Editing Free Worlds League Military Organization

{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}

=='Mech Forces==
The FWLM prefers to use all [[BattleMech|'Mech]] classes equally, with some exceptions for special missions. The common regiment is medium- to heavy-weight and some companies or larger formations are created with a single task in mind, such as scouting or assault.<ref name=FMFWLp18>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 18</ref> The available 'Mech designs were a mix of locally produced classic machines with upgraded equipment and 'Mechs purchased from other nations. That changed with the arrival of the Clans. The DCMS and Federated Commonwealth bought the 'Mechs produced in the League in exchange for new designs, materials or technology.<ref name=FMFWLp18/> The League also produced field refit kits to bring the armies of the Inner Sphere to a level where they could hold the line against the advancing Clan forces. The DCMS started their own industrial program.  The surplus refit kits went to the units within the Free World League and in only seven years over 60 percent of the FWLM's 'Mech forces included some form of advanced technology.  The FWL acquired the technology to build their own IS OmniMechs such as the ''[[Perseus]]'' or the foreign ''[[Blackjack (OmniMech)|Blackjack]]'' machine.<ref name=FMFWLp18/> The standard FWLM unit follows the structure of the SLDF.<ref name=FMFWLp18/>

{|class="wikitable center"
!Unit
!Subunit
!Strength
|-
|Lance<br />(CO: Lieutenant)<ref name=FMFWLp22>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 22</ref>
|0
|4
|-
|Company<br />(CO: Captain)<ref name=FMFWLp22/>
|3 lances
|12
|-
|Battalion<br />(CO: Force Commander)<ref name=FMFWLp22/>
|3 companies
|36
|-
|Reinforced Battalion<br />(CO: Force Commander)<ref name=FMFWLp22/>
|4 companies
|48
|-
|Regiment<br />(CO: Colonel)<ref name=FMFWLp21>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 21</ref>
|3 battalions
|108
|-
|Reinforced Regiment<br />(CO: Colonel)<ref name=FMFWLp21/>
|4 battalions
|144
|}

==Aerospace forces==
FWLM fighters are among the most advanced machines in the Inner Sphere. The industry provide a broad range of designs for roles like interception or scouting over large areas.<ref name=FMFWLp18/> The military scientists and weapons developers also test new equipment for the next generation of fighter throughout the League. The FWLM categorize their units into two groups: attached and independent units.<ref name=FMFWLp19>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 19</ref><br />
:*Attached units are part of larger formations, where they provide cover against enemy fighters or provide close air support for ground units.<ref name=FMFWLp19/><br /> 18 fighters are commanded by a commodore and when they have no transport assets by a lieutenant commander.
:*Independent units are divided into Independent Fighter Wing and Free Worlds Fleets.
::* An Independent Fighter Wing normally contains 18 fighters with its own integral transport assets. The CO is a commodore.
::* The Fleets consist of 3 to 6 JumpShips and their DropShips.<ref name=FMFWLp19/> An admiral usually commands.

{|class="wikitable center"
!Unit
!Subunit
!Strength
|-
|Lance<br />(CO: Lieutenant)<ref name=FMFWLp23/>
|0
|2
|-
|Squadron<br />(CO: Lieutenant Commander)<ref name=FMFWLp97>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 97</ref>
|3 lances
|6
|-
|Wing<br />(CO: Commodore)<ref name=FMFWLp23>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 23</ref>
|3 squadrons
|18
|-
|Reinforced Wing<br />(CO: Commodore)<ref name=FMFWLp23/>
|4 squadrons
|24
|-
|Regiment<br />(CO: Admiral)<ref name=FMFWLp74>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 74</ref>
|3 wings
|54
|}

==Armor Forces==
The common League tank unit varies in composition and size. The League-sponsored troops get the best equipment and training; in contrast some of the provincial troops field only outdated matériel.<ref name=FMFWLp19/> Formations above battalion level are uncommon outside of combat and will be broken down into smaller subunits where needed.<ref name=FMFWLp19/><br />
The FWLM divides its armor troops into two different categories: heavy tank regiments and light tank/patrol units.
:*<u>Heavy tank regiments</u>
::The common unit fields 60 to 80 combat vehicles and an additional 20 to 30 vehicles for support and transport purposes. The matériel of the command depends on its assignment. Frontline units that are part of a 'Mech formation get the best available equipment and at the other end garrison units that provide security on backwater worlds are less equipped.<ref name=FMFWLp19/>

:*<u>Light tank/patrol unit</u>
::Light-weight commands use their speed for reconnaissance missions and cavalry-style tactics to harass the flanks of the enemy.<ref name=FMFWLp89>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 89</ref> A light tank unit usually contains 100 to 120 vehicles.<ref name=FMFWLp19/>

{|class="wikitable center"
!Unit
!Subunit
!Strength
|-
|Platoon<br />(CO: Sergeant)<ref name=FMFWLp22>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 22</ref>
|0
|4-6
|-
|Company<br />(CO: Captain)<ref name=FMFWLp22/>
|2-3 platoons
|10-15
|-
|Squadron<br />(Battalion)<br />(CO: Force Commander)<ref name=FMFWLp23>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 23</ref>
|2-3 companies
|30-45
|-
|Regiment<br />(CO: Lieutenant Colonel)<ref name=FMFWLp23/>
|2-3 battalions
|80-120
|}

==Infantry Forces==
Within the Free Worlds military five different kinds of Infantry exist. Line Infantry, Static Defense Unit and Battle Armor fall under the authority of the High Command;<ref name=FMFWLp20>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 20</ref> Special Operations and Liberation Units get their orders from [[SAFE]].<ref name=FMFWLp20/>

:*<u>Line Infantry</u>
::The majority of the League's infantry formations were categorized as line infantry and with its high numbers (1,800 at regiment level and over 7000 soldiers at division level) surprised many enemies who expected the unit to be smaller.<ref name=FMFWLp20/> With modern equipment and advance training they could hold the line against tanks and even 'Mechs.<ref name=FMFWLp20/>

:*<u>Static Defense Unit (SDU)</u>
::These units are not as well-equipped or trained as line infantry. Such commands are stationed as garrison forces throughout the League. Some difficulties arise when a commander from the line infantry with lower rank but higher authority give orders to officers from the SDU.

:*<u>Special Operations</u>
::Members of these elite formation were selected from regular formations. Every new member required 36 months of military service to be accepted for training; the training regimen schooled the soldiers in many new skills. After successful graduation the troopers were assigned to one of the six regiments. The commandos are deployed only in squad or platoon size where needed.<ref name=FMFWLp20/>

:*<u>Liberation Units (LU)</u>
::The League military used these small units (not larger than 150 men) to sow chaos among its enemies. In preparation for larger military actions the units infiltrated hostile planets. On the surface they used terrorist tactics to harass the local defender until regular 'Mech forces arrived.<ref name=FMFWLp20/>

:*<u>Battle Armor</u>
::Battle armor was established as a new infantry branch after the arrival of the Clans. With the help of the Word of Blake, engineers developed several armor types for specific missions. [[Longinus]] battle armor was used to combat 'Mech formations.<ref name=FMFWLp20/> In contrast, the light-weight [[Achileus]] battle armor was often used within special operations commands. The standard battle armor unit has its own integral transport assets and further mission-attached support units.

:*<u>Eagle Corps</u>
::The Eagle Corps were under direct control of SAFE. The unit had access to 'Mechs and were trained similar to Special Operations troops.<ref name=FMFWLp20/>

{|class="wikitable center"
!Unit
!Subunit
!Strength
|-
|Squad<br />(CO: Corporal)<ref name=FMFWLp22/>
|0
|7
|-
|Platoon<br />(CO: Sergeant)<ref name=FMFWLp22/>
|4 squads
|28
|-
|Company<br />(CO: Lieutenant)<ref name=FMFWLp22/>
|4 platoons
|112
|-
|Battalion<br />(CO: Force Commander)<ref name=FMFWLp23/>
|4 companies
|448
|-
|Regiment<br />(CO: Lieutenant Colonel)<ref name=FMFWLp23/>
|4 battalions
|1,792
|-
|Division<br />(CO: Lieutenant Colonel)<ref name=FMFWLp23/>
|4-5 regiments
|7,000 - 9,000
|}

==References==
<References />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Field Manual: Free Worlds League]]''


[[Category:Free Worlds League Related Categories]]