and trained personnel.  Realizing its weakness, the AeroSpace Arm is used mainly in a supporting role, and is not deployed far from home.  Starting around [[3000]], [[Outworlds Alliance]] advisors have been helping modernize the AeroSpace Arm.
+The arrangement of the Taurian Defense Force is reminiscent to that of the Napoleonic armies, with a thirty-first century twist.  BattleMech regiments are organized into operational Corps, each under the command of a Marshal, with naval elements directly attached and answering to the corps commanders.<ref name=TP74/><ref name=HMPS112/>
-'''Medical Division''' - The Medical Division provides medical attention to soldiers wounded in the field.  This care is on par with that of the Inner Sphere.  Wounded soldiers are quickly retrieved from the field, either by other units in the field, or by emergency medical technicians.
-'''Transport and Service Division''' - The Transport and Services Division is responsible for transportation and recovery/repairs of men and material to battle areas.  All military [[DropShip|Dropships]] and [[Jumpship|JumpShips]] are under the control of the Transport and Service Division, unless otherwise deployed with another division or corps.
-'''Administrative Corps''' - The arm of the '''Ministry of Defense''', the Administrative Corps is responsible for all administrative matters, including pay, recordkeeping, promotion, and mercenary contracts.
-'''Propaganda Division''' - The Propaganda Division is tasked with disseminating information to maintain high morale within the TDF.
-===Special Forces===
-'''Concord Constabulary''' - The Concord Constabulary is a local peace-keeping and intelligence gather service.  In times of war, the Constabulary is also tasked with coordinating with planetary militias - providing 2-6 battalions (600 men each) of infantry and 1 company of armor (located in the capital) of each world.  Outside the Hyades Cluster, the Constabulary is also in charge of maintaining planetary defenses and fortifications, and maintains a specialist engineer company on each world.
-'''Taurian SASF''' - The Taurian [[Special Asteroid Support Force]] is a voluntary formation of soldiers trained in zero-gravity combat and the use of explosives and defense laser platforms, seeded throughout the Hyades asteroid field.  Chances of surviving combat for SASF troops is almost zero.
-'''Colonial Marshals''' - The Colonial Marshals were mustered and tasked with maintaining law and order, mainly by the [[Magistracy of Canopus]], but also somewhat by the Taurian Concordat.  Marshals act outside of the normal logistics lines for the TDF.  Similar to the Sheriffs of the nineteenth century United States "Old West", the Marshals were designated as "the law", especially in the [[New Colony Region]] (later the [[Fronc Reaches]]), maintaining peace through having the best equipment (and fasted hand).  Marshals patrol new colony worlds as individuals or small groups, and were utilized mainly for the determent of crime and piracy.
-'''Noble Family Regiments''' - In times of war, Taurian aristocrats are expected to raise and supply defense regiments (at their own expense).  During the [[Reunification War]], Taurian nobles raised ~20 units on worlds remaining in the Taurian Concordat.  Each of these regiments numbered 1,000-3,000 conventional troops.
+==Organization==
 *[[Taurian Concordat Assets|Taurian Concordat Assets]]
-==Units of the Taurian Defense Force==
 ===Deployment Status===
 In [[2750]] the TDF had a strength of 13 [[Regiments]] and 15 [[WarShips]]. As of [[2765]] they where well equipped with 21 [[Division]]s split in (78 conventional regiments, 115 'Mech regiments), and the naval fleet had a volume of 31 vessels.<ref>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 50, "Territorial State Troop Strength"</ref>
@@ Line 55: / Line 37: @@
 BattleMech units within the TDF are divided into separate Corps, each of which "coordinate" with more conventional assets:
-=== Active Corps ===
+==== Active Corps ====
 These corps are active as of [[3079]].<ref>''Field Report: Periphery'', p 12</ref>
-====Taurian Guards Corps====
+;Taurian Guards Corp
 {{main|Taurian Guards Corps}}
 {{:Taurian Guards Corps}}
-====I Corps====
+;I Corps
 {{main|I Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
 {{:I Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
-====III Corps====
+;III Corps
 {{main|III Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
 {{:III Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
-====V Corps====
+;V Corps
 {{main|V Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
 {{:V Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
-===Inactive Corps===
+==== Inactive Corps ====
 These are former corps, no longer active in the Taurian Defense Force.
-====II Corps====
+;II Corps
 {{main|II Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
 {{:II Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
-====IV Corps====
+;IV Corps
 {{main|IV Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
 {{:IV Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
-====VI Corps====
+;VI Corps
 {{main|VI Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
 {{:VI Corps (Taurian Concordat)}}
-====Taurian Volunteer Guard====
+;Taurian Volunteer Guard
 {{main|Taurian Volunteer Guard}}
@@ Line 133: / Line 115: @@
 The TDF '''Dress''' uniform is a very practical modification of the standard uniform.  The dress uniform merely adds a sash (silver for NCOs, gold for officers) displaying awards, and white gloves for officers, white leggings for NCOs.  All soldiers are allowed black berets for their dress uniform.  Concordat Marshals use gold shoulder lanyards to denote rank.
+<gallery>
+File:Taurian Concordat Colonel.jpg|Colonel in full dress uniform
+File:Peritcofficier.png|Marshal in full dress uniform
+File:Peritcmechwarrior.png|MechWarrior in duty uniform
+</gallery>
 ==Ranks==
@@ Line 171: / Line 159: @@
 | [[Marshal (rank)]]||[[Image:TaurianConcordat-Marshal.png|45x45px|center|link=Marshal_(rank)#Taurian_Defense_Force|Alt=TDF Marshal's rank insignia.]]||Corps commander
 |}
-==Gallery==
-<gallery>
-Image: Taurian Concordat Colonel.jpg|Taurian Concordat [[Colonel]] in his full dress uniform
-</gallery>

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