People's Republic of Tidewater: Military

## Lore Overview

The **People's Republic of Tidewater Military (PRTM)** is the military force of the People's Republic of Tidewater (PRT). The PRTM, despite funding from the Brazilian Republic and its fearsome and notorious military, the Maior Exército Brasileiro (MEB), is vastly underfunded compared to their American and English counterparts. The PRT's Army, PRTA, is notably the only well recognized force that has a fighting chance against American and English aggression, with the PRT's Navy and Air Force, PRTN and PRTAF, operating salvaged pre-Atlanta Crisis ships and aircraft, or equipment leased or purchased from Brazil in lesser numbers to use against the United States of America.

## History

### Reconstruction and Atlanta Crisis

The predecessor of the PRTM was the armed militias of the CDF, which had continued to grow substantially since the Flash in 2032. However, they were all decentralized in nature, loosely connected to one another across the wasteland,having different standards, practices, and leadership as a whole within their regions of control. The CDF in the east would continue to grow with populations rising as reconstruction took place. It wasn’t long until they came into contact with Brazil in the 2080s, where official ties became established between the two entities and relations between the CDF and the USCPF would falter further. With trade agreements signed between the eastern CDF and Brazil, it wasn’t long until shipments of arms and equipment would arrive to outposts dotting the southern US. It first culminated from simple rifles and support equipment. This would soon change as time went on, with the higher profile arrival of tanks and armored personnel carriers that would be much needed in the later years leading up to the crisis.

With the Atlanta Crisis kicking off in June of 2096, the independence forces CDF, with the assistance of the MEB, would begin attacking pro-US and US military installations and personnel, with extensive utilization of the leased equipment afforded to them by Brazil. In a matter of months, most of the south had been wrestled out of the hands of the US and occupied by the newly founded PRT. By the end of the crisis, the PRT had successfully taken the midwestern and southern states, including the Mexican state of Chihuahua, and had secured itself as a force to be reckoned with on the North American continent.

### Aftermath and Mistakes

While victory had been achieved after the Atlanta Crisis died down in the early 2100s, it was clear that there were many problems in the early PRTM that severely affected its ability to wage war in the initial stages. Friendly fire contributed to many early deaths at the start of the conflict by both MEB support units and PRTM frontliners, as the only distinguishing between the the pro-US and pro-PRT was that of their armband, with the former their trademark yellow armbands while the latter donning blue armbands with a five-pointed white star, reflecting the new nation’s flag. With no standardized uniform or equipment, outside of general supply issues, this made the two factions virtually indistinguishable between one another. As a stopgap measure, early soldiers were given brown jackets with the PRT's flag and CDF gasmask patch on the shoulders, which would later reflect the new uniform later down the line.

In addition to mismanagement of logistics, a decentralized command structure and proper training of their subordinates affected the PRTM’s overall performance in the conflict. While many officers were seasoned veterans of wasteland affairs, they were unprepared for a long and conventional conflict. Its officer corps had been supplemented with many untrained individuals to fill the gaps of newly conscripted men, some of which only appointed just by their unwavering patriotism. These factors were largely attributed to the later failures of the PRTM against the 2098 Southern Counteroffensive, being pushed from their gains in the Carolinas all the way back to the southern half of Georgia, losing initial gains inside Tennessee as well. With greater military support from the MEB, however, the present lines were held. It was clear as day to the higher ups in the military and government that changes needed to be made, as many mistakes made during the conflict caused substantial equipment losses, and furthermore, countless unnecessary deaths.

### Formation of the Modern PRTM

In September of 2099, the entire military apparatus would be restructured from the ground up, erasing any old practices and changing the military from its original militia organization to a fully fledged conventional army. It was then that the Civilian Defense Front’s name would be retired from official use, replaced with the People’s Republic of Tidewater Military. With the assistance of advisors from the MEB, the PRTM would formalize its command structure and training doctrine, with many of the junior officers sent to the newly constructed New Atlanta Military Academy. As for the regular enlisted, a seven-week basic training was instituted to better prepare new recruits for combat, and further training for specializations depending on their role.

In addition to training, a large standardization program would begin to simplify logistics and equip all personnel fully, soldiers receiving the now signature solid brown fatigues and simply steel helmets. While their gear is nothing special compared to their American and Brazilian counterparts, the military makes sure that all of their men and women have at least the bare essentials and a rifle in every hand, whether that be a bolt-action or fully automatic rifle. Alongside lend lease by the MEB, the PRT would further utilize domestically produced military vehicles which would replace their hodgepodge of civilian pickups and aging US military surplus.

To this day, the PRTM, while not as well trained or equipped as their counterparts on the battlefield, are nevertheless a force to be reckoned with. They find themselves deployed to many fronts along the border, some more violent than others. In the case for the garrison of Fort Wilmington, the frontline remains unpredictable, with the swampy landscape and hot Georgia summer beating on the backs of many personnel.

## Details

### Recruitment

Although underfunded, the PRT's military is backed up by mass conscription that calls upon all males aged 18-26 to serve in the armed forces for a mandatory two-year period within the previously mentioned age range. Those who fail to do so, including intentionally avoiding military service, can face a hefty fine and prison sentence. However, it is not uncommon for both men and women to volunteer themselves willingly at an early age, some yearning for adventure or out of patriotism, and those who wish to get it out of the way early. In addition to active duty, alternative options to enlist for a longer contract in the reserves, or after the conclusion of their mandatory two-year service, are also present to choose from. As a result, the PRTM maintains the largest standing army on the North American continent, numbering 1.2 million personnel. In addition to regular people, many Outcasts choose to join the military while not obligated to do so. Reflecting their equal status as citizens in the PRT, Outcasts serve in both combat and non-combat roles, some even becoming officers and proudly serving the military. Many one day hope to liberate the other Outcasts in the US, who aren't as fortunate to have the same rights as they do.

Due to the PRT's conscription laws, heaps of respect is given to the PRT's soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Brainwashing, propaganda, and media censorship often portray life in the military as one of adventure, heroism, and incredible valor. Many grunts and enlists find their propagandized leaflets and recruitment offices were filled with lies as they're thrust into combat with lesser equipment and training than American troops of equivalent rank. Brutal combat against the US is often thrust upon young grunts fresh out of schooling, with bayonet charges and close quarters combat occurs in large cities and border towns. Nonetheless, many who join are highly motivated.

### Training

Newly conscripted and volunteered recruits for the PRTM will find their training to be a tough endeavor. While only lasting seven weeks, each man and woman will be subjected to harsh conditions from day one to end. Aided by both PRTM instructors and MEB advisors, the seven weeks of training they will experience are important, with critical skills such as basic first aid, small squad coordination, and bayonet training being taught extensively. Tough physical exercise is also deeply ingrained in their training to keep them in top shape to complete the various tasks laid out before them during their seven weeks and in the future of their terms of conscription. Discipline is also hammered into the heads of recruits, one of the most notable examples is the famous low crawl through the mud underneath barbed wire while a machine gun team fires live rounds above them. By the end of the seven weeks, they'll become fully fledged soldiers and be ready to be deployed.

### Branches of the PRTM

#### People's Republic of Tidewater Army

The People's Republic of Tidewater Army (PRTA) is the largest and most well equipped branch of the PRTM. Bolstered by conscripts and enlistees alike, the army is made up of hundreds of thousands of men and women. From its humble beginnings, the army was made up of members of the Civilian Defense Front, commonly without any form of standardized equipment outside popular weapons such as the NC-12. Today, soldiers of the PRTA are easily recognizable by their all brown uniforms. Equipment quality, like mentioned previously, regulate the kinds of gear the average grunt is able to utilize, as sufficient protection is unable to be afforded in high numbers. As a result, most soldiers are equipped with either a flak jacket or no armor at all, and nothing more than a simple steel helmet for head protection.

When it comes to vehicles, just like above, quantity was chosen over quality. Tanks and other armored vehicles find themselves lacking armor to properly protect itself from enemy fire. Despite this, the PRTA maintains a large quantity of heavy equipment, as well as systems purchased by the MEB to give an edge over the United States.

#### People's Republic of Tidewater Navy

The People's Republic of Tidewater Navy (PRTN) is one of the smallest branches. It is unknown exactly how many ships the navy actually has, but with most of the funding going towards the army, it's estimated that total numbers are low. Overall, the navy acts as a green water navy at best, with most of its most strongest ships being older vessels from Brazil. These drawbacks make naval warfare with powers such as the United States or the United Enclave of British Counties virtually a death sentence without the support of the MEB or a numbers advantage.

One such sub branch of the navy, the People's Republic of Tidewater Nautical Patrol (PRTNP), reflects the nature of the navy. The PRTNP act as a form of coast guard within the nation's waters, performing anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations along the coastline and within its rivers. They are mostly seen operating small patrol boats with a machine gun. They are recognizable by their light blue uniforms and helmets.

#### People's Republic of Tidewater Air Force

The People's Republic of Tidewater Air Force (PRTAF), like the navy, is one of the smallest branches within the military. Most of its aircraft rely on older US designs around the 1960's and 1970's, once again relying on the MEB to gain access to capable aircraft. The air force is relatively small, presumably numbering no more than a hundred capable planes. Most of its fleet is mostly comprised of utility aircraft such as helicopters and reconnaissance or transport planes, with a handful of aircraft for close air support duties.

## Equipment

The Second American Civil War had affected the newly-formed PRT's industry, reducing the capacity of the country to properly equip its soldiers. Armor plates, ballistic helmets, and even automatic weapons were found in such short supply where the common soldier was unable to gain access to them. This is supplemented by quantity over quality to fill any gaps in equipment. While infrastructure projects continue to assist in rebuilding the country and bolster its armed forces, the PRTM is restricted to gear designs stemming from the 1960's and 1970's, including vehicles and aircraft design unless provided for by the MEB.

While the PRT's industrial capacity remains large, it finds itself lacking both the resources to produce key components for higher tech components as well as the expertise and established industry to manufacture them, forcing more simplistic designs to be made. As a result, much more advanced systems such as the Adaptive Reality Heads-Up Display, or simply a HUD, are a rare sight, with them being handed out only personnel who need it most, or those who had shown commitment and bravery to warrant such a reward. Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), however, are found in more sufficient numbers, and can be seen utilized commonly by NCOs and officers alike, and sometimes regular enlisted, albeit in a lesser quality and more rudimentary design in comparison to those produced by their counterparts.

### List of Equipment of the PRTM

#### Small Arms

Submachine guns

Shotguns
 Draica-M

Sniper Rifles
 Hyke
 Sparo

Portable Anti-Materiel Weapons
Rocket-Propelled Grenade
 BGM-71 TOW

Special Equipment
 Personal Digital Assistant |  | Electronic Utility Device
 Adaptive Reality Heads-Up Display

#### Artillery

Artillery and Air Defense
 CFMIR-96

#### Vehicles

Light Vehicles
 LTJ-2076
 GPJ-2097
**GPJ-2097**: Base model
**GPJ-2097B**: Open top
 M-750

Armored Vehicles
1x Coaxial M-68 Medium Machine gun
1x Hopper Light Machine gun
 B-2032 Moraes
 M-2110

Naval Vessels
1x 8-tube ASROC Launcher
2x triple 12.75-inch (324mm) torpedo tubes
??x M-85 Heavy Machine guns
 *Lafayette-c*lass |      | Gunboat
1x 30mm CFMIR-96 AA gun
4x M-85 Heavy Machine guns
 Patrol Boat, Riverine