The Republic of Texas Army

Jason Weiser, James Boschma, Bryn Monnery and D Hebditch

Introduction

Texas is defined by its position between its two powerful neighbors both of whom have historic claims to Texan territory.  Texas is immensely proud and protective of its independence and has a robust military. The cornerstone of its defense policy is a strong defense of Texan territory with powerful mobile forces, capable of stopping any Mexican invasion before a potentially sovereignty threatening American intervention. An organized volunteer reserve exists alongside a heavily armed civil population making any occupation of Texas a difficult proposition. 

Narrative

Sergeant Carter of the Texas Rifles stood at the border crossing point watching the traffic backed-up on both sides of the line. It was one of his duties to regularly come forward and check the deep hides concealed in houses overlooking the road. It was from these that men of the Rifles would report the progress of any Mexican invasion and call artillery strikes in upon them. The Mexicans would know they were there and hunt for them, it would be a bitter, bloody conflict at close quarters in which the Rifles would be heavily outnumbered. 

Carter always came up to the border during such trips in order to look on the real state of play between Mexico and Texas. The bustling border strip, the synergy that produced much of Texas’s wealth. The prospect of a border flare-up was now less likely than ever, but Texas would never relax her vigilance. Never again would they be ruled from the South, or from the North. 

Across on the other side of the line he caught a glimpse of a man in Mexican Army field uniform. Probably his opposite number in the special forces that would spearhead any intervention. A man who would probably lead the attempt to root out the Rifles from their positions. They held eye contact for a second and Carter raised his hand in acknowledgment. He felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. Tomorrow he was shipping out to the French Arm, part of a company of Rifles destined to fight on Aurore against the alien Kafers. At least that was the plan. 

Index

Organization
Order of Battle

Field Force
Citizens Reserve Force
Texas Corps of Volunteers
Key Unit Descriptions
Selected Unit Organization
Equipment

Uniforms
Small Arms and Light Support Weapons
Missile Systems
Armored Fighting Vehicles
Major Facilities
Character Generation and Role Playing

Organization

The Texan Army is divided into three main portions, the Field Force, the Citizen Reserve Force and the Corps of Volunteers. The Field Force is a Corps sized organization whose main force is two mechanized divisions and a number of supporting brigades. The Field Force is maintained at high levels of readiness and conducts regular exercises. The CRF is a mechanized force designed to supplement the field army, either as reinforcements or as a flank guard. The Corps of Volunteers is a lightly armed force that will hold the ‘Texan Redoubt’ against all-comers as well as providing the basis for a guerrilla forces. 

Texan defense policy revolves around the maintaining both a strong defense and the impression of neutrality between Mexico and America. The latter is difficult to maintain in practice as the pro-America lobby is heavily represented in the Army's higher echelons, although less prominent lower down the ranks, and Texas maintains its traditional distrust of Mexico's militarism. (However other elements of the Texan elite are equally distrustful of American meddling in Texan domestic politics and economy.) It should perhaps be noted that Mexican incursions (usually of patrol size) are far outnumbered by Mexican complaints about Texan incursions into Mexico.

There are two units of the Texan Army that deserve extra explanation. The first are the Patrol Battalions of the Texas Frontier Regiment (8th Texas), these are experienced but lightly equipped paramilitary soldiers whose job is to patrol the borders of Texas. The battalions on the border with Mexico also form a 'trip-wire' for the Field Force, although their isolated detachments are not expected to last long. The 4th Patrol Battalion provides a paramilitary presence on Texan colonial worlds reinforcing the Texas Rangers. 

The most famous Texan unit are the famed Texas Rifles, whose skills are such that that they are sometimes referred to erroneously as the 'Elite' Texas Rifles. More properly their title is the Brigade of Texas Rifles (2nd Texas) and they are composed entirely of professional soldiers. Its component units operate in several roles, an elite raiding battalion, long range recce companies, a nucleus of a guerrilla force and as the standing military force in the colonies. 

Below: Those personnel who have qualified as Texas Rifles are allowed to wear a qualification badge above the Texas national flash. Shown below in subdued version.

The Draft

Texas has a system of limited conscription that provides the bulk of the manpower for the armed forces. Each summer a draft is conducted of all the eligible 18 year olds. The Draft acts as a 'coming of age' in Texan society, after which the young person who has passed through it is considered a citizen and is entitled to vote. For the vast majority the Draft produces only a week long course on the values and responsibility of citizenship and an obligation to work unpaid for charities or local government. However before the Draft each young person can indicate if they would be willing to be conscripted into the military for a duration of between 2 or 3 years. The armed forces then reveal how much manpower they need and so people are drawn at random from the pool of applicants, usually the Draft is four times over-subscribed. 

At 21 the conscript becomes eligible to become a full-time soldier should they find soldiering to be their vocation, or passes into the Citizen Reserve Force. Similarly 21 year old non-draftees can volunteer to become regular soldiers, or reservists or volunteers, although they are very much in a minority in the Field Force. Although many armies have shied away from conscription it has proved very successful in Texas. It was the un-willingness of draftees to participate in the 2230 Coup that undermined that venture. Similarly the Draft brings in a constant stream of fresh ideas and attitudes in the services, widening support for the military in society at large and ensuring that it reflects the diversity of modern Texas.

Language 

The Republic of Texas Army is officially bilingual, as is the Texan nation as a whole. However it is traditional for the army's units to be named in either English or Spanish depending on which community it was originally drawn from. In practice however this has no bearing on what language day-to-day business is conducted in and English, Spanish or Texan argot will be heard on a daily basis in most units. In some political circles the perceived primacy of English has become a political football, as it is taken to mean that Texas is leaning more towards America than maintaining neutrality between the two nations.

Culture

The Army has its roots in the Texan Liberation Army and the National Guard units that deserted the Mexican Army at the end of the 21st Centrury. In the aftermath of the 2nd Mexican-American War with Texas re-established as an independent state these forces had to be re-organized as a proper national army. Although aided by American units in their struggle, many Texan commanders were unimpressed by the performance of some individual US battalions in action. 

Consequently the Texan Military Committee set out to combine American excellence in higher formation command and control with more consistent performance at battalion levels and below. Eventually a Commonwealth Military Advisory Team, composed of Canadian, British and Australian soldiers, was set up to advise in the organization and training of forming battalions. Over the course of 5 years elements of these military's system combined with Texas' unique character to produce the roots of the system still used today. 

What it produced was an NCO biased organisation at company level with a simple ranking system, where noncom soldiers would remain with the same battalion, or at least in the same regiment, when ever possible. The military coup of 2230, sparked by a cabal of pro-Mexican regimental officers, led to a modification of the system and currently officers will rarely serve with the same unit twice in their career. 

To help foster the identity of the new Texan units, old (occasionally tenuous) affiliations to old US Army units would be revived. Over-riding all was a sense of Texan national identity, which helped ease the American-Mexican splits then prevalent in Texan society. This has remained to this day. 

At the brigade, divisional and force level the Texan Army still follows the system then in use in the US Army. Today the staff of these higher formations are very well versed in their war roles. However a group of younger officers is questioning the current Texan Army doctrine, believing that the system has become far too obvious and 'by the book'. Or in the words of one Colonel; 'We've been doing the same damn thing for the last 200 years. I don't think we're going to surprise the Mexicans any.'

Order of Battle

Texas Field Force [HQ: RTA Sam Houston, San Antonio]

The Field Force is the backbone of the Texan Army. Highly mobile, well drilled in its defensive tasks and manned by the cream of Texan youth. On exercise with the US Army it has usually impressed its northern neighbor with its skills and dash. However the Field Force is very focused on its single mission and most observers are unsure of how it would perform taking on other tasks. 

The Field Force would typically deploy from its barracks under the covering action of the 124th Cavalry Brigade. The 1st and 2nd Mechanized Divisions would then take on the battle trying to slow any Mexican incursion. The well equipped 49th Armored Brigade would be available to support either division or launch its own counter attacks. The Republic of Texas Air Force provides the 1st Aviation Brigade as a highly mobile anti-armor force.

49th Texas Armored Brigade [Ramirez Training Annex, RTA Mabry, Austin]

        1-112th Texas Armored Regiment 
        2-112th  Texas Armored Regiment 
        1-The Alamo Regiment (141st) 
        2-The Alamo Regiment (141st) 
        3-1st Texas Artillery (133rd) 
        Troop M, 4th Texas Cavalry  
        49th Support Battalion 

124th Texas Cavalry Brigade [RTA Bliss, El Paso]

        1-124º Regimiento de Caballería de Texas (Regimiento de los Coyoteros) 
        2-124th Texas Cavalry (The West Texas Scouts) 
        3-124th Texas Cavalry (The Yellow Rose Dragoons) 
        3-149th Aviation (Attack) 
        124th Support Squadron 

1st Texas Mechanized Infantry Division [RTA Hood, Killeen]

    1ª Brigada de Infantería Mecanizada de Texas
        3-112º Regimiento Blindado de Texas 
        1-7º Regimiento de Texas (142º) 
        2-7º Regimiento de Texas (142º) 
    36th Texas Mechanized Infantry Brigade
        4-112th Texas Armored Regiment 
        1-3rd Texas Regiment (143rd) 
        2-3rd Texas Regiment (143rd) 
    56th Texas Armored Brigade
        1-3rd Texas Armored Regiment 
        2-3rd Texas Armored Regiment 
        1-6th Texas Regiment (Saint Patrick's Regiment) 
    1st Engineer Bde
        1-111th Combat Engineers 
        2-111th Combat Engineers 
    Divisional Artillery Brigade
        1-1st Texas Artillery (133rd) 
        2-1st Texas Artillery (The Dallas Artillery) (133rd) 
        1-2º Regimiento de Artillería de Texas (Artillería de Gonzales) (131º) 
        2-2º Regimiento de Artillería de Texas (131º) 
    Divisional Suppot Command
        236th Support Battalion 
        301º Batallón de Logístico 
        456th Support Battalion 
        601st Support Battalion (Main) 
    1-4th Texas Cavalry (The Texas Mounted Riflemen)
    1-443º Regimiento de Artillería Antiaérea
    1st Independent Company, The Brigade of Texas Rifles
    1st Military Police Company
    1st Military Intelligence Battalion
    701st Signal Battalion

2nd Texas Mechanized Division [RTA Laughlin, Del Rio]

    2nd Texas Armored Brigade
        1-5th Texas Armored Regiment 
        2-5th Texas Armored Regiment 
        2-6º Regimiento de Texas (Regimiento de San Patrico) 
    71ª Brigada de Infantería Mecanizada de Texas
        3-5º Regimiento Blindado de Texas 
        1-4º Regimiento de Texas 
        2-4º Regimiento de Texas 
    72nd Texas Mechanized Infantry Brigade
        3-3rd Texas Armored Regiment 
        1-5th Texas Regiment 
        2-5th Texas Regiment 
    2ª Brigada de Zapadores
        1-386º Regimiento de Zapadores 
        2-386º Regimiento de Zapadores 
    Divisional Artillery Brigade
        1-3rd Texas Horse Artillery (132nd) 
        2-3rd Texas Horse Artillery(132nd) 
        3-3rd Texas Horse Artillery (132nd) 
        3-2º Regimiento de Artillería de Texas (131º) 
    Divisional Support Command
        71º Batallón de Logístico 
        272nd Support Battalion 
        302nd Support Battalion 
        402nd Support Battalion (Main) 
    2-4º Caballería de Texas (Regimiento de Rio Brazos)
    2-443º Regimiento de Artillería Antiaérea
    2nd Independent Company, The Brigade of Texas Rifles
    2nd Military Police Company
    11th Military Intelligence Company
    27th Signal Battalion

1st Texas Aviation Brigade [Lackland Training Annex, Camp Sam Houston]

        1-149th Aviation (Attack) 
        2-149th Aviation (Attack) 
        4-149th Aviation (Medium Transport) 
        5-149th Aviation (Medium Transport) 
        349th Forward Support Battalion (Aviation) 
        449th Forward Support Battalion (Aviation) 

The Brigade of Texas Rifles (2nd Texas) [HQ: MacRae Barracks, San Antonio]

        1st Texas Rifles Battalion [O'Neil Barracks, Camp Mabry, Austin] 
        2nd Texas Rifles Battalion (The Eridani Rifles) [Eridani Barracks, Heidelsheimat] 
        3rd Texas Rifles Battalion [Austin Barracks, Austin's World]
        5th Texas Rifles Battalion (Citizens' Reserve Force) [HQ: MacRae Barracks] 
        1st Ind. Company (attached to 1st Mech Division) [Washington Barracks, RTA Hood] 
        2nd Ind. Company (attached to 2nd Mech Division) [Suarez Barracks, Camp Laughlin] 
        3rd Ind. Company (attached to Republic Navy) [Nguyen Barracks, Port Ingleside, Corpus Christy] 
        4th Ind. Company (composite unit) [Kimanjano] 

Texas Frontier Regiment (8th Texas) [HQ: RTA Bliss, El Paso]

        1st Patrol Battalion [Northern District]
        3rd Patrol Battalion [Southern District]
        4th Patrol Battalion [Colonial District/HQ: Heidelsheimat] 
        5th Patrol Battalion [Western District]
        6th Patrol Battalion [Southern District]

Training Command [HQ: Lackland Field Training Annex]

        2nd Patrol Battalion, Texas Frontier Regiment [RTA Bliss, El Paso]
        4th Texas Rifles Battalion, Brigade of Texas Rifles [MacRae Barracks, San Antonio]
        144th Training Regiment [Lackland Field Training Annex, San Antonio]

Citizens Reserve Force

The CRF is composed of ex-draftees fulfilling their reserve commitment and non-draftee volunteers. It's soldiers are older than those of the Field Force, but better paid. Consequently it is one of the more effective reserve forces in the western world with excellent readiness levels. Its three Mechanized Brigades are slated to either reinforce the two Mechanized Divisions or operate in an independent role. The 29th Cavalry Brigade trains to cover the flank of the Field Force on operations in western Texas. 

26th Texas Mechanized Infantry Brigade
        3-636th Texas Reserve Armored Regiment 
        1-11th Texas Regiment 
        2-11th Texas Regiment 
        3-11th Texas Regiment 
        Troop I, 6th Texas Cavalry 
        1-4th Texas Artillery 
        26th Support Battalion 

27th Texas Mechanized Infantry Brigade
        2-636th Texas Reserve Armored Regiment
        1-10th Texas Regiment 
        2-10th Texas Regiment 
        3-10th Texas Regiment 
        Troop L, 6th Texas Cavalry 
        2-4th Texas Artillery 
        27th Support Battalion 

28ª Brigada de Infantería Mecanizada de Texas
        4-636º Regimiento Blindado de Reserva de Texas 
        1-9º Regimiento de Texas 
        2-9º Regimiento de Texas 
        3-9º Regimiento de Texas 
        Grupo J, 6º Regimiento de Caballería de Texas 
        3-4º Regimiento de Artillería de Texas 
        28th Support Battalion 

29th Texas Cavalry Brigade
        1-636th Texas Reserve Armored Regiment 
        1-6th Texas Cavalry (The Ragged Sixth) 
        2-6th Texas Cavalry (The Texarkana Partisan Scouts) 
        4-11th Texas Regiment 
        4-4th Texas Artillery 
        29th Support Squadron 

30th Texas Infantry Brigade (Joint CRF/Corps of Volunteers Unit) [HQ: Heidelsheimat]
        1-13th Texas Regiment (Citizens Reserve Force) [Heidelsheimat]
        2-13th Texas Regiment (Citizens Reserve Force) [Austin's World]
        12th Texas Volunteer Battalion (Texas Corps of Volunteers) [Heidelsheimat]
        13th Texas Volunteer Battalion (Texas Corps of Volunteers) [Austins World]
        14º Batallón Voluntario de Texas (Texas Corps of Volunteers) [82 Eridani]

Below: The shoulder flash of the 636th Texas Reserve Armored Regiment that provides the CRF's armored battalions. It reflects the regiment's service as a tank destroyer unit in WW2.

Texas Corps of Volunteers (12th Texas)

The Corps of Volunteers holds a unique place in Texan society, as it was the volunteers who were mainly responsible for the defeat of the 2230 Coup whilst the volunteer tradition has been responsible for Texas's Independence. The Volunteers has some times been described as a mere 'shooting and drinking club' and there is some justification in this, as only as a member of the Volunteers can citizens own certain classes of weapons. Relatively poorly paid and lightly equipped the Volunteers are nevertheless very popular, although their combat efficiency is hard to gauge. Their role is defensive urban warfare, holding the 'Texan Redoubt'. 

        City of Austin Volunteers (1st Volunteers) 
        2º Batallón Voluntario de Texas (Partisanos y Comandos de Brownsville) 
        3rd Texas Volunteer Battalion (The East Texas Panthers) 
        4th Texas Volunteer Battalion (The Liberty and Equality Volunteers) 
        5º Batallón Voluntario de Texas (Regimiento de Comando "5º Marzo") 
        6º Batallón Voluntario de Texas (Partisanos de El Paso) 
        7th Texas Volunteer Battalion (The Dallas-Ft. Worth Volunteers) 
        8th Texas Volunteer Battalion (Alamo Scouts and The Russian Volunteers) 
        9th Texas Volunteer Battalion (The Houston Fenians) 
        10th Texas Volunteer Battalion (Port Arthur Viet Rangers) 
        11th Texas Volunteer Battalion (Waco Mounted Partisan Riflemen) 
 

Key Unit Descriptions

49th Texas Armored Brigade

Taking on the traditions of the 49th Division this brigade has something of a mixed success. During the Twilight War a Division stripped of its equipment and trained personnel was unable to stop the Mexican-Soviet invasion of Texas. Latter as the 49ª Brigada (Mecanizo) in the Mexican Army it was one of the last Texan units to come across to the cause of Texan Independence. Although when it did its impact was pivotal in the success of the campaign. 

Today the Brigade is an independent unit of the Field Force. It has the lowest proportion of draftees in its ranks of any conventional unit and is designed to operate as a fire brigade alongside the Mechanized Divisions and launch counter-attacks at the appropriate moments. It is currently re-equipping with Brazilian made AC-12's and other equipment. 

124th Texas Cavalry Brigade

The 124th Cavalry Brigade is the covering and reconnaissance force for the Field Force and is held at the highest level of readiness. It's main strength is in three squadrons of cavalry equipped with M9 hovertanks and M24T5 reconnaissance vehicles and with strong artillery support. The brigade's role is to identify likely enemy avenues of approach and channel the enemy into immediate killing areas and attack logistics choke points inside Mexico. Once it has passed the battle on to the mechanized divisions it will reform and regenerate its combat power in reserve.

1st & 2nd Texas Mechanized Infantry Divisions

The two 'Tex Mech' Divisions provide the Field Force with its main fighting power. They are fully manned divisions provided with very strong integral support. Each division has two mechanized infantry brigades and a single armoured brigade supported by four battalions of divisional artillery. Reconnaissance for the unit is provided by a squadron of cavalry and a company of Texas Rifles in the long range recon and stay-behind role. There is also strong engineer and logistics support. 

The divisions are equipped with somewhat aging American AFV's which have been modified locally but have increasing maintenance difficulties. The soldiers of the divisions are mostly young Texan draftees, who are well trained in their roles and with excellent morale helped by they high regard they are held in by general Texan society. The Tex Mech Divisions are excellently drilled to engage their likely Mexican enemy and know the ground they will fight over very well. 

1st Texas Rifles Battalion

This battalion is trained as the Texas Army's crack raiding force. The Rifles have their own punishing training scheme (run by the 4th Battalion) in addition to any previous military training done by the potential rifleman. Once completed it is normal for the regular rifleman to be assigned to the 1st Battalion for a tour, before moving on to one of the off-world battalions or an independent company. The 1st Battalion is one of the more traveled units in the Texas Army and trains regularly with overseas forces, such as US Rangers, Canadian SSF and British Royal Marines. 

The 1st Battalion is a raiding force which is likely to operate in company sized forces to strike out at Texas' enemies deep in their own lands. It trains to deploy by sea or air, whilst also retaining a capability to operate in light hover vehicles on land. The Rifles can also be called in to support Texas Rangers' Special Operations Unit although is not trained to conduct hostage rescue which is the SOU's responsibility. It consists of three company groups with a small battalion HQ.

Below: High visibility shoulder flash for the 1st Texas Rifles Battalion. Also available in a subdued version.

3rd Independent Company, Texas Rifles

The 3rd Independent Company is little known, even inside the Texan Army. It's role is to provide ground military support to the Republic of Texas Navy, and its media profile is usually limited to the occasional boarding action in support of the Coast Guard. In reality though 3rd Company is a maritime special forces organization trained for insertion deep inside Mexican territory. Rumors persist of Texan support for Mexican anti-government forces in the Caribbean islands and Belize being routed through this unit. 

4th Independent Company, Texas Rifles

Whereas the 3rd Company is virtually unknown the 4th Company has a very high profile. Organized in the summer of 2300 the company was composed from volunteers from across the Brigade of Rifles and was intended to become Texas' commitment to the survival of the colony of Tanstaafl, fighting for its life against the alien Kafers, which had a large number of ex-patriot Texans. With near blanket coverage in the Texan media the company set off accompanying a much larger US Marine force. 

Unfortunately the company found itself caught up in the Kafer invasion of the Franco-Azanian colony of Kimanjano. The 4th Company started to operate in its classic role of raiding key points and supporting guerrilla forces. However the unit was misused by its American commanders during the Battle of Nouvelle Vendee and asked to hold ground with guerrilla forces against Kafer mechanized forces. The resulting Battle of Armstrong's Mountain has already passed into Texan military legend as a mini-Alamo. Unfortunately it also devastated the company, most of the survivors remained on-world working with the resistance movement and only the wounded were evacuated. 

Since the Liberation of Kimanjano most survivors of the company have been withdrawn to Earth to serve as cadre in the 4th Texas Rifles (the unit from which most were initially drawn), and help establish a Kafer-warfare training program for the Rifles and other elements of the RTA the company has been.  A small number of volunteers were assigned to the Texas Rifles platoon attached to Task Force Alamo which deployed to Aurore in 2303.

Task Force Alamo

The follow-on force to the 4th Independent Company, Brigade of Texas Rifles, Task Force Alamo is a reinforced battalion task force built around 1st Battalion, the Alamo Regiment.  The unit consists of companies A and B from the Alamo Regiment, plus the battalion Headquarters Company and Combat Support Company (minus the battalion scout platoon), augmented by an AC-12-equipped tank company (D/2-112th Texas Armored Regiment), a cavalry troop (K/1-124th Texas Cavalry), an Engineer Company (A/1-111th Engineers), a reinforced platoon of Texas Rifles (1st Platoon, 1st Independent Company), an air defense platoon (2/A/1-443º Regimiento de Artillería Antiaérea) and a large composite support company drawn from the 49th Support Battalion.

Technically part of the United States Marine Corps command deployed to Tanstaafl, TF Alamo is based at Camp William B. Travis outside the ruins of the town of Worththetrip (the base is known informally among the troops as "Not Really"), and currently tasked with providing mobile, armored support to Tanstaafl militia and Free Legion forces operating in the northern portion of the colony, as well as providing humanitarian assistance.  It is planned for the Task Force to transition to conducting independent operations as personnel become acclimated to Auroran conditions and gain some experience fighting Kafer forces on the planet.


 

Selected Unit Organisation

Circa 2303, the RTA is in the process of reforming its basic organization, which has changed very little since the 2nd Revolution, under new tables of organization and equipment collectively known as "Lonestar Warrior 24."  It is hoped that the reforms will help bring the RTA more in line with international military thinking, and also improve the RTA's ability to carry out missions beyond the perennial one of staring down the threat of Mexican aggression.  Unfortunately, the transition program has been put on hold by the Kafer War, both due to suspension of French export of the AC-12 hovertank and because the first units scheduled for transition, 1st Battalion of the Alamo Regiment and 1-112th Texas Armored Regiment, were tapped to provide forces for Task Force Alamo, deployed to Aurore. Current RTA plans are to begin transition in 2305, by which time it is hoped that military procurement will be back on track (probably using Brazilian manufactured AC-12s).

In the interim, the RTA continues to soldier on with fairly archaic battalion organizations, centered on "pure" battalions which cross-attach units to form combined arms task forces during operations.  This practice works quite well, if somewhat inflexibly, in the context of territorial defense missions, as many Task Forces have enjoyed a de facto existence for decades.

Heavy Battalion (Armored and Mechanized Infantry)

Both armored and mechanized infantry battalions in the RTA are built around nearly identical Headquarters and Combat Support Companies, plus three maneuver companies (tank or mechanized rifle companies, respectively).  During operations, heavy battalions almost always cross-attach manuever companies to form combined arms task forces containing both armor and infantry (as noted above, many of these task forces are more or less permanent); depending on mission, additional assets from the parent brigade or division may also be attached to a battalion as needed.

Besides containing the battalion headquarters itself, the Headquarters Company is primarily composed of combat service support assets, including a Medical Treatment Platoon, a Maintenance Platoon, a Support and Transportation Platoon, and a Communications and Signals Security (CS2) Platoon.  The headquarters section itself consists of a pair of fighting vehicles (either hovertanks or M24T3 hover APCs, depending on unit type) and four M243 Tactical Operations Centers, invariably accompanied by the CS2 Platoon's pair of M241 Communication and ECM vehicles.  The Medical Platoon is divided into a Treatment Squad (equipped with an M248T2 armored surgical vehicle and an M247 armored ambulance carrying the rest of the section and equipment to establish a static battalion aid station) and an Ambulance Squad with four M247 armored ambulances, each with a three man crew (driver, medical specialist, and vehicle commander/senior medic).  The remaining two platoons (maintenance and transportation) are equipped with various soft-skinned transports and M760 armored utility hovercraft.

The Combat Support Company controls the battalion Scout Platoon, Mortar Platoon, and Air Defense Platoon.  The battalion Scout Platoon consists of thirty personnel mounted on four M24T3s and two tanks (type depending on unit, see below), typically operating in two sections each of two APCs and one tank.  The Mortar Platoon is a substantial organization with eight M761 armored mortar carriers, four M760 armored utility transports, and one M243 TOC.  The Air Defense Platoon consists of six M24T5 air defense vehicles, which typically operate in  sections of two vehicles.

The armored battalion's three tank companies are each composed of thirteen tanks divided into three platoons of four tanks (plus the commander's tank), an M24T4 command post vehicle (used by the company executive officer and the small company staff), plus a pair of M760 transports used by the company sergeant major and supply sergeant.  Tanks are either AC-12s (in the 49th Armored Brigade) or one of the two versions of the American M9 used by the RTA (M9T3s in active units, M9T1s in reserve units).

Mechanized rifle companies are made up of fourteen M24 vehicles (twelve M24T3s and two M24T4s), an M243 TOC, and two M760s, again divided into a headquarters (both M24T4s, the M243 and the M760s), and three mechanized rifle platoons.  Besides the combat power provided by the rifle platoons, the company headquarters includes a four man sniper section (two teams of two, each armed with an SR-96 or FC-5 sniper rifles and an M7A1 special operations assault carbine) for precision fire and reconnaissance support.

Standard mechanized platoon organization is four vehicles, split into a headquarters squad and three rifle squads, each carried on an M24 HIFV.  The Headquarters Squad consists of the platoon leader (acting as vehicle commander) and the other two M24 crewmen, plus two anti-armor teams (each of two men with a M67 Hammerhead ATGM launcher and two T-5 carbines), a medical specialist, a communications and signals security specialist, a forward observer, and the headquarters squad leader, who acts as vehicle commander when the platoon leader is dismounted.  Rifle squads, are made up of thirteen men, including a three man vehicle crew (with the squad leader or assistant squad leader commanding the vehicle, depending on the tactical situation).  The dismount section consists of the squad leader (or assistant squad leader) and three three-man fireteams, each led by a PFC and armed with two M5s and a Mk.2-A2 PGMP; doctrine has the squad leader armed with a Luce-7B laser rifle for sharp shooting and target designation, though the laser rifle is sometimes carried by another soldier, or replaced with another M5.

Under the provisions of Lonestar Warrior 24, heavy battalion organization will change substantially.  Most notably, the Combat Support Company is split into two seperate company-sized formations, a Support Company with a Scout Platoon, a UAV platoon, and a Combat Engineer Platoon, and a Fire Support Battery (consisting of a Multiple Rocket Launcher platoon with four M386 hover MRLs, a Mortar Platoon with six M761 mortar carriers, and the battalion Air Defense Platoon).  While manuever company organization will remain "pure," each armored battalion will replace on tank company with a mechanized rifle company (with mech rifle battalions reversing the format).  Note also that under LSW 24, infantry squad size also decreases from ten men to seven (involving the elimination of one fire team), to compensate for the enlargement of the battalion's support formations and other manpower increases within the LSW 24 division.

Patrol Battalion, Texas Frontier Regiment

The Texas Frontier Regiment (8th Texas) is tasked with day-to-day patrolling along the Texas-Mexican border (aided in some cases by other RTA formations or personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety) and, in the event of war, would provide an initial (albeit light) covering and delaying force.  Each battalion consists of a Headquarters Company (equipped with assets similar to those for a Heavy Battalion HQ Company, though all transports are wheeled or hover soft-skinned vehicles), three Patrol Companies, and a Rifle Company.  One unique feature of the Patrol Battalion's Headquarters Company is a full military intelligence platoon, including a twelve-man counter-intellience section which is tasked with HUMINT collection in the border area (in the 4th Patrol Battalion, tasked with colonial service, the MI platoon is replaced with a UAV platoon, however), and a combat engineer platoon whose wartime mission includes mining operations and demolition of bridges and other key features in the border security zone.

Patrol companies are equipped with various soft-skinned transports (either wheeled or light hovercraft), and are tasked with mobile surveillance operations and presence patrols along the border.  Each company is made up of a small Headquarters section (four range trucks and three heavy trucks), a weapons platoon, and three patrol platoons.  The weapons platoon, with nine range trucks, is divided into an Air Defense section (four vehicles, twelve men, and four Stilletto or Cottonmouth surface to air missile launchers) and a mortar section (three vehicles, including one ammunition carrier; ten men; and two 80mm mortars), with the remaining two vehicles being used by the platoon leader and platoon sergeant.  Patrol platoons are divided into two patrol sections (each with three vehicles and twelve men), typically led by the platoon leader and a section sergeant, and an anti-tank section, led by the platoon sergeant, made up of two Stingers equipped with M31A1 launcher units for the Striker anti-vehicle missile.  Patrol sections are armed with one M99A1 light machinegun, one Mk.2-A2 plasma gun, one Luce-7B laser rifle, and nine M5 binary assault rifles, while the other elements of the patrol company are armed with T-5 personal defense carbines.

Usually one patrol company in each battalion is equipped with Houston Motors Road Runner light tactical hovercraft, while the remaining two companies employ Rangestar Stinger wheeled light-armored cars.  The exception to this rule is the 4th Battalion, stationed on Rho Eridani, which is equipped throughout with hovercraft (4th Battalion's rifle company also trains extensively for maritime operations aboard various ships and boats operated by the Republic Navy).

The battalion's single rifle company is composed of a company headquarters (identical to a patrol company's headquarters, plus a transport section of nine heavy trucks to transport the rifle platoons), a weapons platoons, and three rifle platoons.  The weapons platoon is identical to that found in a patrol company.  Rifle platoons are made up of a small headquarters element (platoon leader, platoon sergeant, and a communications specialist -- typically augmented by a medic from battalion and, possibly, a forward observer or counter-intelligence team); a weapons squad with eleven men, three Mk.2-A2 plasma guns and two M67 ATGMs; and three rifle squads, each of seven men equipped with two M99 machineguns and five M5 binary assault rifles.

During typical peacetime operations, a Patrol Battalion will operate in a dispersed fashion, with patrol companies or detachments thereof making sweeps of rural areas, while the rifle company (or, again, detachments from it) patrol urban areas or other close terrain.  Though border crossing points are under the control of civilian law enforcement personnel from the Texas DPS, it is common for a platoon or squad from the battalion's rifle company (or, sometimes, the engineer platoon) to be stationed in the vicinity of the crossing as a reaction force, particularly when tensions are running high with the Mexican government.  Note also that Patrol Battalions train for and can be deployed in response to civil disturbance situations and during such events may be equipped with various less than lethal weapons in lieu of or in addition to their authorized small arms.

1st Texas Rifles

Serving as the RTA's dedicated raiding and strategic/special direct action force, the 1st Texas Rifles are organized into a Headquarters Company and four Rifle Companies.  The HQ Company is an austere organization primarily tasked with adminstrative support and mission planning for Rifle Companies, though it does include a large and lavishly equipped communications section.

Rifle Companies are organized into a headquarters platoon, three rifle platoons, and a weapons platoon.  Each rifle platoon consists of a small headquarters element (platoon leader, platoon sergeant, CS2 specialist, and a permanently assigned medic and fire support specialist), a six man plasma gun section (equipped with three Mk.2-A2 PGMPs and three M7A1 special operations assault carbines), and three ten-man squads (broken down into three fireteams) armed with six M5 assault rifles, three M99 light machineguns, and one Luce-7B laser rifle.  Weapons platoons consist of a sniper section (three two-man teams, each with an SR-96 gauss rifle and an M7A1 carbine), an anti-armor section (nine men with three M67 Hammerhead ATGM launchers and nine M7A1 carbines), an air defense section with four men and two Cottonmouth SAM launchers, and a mortar section with nine men and two 80mm mortars (all air defense and mortar section members armed with M7A1 carbines for self defense).

Note that in all Texas Rifles units, platoons are led by first lieutenants with prior platoon command experience, and companies are commanded either by senior captains (again with prior troop command experience) or majors.  Independent companies are always commanded by Majors, usually those who have commanded a company in a Texas Rifles battalion.  Likewise, it is not uncommon for Texas Rifle units to have NCOs operating a level below their usual responsibility in other units (i.e. squads led by sergeants, master sergeants acting as company sergeant majors, etc.).
 

Colonial Service Battalions, Brigade of Texas Rifles

The 2nd and 3rd Texas Rifles are tasked with providing the standing regular RTA presence on the nation's two interstellar colonies and are configured somewhat differently from the 1st Texas Rifles.  Basic organization is a Headquarters Company with more lavish logistics and combat service support assets than the 1st Rifles, two Rifle Companies (identical to those found in the 1st Texas Rifles), a Patrol Company, and a Combat Support Company.

A Texas Rifles Patrol Company is similar to that found in the Texas Frontier Regiment, with the following exceptions:  Both Patrol Companies are entirely hover-mobile, the air defense section has been replaced with an additional mortar section, and patrol section armament consists of two Mk.2-A2 PGMPs, a Luce-7B laser rifle, and nine M5 binary assault rifles.

(Note that Company F, 2nd Texas Rifles, based on Rho Eridani/Heidelsheimat is specially trained for and tasked for vacuum and zero/low-g operations.  For operations in those environments, the unit has sufficient assets to completely outfit its personnel with Luce-7B laser rifles and various low-recoil weapons, as well as other mission-specific equipment.)

The Combat Support Company consists of a Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon (organized like a Independent Reconnaissance Company platoon), an air defense platoons with four Warbird-mobile Cottonmouth missiles teams, a heavy mortar platoon with four M11 auto-mortars, a combat engineer platoon, and a UAV reconnaissance platoon with six American-designed Condor long-range UAVs.

Finally, while not organic assets to the battalion, each Colonial Service Battalion has an attached long-range air defense battery (six Thunderbolt surface to air missile launcher vehicles with support vehicles) from the 443º Regimiento de Artillería Antiaérea, and a multiple-rocket launcher battery (six M386 MRLs with supporting vehicles) from the 1st Texas Artillery.
 

Independent Companies, Brigade of Texas Rifles

The independent companies of the Texas Rifles are various organized depending on mission.

First and 2nd Independent Companies are tasked to provide long-range reconnaissance support to their parent divisions and, as such, are organized into a small company headquarters and three reconnaissance platoons.  Recon platoons have a total strength of thirty personnel, split into a headquarters with six personnel (platoon leader, platoon sergeant, a medic, and three communications specialists), and four six-man reconnaissance squads.

Each reconnaissance squad is made up of six men, under the leadership of a Sergeant or Corporal and his assistant, a senior Corporal or Private First Class.  Other personnel in the squad include two scouts/communications specialists and two scout/observers (these personnel are generally privates first class who have already completed a tour of duty with the 1st Texas Rifles).  This organization allows the squad to operate as two independent reconnaissance teams, as necessary.

Personnel in the 1st and 2nd Independent Companies are primarily armed with FAM-90 assault rifles (employed to mimic Mexican CASA-14 gauss rifles), with each reconnaissance squad leader and assistant squad leader being authorized an M7A1 carbine.  Squad armament is sometimes augmented with SR-96 sniper rifles, if appropriate for the mission at hand.

The 3rd Independent Company is organized similarly to a Rifle Company in the 1st Texas Rifles, though the weapons platoon has been deleted (though the company does have an eight man sniper section attached to the HQ platoon) and replaced with a twenty-man Combat Diver platoon made up of personnel specially trained for seabed and deep water operations (all members of the company receive basic and advanced training in standard diving and underwater operations).  Standard issue armament is the M7A1 carbine (used in lieu of the M5), though the company has access to a number of weapons sytems, including specialized underwater weapons, and freedom to equip itself as necessary for different missions.

The 4th Independent Company, as deployed to the French Arm, was configured as a standard 1st Texas Rifles rifle company.  Prior to deployment, however, the company did trade in its American-made missile launchers for French designs (Blindicide-9s and Martels) and their Luce-7B laser rifles for German-designed LK-1s in the hope that this would streamline the company's logistics to some extent (M5s and T-5s were retained as their ability fire Sk-19 ammunition was considered a plus for the deployment, while M99 machineguns fire widely ubiquitous 9mm caseless ammunition).

Cavalry Squadron

Each RTA Cavalry Squadron is organized into a headquarters troop, three cavalry troops and a combat support battery.  The headquarters troop is identical to the headquarters company of a heavy battalion, outside of the difference in nomenclature.

Each Cavalry Troop consists of a headquarters section (one M9, one M24T4, an M241 commo vehicle, and M243 TOC, two M760 cargo carriers, and various soft-skin vehicles); a mortar section (two M761 mortar carriers and one M760 ammunition carrier); and four cavalry platoons, each of two M9 tanks, and three M24T5 hover IFVs, each of which carry six dismounts armed with five M5s, one Mk.2-A2 PGMP, and an M67 ATGM launcher (the latter carried as necessary).

The Squadron Support Battery is made up of a headquarters platoon (one M24T4, two M243s, four M760s) and two multiple rocket launcher platoons, each of four M386 MRLs and four M760 armored transports configured as ammunition carriers for the MRLs.  Typically the unit will operate as two autonomous platoons, each with an M243 TOC (acting as a fire direction center) accompanying it and coordinating its fires.

Citizens Reserve Force Units

For the most part, CRF units are organized and equipped identically to their regular army counterparts, though they are partially or wholly outfitted with older equipment.

The exceptions to this general rule are the CRF's 5th Texas Rifles and the two battalions of the 12th Texas Regiment based on Heidelsheimat and Austins World.  The 5th Texas Rifles is tasked as a stay-behind force in the event of Mexican invasion and is made up of four companies (lettered K through N) identical in organization to the LRS-type independent Texas Rifles companies.  Fifth Texas Rifles receives the same priority for new equipment as other units in the Brigade (indeed the unit is tasked as the testing and evaluation command for new long range communications systems in the Brigade), and is equipped identically to other Texas Rifles units.

First and 2nd Battalions, 13th Texas Regiment, are lightly equipped compared to Earth-based Texan forces.  Basic organization is as per the Heavy Battalion TO&E outlined above, with some differences.  First, one of the battalion's manuever companies is a motorized, rather than mechanized formation, equipped with heavy trucks and range trucks for mobility (and tasked primarily for defense of key installations on the colony).  Second, each rifle platoon in all three companies substitutes a three man mortar team with a T-10 60mm light mortar for one anti-armor team and the forward observer in the platoon headquarters (though the mortar team leader can function as a forward observer as needed).  Third, the battalion scout platoon is equipped with eight Warbird-type light hovercraft in lieu of armored vehicles (total platoon strenght is 40 men; vehicles armed with a mix of three M901 automatic grenade launchers, three dual mount M99 LMGs, and two Striker missile launchers).  In addition, the battalion uses light hovercraft and trucks in place of most of the various non-combatant armored transports in the standard battalion (i.e. M760 armored transports, M247 armored ambulances, and the like are absent); the exception to this being command and control vehicles (M24T4, M241, M243) which are present as per a normal heavy battalion.  Finally, the Combat Support Company includes a platoon of four M9T3 hovertanks in addition to its other assets.

Texas Corps of Volunteers Units

The Texas Corps of Volunteers (TEXCV) are made up of lightly equipped infantry battalions intended primarily for guerilla harassment in occupied areas and as the basis for deliberate defense of Texan urban areas.  Though units are essentially glorified militia, the widespread familiary with and ownership of paramilitary firearms in Texan society would allow TEXCV units to rapidly regenerate combat power in the defense or, in the stay behind role, to provide a cadre for the rapid organization of much larger guerilla forces.  More than other portions of the RTA, TEXCV units tend to reflect the command environment generated by officers and senior NCOs, and there is a good deal of variance from unit to unit in terms of professionalism and proficiency, as well as unit strength (TEXCV battalions tend to range from 100-150% authorized strength, though only about half this strength is on "active" status to drill and train with the unit regularly).

Standard organization of the TEXCV battalion is a Headquarters Company (with standard, though austere, logistics elements) and five Rifle Companies, each of three Rifle Platoons and one fifty-man Weapons Platoon broken down into an anti-armor section (eight M384A1 Javelin ATGM launchers and sixteen men), and air defense section (four M722 Stilletto SAM launchers and eight men), a sniper section (three FC-5 laser sniper rifles and six men), and a mortar section with four 60mm mortars and fourteen men.  Rifle platoons are each of forty men, with a ten man headquarters (platoon leader, platoon sergeant, communications specialist, medic and three two-man M99 machinegun teams) and three ten-man rifle squads.  Rifle squads are organized as per those found in a Heavy Battalion, except that armament consists of seven M2 assault rifles or T-5 carbines (varies by unit and, sometimes, by personal preference) and three M5s, the latter issued at a rate of one per fire team.  In theory, at least one squad per platoon is supposed to have completed the Corps of Volunteers Basic Demolitions and Engineering Course, and be proficient in the use of demolitions and mines, though in most units BDEC qualified personnel are more scarce and are scattered throughout the battalion to provide some minimal combat engineering capability to all units.

Note that members of TEXCV units receive fairly remarkable latitude in armament (offset to some extent by an insistance on standard calibers) and equipment for a military organization, and many individuals and units have adopted alternate equipment, including military weapons legally purchased in Texas, so it is not uncommon to see Sk-19s and other "exotica" in the hands of TEXCV units.  This practice is carried to a remarkable extreme by the City of Austin Volunteers whose yearly Independence Ball is a charity event attended by the "A" list of Texan society to raise money to supplement the battalion's basic budget; in previous years revenue from the Ball has paid for new communications gear, American M67 anti-tank missile launchers, M5 assault rifles, and other current generation equipment.

Equipment

Uniforms and Personal Protective Gear

The standard field uniform for the RTA is light weight khaki-sage-grey-brown camouflage battledress uniform well suited to the Texas environment, worn with either a wide brimmed "boonie" type cap or a high threat helmet.  During field training and combat operations, rear area personnel would add a non-rigid body armor vest to this uniform, while infantrymen and other frontline troops are issued non-rigid body armor suits (which double as chemical defense suits and incorporate some limited thermal masking capability) and inertial armor vests.  Texan-issue body armor vests incorporate pockets and pouches for use as load bearing vests, including integral two liter backpack hydration systems.  High threat helmets include low-power short range (2 km) radio communication rigs, and, for combat troops, heads up displays with optional data links and expanded communications capabilities for scouts and small unit leaders. 

Ornamentation on the field service uniform is limited to a name tag above the right breast pocket, with rank and branch insignia worn above the name tape, and national flash and division or brigade patch worn on the shoulders (national flash on right, unit on left shoulder).  Though unofficial, most units have adopted the practice of wearing a regimental crest or badge above the rank and branch insignia, and some units (most notably the Texas Rifles) frequently wear various foreign qualifications badges and the like on their uniforms, typically on and above the left breast pocket (which sometimes results in confusion, depending on the authorized placement of the badge in the foreign military).

Combat vehicle crews wear lighter helmets (as standard helmets) coupled with fire-retardant non-rigid body armor suits and inertial vests which can be further augmented with rigid "chicken plates" for frontal torso protection, though these are very unpopular with crews (as rigid breastplate, but weight is halved and protection is only to the front torso; initiative penalty remains -1). Rank and other badges are worn identically to those of the standard field service uniform.

RTA dress uniforms are patterned on World War Two American military service uniforms (actually being derived from the dress uniforms worn by the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, who formed the nucleus of the nascent Alamo Regiment during the 2nd Revolution).  Dress uniforms tend to be "personalized" in a number of ways by various regiments and units, beginning with various types of headgear worn (which include, but are not limited to, rifle green berets for the Texas Rifles; black berets for Texas Armored Regiment;  grey Stetsons with gold cord for infantry regiments -- except the Alamo Regiment, which wears a white Stetson; black Stetsons with gold cord for Cavalry units; black Stetsons with red cords for artillery units, and various other idiosyncratic bits of headgear such as World War Two style Overseas Caps worn by all units of the the 36th Mechanized Brigade and Irish-style Corbeens worn by the 6th Texas Regiment), and moving on to various badges, decorations, and other minor variations of uniform (i.e. the standard dress uniform includes brown leather boots -- worn with spurs by cavalry units -- except for the 49th Armored Brigade, which wears black, etc). 

Small Arms and Light Support Weapons

The RTA's standard infantry rifle is the M5 binary assault rifle, locally produced in Texas by the TEXARM corporation and with modified electro-optical sensors to allow compatibility with Texan soldier digitization systems, but otherwise identical to the baseline American weapon manufactured by the Traylor corporation.  TEXARM also produces the T-5, a personal defense weapon version of the M5 which omits the 30mm grenade launcher and utilizes less sophisticated sights, which is in widespread use with Texan rear-area personnel.  The Brazilian Luce-7B laser rifle (also locally produced under license) augments the M5 as a squad-level sharpshooter's rifle.  The popular and ubiquitous Traylor Arms Model 57 9mm automatic pistol is the standard sidearm for the RTA, though the service has a rather liberal policy allowing officers to furnish their own sidearms.

T-5 Personal Defense Carbine

A personal defense weapon derived from the American M5 binary assault rifle, lacking the 30mm grenade launcher and equipped with less sophisticated electro-optical sights.  Besides military use, the T-5 may be legally owned by Texan citizens meeting certain minimal qualifications, though civilian weapons are limited to the use of ball ammunition, rather than military issue APHE (there is nothing to prevent civilian T-5s from loading APHE ammunition outside of spottily enforced laws, however). The T-5 is identical to the M5, with the following exceptions:

Weight (Empty): 3 kg, Aimed Fire Range: 400 meters, Area Fire Range: 200 meters, DPV:  0.8 (if firing ball ammunition), Ammunition Price (Ball Ammunition): Lv 2 for 50-round disposable magazine.

M7A1 Special Operations Assault Carbine

A progressive development of the American-issue M7 Personal Defense Weapon, the M7A1 Special Operations Assault Carbine is a suppressed version of that weapon fitted with a standard 30mm grenade launcher.  The weapon is designed to fire 10mm gauss slugs at two different velocities, subsonic (320mps) and standard (600mps); though the velocity is normally selectable on the weapon, specialized magazines which only fire at the subsonic velocity are also available (their primary merit being that they are lighter than standard magazines due to smaller batteries).  The weapon is fitted with a current generation close-combat optics, including thermal imaging for low-visibility fire, and a colliminator sight.  In Texan service, the M7A1 has been widely adopted by the Texas Rifles and, in regular infantry units, is issued to the spotter/observer member of sniper teams.

Type: 10mm gauss assault carbine with integral 30mm grenade launcher, Country:  USA, Texas, Weight (Empty): 4 kg, Length: 72 cm (Bulk = 2), Action:  Single Shot or Bursts, Ammunition: 10x20mm Flechette, Muzzle Velocity: 600 mps (320 mps suppressed), Magazine: 50 round box magazine, with integral power cell, Magazine Weight: 0.8 kg (0.65kg for subsonic only magazines), ROF: 5, Aimed Fire Range:  300 meters (150 meters suppressed), Area Fire Burst: 10 rounds (AFV = 1) (AFV=1.5 suppressed), Area Fire Range: 180 meters (90 meters suppressed), DP Value: 0.7 (0.4 suppressed), Price: Lv 500 (Lv2 for 50 round magazine, Lv4 for subsonic only magazines)

M99 General Purpose Machinegun

The M99 is an American-designed light machinegun firing the same 9x44mm caseless APHE round as the popular M2 assault rifle and employed in a variety of vehicular and man-portable mounts (the standard infantry version is the M99A1).  In Texas service, it is primarily used on vehicular mounts (including coxial, point defense, and remote mounts), though both the Texas Frontier Regiment and the Texas Rifles employ it in a man portable format, fitted with a bipod or tripod (on a tripod use the standard vehicle mount ranges).

Type: 9mm conventional machinegun, Nation:  America, Weight (Empty): 10 kg, Length: 110 cm, Action:  Single Shot or Bursts, Ammunition: 9x44mm fixed cartridge APHE, Muzzle Velocity: 850 mps, Magazine: 100 round assault drums or 200 round cassette (also vehicle ready boxes, variable size), Magazine Weight: 1 kg (assault drum), 2.5 kg (cassette), ROF: 5, Aimed Fire Range:  1000 meters, Area Fire Burst: 20 rounds (AFV = 2) (vehicular mounts with active cooling are AFB = 30, AFV = 3, while point defense systems are AFB = 50, AFV = 5),  Area Fire Range: 800 meters (1000 meters on tripod or vehicle mount), DP Value: 1, Price: Lv880 (Lv 1 for empty, reusable assault drums or cassettes; Lv4 per 100 rounds)

Grafton Arms SR-96 Gauss Sniper Rifle

An innovative weapon developed by the Wellon-based Grafton Arms, the SR-96 is the current service sniper weapon in use with the RTA, though it has yet to fully replace the Brazillian Luce-5 (FC-5) laser sniper rifle in all units, particularly the Citizens Reserve Force and Corps of Volunteers.  The SR-96 fires a 9mm gauss round, utilizing novel variable power system to allow the use of the weapon for both anti-personnel and anti-materiel roles.  Standard equipment on the SR-96 includes a bipod and multispectral electro-optical battlesight.

Type: 9mm Gauss Sniper Rifle, Country:  Wellon, Weight (Empty): 6.5 kg, Length: 94 cm (Bulk = 3), Action:  Single Shot, Ammunition: 9x27mm Flechette, Muzzle Velocity: 1000 mps (low power), 1400 mps (high power), Magazine: 20 round box magazine, with seperately loaded power cell adequate for 20 low-power rounds or 10 high power rounds,  Magazine Weight: 0.4 kg, Power Cell Weight: 0.5 kg, ROF: 1, Aimed Fire Range:  1100 meters (low power), 1400 meters (high power), DP Value: 1.3 (low power), 2 (high power), Price: Lv550 (Lv2 for 20 round magazine, Lv2 for power cell).

Gonzalves-Brazilia "Luce-5" (Fuzil de Caçadores Modelo 5)

The replacement for the Luce-3 in Brazilian service, the Luce-5 (referred to officially as the FC-5) is a somewhat obsolescent sniping weapon still in service with the RTA and some other smaller nations, though it has been replaced in the Brazilian inventory by more modern weapons.  The RTA is currently in the process of replacing the FC-5 with the SR-96 gauss rifle, though it is likely that the FC-5 will remain in service, especially with reserve units, until sometime in the 2307/8 time frame.  The FC-5 can draw power from either standard 5mj LMS battery packs or special 7mj LMS battery packs (the larger power cells are not compatible with weapons using newer 7mj FDLMS power cells).  Note that while military surplus FC-5s are fairly easy to acquire, the weapon's special 7mj LMS power cells are very uncommon outside of nations where the FC-5 is still in service.

Type: 70-01 laser rifle, Country:  Brazil, Weight (Empty): 3 kg, Length: 90 cm (Bulk = 3), Action:  Single Shot, Pulse Energy: 0.7 mj, Muzzle Velocity: C, Magazine: 5 mj or 7mj LMS power cells (7 or 10 pulses, respecitively), Magazine Weight: 1 kg (5mj), 1.25 kg (7mj), ROF: 1, Aimed Fire Range:  1200 meters, DP Value: 2, Price: Lv675 (Lv5 for 5mj power cell, Lv8 for 7mj).

T-10 60mm Mortar

An obsolete light mortar design still in service with the Texas Corps of Volunteers and colonial units of the Citizens Reserve Force. The T-10 has been somewhat updated by the use of ballistic fire control computers (either handheld or as software mods to crew members individual digitization rigs) to improve first round accuracy and a new family of ammunition, jointly developed by the Texan and Palestinian military, incorporating non-metallic construction for greater survivability against counter-battery radars and a short-range smart top attack round for use against light armored vehicles. The T-10 mortar is so light that it has a crew of two, one carrying the mortar and the other the bombs. Note that a large number of T-10 mortars have been provided to the Tanstaafl colony by the Texan government beginning in late 2302.

Type: 60mm Light Mortar, Country: Texas, Weight (empty): 6 kg (complete), Length: 100cm (tube), Action: SA, Ammunition: 60mm Mortar Bomb, Muzzle Velocity: 240mps, Magazine: Single Shot, Magazine Weight: 1.5 kg per round (Smart Top Attack round is 3 kg), ROF: 5 (Max. ROF 30 RPM, Sustained: 20 RPM), Indirect Fire Range: 4000m, (1000m with smart shells) DP Value: Varies by ammunition type, Price: Lv 2000 (Lv4 per HE and WP round, Lv20 per Smart Top Attack)

Munitions:  High Explosive: damage as explosive, EP = 7; Smart Top Attack/HEAT: Search Radius: 400m, Roll d10, equal or less than vehicle signature to lock on, Homing Value: 13, Damage (As tamped explosive, EP = 7) (Top Attack), White Phosphorus: Burst Radius = 15m, Smoke 8 x 40m, Incendiary effect (see M11A1 above)

T-20 80mm Mortar

The standard medium mortar for the Republic of Texas Army, the T-20 is a modern 80mm towed (or vehicle mounted) breech loading design firing from five round box magazines (the mortar can also fire single rounds manually loaded by the crew). The T-20 may also be dismounted from its towed carriage or vehicle mount for emplacement in static defensive positions. Low-signature mortar rounds similar to those used on the T-10 mortar are also used with the T-20.

Type: 80mm Medium Mortar, Country: Texas, Weight (empty): 75 kg (plus 50 kg towed carriage), Length: 150cm (tube), Action: SA, Ammunition: 80mm Mortar Bomb, Muzzle Velocity: 240mps, Magazine: Single Shot, Magazine Weight: 4 kg per round, 30 kg per five round magazine ROF (Magazine Fed): 5 (Max. ROF 30 RPM, Sustained: 20 RPM), ROF (Breech Loading/Single Shot): 1, Indirect Fire Range: 4000m, DP Value: Varies by ammunition type, Price: Lv 2000 (Lv6 per HE and WP round, Lv30 per Smart Top Attack)

Munitions:  High Explosive: damage as explosive, EP = 20; Smart Top Attack/HEAT: Search Radius: 400m, Roll d10, equal or less than vehicle signature to lock on, Homing Value: 14, Damage (As tamped explosive, EP = 10) (Top Attack), White Phosphorus: Burst Radius = 20m, Smoke 20 x 100m, Incendiary effect (see M11A1 above)
 

Missile Systems

The following two missile systems are recent additions to the RTA arsenal, which also includes a number of older American systems such as the well-respected Striker ATGM and the less notable Stilletto and Javelin missiles.

M67 Launcher Unit and BGM-90 "Hammerhead" Anti-Tank Guided Missile

The replacement in American and Texan service for the obsolescent (and never particularly well regarded) M384A1 "Javelin 2" light ATGM.  The missile itself is properly referred to as the BGM-90, and is issued in a disposable launching tube to which personnel attach the M67 launcher unit for firing.  The M67 is powered by a small battery pack included in the BGM-90 launch tube and incorporates the usual electro-optical sighting systems (image intensification and thermal imaging, up to twelve power magnification, and passive range estimation software in lieu of an active laser range finder).  There are currently fears about the missile's lethality against the latest generation of hovertanks (i.e. the AC-12) and a new version of the BGM-90, the BGM-90A1, is currently entering US service (though Texas has yet to acquire the missile) which features a more powerful warhead (missile weight 13 kg, range increased to 4500 meters, damage EP = 30).

Note that Citizens Reserve Force and Corps of Volunteer units still utilize the earlier M384A1 Javelin 2 ATGM.

Type: Man portable light ATGM, Nation:  America, Launcher Weight: 10 kg, Missile Weight: 10 kg, Range:  4000 meters, Guidance:  Automatic, Homing Value: 14, Attack Angle: Selectable, Damage: As tamped explosive, EP = 25, Launcher Price: Lv3000, Missile Price: Lv2500

FIM-100 "Cottonmouth" Short Range Air Defense Missile

The FIM-100 Cottonmouth is a modern American short range air defense missile entering service with the RTA, replacing the obsolete M722 Stilletto SAM.  The latter missile is still in service with Texan reserve units, though it is hoped to phase it out entirely by 2305/6, barring possible complications stemming from the Kafer War.

Type:  Short Range Air Defense Missile, Nations:  America, Texas, Brazil, Launcher Weight:  7 kg, Missile Weight: 10 kg, Range: 10,000 meters, Guidance: Automatic, Homing Value: 23, Attack Angle: Direct, Damage: As tamped explosive (EP = 3), Launcher Price: Lv3750, Missile Price: Lv 6000
 

Armored Fighting Vehicles

AC-12T Hover Tank

Beginning in the early 2290s, the Republic of Texas Army (RTA) began searching for a replacement for their aging M9T3 tanks.  The RTA, with a long history of acquiring arms from America, initially expressed interest in the planned replacement for both the M9 in American service, but delays and Congressional budget quibling promised to delay American deployment until 2299 or 2300 (with Texan acquisition being unlikely until 2302 at the earliest).

As a result, the RTA made the unusual decision to solicit international bids for the new tank contract.  After a protracted competition and review process, the French AC-12 was selected as the winner, beating out the LkPz-IX and a number of other possibilities (in part on the AC-12's merits, in part due to French willingness to tailor the AC-12 to the RTA's specifications as necessary).  The proposed Texan version of the hovertank differed from the baseline AC-12 in a number of ways, most of which were required for compatibility with existing RTA weapons systems or to optimize the vehicle for the RTA's operational environment.

The first, and most notable, change was the removal of the Manta-1 and Martel missile launchers in favor of modular external missile racks of the sort that are used on the RTA's existing fleet of M9 hovertanks.  This was predicated both by a need for commonality with existing vehicles and a Texan preference for the long range Striker missile whose dimensions precluded easy substitution for the under-armor Manta-1 launcher (the RTA was able to reconfigure the AC-12 Manta-1 ammunition racks to hold two Strikers, allowing a larger missile load than M9, though the two missiles have to be manually loaded into the MEWS pod by the crew).  In addition, the RTA required that a Whisperdrone UAV be fitted to the AC-12T, having found that piece of equipment very useful on the M9T3.  Finally, the AC-12T would carry alternate secondary armarment; replacing the 7.5mm coaxial machinegun with an M99B3 9mm coax machinegun, and a locally produced T-8 close defense system in lieu of the original anti-personnel point defenses.

The first AC-12Ts began arriving from France in late 2297, with the first unit equipped (1st Battalion, 112th Texan Armored Regiment) declared operational in 2298, with a second unit (2-112th TAR) coming online in 2299.  Further acquisitions were intended to replace the M9T3 in all active duty RTA formations, with those vehicles rolling down to the reserve forces (where they would replace older M9T1 vehicles).  The Kafer War brought all subsequent procurement to a halt, however, with the French government putting a temporary freeze on foreign exports of armarments in use with the Imperial military (a number of Texan AC-12Ts were hastily converted back to French standards and rushed into action in 2301 -- in some cases still carrying Texan paint schemes and tactical markings)  With the outbreak of significant fighting in the French Arm, this "temporary" suspension has dragged on and the Texan government has arranged for the purchase of AC-12s from Brazil (beginning in 2304), as that nation produces its own AC-12s under license.

Type:  Hovertank, Crew: Driver, Gunner, Commander, Weight: 12,000 kg, Armor: Plenum: 20, Front and Overhead: 100, Other Faces: 40, Armarment:  65mm Mass Driver Cannon, 9mm Coaxial Machinegun, 25mm Autocannon (on telescoping "snorkel" weapon station), 2 Modular External Weapons Systems hardpoints, 2 T-8 "Yellow Jacket" Anti-Personnel Close-Defense Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: Hundeman Industries Whisperdrone, Ammunition: 130 rounds 65mm (one 80 round ready box, one 50), 1000 rounds 9mm, 500 rounds 25mm (triple feed, 2 150 round drums, 1 200 round drum), 2 Striker or Demo-Striker Missiles (carried internally), 2 MEWS Ordnance Pods (ordnance mission dependent), 12 M8 APCDC cartridges (manual reload), Signature: 4,
Evasion: 6, Sensor Range: 12 km (+2), Cargo: 500 kg, Max Speed: 200 kph, Cruising Speed: 180 kph, Combat Movement: 413m, Off-Road Mobility: Full, Power Plant: 2.4MW MHD Turbine, Fuel Capacity: 385 kg H2, Fuel Consumption: 55 kg/hr, Endurance: 7 hours, Price:  Estimates at Tex$ 3.1 million (approximately Lv 510,000)

M24T3 and M24T4 Hover Armored Personnel Carrier

These vehicles are variants of the American M24A3 squad carrier and M24A4 company command vehicle, minimally modified for Texan service (primary difference is in battlefield digitization and communication equipment to allow full compatability with Texan networks).

The M24A4 (and derived -T4) are not described in the GVG, but are posited to be identical to the baseline M24A3 except that the crew compartment sacrifices two passengers to add two dedicated workstations in the troop compartment, usually used by the company Communications and Signals Security (CS2) Specialist and Forward Observer or Forward Air Controller.

M25T1 "Scorpion" and M25T2 "Scorpion II" Air Defense Vehicle

The standard short range air defense (SHORAD) vehicle of the RTA, the M25 Scorpion is an extensively modified version of the ubiquitous M24A3 hover infantry fighting vehicle.  The vehicle exists in two forms, the "Scorpion" and "Scorpion II" which differ primarily in the type of surface to air missile they carry.  The Scorpion II is currently only in use with the active forces of the Texas Field Force, while the older Scorpion is in service with the four brigades of the Citizens Reserve Force.

In place of the standard plasma gun turret used on the M24A3, the Scorpion mounts a larger turret which has been moved to a more midline position on the vehicle.  The turret assembly, produced by Houston Automotive and Heavy Industries, mounts a T-120 air defense laser and a dual launcher for short-range air defense missiles.  The original Scorpion vehicle carried the now obsolete American M722 Stilletto, while the Scorpion II carries the newer FIM-100 Cottonmouth missile.

Additional differences from the M24A3 include a larger, 0.75MW powerplant to power the air defense sensors and other equipment, and altered vehicle access.  As placement of the turret interferes with the use of the M24A3's side access hatches (which have been plated over), main access to the vehicle is via the rear "hot plate" hatch located between the vehicle's twin primary thrust turbofans.

The vehicle has a six-man crew, consisting of a driver, gunner, information systems specialist, commander, and two-man dismounted air defense team.  The information systems specialist is primarily tasked with integration of the vehicle and its sensors into the brigade or divisional air defense network, and also assists the gunner with target acquisition and tracking during engagements.  The two-man dismount section are armed with personal small arms and a dismounted launcher for whichever type of SAM the vehicle carries; during standard operations, the dismount team will be used to extend the air defense "foot print" a unit of M24T4's can present.

Type:  Hover Air Defense Vehicle, Crew: 6 (Driver, Gunner, Commander, Information Systems Specialist, 2 dismounts), Weight: 3500 kg, Armor:  Plenum:  2, All Faces: 6, Armarment: T-120 air defense laser system, Dual Missile Launcher (M722 Stilletto or M14 Scorpion missile; see above) [manual reload], Ammunition: 600 2.4mj power cells (ready ammunition), 300 2.4mj power cells (stowed in cases of 50, manual reload), 10 M722 or 8 FIM-100 SAMs, Signature: 4, Evasion: 7, Sensor Range: 30 km (aerial search, +2 Sensor Bonus)/10 km (surface targets), Cargo: 180 kg, Max Speed: 210 kph, Cruising Speed: 190 kph, Combat Movement: 430 m, Off-Road Mobility: Full, Power Plant: 0.75MW MHD turbine, Fuel Capacity: 288 kg H2, Fuel Consumption: 17 kg/hr, Endurance: 17 hours, Price: Estimated procurement cost is Tex$ 600,000 (approx Lv 75,000); limited availability for foreign military sales.

T-120 Air Defense Laser:  A medium range air defense laser mounted on the M25 air defense vehicle and also used in Texan service in static mounts defending high value targets and on some aircraft.  The T-120 system is built around a 240-01 laser rifle powered by special 2.4mj LMS battery cells (loaded into the vehicle on ten-round clips, which are themselves loaded into a rotary cassette holding a total of six hundred cells).

Type:  240-01 air defense pulse laser, Country:  Texas, Weight (Weapon System Only): 250 kg, Action:  Single Shot, Pulse Energy: 2.4 megajoules, Muzzle Velocity: C, Magazine: 2.4mj LMS cell, fed from 600 cell hopper, Magazine Weight: 0.5 kg per cell, ROF: 5, Aimed Fire Range: 3 km, DP Value: 6, Price: Lv12,000 (Lv 2 per power cell).
 

M248T2 Forward Area Surgical Vehicle (FASV)

A derivative of the M248 Mobile Medical Unit, replacing the six auto-docs with a single surgical theater and accomodations for a four to five man surgical team (in extremely cramped quarters).

M761T1 Mortar Carrier

Based on the M760 armored cargo carrier, the M761 is equipped in Texan service with the American-designed M11A1 auto-mortar and a recoil reduction mount to allow its use from a hover-mobile platform.  Secondary armament consists of an M99 machinegun for self-defense in a remote overhead mount at the commander's station (the MG has a six hundred round ammunition ready box).  The vehicle carries a crew of five (driver, vehicle commander, squad leader, and two mortarmen).  Each M761 carries a total of ninety-one 110mm mortar bombs (twenty-four box magazines and nineteen loose rounds, the latter usually specialized rounds like Illumination, Smoke Rounds, etc.)

M11A1 110mm Heavy Mortar:  This weapons system is the standard heavy mortar for the US and Texan militaries.  Mounted on various platforms (including towed versions), the M11A1 is a breech loading auto-mortar feeding from two 3-round disposable box magazines (manually loaded by the mortar crew).  Fire is selectable for single shots or three round bursts, in the latter setting the mortar fires all three rounds in 5 seconds time, with a typical crew requiring 10 seconds to load another magazine.

Type: 110mm Automatic Heavy Mortar, Country: USA, Weight (empty): 525kg, Length: 200cm (tube), Action: SA, Ammunition: 110mm Mortar Bomb, Muzzle Velocity: 454mps, Magazine: 3 round boxes, Magazine Weight: 60kg per 3-round clip, ROF: 3 (Max. ROF 11 RPM, Sustained: 4 RPM), Indirect Fire Range: 10,300m, DP Value: Varies by ammunition type, Price: Lv 6500 (ammunition price varies)

Munitions:  High Explosive: damage as explosive, EP = 80; Smart Top Attack/HEAT: Search Radius: 400m, Roll d10, equal or less than vehicle signature to lock on, Homing Value: 16, EP = 15 tamped explosion (Top Attack), Illum: 450m radius, White Phosphorus: Burst Radius = 32m, Smoke 32 x 160m, WASP: Burst = 75m, DPV = 7.0

Note on White Phosphorus: WP fragmentation is treated as normal fragmentation for to hit purposes. Fragmentation, causes a DPV of 0.3, for d6 rounds (unless extinguished) to exposed body parts, but will not penetrate any armour. In buildings, WP eats Oxygen, and so may cause casualties by suffocation.

Houston Motors Rangestar Stinger

The Rangestar Stinger is a simple conversion of the Houston Rangestar 8 into a very light armored car, originally developed by Houston Motors for the Texas Frontier Regiment and the Republic's Department of Public Safety, both of whom had expressed a need for an inexpensive armored car.  Since the onset of the Kafer War, Houston Motors has agressively marketed their conversion kit to governments and private citizens in the French Arm, where it (and comparable offerings from other range truck and light hovercraft manufacturers) have proven quite popular.  In addition, one hundred Rangestar Stingers were transferred to the Tanstaafl militia as part of a Texan aid package to the colony which accompanied the deployment of RTA forces in 2303.

The conversion consists of adding 400 kilograms of armor to the vehicle, including limited mine protection for the driver and gunner (both ride above AV 2 plates on the bottom of the hull, which are not listed in the statistics below).  In Texas service, the vehicle is equipped with an overhead weapons station fitted with a heavy weapon (jusually either a single or dual mount for M99 machineguns, an M901 automatic grenade launcher, or an M31A1 launcher for the Striker missile), plus a thermal imager with a laser range finder.  In the Texas Frontier Regiment's Patrol Battalions it is typical for one vehicle per patrol platoon to be modified to carry a Whisperdrone UAV as well.  (In foreign service, Stingers may be fitted with other weapons systems.)

Besides the crew of two (driver and gunner), the Rangestar Stinger can carry up to two passengers (though it should be noted that passenger seats are not reinforced with additional armor).

Type:  Light Armored Car, Crew: 2+2 (driver and gunner, plus up to two passengers), Weight: 1200 kg, Armor: Suspension:  0.4, Top: 0.4, All Other Faces: 1.5, Armarment: One heavy weapons mount (see above), Ammunition: Carried as cargo, Signature: 2, Evasion: 2, Sensor Range: 5 km, Cargo: 200 kg, Max Speed: 140 kph, Cruising Speed: 100 kph, Combat Movement: 300 m, Off-Road Mobility: Halved, Power Plant: 0.1, Fuel Capacity: 48 kg H2, Fuel Consumption: 4.5 kg/hr, Endurance: 10 hours, Price: Lv 4000 for new vehicle

Major Facilities

Republic of Texas Army Base Bliss:  Originally a US Army post in extreme western Texas.  Currently home to Texas Frontier Regiment's Western District HQ and 5th Patrol Battalion, as well as the 124th Texas Cavalry Brigade. 

Republic of Texas Air Force Base Cannon:  Originally a USAF base in eastern New Mexico, RTAF Cannon is currently home to HQ Northern District Command, Texas Frontier Regiment and the 1st Patrol Battalion, Texas Frontier Regiment, as well as the RTAF's Western Air Defense Command. 

Republic of Texas Air Force Base Goodfellow:  Originally a USAF base in north-central Texas.  Currently home to HQ, Republic of Texas Air Force; RTAF Strike Command; and RTAF Northern Air Defense Command.  Also a mobilization site for northern Texas based reserve units, including the CRFs 27th Brigade and portions of the 29th. 

Republic of Texas Army Base Hood:  Originally a major US Army post, which was severely damaged during the 2nd Mexican American War.  The area was lightly populated during the 21st century, and was taken over by the RTA under eminent domain in the early 22nd century as a major base.  Presently home for the First Texas Mechanized Division and combat-arms training battalions from the 144th Training Regiment. 

Republic of Texas Army Base Laughlin:  Originally a USAF base, located in southwest Texas.  Currently home to 2nd Texas Mechanized Infantry Division. 

Republic of Texas Army Base Mabry:  Located within the city of Austin, RTA Mabry is the location of  Headquarters for Republic of Texas Army.  The base facilities were extensively damaged during the foiled 2230 coup attempt, and the facilities have been extensively rebuilt in the last 70 years.  A seperate compound within the post, O'Neil Barracks, is home to the 1st Texas Rifles.

MacRae Barracks, Brigade of Texas Rifles:  Originally the US Army/USAF Camp Bullis training area outside San Antonio (and later used by Soviet and Mexican forces as a cantonment area), MacRae Barracks is currently home to Headquarters, Brigade of Texas Rifles, the 4th Texas Rifles training battalion, and headquarters for the Citzens' Reserve Force 5th Texas Rifles.  Most Texas Rifles training courses (including the infamous Rifleman Skills Qualification Course) are conducted at MacRae Barracks.  In addition, some of the posts training areas are also used by basic training units based at Lackland Field Training Annex.

Republic of Texas Army Base Sam Houston:  Formerly Fort Sam Houston, which was utilized by Soviet forces in the early 21st century, and subsequently taken over by the Mexican Army after 2025.  RTA Houston is headquarters for the Texas Field Force.  An isolated and high-security compound within the post is home to Office of Strategic Reconnaissance, the Texan national intelligence service.

Republic of Texas Space Force Base Johnson:  Named for the pre-Twilight Johnson Space Flight Center, and located in Midlothian, Texas, just south of Dallas, the sprawling JSFB complex is home to HQ, Republic of Texas Space Force, as well as advanced recruit training facilities and most other surface support facilities for the RTSF  The base is also the mobilization site for the 4th Texas Volunteer Battalion, whose primary wartime mission is defense of the facility. 

Lackland Field Training Annex:  A portion of Camp Sam Houston in the San Antonio area, originally a major USAF base.  LFTA is now home to those portions of the Republic of Texas Air Force directly tasked to support the RTA, as well as part of the 144th Training Regiment, which conducts basic military training for all branches of the Republic military, as well as specialized advanced training courses in non-combat jobs for the RTA. 

Republic of Texas Navy Base Ingleside:  Located in the Corpus Christi area, and originally a USN facility.  Home port for most of the Republic of Texas Navy, as well as the 3rd Independent Company, Brigade of Texas Rifles (based at the large and high-security Nguyen Barracks facility).  RTN Ingleside is also the mobilization site for some reserve units in southern Texas. 

Ramirez Training Annex, RTA Mabry:  A separate military facility north of Austin.  Home of the 49th Armored Brigade, and a mobilization site for reserve units in the Austin area. 

Note on Brigade of Texas Rifles Facilities

By longstanding tradition, reinforced by the use of the Texas Rifles to help suppress the 2230 coup attempt, the Brigade of Texas Rifles units stationed alongside other RTA forces are housed in separate compounds within RTA bases.  These compounds are referred to as "barracks" though it should be understood that each compound will include more than unit housing and mess facilities (most notably, MacRae Barracks outside San Antonio is an autonomous post under the Brigade's control).


 

Character Generation and Roleplaying

For the most part, current or former members of the Republic of Texas Army should be generated as normal Ground Military characters, though there are certain Texas specific considerations which game masters may wish to incorporate.  All the following are, of course, optional rules which game masters may incorporate as appropriate.

Background Skills

The Republic of Texas has extremely liberal firearms ownership laws for an Earth nation and, indeed, private firearms ownership and faith in the "nation at arms" are central features of Texan culture.  With this in mind, game masters may wish to allow Texan characters to add Combat Rifleman and Sidearm skills to the standard Core background skill list.

The Draft

As described above, the rank and file of the RTA are eighteen year old draftees serving under short service (two or three year) enlistment contracts, though it is also possible to join the military upon reaching the age of majority (21; note also that 28 is the maximum age for entrants into the Texan military).  When generating a character it should be noted is his/her background that the character was a draftee; characters who were not draftees should enter the RTA between ages 21 to 28.

It is common for Texan citizens to serve out their two or three year draft commitments and then enter the civilian job market.  To reflect this, the game master may wish to allow a character's first career turning point to automatically occur after two or three years of military service, if the player wishes to have the character pursue some other job field (if no career field change is desired, resolve the term normally).

Note that the same basic system applies to the Texan Navy and Air Force, though the RTSF is an all-volunteer force with extremely stringent entry requirements (including prior service in another branch of the Texan military). 

Rank Structure

The Texan military uses a single rank system (i.e. the following rank system applies to the RTAF, RTN, and RTSF as well as the Army), based on American rank structure, though with some modifications reflecting a less NCO-heavy rank structure.  Expressing rank in English or Spanish is, officially, strictly a matter of the language used by unit of assignment, and not personal preference or language proficiency though, unofficially, personnel tend to use whichever form of address they prefer.  In Texan Spanish usage, military ranks always take male grammatical forms, regardless of the soldier's gender (likewise, female officers in the the Texan military are addressed as "sir" or "senor" which can lead to some confusion among non-Texan Spanish speakers)
 
Republic of Texas Military Ranks
(Spanish Versions Shown in Parentheses)
Enlisted and NCO Ranks Equivalent/
Responsibility
Officer Ranks Equivalent/
Responsibility
Private (Soldado)* 2nd Lieutenant
(Subteniente)
Platoon Leader
Private First Class
(Soldado de Primera)
Fire Team Leader 1st Lieutenant
(Teniente)
Company Executive Officer
Corporal
(Cabo)
Squad Leader/
Vehicle Commander
Captain
(Capitán)
Company Commander
Sergeant
(Sargento)
Platoon Sergeant Major
(Comandante)
Battalion Executive Officer
Staff Sergeant
(Sargento Primero)
Company Sergeant Major Lieutenant Colonel
(Teniente Coronel)
Battalion Commander
Master Sergeant
(Sargento Mayor)
Battalion and Higher Command Sergeant Major Colonel
(Coronel)
Brigade Commander
Brigadier General
(General de Brigada)
Independent Brigade Commander
Major General
(General de División)
Division Commander
Lieutenant General
(Teniente General)
Service Chief of Staff

* -- Many units have adopted the unofficial practice of referring to private soldiers by branch specific names, such as "trooper" (cavalry units), "rifleman" (Texas Rifles), "scout" (Texas Frontier Regiment), and "gunner" (artillery units).

When generating Texan characters bear in mind that it is very unusual for a soldier serving a draft commitment to rise above the rank of Private First Class barring remarkable circumstances.  Typically, a minimum of two years service (and an average of three) are required to attain the rank of PFC.  Subsequent promotions to non-commissioned officer rank tend to require a minimum of three to four years of additional service, as well as completion of various qualification and professional education courses.

The majority of officers in the RTA are prior-service enlisted personnel and NCOs selected for officer canditate school at the Texas Military Academy in College Station, Texas, though a small number of non-prior service TMA appointments are available to promising eighteen-year old men and women (these appointments are typically the domain of wealthy and politically well connected Texan families). Commissioning may be determined as a task (Difficult, Intelligence and Determination as modifiers), at the game master's discretion. Rate of promotion for officers is roughly comparable to that of non-commissioned officers.

The Brigade of Texas Rifles

Entrance into the Texas Rifles is an option for soldiers serving under voluntary service contracts (draftees are not accepted), and requires an individual to complete the Initial Assessment Course and Basic Riflemans Skills Course conducted by the 4th Texas Rifles at MacRae Barracks outside San Antonio.  These two courses are extremely difficult and, together, eliminate 80% of all applicants.  Officers and NCOs from outside the Brigade (which prefers to promote from within) must complete both courses plus the Riflemans Leader Course, which further attrites applicants (officers and NCOs typically have a 90% wash out rate).  Following completion of basic courses, a soldier will be posted to the 1st Texas Rifles, usually for a minimum period of 18-24 months, after which he becomes eligible for assignment to other units (each of which has a further training/selection course: 1st and 2nd Ind. Companies -- Patrolling and Reconnaissance Skills Course, 3rd Ind. Company -- Maritime Skills Course, 2nd and 3rd Texas Rifles -- Colonial Service Skills Course).

With this in mind, game masters may wish to make entry into the Texas Rifles a task (Formidable, with Determination and Edurance as modifiers).  Technically, a soldier may apply once a year for admission to the Brigade, though only those who narrowly missed qualifying are allowed to return in consecutive years, so it may be easiest to allow one entry attempt per term of service.  Members of the Brigade of Texas Rifles have the price of Combat Skills and General Skills halved (in addition to the reduced cost for being primary skills).

Though some soldiers spend their entire careers in the Brigade of Texas Rifles, the unit's operational tempo and other demands are such that many personnel return to their parent regiments after a period of service in the Rifles.  With this in mind, remaining in the Rifles from term to term should be a task as well (Difficult, Determination and Endurance as modifiers), at the game master's discretion.

Citizens Reserve Force and Texas Corps of Volunteers

Many Texans, including colonists, continue to serve in one of the nation's two military reserve components after their initial military commitment is served.  Texan citizens who have completed a period of draftee service may opt to serve in the Citzens Reserve Force while pursuing a non-military career, while those who did not serve in the draft may enter directly into the Corps of Volunteers or the CRF. CRF members receive no additional initial training skills, but may spend up to two skill points per term on Ground Military skills, paying the standard Ground Military costs for them.  Entrants into the Corps of Volunteers receive Combat Rifleman-1 and Heavy Weapons-1; during career terms CV members may spend one skill point on Ground Military Skills, again at the normal Ground Military costs.  (In either case, referees may wich to allow characters to save up "military" skill points from term to term to purchase skills at higher levels.)  Note that a character must be resident in Texas or its colonies during his/her notional service time to be a member of either reserve unit, and character background should reflect this.

Skills

RTA members have standard Ground Military skills, except that Aircraft Pilot is not a related skill (all military aircraft are operated by the RTAF) and the only unit of the RTA which operates Combat Walker type vehicles is the Combat Diver platoon of the Texas Rifles' 3rd Independent Company.  The RTA does, however, operate a large number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and so Remote Pilot skill should be substituted for Combat Walker as a Primary Skill.

Regimental Affiliation

As a finishing touch for RTA enlisted and NCO characters, a regimental affiliation should be chosen.  Ideally, regimental affiliation should reasonably agree with the skills a character holds, but the 2300AD character generation system is broad enough that this is left to game master and player discretion.

For characters who were (or are) officers in the RTA, regimental affiliation is not of comparable importance, though most officers will have a fondness for the regiment they served in as enlisted soldiers, if they have prior experience.  Once commissioned, however, the force is structured such that an officer will be moved from regiment to regiment every few years.  The exception to this general rule is the Brigade of Texas Rifles, which have some latitude in retaining officers who measure up to the unit' exacting standards.

Note on Women in the RTA

The RTA is not noted as the most forward thinking military organization in human space, and its policy on women in the military differs (or lags behind) other nations.  At present (circa 2303) women are barred from holding any job in frontline brigades and battalions (even non-combat jobs), including the Brigade of Texas Rifles and the Texas Frontier Regiment.  Women may serve in artillery and engineer units, as well as in division-level support units.  Women in the CRF may only serve in the brigade support battalions.

In 2289 the Republic Supreme Court reversed this general policy in regards to the Corps of Volunteers following a law suit by several feminist groups, so there are currently no restrictions on women serving in that organization.  In the same ruling, however, the Court re-affirmed the legality of barring women from combat positions in the Field Force and CRF.

Non-Player Characters in the RTA

Generally, the rank and file of the RTA should be considered Novice NPCs, with junior leaders (up to squad leader and platoon leader level) being Experienced and more senior leadership (platoon sergeants and higher NCOs, and officers at or above company command level) being Veterans.  Specialist personnel, such as snipers, are usually Veterans.

In higher readiness units such as the 49th Armored Brigade, 124th Cavalry Brigade and the Texas Frontier Regiment personnel will be somewhat more skilled -- perhaps 20-25% of enlisted personnel will be Experienced, and junior leaders will be a 50/50 mix of Experienced and Veterans.  Twenty-five percent of more senior leaders will be Elite.  This general pattern also holds for the units of the Citizens Reserve Force, while the Texas Corps of Volunteers are 75% Novices and 25% Experienced, with junior leaders being a 50/50 split between the two, and higher leadership usually being Experienced.

In the three battalions of the Brigade of Texas Rifles (and the 4th Independent Company), enlisted personnel should be considered Experienced, with junior leaders being Veterans, and senior leaders being Elite.  In the 1st-3rd Independent Companies, enlisted personnel are a 75/25 split of  Veterans and Elites, while all leaders are Elite.