Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces

The Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces or Lyran Alliance Armed Forces (abbreviated LCAF or LAAF) consists of several branches, including ground forces and naval forces. The political leader of the Lyran Commonwealth - the Archon - is the most senior military commander.

During the Third and Fourth Succession Wars, the Lyran Commonwealth was divided into four military districts and nine theatres, nine of which lie along borders with the Draconis Combine and the Free Worlds League. Citizens of the Lyran Commonwealth can join the military at the age of sixteen at any of the numerous recruiting centers within the Commonwealth.

Structure

From the formation of the LCAF in the twenty-fourth century through the Fourth Succession War, the LCAF was divided into sixteen separate departments. Each of those departments was responsible for a specific area of military operations.

Military Education

This department is responsible for not only initial training (boot camps), but also for more advanced training opportunities. Recruits undergo a four month boot camp that provides a strong basis in general military concepts and weapons. Following boot camp, the recruits undergo an additional six months of advanced training in their specialty which may include 'Mech maintenance, armored vehicle operation, artillery, and combat engineering.

Replacement Depot Corps

This department is responsible for personnel replacement duties within the LCAF. Each theatre maintains at least four "Rep-Dep" Corps units, each with their own fleet of transport vehicles. The job of the Rep-Dep Corps is to ensure that units remain at full strength.

Judge Advocate General

The Judge Advocate General (or JAG) department is responsible for administering fair and objective laws for military personnel. In general, they provide counsel to soldiers should a military tribunal be required for some breach of conduct or local laws.

It is also responsible for administration of planets recently captured from enemy houses or those that are deemed dangerous. In such cases, the JAG will appoint a Military Governor to govern the world. The governor will attempt to foster an atmosphere that will win the cooperation of the local population.

Quartermaster Corps

This department is responsible for acquiring and distributing supplies and materiel to units throughout the Commonwealth. They define LCAF materiel needs, publish and grant contracts, coordinate acceptance testing for new systems, accept supply shipments, and transfer supplies to units (both house and mercenary).

Transport Division

This department assures that soldiers, units, and materiel arrive where and when needed. This department controls the majority of freighters and non-combat Jumpships in the LCAF.

Military Intelligence

This department is responsible for acquiring and analyzing information about enemy troop dispositions and plans. Several intelligence headquarters exist, with the Free Worlds League center located on Bolan, the Draconis Combine one located on Pandora, and the Periphery located on Virtue. The largest center is located within Asgard on Tharkad.

Strategies and Tactics Division

This department is the think-tank for the LCAF and uses super-computers to formulate and test plans. This unit has proven itself quite effective and has been able to accurately determine the enemy's plans.

Commonwealth Navy

This department consists of all of the Jumpships and Dropships used to move men and materiel. Within this department are several sub-departments responsible for supplying and maintaining the fleet.

Commonwealth Aerospace Force

Includes the pilots and technicians for the vast variety of Aerospace Fighters within the LCAF. It is divided into three groups:

• Planetary Command - directs operations on planetary or system defense duty
• Escort Command - directs operations supporting convoys
• Wings of Combat Command - directs offensive operations only

Reserve Corps

This department is responsible for maintaining the military equipment, manpower, training, and supplies held back from active duty. The equipment is usually out-dated, but is still in good condition. Units normally consist of either retired active duty personnel or part-time soldiers. The Reserve Corps is primarily a last-line of defense.

House Troops Liaison

This department coordinates the administration and upkeep of the private military forces of the various noble families. While the law states that all private forces are independent of the LCAF, the Archon has traditionally maintained a tight control over all troops within the realm. This department helps foster the illusion of independence of the house troops.

Mercenary Troops Liaison

This department has the responsibility of coordinating the mercenary units hired by the house. It acts as the paymaster for the units and, if the contract calls for it, provides supplies and materiel. The officers of this department tries to ensure that mercenary units are treated with the same respect as the regular army troops. The department consists of many diplomats and negotiators who work to improve the Commonwealth's relationships with the units it employs.

Commonwealth Army

This is the main component of the combat-ready forces within the Commonwealth. It is broken down into seven branches:

• BattleMech Corps - consists of BattleMech forces
• Armored Corps - consists of all other combat vehicles, including tanks, hover, and wheeled vehicles
• Infantry Corps - consists of Jump Troops, Mechanized Infantry, and Special Forces units
• Artillery Corps - controls the Long Tom and Sniper artillery
• Combat Engineer Corps - responsible for construction and destruction duties
• Supply Service - integrates with the Quartermaster Corps to insure proper delivery of munitions and materiel to units
• Transportation Service - provide assistance to the Supply Service to transport goods and personnel

Commonwealth Medical Corps

This department is responsible for ensuring that soldiers receive proper care when wounded on the field, within a field hospital, and at a main hospital center. Because the LCAF is one of the few remaining militaries that still respects the Geneva Conventions, its officers are prevented from interfering with medical treatment for enemy soldiers or forcing a doctor or nurse to do something against their medical judgment.

Administrative Section

This department is responsible for tracking everything that happens within the LCAF to every soldier, every piece of equipment, every munition, and every supply. Given the Herculean task of tracking all of this data, the department has occasionally "forgotten" about huge supply depots. It has also been marred by corruption by unscrupulous officials seeking to line their pockets at the Commonwealth's expense.

High Command

The Archon of the Commonwealth leads the High Command. Each of the departments is represented in High Command meetings by a general, as are each of the nine military theatres and four military districts. The High Command contributes ideas and discussion, but all decisions and responsibility for the Commonwealth lie with its ruler, the Archon.

Units of the Lyran Military

The bulk of the Lyran TOE consists of pre-existing LCAF units who returned home upon the break-away of the Alliance from the Federated Commonwealth, though a small number of new and renamed formations exist. Only BattleMech or mixed units are listed below - associated conventional assets are considered attached to these commands for convenience.

Senior Established Lyran Corps

Arcturan Guards

Arcturan Guards
The Arcturan Guards were the first Lyran national unit mustered to defend the nascent Lyran Commonwealth. Named for the original capital world of the Commonwealth, the Arcturan Guards traditionally recruited a plurality of their soldiers from Arcturus. However, these recruitment practices have been relaxed, especially because Arcturus is now mostly abandoned. The brigade is traditionally well-equipped. The parade color for the unit is flat white.
Insignia of the Arcturan Guards	8th Arcturan Guards (destroyed during Operation Revival) 11th Arcturan Guards 15th Arcturan Guards 17th Arcturan Guards 19th Arcturan Guards	20th Arcturan Guards 23rd Arcturan Guards 24th Arcturan Guards (destroyed during Operation Revival) 25th Arcturan Guards

Lyran Guards

Insignia of the Lyran Guards

The Lyran Guards were the second Lyran brigade mustered after the formation of the Lyran Commonwealth. Unlike the Arcturan Guards, the Lyran Guards recruited its soldiers from across the Commonwealth, and, second only to the Royal Guards, is the most prestigious commission in the LCAF. At its zenith, the Lyran Guards numbered 60 regiments. The Lyran Guards paint their machines in Lyran blue and white.

• 1st Lyran Guards (destroyed on Orkney by Clan Jade Falcon)
• 2nd Lyran Guards (destroyed on Port Moseby in 2789)
• 3rd Lyran Guards
• 5th Lyran Guards
• 6th Lyran Guards
• 10th Lyran Guards
• 11th Lyran Guards (disbanded after Operation Serpent?)
• 13th Lyran Guards (confused with the 30th Lyran Guards)
• 14th Lyran Guards
• 15th Lyran Guards
• 19th Lyran Guards (destroyed on Jabuka by Clan Steel Viper)
• 24th Lyran Guards
• 26th Lyran Guards
• 30th Lyran Guards (deserted)
• 32nd Lyran Guards
• 36th Lyran Guards
• 54th Lyran Guards (destroyed during the 1st Succession War)

Lyran Regulars

Lyran Regulars
Originally a Lyran national brigade (mustered, dibanded and remustered) used for hopeless missions, the Lyran Regulars were raised from Lyran veterans, hired mercenaries, the remnants of the Rim Worlds Republic Military, and the remnants of the SLDF which remained in Lyran space. The Lyran Regulars lack patronage, and specialize in tactics considered "unorthodox" within the LAAF. As such, the Lyran Regulars are the only brigade lacking a political agenda. The modern Lyran Regulars are basically a training cadre, and are poorly equipped. The Lyran Regulars paint their equipment "drab green" (mottled between olive and pine green), with tan or khaki highlights.
	1st Lyran Regulars (destroyed during Operation Revival) 3rd Lyran Regulars 4th Lyran Regulars 5th Lyran Regulars 7th Lyran Regulars	8th Lyran Regulars 9th Lyran Regulars 10th Lyran Regulars 11th Lyran Regulars 15th Lyran Regulars

Royal Guards

Royal Guards
The Lyran Royal Guards are the best equipped and most prestigious brigade within the LAAF, but mostly serve as the protectors of the Lyran government. Each unit within the Royal Guards recruits by invitation only from soldiers of a particular parent state, meaning that each of the Royal Guards regiments represents the pinnacle of military prowess for either the Protectorate of Donegal, the Federation of Skye, or the Tamar Pact. The Royal Guards are also tasked with the protection of the Archon or Archon-Designate, and the Triad. In fact, the BattleMechs that stand constant garrison over the Lyran throne room are elements of the 1st Royal Guards. The Royal Guards paint their machines a base of Lyran blue, with gold painted on the left and right side.
Insignia of the Royal Guards	1st Royal Guards 2nd Royal Guards 3rd Royal Guards 4th Royal Guards (destroyed on Caledonia, 2848)

Corps Inaugurated by the Lyran Alliance

Alliance Guards

Those Federated Commonwealth Corps RCTs who chose to remain in the Alliance after the break-away were renamed under the banner of the Alliance Guards. The brigade has not been re-equipped, and uses mostly outdated war materiel. The paint scheme for Alliance Guards is brown and tan.

• 1st Alliance Guards (disbanded - material went to the Alliance Jaegers)
• 2nd Alliance Guards (disbanded - material went to the Alliance Jaegers)

• 3rd Alliance Guards
• 4th Alliance Guards
• 5th Alliance Guards

Alliance Jaegers

Founded in the wake of the formation of the Lyran Alliance, the Alliance Jaegers were an effort to boost Lyran nationalism, with a Jaeger unit for each of the Alliance Provinces of the original Lyran Commonwealth. The Alliance Jaegers are well equipped, and each unit also will only recruits from among the best soldiers from its state of origin. Each unit uses a different base color - the left side of each BattleMech or Vehicle is then checkered with white.
Insignia of the Alliance Jaegers	1st Alarion Jaegers 1st Bolan Jaegers 1st Coventry Jaegers (destroyed during FedCom Civil War) 1st Donegal Jaegers 1st Skye Jaegers

Regional Corps

Donegal Guards

Insignia of the Donegal Guards

The Donegal Guards predate the formation of the Lyran Commonwealth. Originally the defensive force of the Protectorate of Donegal, the Donegal Guards are a large and well supplied unit, mostly because the Protectorate of Donegal was not ravaged by the Succession Wars. Donegal Guards fight with dogged determination. At its zenith, the brigade numbered 20 BattleMech regiments and an addition 80 regiments of conventional forces. The Donegal Guards paint their BattleMechs and Combat Vehicles blue-gray.

• 2nd Donegal Guards
• 3rd Donegal Guards
• 4th Donegal Guards
• 5th Donegal Guards
• 6th Donegal Guards
• 7th Donegal Guards
• 8th Donegal Guards (destroyed during the Jihad)
• 10th Donegal Guards (destroyed during Operation Revival)
• 11th Donegal Guards
• 12th Donegal Guards (destroyed during Operation Revival)
• 13th Donegal Guards
• 14th Donegal Guards
• 17th Donegal Guards
• 24th Donegal Guards (destroyed during Operation Revival)

Skye Rangers

Predating the Lyran Commonwealth, the Skye Rangers were the military of the Federation of Skye. The Skye Rangers have maintained close ties to its parent state, recruiting almost exclusively from the Federation. As such, the unit frequently sides with the Duke of Porrima, not the Archon. Therefore, the brigades loyalties are questionable. The brigade paints its BattleMechs dark red with black arms, and highlights specific to the unit.

• 4th Skye Rangers
• 10th Skye Rangers (dissolved after the Battle of Coventry)
• 17th Skye Rangers
• 22nd Skye Rangers
• Skye Guard

Winfield's Brigade

Originally formed as the Winfield Guards, the Brigade is a mixed-weapon unit. It 'Mechs are usually of medium weigth.

Winfield's Brigade (destroyed during Operation Revival)

Tamar Jagers

The Tamar Jagers were the state-sponsored Corps of the Tamar Pact.

Tamar Cavaliers

The Tamar Cavaliers are a recently mustered unit. Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner raised the unit from his only fortune, with the mandate of liberating Tamar Pact worlds from The Clans. The Cavaliers use a red a silver paint scheme.

• Tamar Cavaliers

Tikonov Republican Guard

Insignia of the Tikonov Republican Guard

Formed from the remnants of the CCAF stationed within the former Tikonov Commonality, the Tikonov Republican Guard was the garrison of the Tikonov Free Republic, and was absorbed by the Federated Commonwealth after the assassination of Lord Pavel Ridzik. The units use a red and black paint scheme.

• 1st Republican (destroyed during FedCom Civil War)
• 2nd Republican (destroyed during FedCom Civil War)
• 3rd Republican (destroyed during FedCom Civil War)
• 4th Republican (deserted during Operation Guerrero)
• 5th Republican (destroyed during Operation Guerrero)

Militias

The information below covers all militias in service in 3062, as well as those defeated during the first waves of the Clan Invasion.

In 3062, all militias use pale blue with region-specific highlights. Abreviations: APM, Alarion Province Militia; BPM, Bolan Province Militia; CPM, Coventry Province Militia;

Province Militias - interior garrisons

(APM, Alarion; BPM, Bolan; CPM, Coventry; SPM, Skye; DPM, Donegal - there is no DPM as of 3062)

• Alarion APM
• Carlisle APM
• Furillo BPM
• Coventry CPM
• Nekkar SPM

Theater Militias - border defenses

(CTM, Cavanaugh II; FTM, Freedom; MTM, Melissia; PTM, Pandora; TTM, Timbuktu)

• Dar-Es-Salaam CTM
• Dixie CTM
• Penobscot CTM
• Accrington FTM
• Alexandria FTM
• Denebola FTM
• Lyons FTM
• Gacrux FTM
• Chahar MTM
• Neerabup MTM
• Ganatir MTM
• Kelenfold PTM
• Koniz PTM
• Alekseyvka TTM
• Florida TTM
• Teyvareb TTM

Militias destroyed during Operation Revival (TMM, Tamar March Militia)

• Hot Springs TMM
• Twycross TMM
• Wotan TMM

Uniforms

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  naval uniform

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  officer uniform

• Steineruniformmechwarrior2.png

  mechwarrior

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  mechwarrior

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  lohegrin

• Steineruniforminfantry.png

  infantry uniform

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  army uniform

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  armor uniform

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  archon

Military Academies

Training Cadres

Buena War College Training Battalion

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Pandora College Training Battalion

Royal New Capetown Training Battalion

Somerset Academy Training Battalion (destroyed by Clan Jade Falcon during the Clan Invasion)

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Blackjack Training Battalion (destroyed by the :Clan Jade Falcon)

Coventry

Tamar War College Training Battalion (destroyed by Clan Wolf during the Clan Invasion)

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Tikonov (deserted during Operation Guerrero)

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Sarna (deserted during Operation Guerrero)

Thorin

Military Ranks

The Brandenberg Edicts of 2413 established the rank system for the LCAF from 2413 through the Fourth Succession War. Following the formation of the Federated Commonwealth, the rank systems of both the Lyran Commonwealth and the Federated Suns were merged into a single structure. After the dissolution of the Federated Commonwealth, the Lyran command structure was reverted to that of the Lyran Commonwealth (with few changes) as a matter of national pride.

LAAF/LCAF Military Rank Insignia

LAAF Military Rank Insignia

Rank	Post-FC Insignia	Pre-FC Insignia
Private
Private, First Class
Corporal
Senior Corporal
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Staff Sergeant Major
Senior Sergeant Major
Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer First Class
Senior Warrant Officer
Chief Warrant Officer
Cadet
Leutnant
First Leutnant
Hauptmann
Kommandant
Hauptmann-Kommandant
Leutnant-Colonel Leutnant-Kaptain
Colonel Kaptain
Leutnant-General Leutnant-Kommodore
Hauptmann-General Kommodore
Kommandant-General Hauptmann-Kommodore
General Admiral
General of the Armies Fleet Admiral

Weapon/Item

BattleMech Axe - 3022

BattleMech Hatchet - 3022

MRM - 3063

Rocket Launcher-10 - 3067

Rocket Launcher-15 - 3067

Rocket Launcher- 20 - 3067

Streak SRM 2 - 3040

Streak SRM 4 - 3059

Streak SRM 6 - 3059

LB 2-Х AC - 3059

LB 5-X AC - 3059

LB 10-X AC - 3037

LB 20-X AC - 3059

Rotary Autocannon/2 - 3065

Rotary Autocannon/5 - 3065

Ultra AC/2 - 3060

Ultra AC/5 - 3037

Ultra AC/10 - 3060

Ultra AC/20 - 3059

Light Gauss Rifle - 3065

Gauss Rifle - 3040

Heavy Gauss Rifle - 3061

Small Pulse Lasers - 3042

Med.Pulse Lasers - 3042

Large Pulse Lasers - 3042

ER Small Lasers - 3060

ER Medium Lasers - 3060

ER Large Laser - 3042

ER PPC - 3042

Double Heat Sinks - 3042

Ferro-Fibrous Armor - 3042

MASC - 3040

CASE - 3040

Anti-Missile System - 3040

Beagle Active Probe - 3048

Guardian ECM - 3048

Triple-Strength Myomer - 3055

Pod (Omni) Technology - 3057

A-Pod - 3056

BattleMech Sword - 3060

Light Engine - 3062

XL Engine - 3035

Artemis IV FCS - 3045

Targeting Computer - 3065

C3 System (Master & Slave) - 3058

Improved C3 Computer - NA

Narc Missile Beacon - 3045

Improved Narc Missile Beacon - NA

Stealth Armor - NA

Endo-Steel Internal Structure - 3040

Internal Structure - 3040

See Also

• Lyran Commonwealth
• Federated Commonwealth

Bibliography

• House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
• Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
• Field Manual: Updates
• Handbook: House Steiner
• Technical Readout: 3050