Armed Forces of New California (Fall of the Bear)

The Armed Forces of the State of New California (often abbreviated to AFNC) is the standing army of the State of New California. 
==Background==
The origins of the AFNC trace from the New California Republic Army, which was the largest standing army in all of New California. Countless of combat engagements shaped the status of the NCRA as a lethal fighting force that was not to be reckoned with, from the removal of long-standing raider tribes such as the Vipers and the Jackals at Owen's Lake in 2269 and the NCR-Brotherhood War that raged from the late 2250s/early 2260s for over two decades, to the confrontation at Hoover Dam in 2277, commonly known as the First Battle of Hoover Dam.Aaron Kimball: "They suffered through water shortages, raider attacks, and the Brotherhood War. Like our mighty Sierra Nevadas, they endured. But the time came when they could no longer shoulder the burden alone. Twelve years ago, they called out for help, and the republic heard them. Troopers and rangers, just like you, answered the clarion call. Men and women stepped forward to say, "I will carry the weight." And at Owen's Lake, we made true on our promise, driving out the raider tribes to establish a lasting peace in the eastern Sierra Nevadas. We carried the weight, and though we left behind many of our brothers and sisters on that battlefield, it did not break us."(Aaron Kimball's dialogue) By 2281, the NCRA was the single largest military force in the wasteland, rivaled only by Caesar's Legion. Organized much like a pre-War professional army, the NCRA had thousands of troops at its disposal.The Courier: "That's crazy."Hanlon: "Maybe fifty rangers will die on that dam. We lose over a thousand troopers every year. Being here is crazy. Getting out's the only sane thing to do."(Hanlon's dialogue)
However, the once proud army began to deteriorate. The Mojave Campaign's increasing demand for troops led to overwhelmed training facilities, unable to meet the high enlistee quotas. Consequently, new troopers were hastily trained in the field, resulting in a marked decrease in troop quality.: "NCRA Command ordered all of the bases in the NCR to expedite troop training. We didn't have enough room to house tens of thousands of untrained babies — and I didn't have enough patience to clean up after them. So, more often than not, their training was given out on the field."() Furthermore, the rift between Chief Hanlon and General Lee Oliver further undermined the NCR military strategy. The lack of cooperation between the regular army and the Rangers diminished the NCRA’s combat effectiveness. This situation, coupled with Oliver’s fixation on Hoover Dam and Hanlon’s dissemination of false intelligence reports — intended to encourage the NCR’s withdrawal from the MojaveThe Courier: "How does spreading false intel help anything?"Hanlon: " It's been so many years that people forget about it. Conscription brings in fresh troops to die here every month. Like it's routine. Patrol the whole length of the Colorado for hundreds of miles? Holding this dam. "(Hanlon's dialogue) — set the stage for the NCR’s defeat at the Second Battle of Hoover Dam. This event served as a stark revelation to the populace that the NCRA’s might was not as indomitable as once perceived.
During the tumultuous years following the NCR’s defeat at the Hoover Dam, the NCRA maintained a policy of neutrality in all political matters. General Oliver formally requested the Department of Internal Security’s Interior Security Investigative Service to initiate an inquiry into the alleged sabotage. The investigation revealed that Hanlon was the mastermind behind the subversive activities. Consequently, Hanlon faced a court-martial and was executed. However, due to the subsequent collapse of the NCR, further investigations were suspended, and the NCRA could only watch as it did.
Following the , the NCRA finally intervened to address the NCR’s challenges. Under the leadership of General Oliver, they established the National Administrative Committee, — THE CREATION OF A MILITARY EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATION TO SAFEGUARD THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC a group of appointed military officers who would later exert significant influence over NCR politics. With the goal of launching a counteroffensive once the Army was sufficiently resupplied and recuperated, the Committee issued an order to reposition all remaining NCR forces to the "Line of Actual Control." Additionally, they initiated the nationalization of key private assets and the conversion of civilian industries. 
The Committee’s first steps toward reforming the bloated NCR Army was reorganiing it as the Armed Forces of New California. It was scaled down and retrained, favoring a more elite and specialized armored force. Although this move faced opposition from generals, particularly from and the Old Guard, it ultimately became essential for the fledgling state’s survival, as managing a force numbering in the tens of thousands was no longer sustainable.Lee Oliver: "Considering our current geopolitical climate and economic situation, downsizing the Army was the right move. I'd go as far to say that 10 Black Berets can outdo 100 NCRA conscripts."(Lee Oliver's dialogue) 
==Organization==
=== Military branches ===
The Armed Forces of New California (AFNC) is structured into three distinct service branches, each with its own specialized role:
*State Army of New California (SANC): This branch serves as the ground force, responsible for land-based military operations.Player character: "What does the State Army do?"General Hsu: " The State Army does from civilian assistance to frontline military operations. Orders that require special skills are relegated to the Special Operations Troopers or the State Rangers of the Special Forces Command."(General Hsu's dialogue) 
*State Air Forces of New California (SAFNC): The SAFNC provides aerial support and conducts air-based warfare and reconnaissance.Player character: "What does the State Air Force do?": "The State Air Force is the smallest branch of the Armed Forces. They provide close air support to our troopers and aerial combat. Though ever since Navarro seceded, most of the aircraft in the SAF's fleet, all composed of vertibirds, have been converted for utility and logistics. A special fleet of vertibirds is managed by the Special Forces Command, and my guess is that it's used by the Black Berets."() 
*New California Special Operations Command (NCSOC): The NCSOC is tasked with carrying out special operations, often involving covert or specialized missions that require the skills of highly trained personnel such as the Special Operations Troopers, or Black Berets.Player character: "What do the troopers of the Special Forces Command do?"General Moore: The Special Operations Command does everything that the State Army can't. The State Rangers have mostly lost their influence, but they've found purpose in scouting and reconnaissance. The Special Operations Troopers, or the Black Berets as most people call them, is my work. They're ruthless, doing everything from infiltration to extermination."(General Moore's dialogue) 
Prior to the establishment of the AFNC, there was a naval component known as the New California Republic Navy. However, this branch was dissolved during the reformation process that led to the creation of the modern AFNC. The NCR Rangers had a separate branch known as the New California Republic Ranger Command, though this was also dissolved during the reformation of the Army and its functions merged into the NCSOC.
=== Military hierarchy ===
==== State Army ====
The State Army of New California (SANC) is organized into units such as battalions, companies, platoons, and squads. They follow a conventional chain of command, and play crucial roles in the NCR’s military structure.
*Battalions: The primary building blocks of the NCR Army, battalions consist of multiple companies. They serve as operational units responsible for carrying out missions and tasks. They are led by commissioned officers, typically colonels (e.g. and the ).
*Companies: Within each battalion, companies are further subdivided. Companies are ordinarily led by captains or lieutenants (e.g. and , 3rd Battalion). Their responsibilities include coordinating and executing specific operations.
*Platoons: Companies are divided into platoons, which are smaller tactical units. A platoon typically consists of several squads.
*Squads: Squads are among the smallest operational units. They consist of a handful of troopers or a group of fireteams and are led by sergeants or other NCOs. Squads work closely together within a platoon, performing tasks such as reconnaissance, security, or engaging enemy forces.
*Fireteams: Fireteams are the smallest operational unit. Led by a corporal, a typical "standard" fireteam consists of four or fewer members. They serve as the essential building block of squads, and all miitary units in general.
Additionally, AFNC military bases (often referred to as “camps”) fall under the command of commissioned officers. Larger field camps are overseen by colonels, while the largest military bases are managed by high-ranking flag officers (e.g. Major General Hsu to Fort Seth). General Oliver oversees all camps, and is stationed in a special wing of the Fort Seth complex.
==== State Air Forces ====
The State Air Forces of New California (SAFNC), while sharing a similar command structure to the State Army, have adapted their organization to meet the specific needs of air force operations. Despite being the smallest branch, the SAFNC’s structure is designed to provide a clear chain of command and operational efficiency. They are organized into different units of command such as wings, groups, and squadrons. These units are largely symbolic in nature, as the State possesses very few vertibirds, with most of them equipped for logistics missions, rather than frontline air assault and/or close air support.
==== Special Forces Command ====
The New California Special Operations Command (NCSOC), while mirroring the general command structure of the State Army, distinguishes itself through the level of autonomy granted to its operatives and commandos. The autonomy that manifests within the NCSOC has resulted in operational independence, a decentralized chain of command, specialized training, and greater flexibility in tactics.
==Personnel==
The AFNC allows individuals as young as 16 to enter military service. Competence is rewarded with swift promotion, and exceptional soldiers can reach officer ranks within a year. Highly competent troops may be invited to join the Special Operations Troopers or volunteer for transfer. Mandatory conscription applies to all civilians, with a minimum of 3 years of active duty required before returning to civilian life. Annual skill refreshers are mandatory.
The AFNC’s draft is egalitarian, including both men and women, resulting in a roughly equal division of sexes among active-duty troopers. However, training centers and camps face overload due to the yearly influx of new recruits. While the AFNC fields the largest reserve army in California, proper equipment allocation remains a challenge, as most resources are allocated to skilled and experienced battalions.
=== Discipline and advancement ===
The AFNC operates under a stringent chain of command and adheres to strict rules of engagement that prioritize the minimization of civilian casualties. Troopers of lower rank are required to comply with the directives of their superiors, yet they retain a measure of autonomy in executing these orders. Training emphasizes teamwork within groups rather than individual action, and acts of disobedience are discouraged. Significant insubordination may result in court-martial proceedings.
==Technology==
==References==