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Sioux Defense Forces: An In-Depth Study

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StavOnTheRun

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« Reply #15 on: <06-13-19/1247:33> »
I'm thinking that a small number of conventional, professional Brigades are stationed on the border with the UCAS. Say, 3 to 4, to perform the first strategic need: Show of force, morale-boosting, first contact with a UCAS offensive, and so on. Probably well-equipped, up to modern standards with tanks, APCS, artillery, the like. Inspiration from the aforementioned Finish Defense Forces (8 peacetime brigades, but most of them seem small in overall number of men.). Credit to Beta for that.

A territorial force, composed of larger numbers of relatively independent battalions and companies, would serve the second strategic need: COIN, securing the safe borders, and insurgent operations during a state of war with the UCAS. Probably less-well equipped, relying on small arms and man-portable systems.

Obviously the Wildcats fulfill the need of a special force.

Tecumseh

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« Reply #16 on: <06-13-19/1642:45> »
I think we're on the right path here.

That said, I think there's some room to be suboptimal. GloriousRuse's professional "this is what they should do" may not perfectly align with "here is what the Sioux are actually doing."

Shadows in Focus: Sioux Nation is pretty clear that the Sioux Nation takes the nationalism and the jingoism and dials them up to 11. That could easily lead to impractical and inefficient spending patterns that are unwise from the perspective of military strategy but are great politics. The book is clear how one-sided the cold war with the UCAS is, as the Sioux love to patrol the border and rattle their sabers while the UCAS yawns and mothballs their bases along the border (p. 21).

In that regard, I think it's supportable to propose a structure that's inefficient, or that includes armaments that Sioux really can't (or shouldn't) afford, all because it looks good to the voters, the majority of whom have been indoctrinated by their collective experiences in the Scouts and as conscripts in the Sioux Defense Force.

StavOnTheRun

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« Reply #17 on: <06-13-19/1754:17> »
Fair points all around.

As for armaments they cannot afford, I think that the Brigades on the border with the UCAS would be the focus in this area. It's the operational zone that is going to draw the most attention from both local and foreign media and therefore be the most visible. So, to put on a good show, they use the big dogs to wow the spectators. BAE Centurion tanks, Striker LAVs, Devil Rat APCs, Ares Alpha rifles, big-name drones, fancy artillery, the like, all of it awash in Sioux Nation flags and being toted and manned by tribespeople in high-tech armor. Oh, and they're all beautiful people, too, just for that added bit of flavor.

All the while, the forces on the border with UCAS are only a small fraction of the SDF's total manpower (Something like 20% or so) but take up a substantial percentage of their budget, forcing the majority of the SDF to make due with less developed equipment. Trucks instead of APCs, AK rifles instead of Ares Alphas, mortars instead of howitzers and rocket launchers.

Beta

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« Reply #18 on: <06-14-19/1802:27> »
When looking at some impractical spending, don't forget some overpriced and likely not overly useful air defenses around Cheyenne.  Probably a government bunker somewhere too?  (I mean, those sorts of things didn't work in Iraq in the 2000s, they aren't going to do much good in the 2050s, but they make people feel good and are visible symbols)

However the Sioux may get occaional good deals on weapon systems, since most likely they try to pull other NAN countries to improve their militaries, including investing in compatible weapon systems to make it easier to coordinate together.  Not that the rest of the NAN have great military budgets, but those ten fighter jet orders add up?

Stainless Steel Devil Rat

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« Reply #19 on: <06-14-19/1855:39> »
Streetpedia has a lot of info that'll be relevant to your project.

I didn't realize it was as recently as 2079 that GW threw everyone (including the Sioux and th test of the NAN) out of the FRFZ. Never mind whether the Sioux service academy was in Denver... There's a non-ball playing free city with a private army and the resources of a great dragon on what used to be one of the Sioux' quiet and secure frontiers.
RPG mechanics exist to give structure and consistency to the game world, true, but at the end of the day, you’re fighting dragons with algebra and random number generators.

StavOnTheRun

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« Reply #20 on: <06-14-19/2212:30> »
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 Component

The 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 Component
The 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 Statistics
Ground 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 Disposition
Northern 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 Contributions
Cherokee - 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 Armor
Pistol: 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 Armor
Pistol: 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.).

Rift_0f_Bladz

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« Reply #21 on: <06-16-19/1409:36> »
This seems much better for any kind of fight, traditional or guerrilla warfare against the UCAS. Better weapon spread, much better armor, for active front line at least. And majority of the Armed Force is equipped with decent weapons and armor. I like how you now take into account, Air, Drone/Matrix, and Magical Support. Spirits are one of the best ways to screw a small on foot team without proper gear or support.
Quote- Mirikon on 7/30/2019 at 08:26:51
Agreed. This looks like a 'training wheels' edition, that you can use to introduce someone to the setting, and then shift over to something like 5E or 4E. Like how D&D 5E is best used as training wheels for D&D 3.X.

Turned in Toxshaman for ¥1 million/4 once.

Stainless Steel Devil Rat

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« Reply #22 on: <06-16-19/1416:24> »
Streetpedia has another fun reference that's very relevant to this project: The Sioux military has more shamans than any other army on earth.  Not just by percentage, but by raw number.  Many serve keeping the Yellowstone anomaly in check.  That in turn sounds like a 3rd domestic priority for the SDF, in addition to/on top of meddling in the affairs of the rest of the NAN "for their own good".
RPG mechanics exist to give structure and consistency to the game world, true, but at the end of the day, you’re fighting dragons with algebra and random number generators.

StavOnTheRun

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« Reply #23 on: <06-16-19/1743:59> »
Regarding the number of shamans, I've been wondering what the best way to utilize them in the structure is. I initially imagined a Shaman or two attached to each unit headquarters (Say, 1 to each platoon, 1 or 2 to each company, 1 or 2 to each battalion), but I'm not sure if the final numbers accurately reflect the preponderance of awakened in the Sioux.

A Tribal Battalion under my most recent iteration (Not posted yet, work in progress) would have 12-15 Shamans out of a total of 500 men. Does that number seem too low?
« Last Edit: <06-16-19/1958:06> by StavOnTheRun »

Wakshaani

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« Reply #24 on: <06-17-19/0252:52> »
Regarding the number of shamans, I've been wondering what the best way to utilize them in the structure is. I initially imagined a Shaman or two attached to each unit headquarters (Say, 1 to each platoon, 1 or 2 to each company, 1 or 2 to each battalion), but I'm not sure if the final numbers accurately reflect the preponderance of awakened in the Sioux.

A Tribal Battalion under my most recent iteration (Not posted yet, work in progress) would have 12-15 Shamans out of a total of 500 men. Does that number seem too low?

Magicians are about 1 in 100,000 people, so, that's a number that'd be rather too high, I'd think. You'll also see more Adepts being used, Summoners behind the lines, Sorcerers near the front, PhysAds in special units, Apprentices (aka Shamanic Adepts) in special locations … Detection people near HQ, Healing people just behind the line, etc.

You could get away with one Adept per battalion, in the HQ section, and no one would grumble I'd think.

The big scare is the ritual casters, way back in safe territory, dropping massive spells powered by a dozen or so mages a couple hundred klicks away.

GloriousRuse

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« Reply #25 on: <07-15-19/1639:26> »
Regarding magic users:

They go up in value at the higher levels of war. Think of it this way:

Tactically, one of the 870 mages in the nation (assuming 1:100k, 8.7M pop) can cast a fireball. Or summon a spirit. Now your squad has something that explodes, or another person. Great, but you could just buy a grenade launcher and a tenth person.

Or he could make four tanks improved invisible. Which is something hard to replicate, and will definitely kill more yanks, but eventually they'll find and kill those tanks and him riding in them..

Kept back a bit, he can keep sending endless free waves of spirits at the enemy. They can do recon at near light speed, or serve as completely disposable and replaceable fighters. He can scout locally with no danger to himself. He can send his eyeball floating, with invisibility on it, and serve as an unseen magical artillery battery. But drones can do recon and hit things with missiles, and you could always just use artillery as artillery.

Kept back even further, he can summon a mega-spirit and tell it to go kill the enemy's political leaders or commanders, popping up massive threats in in the lightest defended areas, and he can keep doin it until he is eventually caught.

And then we get to ritual magic. "If you don't find these fifteen men, Manhattan goes beneath the waves. Sure you don't want to negotiate?"

---------------------

Now, thats the harsh view of "realism." But since players are, almost by definition, extraordinary outliers to the point of basically being cheating bastards, you may find that waht is "realistic" is not what is best for challenging the players. So you may up the magical presence at the low level just for the gameplay, regardless of it it makes canonical sense. Don't feel too bad about it either..if the players say "nuh-uh, they would never have two mages in a platoon! (while they rock a Magic 6 mage and 2 adepts ina gorup of 5)" you can juts let them know that the "realistic" solution to them would be to kill them with a 500 pound they never saw and never had a chance of seeing, from a drone floating 50,000 feet above them.




Stainless Steel Devil Rat

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« Reply #26 on: <07-15-19/1644:51> »
Military application of magic is probably most effective in recon and special operations... you know, the kinds of things that are similar to shadowruns.

Open battle is going to generate such a nasty background count that magic ceases to be a viable option before long.
RPG mechanics exist to give structure and consistency to the game world, true, but at the end of the day, you’re fighting dragons with algebra and random number generators.