Having integrated ideas put forth by you lovely people, here goes take 2.
Hope we're on to something here.
1. Sioux Defence Forces Overview
The Sioux Defence Forces constitute the combined arms formations of the Sioux Nation, dedicated to the protection of the homeland as well as to the training, assisting, and equipping of the other fraternal Native American Nations. The SDF is therefore primarily a defensive organization, focused on combating the most prominent threat to the Sioux Nation: The UCAS. Knowing full well that they cannot compete in a pure conventional war against this adversary, the SDF has a layered and hybrid strategy, relying on conventional, asymmetric, and special forces to make occupation of the Sioux Nation a literal hell for any long-term period.
The Sioux Nation is divided into five Operational Zones: North, East, South, West, and Central. Each Operational Zone has both Ground and Air Components assigned to them for general defense of the Sioux Nation and is led by an Operational Zone Commander. The Eastern OZ is considered to be the most prestigious because of its position on the border with the UCAS and it commands the lion’s share of the SDF military might.
The general strategy of the SDF in the face of UCAS aggression is to conduct fighting withdrawals to the western part of the nation, to use large numbers of small, independent formations as insurgents, and to carefully and precisely strike with conventional and special forces at key strategic areas while a Ghost Dance is organized by the Shamans of the Nation. The Ground Component of the SDF can thusly be broken into three wings: conventional, unconventional, and special. Mandatory conscription, a relatively large budget of 7.9% GDP, and a tenacious warrior-culture have made the Sioux Nation a regional power in North America and the most militarized of all the NAN.
Ground ComponentThe conventional Ground Component forces are primarily three large, well-equipped, and highly visible Combat Brigades stationed on the border with the UCAS. These include armored, mechanized, and artillery formations intended to perform the initial contact with a UCAS assault and delay them long enough for the reserves to be called up and the rest of the defensive strategy to be enacted. Any man or woman of any tribe my serve in them. The Combat Brigades are directly answerable to the Operational Zone Commander, thus following a typical military command structure, and approximately one-third of their manpower comes from selected conscripts.
The unconventional forces are composed of the vast majority of the Sioux Defense Forces personnel, organized into smaller Tribal Battalions. These formations are primarily conscripts or reserve personnel and carry little in the way of heavy weapons, instead relying on speed, surprise, and violence of action to attain success. They also perform COIN operations throughout the Nation and secure the relatively-safe borders with the AMC, the PCC, and the SSC. During a state of war with the UCAS, they will operate in both large and small scale insurgent operations against the occupation. The Tribal Battalions are mostly ethnically homogeneous in an attempt to increase esprit de corps and breed a ‘hometown heroes’ ethos. Sioux conscripts and reservists typically serve alongside tribal brethren from their own group or among those of ethnically related groups. They plan, coordinate, and execute operations with minimal oversight to allow them to function well in their envisioned insurgent role, but do answer to their Operational Zone Commanders for general readiness and performance.
The special forces are composed of less than 5% of the SDF personnel and are the legendary Wildcats. The Wildcats’ main function, aside from counter-terrorist and intelligence duties, is to be a deployable corps of the SDF and is utilized to train, assist, and equip the fraternal Nations for war. The Sioux Nation has an active interest in the well being of her Native neighbors and invests heavily to ensure their relative stability and security. In this, the Wildcats shine. Any man or woman of any tribe my serve in the Wildcats if they pass selection.
Air ComponentThe Air Component of the Sioux Defense Forces would be more accurately called an anti-air component. While the Sioux Nation does maintain a small amount of fighter aircraft and both attack and transport VTOLs, the Air Component is primarily organized around ground-based surface-to-air missile sites and interceptor drones. The Air Component is also considered to be a part of the conventional forces, and as such, is focused on combating aggression from the UCAS. Any man or woman of any tribe may serve in them. Selected conscripts account for about one-third of the manpower of the Air Component.
The Air Component has two Special Air Defense Brigades that exist outside of the Operational Zone structure. These two units defend Rapid City and Cheyenne and answer to the military leader of their respective cities. The remaining Air Defense Battalions and aircraft squadrons all answer to their respective Operational Zone Commanders.
SDF StatisticsGround Component: ~38,000 Active in 1 Wildcat Brigade, 3 Combat Brigades, and 48 Tribal Battalions.
Air Component: ~12,000 Active in 2 Special Air Defense Brigades, 6 Air Defense Battalions, 6 VTOL Squadrons, 4 Attack VTOL Squadrons, and 4 Fighter Squadrons.
Reserve Component: ~150,000 Reserve.
SDF DispositionNorthern OZ 8 Tribal Battalions, 1 Air Defense Battalion, 1 Transport VTOL Squadron.
Eastern OZ 16 Tribal Battalions, 2 Air Defense Battalions, 2 Transport VTOL Squadrons.
3 Combat Brigades, 4 Attack VTOL Squadrons, 4 Fighter Squadrons.
Southern OZ 8 Tribal Battalions, 1 Air Defense Battalion, 1 Transport VTOL Squadron.
Western OZ 8 Tribal Battalions, 1 Air Defense Battalion, 1 Transport VTOL Squadron.
Central OZ 8 Tribal Battalions, 1 Air Defense Battalion, 1 Transport VTOL Squadron.
SDF Tribal Battalion ContributionsCherokee - 10.
Sioux - 6.
Cheyenne - 5.
Creek and Navajo - 4 Each.
Crow - 3.
Woodlands (Mohawk, Mohegan, Mahican, Onondaga, Delaware, and Oneida) - 3.
Shoshone and Ojibwe - 2 Each.
Lumbee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, Arapaho, Apache, Hidatsa, Cree, Potawatomi - 1 Each.
2. Sioux Defense Forces Training
The training cycle for the Sioux Defence Forces really begins years before conscription. The Sioux Scouts is a youth paramilitary organization that almost everyone, including Anglo residents, is a part of. Starting at the age of six, Sioux Scouts are trained in basic survival skills, wilderness navigation, first aid, and other such useful skills. When a Sioux is conscripted and begins their service commitment, they are already a well-rounded recruit with a lot of training underneath their belt.
The first week is in-processing, followed by three weeks of primarily remedial instruction on important topics covered in the Sioux Scouts to ensure everyone is on the same page. The next two months are spent in physical training, education on strategy, tactics, small arms handling, and the military lifestyle. Then, the conscripts are sorted into a Ground Component training group and an Air Component Training group. The trainees are all assigned a specialty consistent with their abilities, and spend the next five months in training tailored to their specialty assignment. Regardless of their specialty, every conscript is expected to be competent in stealth, ambush tactics, escape-and-evasion, and long-term operational independence. Training culminates in a two-week period where a conscript must survive on their own in the Sioux wilderness with only their rucksack.
Once the eight-month training cycle is completed, the conscript is approved and spends the last four months of their service commitment in active duty. Once his year is completed, a conscript may elect to extend their active enlistment or proceed to the reserves, where they will remain for four years. If a conscript extends their enlistment, they may stay in their previously assigned unit, transfer to one of the conventional units, or apply to the Wildcats.
3. Sioux Defense Forces Equipment
SDF equipment must be properly understood in the context of the tripartite division of the armed forces. The conventional Combat Brigades are armed and equipped with high-tech, modern equipment that makes them on-par with many other armed forces across the world. Up-to-date armored combat vehicles, GPS guided artillery batteries, and individual weapons linked into PANs are standardized. Magical, matrix, and drone support are totally integrated to allow the Brigades to conduct full-spectrum warfare. The standard rifle is the FN HAR and combat troops are equipped with full body armor, smart-linked and chemsealed helmets,
The Independent Battalions, however, are armed in a somewhat more rugged manner. Since they lack heavy weapons, they rely mostly on small arms. Single-use anti-tank launchers, man-portable air defense launchers, mines, and mortars provide fire support for light infantry armed with less expensive AK-97s rifles, armored jackets and gas-masks. Magical, matrix, and drone support are integrated as well.
It is fair to say that the Wildcats have access to any weaponry and armor they desire, and the specific models used by them remain a mystery.
In addition to whatever arms and special gear they carry, all SDF troopers are expected to be relatively self-sufficient when it comes to equipment. Each one carries a good quality backpack with a survival kit, at least two liters of water, a combat knife, a tomahawk, a folding entrenching tool, an individual first aid kit, a weaponry cleaning kit, rain poncho, and whatever personal items they would want to carry with them.
Conventional Troops Standard Weaponry and ArmorPistol: Browning Ultra-Power.
SMG: Ingram Smartgun X.
Rifle: FN HAR.
LMG: Shiawase Arms Nemesis with Shock Pad, Bipod and 100-round belts.
Marksman Rifle: Cavalier Arms Crockett EBR with Suppressor and Bipod.
Armor: FBA with Chemseal and Helmet.
Tribal Battalion and Reserves Standard Weaponry and ArmorPistol: Colt America L36.
SMG: Cavalier Arms Gladius and Ceska Black Skorpion.
Rifle: AK-97.
LMG: AK-97 with Long Barrel, Bipod, Extended Magazines, and Shockpad.
Marksman Rifle: Ruger 101 with Suppressor and Bipod.
Armor: Armor Jacket with Securitech PP Arms, Helmet, and Rating 6 Respirator.
4. Sioux Defense Forces Unit Structure
SDF Combat Brigade (~3,200 Men.). Brigade Headquarters (300 Men.).
Support Battalion (500 Men.).
2 Tank Battalions (150 Men Each.).
2 Mechanized Battalions (600 Men Each.).
Artillery Battalion (300 Men.).
Engineer Battalion (300 Men.).
Magical Warfare Company (100 Men.).
Matrix Warfare Company (100 Men.).
Drone Warfare Company (100 Men.).
SDF Special Air Defense Brigade (~2,000 Men.). Brigade Headquarters (150 Men.).
Support Battalion (350 Men.).
Long-Range SAM Battery (150 Men, x6 Launchers.).
Medium-Range SAM Battalion (450 Men, x18 Launchers.).
Short-Range SAM Battalion (450 Men, x36 Launchers.).
Drone Interceptor Wing (450 Men, x72 Drones.).
SDF Wildcat Brigade (~2,000 Men.). Force Headquarters (200 Men.).
8 Wildcat Squadrons (225 Men Each.).
SDF Air Defense Battalion (~500 Men.). Battalion Headquarters (120 Men.).
Medium-Range SAM Battery (100 Men, x6 Launchers.).
Short-Range SAM Battery (100 Men, x12 Launchers.).
Drone Interceptor Squadron (90 Men, x24 Drones.).
Radar Company (90 Men.).
SDF Tribal Battalion (~400 Men.). Battalion Headquarters (90 Men.).
3 Light Infantry Companies (80 Men Each.).
Combat Support Company (70 Men.).
SDF Aircraft Squadron (~200 Men.). Squadron Headquarters (35 Men.).
Support Company (90 Men.).
3 Flights (25 Men, 6 Aircraft Each.).