The world of the TBRE and its region, the Toy Islands, began as an independent government simulation game between friends, some of whom did not choose to go onto Nationstates. As such, the Toy Islands exists simultaneously in the game and on Nationstates. Though efforts have been made to reconcile these two worlds, some discrepancies still exist due to the fundamental natures of each. For instance, roleplayed wars on Nationstates are not recognized to be part of the regular game canon, since some countries party to the conflict do not exist in the game.
Where a discrepancy arises, game canon takes precedence, so most sources of information on Toy Islands countries (such as the Wiki) are geared more towards the game. Hence, the editing of information on a particular Toy Islands country should be left to their respective player. Nevertheless, game canon should only be seen as a reference, and can be set aside in the interests of a good Nationstates-based roleplay.
In order to preserve this thread's tidiness, please don't post questions on this thread. Simply telegram me, and I'll reply and update any thread that needs to be updated.
Thank you for taking the time to read this page!
Military Factbook of the Teddy Bear Republic Empire
Welcome to the TBRE Military Factbook, providing other states and interested members of the public information on the aims, size, equipment, and tactics of the defensive uniformed services. All information here has been declassified, and is available from public TBRE government documents. None of this information will result in a security breach, even if it were to fall into the wrong hands.
Aim and Introduction The TBRE's armed services include the Armed Forces - the regular, professional military - and the Home Guard - the reserve military units made up of trained conscripts.
Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Teddy Bear Republic Empire, commonly known as the Teddy Armed Forces (Tedofian: ), are the combined military forces of the TBRE, and part of the TBRE's defensive uniformed forces. They consist of the Land Armed Forces, the Naval Armed Forces, the Air Armed Forces and the Space Armed Forces, as well as the Electronic Armed Forces in theory. As a recognised middle power, the Armed Forces play a significant and consequential role in the TBRE's regional strategy.
The basis for the modern Teddy Armed Forces were formed during the era of Federation, when the different Teddy national armies were combined into a unified force, the Defensive League of the Federation of Bear States. This force became the Teddy Armed Forces following the creation of the TBRE. Significant military development and activity, such as the creation of a modern Air Force, defined the era of the First Republic; all of which culminated in the Invasion of Tabi'atstan in the Second World War. Despite the eventual surrender of the Armed Forces during this conflict, the large conscript-based structure remained throughout the Cold War as part of the TBRE's contribution to NATO forces, and volunteer forces fought in conflicts such as the Korean War and the Gulf War. It was not until the start of the Friendly Times that a gradual restructuring of the armed forces occurred to form a fully professional force, with the conscript Home Guard transferred out of Armed Forces control.
The head of the Armed Forces is the head of state, Elder-General Vuener, representing the TBRE people. In practice, however, it is the President-Minister in their role as the TBRE's head of government that leads the Armed Forces in its policy directions. The Armed Forces Office of the Ministry of War is the civilian body exercising control over the Teddy Armed Forces. It is advised by the Combined Staffs, composed of leading military heads. Together, these two bodies coordinate operations and missions. The Ministry's head, the Minister of War, is a member of the Cabinet who reports directly to the President-Minister. Oversight is also exercised through the legislative Joint Committee for War and Defense.
The Armed Forces are responsible for protecting and asserting the sovereignty of the TBRE, as well as defending and advancing its own and allied interests against both foreign and domestic threats. It also contributes to the TBRE's participation in international peacekeeping and humanitarian work, and also works at home in times of national emergencies under the appropriate authorisation. Recent operations the TBRE has been involved in include Afghanistan, the no-fly zone over Libya, the 2004 Ausberg War, peacekeeping in the Balkans and ICPPO and IUEF operations. As a member of NATO, its bases also regularly host NATO forces, and it trains regularly with NATO members. The TBRE is a member of the Laltofian Nuclear Defense Agreement, and has a total of 70 deployable active Leviathan nuclear warheads, all of which are onboard Bearphoon-class ballistic missile submarines.
The current Armed Forces are supplied by a significant and technologically advanced Laltofian military industry, exporting native equipment and technologies, although it also imports equipment from allied countries. Military expenditures amount to 2.5% of the GDP, of some US$29 914 million. It has a strength of 180 000 (To be confirmed) active troops, with [z] reserve personnel.
National Guard The Teddy National Home Guard (Tedofian: ) is the deactivated military reserve. Its primary objective is the military protection of Home Territory should there be a significant threat against the TBRE. It has secondary objectives in assisting related civil defense work.
Unlike the Armed Forces, the Home Guard is envisioned as a civil militia to be activated during total war. Upon completing basic training, which is mandatory for all citizens over the age of 18, conscripts pass into their local deactivated Home Guard unit, where they remain until the age of 50, or 55 in some exceptional cases. The local Home Guard unit will generally train and be inspected regularly every three months, and must complete a longer refresher course every few years.
The Home Guard is divided into the land warfare branches and the much smaller air and navy groups. It is headed by the Home Guard Office of the Ministry of War, which has been independent of the Armed Forces Office since military reforms in the 2000s. It is commanded directly on a day to day basis by General Richard Klark, who is also a member of the Combined Staffs.
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:16 pm
by Teddy Bear Republic
History
The TBRE has long been a nation of conflict. With 1500 city states in the ancient periods, each controlled by warlords*, civil war was common, as well as war with long-time-enemy-now-ally Natureland, which the city states attempted to invade several times. Such a warfaring attitude developed into the TBRE’s culture, and is still present today - it is traditional for a suit of armor to be passed down, generation by generation, although the lust of the hunt and to kill has been much more suppressed in the modern era due to the suppression of the remaining animalistic instinct with the arrival of lemonade. Another thing to note is the chivalry that was present in the period, which was commonly practice unlike their European counterparts, which was taken only as theory. Such a mentality has entered the modern Armed Forces' ideology, something which should be taken note of in the Ethics section.
The first known war was the War of the Northern Seas in 2900BCE, between two city states fighting for control of an important trade passage around the Nouvelle area.
Additionally, fighting over resources - such as ground suitable for lemonade growing - was common. For instance, although some parts of Grenatia were suited to the growing of lemonade, Teddies noted that lemons grew best in what is now modern-day Natureland, occupied by the native Naturelanders. As a result, in 2300BCE, several city-states united to conquer Southern Natureland, with a certain degree of success, and set up their own settlements to grow and cultivate lemons. By 1800BCE, the native Naturelanders managed to drive out the Teddies, but by then Teddies had managed to cultivate lemons in their native Grenatia due to the plant’s adaptation to the slightly colder Grenatia climate. This is also the first recorded event where Teddies fought native Naturelanders, which started the long history of mutual distrust between the two, although it is believed skirmishes between the two had occured earlier.
Such constant warring had a positive benefit, however, as it also prevented the colonization of the region, as was common at the time. Europeans and Chinese who arrived to “discover” the islands found such a prevailing war culture that they determined to attempt to attack it was tactically foolish, and hence they focused on trading with Teddies.
Subsequent conflicts resulted in four superstates that were left: Putee, Toyland, the Allied Nordic Kingdoms and Nordwerbaren. It was these four that signed the Treaty of Toylando and Polus, which founded the Federation of Bear States, a transitional government to the TBRE, on the 29th April, 1905. Their armed forces were combined into the Defensive League, and later the Armed Forces when the Federation turned into the modern republic it is today.
The TBRE invaded Natureland in 1942, having amassed vast quantities of armor and weapons from both the Allies and the Axis. They reached New Persis in 1943, but the overwhelming Natureland forces of over 7000 T-34 tanks and 200 KV-2 heavy tanks meant that they were pushed back until Novaica. Natureland forces moved their way down until they reached the capital city of Toyland, where, after 3 months of fighting, TBRE forces surrendered. The Treaty of Sjoke was signed, which in effect ended in the war, on 16th July 1944. The Treaty stated that the TBRE would recognize that it started the war of aggression against Natureland, the TBRE would follow a socialist stance, NR$255 billion would be paid by the TBRE to Natureland in reparations and that the military of the TBRE would be limited to 150 thousand people with no battleships, aircraft carriers or cruisers and no air force. The second and fourth parts of the treaty were dropped in 1951, and the NR$255 billion was paid off in 1995. Part one however, is still under debate by the TBRE. Natureland Forces were to occupy the TBRE indefinitely, but then pulled back because the Natureland Politburo deemed the country to be too much of a liability after they had stripped the place of as much natural resources before they left. During this period, the TBRE was called The Soviet Socialist Republic of Teddyland. When Natureland forces left due to a crisis in their own nation, the TBRE reverted back to its current form.
1980 saw a vast militarisation of the Toy Islands, due to Natureland’s development of EMPs, VX gas and Carbon fibre degenerative material. The Baren Party was voted into office, with a relatively nationalistic ideology. The 80’s has been nicknamed the Toy’s Cold Dilemma, and it was only in 1991 during the “Friendly Times” did the TBRE and Natureland became allies due the need to unite against Bladikoff, the international terrorist who had based himself in the waters off the TBRE. He was caught in 2006, and sentenced to life in prison. However, the TBRE still spends a relatively dispropionate amount of money on its armed forces, 4.5% of its GDP.
During the Cold Dilemma, a nationalistic fever hit the TBRE. As a result, Baren Party candidate Bjorn Von Arkov was HM President from 1978 to 1984, vowing to develop the military power of the TBRE. In 1979, the first nuclear weapon by the TBRE was launched in a test, with much success, paving the way for the TBRE to become a nuclear weapons state. Additionally, the military was reorganized so that it could easily raised into combat strength should war be declared. The first military satellite was launched in 1980. Nuclear bunkers for the government were built in Grenatia and Nordica. Highways were converted into impromptu runways for the air force to use in case their major bases were hit. He also privatized some of the companies that the Communists had created, since the government was overspending and could not support them, and moved the nation towards a more capitalist road from the near-communist economic system it had been in.
In 1983, Bordoris decided to invade its longtime enemy, the Krakozhian SFSR, and went over the border on the 5th August. Fighting was extremely fierce, with the going being slow due to both sides’ technological capabilities being extremely similar. Therefore, there were rumors that the TBRE was going to aid the side of Bordoris in order to shift the balance.
All of this activity made the USSRN nervous, and as a result Von Arkov was assassinated on 12th December 1984, being shot at by an assassin in a public appearance, the momentum of the bullet pushing the body onto some train tracks. It is not known who the assassin was to this day, and the USSRN claimed responsibility. In 1984, Presidente Boris Yumerov of the USSRN was assassinated by the 21st Counter Terrorism and Urban Warfare Unit in retaliation for President Arkov’s in a controversial mission.
In 2004, the TBRE asserted national sovereignty and annexed the smaller states Weaponland and Friendshipland in a controversial occupation that has lasted till today, with natives now dispersed to either Natural Green Land or into the new state of Starland. However, the attempted annexation of Mountainland was not successful, and, although the two countries still recognize each other, tensions run high.
Now, the TBRE has only been in a number recent conflicts, deploying its troops to fulfill its IUEF requirement as peacekeepers, as well as asserting national sovereignty of its allies.
*The term "warlord" has no negative connotation as it does in the West, and it is simply taken at face value. In fact, most warlords were elected by a council.
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:05 pm
by Teddy Bear Republic
Tactics With a small population and relatively small budget compared to other nations of the world, the tactics of the AFTBRE aims to maximize the strike capability of the TBRE while still deploying within their means. In general, most strategies feature all branches of the AFTBRE working in tandem to achieve maximum effectiveness from all dimensions of the battlefield.
The Army tends to use guerrilla warfare techniques, utilizing both technology and knowledge of the land to carry out several small size attacks that eventually culminate into one offensive. Similar to using all branches of the military in the general scheme of things, both armored and infantry units work in tandem for assaults that tend to be quite fast moving. For defensive purposes, the Army likes to retreat far inland, giving them time to build up vast networks of defensive lines with mines, pillboxes and trenches, supported by air bases built further inland.
The Navy is a missile based and stealth focused force, employing arsenal ships and submarines. The Navy emphasizes on striking at the enemy preliminary in order to gain an advantage, and uses submarines as evident by the large number present in the navy. Although the majority are designed primarily for naval combat, some are designed for a land attack role, akin to an underwater strike cruiser. Submarines are also used in a scouting role. Like the Army, the Navy likes to retreat farther back from a battle when on a defensive mode, leaving mines and sensors in the water.
The Air Force has a high emphasis on UAV units, using them as light attack or reconnaissance aircraft which protect the operator from harm. Helicopter units are also prominent, to be used as ground-attack, the Army's "eyes in the sky" and close air support aircraft. The Air Force has invested heavily in stealth and jamming technologies.
Nevertheless, the AFTBRE is highly adaptable to any terrain or situation, and quickly learns from past errors.
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:08 pm
by Teddy Bear Republic
Personnel: Ranks Nb: These are to be used as guides only. The AFTBRE has several complicated command structures due to the differences in regimental roles. Most branches, like the Missile Corps and RAPID, use Army ranks. Many "regiments" are in fact battalion-sized, and have not yet been brought up to full strength due to a lack of need.
Also note that in the air force, the Squadron Leader only has power over his respective fighter pilots, other ground crew are organized by army ranks.
Army ranks:
Rank
In charge of...
Number of men commanded
Private
None
None
Corporal
Fire Team
5
Sergeant
Squad
10
Lieutenant
Platoon/Troop
25/50
Captain
Company
100
Major
Batallion
Usually 500
Colonel
Regiment
Around 1800 - 2000
Brigadier
Brigade
Varies, roughly 3000-5000
(Major) General
Division/Command
Varies, roughly 11000 in the Army
Commander in Chief
Army
Roughly 30 000
Air Force ranks:
Rank
In Charge Of
Number of Men Commanded
Number of Planes Commanded
Pilot
None
1
1
Sergeant
Flight
100
5
Squadron Leader
Squadron
500
25
Wing Commander
Wing
1500
(Around) 75
Air Commondore
Command
Depends on Command
Depends on Command
Commander in Chief
Air Force of the AFTBRE
Entire Air Force
Entire Air Force
Navy ranks:
Rank
In charge of...
Seamen
None
Petty Officer
Particular section of the ship
Ensign
In charge of a particular role (engineering)
Lieutenant
In charge of a small vessel / directly under Captain
Captain
In charge of a vessel
Commondore
In charge of a particular role fulfilled by a ship (destroyers etc)
Admiral
In charge of one of four fleets
Commander in Chief
Navy of the AFTBRE
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 4:16 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Personnel: Number (Army) Nb: These are to be used as guides only, and are only valid for active personnel. Troops number may change. Note, again, that "Regiments" are in fact battalions that have not been brought up to strength.
Name of Superior Unit
Name of Unit (Size, Role)
Central Command (9950)
1st Presidential Guard (2000, Mixed Guards division, divided into four separate battalions, one in each geographical command)
88th ReActive Peacekeeping and Intervention Division (2000, Infantry Peacekeeping)
27th Electronic and Cyberwarfare Task Force (700, Cyberwarfare)
21st Counter Terrorism and Urban Warfare Unit (350, See Name)
14th Teddy Intelligence Corps (3000, Military Intelligence)
Personnel: Number (Air Force) Nb: These are to be used as guides only. Troops number may change. Each squadron has 200 administrative personnel, and around 20 people per aircraft for service and maintenance.
Squadron Type
Aircraft (Complement, Number, Role)
Types of Unit Helicopter
Chinook (3, 2, Heavy Cargo)
Apache / Eurocopter Tiger (2, 15)
TAI H97 (3, 4, Utility)
CV-22 Osprey (4, 4, Heavy Cargo)
Tactical Fighter
T-59/T-64 / T-88 (S) (1, 15, Fighter Jet Single Seat)
T-59A / T-64 (2, 10, Close Air Support / Ground Attack Aircraft)
Reconnaissance Squadron
T - 55 (2, 3, Patrol Aircraft)
TAI Tetra2 (3, 2, Search and Rescue Aircraft)
UAV Squadron
MQ-8 Firescout (2, 2 UAV Helicopter)
TAI TUAV - 999 (2, 5, Hunter-Killer)
MQ-9 Reaper (2, 1, Hunter-Killer)
RQ-5 Hunter (2, 1 Reconnaissance)
Unit Totals Number of Helicopter Squadrons: 6 Number of Fighter Squadrons: 16 Number of Transport Squadrons: 8 Number of Attack Squadrons: 3 Number of Recon Squadrons: 10 Number of UAV Squadrons: 4
Total Aircraft: 780 Total Personnel: 23 996
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:42 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Personnel: Number (Misc) Nb: These are to be used as guides only. Troops number may change. Border Patrol is considered part of the Navy, and the 10th Training Corps is considered part of the Army, despite training all branches of the military.
Space Command: 3000
Missile Corps Number of people / Corps: 200 Number of Stations: 40 Total: 8000
8th Training Corps: 10000
Border Patrol Number of Stations: 170 Personnel per station : 20 Total: 3400
Sub-Total for Misc: 24400
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 12:48 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Equipment: Army Nb: Most of this equipment is interchangeable between the branches of the military, and some vehicles may have accidentally been left out.
Equipment of the Air Force Nb: Most of this equipment is interchangeable between the branches of the military, and some vehicles may have accidentally been left out.
Name
Role
Notes
T-59
3rd Generation Jet Fighter
Fighter jet of the AFTBRE
T-64
4.5 Generation Jet Fighter
Main fighter jet of the AFTBRE
T-88
5th Generation Jet Fighter
Experimental fighter jet of the AFTBRE
T M72
Airborne Control
Domestically Produced
T-55
Reconnaissance vehicle
Domestically Produced
T M54
Strategic Bomber
Domestically Produced
TAI Tetra7T
Tanker
Domestically Produced
TAI Tetra6
Passenger
Domestically Produced
TAI Tetra5C / TAI Tetra4C
Military Transport
C-130 Hercules
Military transport
TAI Tetra2
Search and Rescued
Domestically Produced
CV-22 Osprey
Military Transport
Chinook
Cargo Helicopter
TAI H97
Utility/Personnel Helicopter
In limited use
AH-64 Apache / Eurocopter Tiger
Attack Helicopter
MQ-8 Firescout
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
MQ-1 Predator
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
TAI TUAV-999
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Main UAV, domestically produced
MQ-5 Reaper
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
RQ-5 Hunter
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:28 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Equipment of the Navy Nb: Most of this equipment is interchangeable between the branches of the military, and some vehicles may have accidentally been left out.
Name
Role
Notes
Luxurious Class
Aircraft Carrier
Bear Bear Class
Guided Missile Cruiser
Handrail Class
Destroyer / Frigate
In limited use
Domelorv Class
Guided Missile Destroyer
Backbone of the Fleet
Thiban Class
Diesel Electric Submarine
Tonka-I Class
Nuclear Attack Submarine
[/tr]
Tonka-II Class
Nuclear Guided Missile Submarine
Backbone of the submarine force, submarine tender variant exist
Bearphoon Class
Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine
Naval (and only) arm of the TBRE’s Nuclear Deterrence Policy
Forkal Class
Corvette
Vorval Class
Corvette
Mostly mine operations and underwater warfare specialist ships
Nordica Class
Patrol Boat / Fast Attack Craft
Merca Class
Auxillary Ship
Refill and replenishment supply ships
Lambda Class
Amphibious Assault Ship or Dock Landing Ship
Survey and icebreaker ships are not counted among the TBRE’s Navy, these are considered an extension of either the Ministry of Transport fleet or the Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping Fleet.
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 6:19 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Conscription The TBRE, owing to its small size and aggressive neighbors, has conscription in force.
People from the ages of 18-25 - regardless of gender - must complete at least 6 months of basic training, and up to another 30 weeks if they wish to go into a basic specialized unit. Special forces training takes up to 3 years, and applicants must have already served for 5 years in the military. All people who go through training via the conscription are assigned weapons, which they may take home and keep in good condition, hence forming the milita corps. The reasoning for this is so that the TBRE has an active civilian defense force, which is ready to repel any attack even if the regular army is unavailable. The Ministry of War has stated that there have been no problems or increased criminal action resulting because of this policy.
The standard compensation for conscription is around T$8 a day for a basic recruits, or US$1.2. In addition, they are paid the amount of money that they earned in whatever job they may be taking.
People who do not have to take part in the service include those failing the physical and mental tests pre-conscription, those with religious/moral objections, and those with an expectant child among others. These people must reapply for civil service instead, participating in a non-military role in the government eg helping the elderly, doing community service.
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 6:28 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Ethics All soldiers follow the National Military Manual. In it contains the standard procedures towards fighting as decent and fair a war as possible, while still maintaining a tactical advantage against the enemy.
The Manual was created after the TBRE signed the Geneva Convention, and compressed its contents into a basic instruction guide for soldiers to follow. The Manual outlines the appropriate behavior and conduct expected from troops fighting in a war, and is handed out as part of the Conscription program.
Contents of the manual are varied, and include the following: 1) Treatment of Prisoners of War: To ensure that prisoners of war are kept in a humane and fair condition, in accordance to various treaties. 2) Treatment of Civilians: To ensure that civilians are not harmed in combat, and to keep collateral damage at a minimum. Civil militias and resistance groups are exempt from this, and are treated as combatants. 3) Dictation of Military Tribunals: To ensure that military tribunals have a free and fair trial, and abide strictly by the laws that the Legislature chooses to pass during wartime. 4) Regarding Medical Personnel: That medical personnel are not to be attacked, unless it is beyond a reasonable doubt that such personnel are actively engaged in the conflict as combatants. And 15 other sections.
Those who purposely violate these manuals with intent will stand trial for unethical behavior.
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:48 pm
by Teddy Bear Republic
Nuclear Policy
Although the TBRE has not signed the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, breaking its tradition of usually being the first to adopt any multilateral solution to peace, it has stated that it shall only have 70 nuclear warheads during peacetime. Other potential warheads - up to 300 - are also stored elsewhere in the TBRE as a stockpile in case of nuclear war, but these are generally not counted in the 70 figure due to their current incapability of serving as weapons.
It is generally accepted that nuclear missiles are never to be used in a pre-emptive / first-strike attack, and are instead serve as a safeguard against any similar destruction aimed towards the TBRE. Therefore, it is common knowledge will only be used in retaliation against an attack of significant damage towards the TBRE, which has caused the integrity of the entire nation to break down.
Should H Majesty the President determine that a nuclear strike is indeed necessary, following a series of criteria and consultation with the nuclear missiles use guideline book, the First Presidential Guard member, known as the "Doomsday Man/Woman", that always accompanies the President shall unlock the launch suitcase, nicknamed the "Nuclear Football." Upon this action, H Majesty the President must verify his identity before being able to launch the nuclear missiles. After selecting his targets and stating his intention to the Minister of War, or chosen successor, and the Chief Councillor / Supreme Court Justice, or chosen successor, and having them approve this order, the orders are then sent on to the Strategic Missile Command, which in turn orders all forces to act as commanded. These forces take shape in the form of four Bearphoon submarines, each with different numbers of nuclear missiles. They then fire these missiles at the chosen target, before slipping away.
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:07 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Mobilization
Should war be declared and more military personnel be required, the HM President can authorize a mobilization, and there are different types.
As stated before, most regiments in the Army and other units in other branches are smaller than their name suggests, and thus need to be brought up to full, combat ready strength. In this instance, the HM President can call for a Primary Mobilization, where only beings who have signed up for these units are called up. This is the most common type of mobilization, and the HM President can also decide which units to bring up to strength and which ones not to.
There are also other reserve divisions that reinforce existing ones, even those that have been brought up to strength. For instance, in the military there are extra reserve brigades attached to each Command, with around 5 reserve brigades to each active one. These divisions, when called up, mirror the ones that they reinforce. This mobilization is called Selective Mobilization, and these forces are pulled from conscripts of a certain age, who may or may not have signed up to a particular regiment, unless their counterparts in Primary Mobilization.
Total Mobilization occurs when the Armed Forces create extra brigades that did not exist even on paper. However, it mostly entails that the Civil Defense League, or militia, is asked to stand ready. Total mobilization only occurs during certain situations, most notably that of total war. It has only been called twice in the history of the TBRE.
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:08 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Private Forces The Armed Forces of the TBRE, should they not want to mobilize more forces, can also contract out to mercenaries. Note that this term in the TBRE does not mean the same as it does elsewhere, mercenaries are generally taken as those who may fight for money but generally stick to a strict honor code. As stated on one website, "We are the remnants of a bygone age - one where noble warriors roamed the lands, fighting for their cause. As the descendants of these warriors, we have a strict code of honor - and we stick to it."
There are two mercenary organizations in the TBRE: Crescent Sun Clan and the Red Claw Security Group. When not contracted for security purposes, it has been said that they generally carry out their own missions for certain causes - most notable when peacekeepers in Africa were surprised to find that they had turned up to help, completely free of charge.
Mercenary organizations are kept under check by the Private Contracting Branch of the Ministry of War, and apart from their own set guidelines, must follow national ones ensuring that they do not go rogue.
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 5:37 am
by Teddy Bear Republic
Elder-General's Own The Elder-General's Own Paw and Mounted Regiment (The 1st Teddy Keyshifter Guards) (Tedofian: ), also known as the Elder-General's Own and incorrectly as the Elder Guard, is a Teddy Armed Forces ceremonial unit.
The Elder-General's Own, along with the National Police Bureau's Public Duties Unit, is responsible for performing public duties. In particular, they often ceremonially guard important government locations, although actual security operations are carried out by the police or Protective and Security Operations Command. Generally, the Elder-General's Own will take three shifts of daily duties, followed by the National Police Bureau with one shift.
The Elder-General's Own takes part in the daily Changing the Guard ceremony outside the Biege House, home of the TBRE's Congress, where a platoon of the "new guard" will take over the duties of another platoon of the "old guard". They also provide sentries for the War Memorial and at the Elder-General's residence, providing two sentries at a time for each location that change on the hour, every hour, from 8am to 8pm. However, these sentries may change more frequently, and start later and end sooner, depending on the weather, especially during the winter months.
The Elder-General's Own also takes part in reviews of the military, the most significant of which is on Flag Day, where they line the parade ground, swear the ceremonial oath on behalf of the Armed Forces, and also lead the march past. Contingents are also on hand to provide a guard of honor for visits by foreign guests and military funerals. Further activities include performing at musical engagements and representing the Armed Forces around the world. For instance, they have mounted the guard in a number of different Laltofian countries.
As with other TBRE units, despite being called a Regiment, the Elder-General's Own is in fact a batallion sized unit, standing at around 750 personnel at full strength, although this figure is usually only reached during signiificant events such as the Flag Day parade. It is divided into one horse company, three infantry companies of equal size, a music band company, an artillery company and an administrative platoon, the latter of which is the only part of the Elder-General's Own with permanent staff on hand.
The Elder-General's Own draws its personnel from fully-trained members of the Armed Forces, and is open to everyone regardless of gender provided they meet standard height, weight and physical health requirements. While in the service of the Elder-General's Own, these service personnel puts their military trades and specialties on hold, and trains for up to four months to become a member. In the past, conscripts had the option of extending their national mandatory military training by serving in the Elder-General's Own, however, they must now do this in their capacity as active, pre-trained Home Guard members.
The Elder-General's Own is stationed at Toylando-East Edbaren Barracks on Military Lane next to the Government District, with a contingent at the Toylando-South Annex Barracks near the Elder-General's residence.
The creation of the TBRE meant the amalgamation of the former armies of the bear states into a single unified force. A new Elder Keyshifter Guards Corps (known as the Elder Guards) was formed, made up of the old elite army guards regiments of the former bear states and continuing their traditions. It was this unit that provided most of the public duties for the Armed Forces.
Following the Second World War, with the downsizing of the military in accordance to treaty regulations, the Elder Guards was made into a division sized unit. Additionally, it was decided that a new pan-services approach had to be taken to allow members from all branches of service. Ceremonial duties were thus shifted away from the Elder Guards which drew its strength solely from the army, into the new pan-service Elder-General's Own Paw and Mounted Regiment. Although ordinal seniority numbers were no longer officially in use by the Armed Forces, the new Regiment was named the First Keyshifter Guards to give it precedence above all other units; this was also done to differentiate it from the other Elder Guard units, who were also considered part of the elite Keyshifters. Administratively, it was still considered an independent battalion-sized unit in the Elder Guards.
Following the military reforms led by President-Minister Palchensky at the end of the Cold War, when the Armed Forces were again significantly reduced in size with the decreasing use of conscripts in the military, the Elder-General's Own was transferred out of the Elder Guards when the Guards were downsized from a division into a brigade. Similarly, the Home Guard was transferred out of Armed Forces jurisdiction into a separate branch. However, members of the Home Guard can still participate as members of the Elder-General's Own.
As of now, the Elder-General's Own stands as an independent battalion-sized unit under the direct command of the Army's General Staff.