[Faction Guide] Earth Federation Forces

Organization
The Earth Federation's heraldry is a golden or white north star, similar to that of NATO, over a horizontally lying crescent, forming an anchor-like symbol.

The Federation is loosely based on the United Nations, with a Security Council and General Assembly, but is not a successor to that organization. It is a global government that was formed by a 'rich mans' club' of wealthy nations, before they were all merged into a single super state and the concept of individual nations was abolished. Places are mentioned by what landmass or region they are in, such as New York City and Odessa are mentioned to be located in North America and Central Asia, not the United States or Ukraine. While Japan, Australia, and Ireland are mentioned, these names refer to the landmasses and not the former countries. The only exception to this is the language and nationality of characters, which can be interpreted to be based on their predecessors' former homeland before emigrating to the space colonies.

The Federation military headquarters was a secret, underground complex located at Jaburo, deep in the Amazon jungle. It was located underground for protection against Zeon attacks. For security purposes, the various branches of the Federation government are scattered about the globe; with the Earth Federation Assembly being located in Dakar, and until UC 0093, the Federation Capital being located in Lhasa.

History
The Earth Federation was formed in the pre-Universal Century (i.e. the 20th Century), when overpopulation began causing famines, outbreaks of disease, and wars over living space, food, and resources. In order to relieve Earth of the burden and allow it to heal, the Earth Federation announced the Space Colonization Plan. The Earth Federation began the construction of orbital habitats, based on the designs and research of Gerard K. O'Neill, and located in the Earth-Lunar Lagrangian Points. The colonies, called Bunches (possibly due to the ballistic pairing of the colony cylinders) were then organized into administrative sectors called Sides. While most of the human population was forced to relocate to the colonies as part of the Space Colonization Plan, the wealthy and influential members were able to remain on Earth. This gave rise to the image of the Earth Federation as "Earth-Born Elite", living comfortably on Earth while the ordinary populace, for the most part, has been forced to live in space.

In order to maintain and satisfy energy concerns, the Earth Federation launches Solar Power Station Satellites, which broadcast energy to power stations on the ground. In addition, the Federation also launched the Jupiter Energy Fleet, which collect helium-3, hydrogen and methane from the upper atmosphere of the gas giant. In U.C. 001, the Federation elected it's first prime-minister, Ricardo Marcenas. Marcenas was prepared to unveil the Universal Century Charter, however, before he could do so, his resident colony, Laplace, was destroyed by a terrorist group. Arguably, the sabotage was the best thing that could've happened for the Federation, allowing to maintain all its authority under the pretense of preventing terror.

Since its founding, the Federation has been involved in several conflicts and been close to being overthrown on numerous occasions. The first instance of this occurred during the One Year War in UC 0079. The One Year War was a year-long conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, a cluster of colonies in Side 3 who declared independence and attacked the Earth without warning. The war was ultimately won by the Earth Federation, who disbanded the Zeon army. However, the repercussions of this would be felt for many years, spawning numerous incidents that were caused by the remaining Zeon forces or loyalists. The most notable of these are the Neo Zeon Wars.

The First Neo Zeon War was a full-scale war between Neo Zeon, led by Haman Karn and the AEUG/Earth Federation Forces. The war erupted in UC 0088, in the aftermath of the civil war known as the Gryps Conflict. This would be followed up on with the Second Neo Zeon War in UC 0093. This was a full-scale war between Neo-Zeon, this time led by The Red Comet and the Earth Federation Space Forces Londo Bell. The war erupted after Char Aznable declared war against the Earth Federation, so he could usher in a new era for mankind in space.

Military
The Earth Federation forces are organized under the moniker Earth Federation Forces, or EFF, to enforce Federation edicts. The Earth Federation Forces are organized into three groups - an Earth-based military force, which handled all military matters on sea, and in Earth atmosphere, and a space navel military branch, and in-between branch which is the primary army which has bases both in space and on Earth, known as the Earth Federation Space Forces or EFSF.

Until UC 0087, the military central command for the Earth Federation Forces was located at a base called Jaburo (or Jabrow), located under the Amazon river. During the One Year War, the base was the target of many attacks by the Principality of Zeon, including the Operation British colony drop and a decisive battle at which the remaining bulk of Zeon's Earth Attack Force made their final attempt to destroy Jaburo. Throughout the Universal Century the Earth Federation Space Force operated from their headquarters at Luna II.

Earth Federation Army (EFGF)
The army is the most poorly-equipped of all the EFF branches; it possessing outdated weaponry and equipment. The army was caught completely by surprise when the Zeon launched their drop operation for control of the earth and subsequently spent most of the time between February and August UC 0079 in disarray and retreat. Due to the near-destruction of all Earth Federation branches by the Zeon offensive the mostly intact Army was given dominant control over the maintenance of the Earth Federation. Added to this, the success of Revil's V-plan, Beijing attack, and Odessa attack gave the army unprecedented power within the Earth Federation. The addition of mobile suits did much to help out the Earth Federation Army, and in the post war years, the army became a force to be feared. The EFA maintains a force of 120 million troops at all times, except during the One Year War, when its force count was higher, and the Army was also the only branch that operates on Earth and in space, despite the Earth Federation possessing a separate Space Forces branch. In the U.C. 80s, the Titans branch took over the helm of the regular federal army, however, with the subsequent defeat of the Titans after the Gryps Conflict, the federal forces were reorganized.

Earth Federation Navy (EFMF)
The Navy is a major power in the Earth Federation, and possesses several bases on the coast of California, collectively known as the California base. The Federation's navy took heavy casualties following the failed colony drop, and when the Zeon seized the California Base in the Earth invasion (during the One Year War) they converted the facilities to build Zeon submarines. Although the California Base was recaptured by Federation Forces in the dying weeks of the One Year war, the Federation regained control of the seas but the navy was in shadow of its former glory. Naval officers were the best trained soldiers in the Earth Federation at the dawn of the space colonization era, and hence would become the model that the Earth Federation would turn to when they created the Earth Federation Space Force.

Earth Federation Air Force (EFAF)
Not much is known about the Earth Federation's air force, other than the facts that they do exist and did participate in several ground campaigns. The group has several powerful bombers created from core booster pieces left over from the vision project. However, those pieces of equipment are rare. The EFAF's aircraft are somewhat outdated and are not adapted to combats under the influence of Minovsky particles. The EFAF planes also lack enough fire power to destroy mobile suits due to the guided missiles becoming partly useless under Minovsky particles but at the same time, mobile suits can hardly shoot down fast flying planes and thus the EFAF seldom encountered Mobile Suits. Their main mission during the One Year War was to intercept Zeon atmospheric entry vehicles with their High altitude fighter FF-3 Sabrefish (an atmospheric version of the FF-S3 Saberfish which was used by the EFSF). During the course of the One Year War, many EFAF pilots ended up becoming Mobile Suit pilots.

Earth Federation Space Force (EFSF)
The Earth Federation Space Force (or EFSF for short) is the branch of the Earth Federation Forces that the Earth Federation created to help enforce Federation edicts in space by transporting federation army troops in space and help defend from attacks of their enemies in space outside the colonies. The Earth Federal Space Force was created to counter the perceived military threat from the then Republic of Zeon, which had broken away from the Federation when it declared independence. This branch of the armed service is almost exclusively concerned with space combat, and before the One Year War this branch was listed under the other three branches (Earth Federation Army, Earth Federation Navy, Earth Federation Air Force) and was commanded by generals appointed by those three.

When it was originally created the Federation's Space Force was a mirror image of the "Big Gun" ship philosophy, embodying powerful guns to destroy its enemies. This began to change in UC 0079, when the Zeon introduced their mobile suits, which thoroughly decimated a lot of the Federation's Space Force. The advent of the mobile suit forced the Federation to develop their own mobile suits and ships that could carry them, resulting in the Pegasus-class MS carriers. After the Delaz Fleet successfully executed Operation Stardust, the Federation's Space Force finally somewhat abandoned the "Big Gun" ship concept completely and focused on making ships that were capable of carrying mobile suits it strength at all times. The Earth Federation had 17,000 warships at it's disposal, except during the first Neo Zeon war. But after that, it rebuilt and once again had 17,000 warships at its disposal. When the Earth Federation hit the year UC0123, the EFSF had thirty-five fleets at its disposal.

A handful of the Earth Federal Space Force ships were designed to withstand atmospheric re-entry and to operate on Earth; these ships were from Pegasus, Argama and Nahel Argama classes.These ships that were capable of atmospheric re-entry were able to operate on Earth via the Minovsky Craft System; these ships were primarily from the Pegasus-class.

Other branches

Londo Bell
Londo Bell is one of the Earth Federation's special forces unit in during the UC 0090s. It formed not long after the first Neo-Zeon war. It was created to replace the Titans, and was the only Federation group to see combat in the Second Neo Zeon War.

Formed soon after the Neo Zeon war, Londo Bell was formed as a replacement for the corrupt Titans unit which had been responsible for the Gryps Conflict. It was formed early on of mostly AEUG and Karaba members, and was commanded by veteran Bright Noa, with its mobile suit combat squads led by ace pilot Amuro Ray, the Londo Bell is designed as an elite unit to be dispatched in the event of a major insurgency. Because so many of these people fought the Titans, they do their best to carry out their missions in methods far more humane and civilized manner than the Titans. Prior to the rise of the Second Neo-Zeon War, this task force spends most of its time inspecting colonies for remnant Zeon supporters. Unfortunately, they fail to pick up on the new Neo-Zeon threat due to the task force being greatly understaffed.

In UC 0093, former Zeon officer/AEUG member Char Aznable returns, after missing-in-action following the Gryps Conflict. After occupying the refugee colony Sweetwater without firing a single shot, he publicly declares himself the new leader of Neo-Zeon and war against the Earth. As a countermeasure, the Federation rapidly increases the size of the Londo Bell in anticipation of the Second Neo-Zeon War, which begins in March UC 0093. During this conflict, the Londo Bell is comprised of three Clop-class cruisers: the Ra Zyme, the Ra Kiem and the Ra Chutter, along with the flagship Ra Cailum. Its mobile suit squadrons consists of 18 RGM-89 Jegans, a RGZ-91 Re-GZ (Refined Gundam Zeta) and Amuro's personal unit, the RX-93 Nu Gundam.

Earth COlony ASteroid (ECOAS)
ECOAS which stands for Earth COlony ASteroid is Earth Federation's newly-established special task group founded in 0096 U.C. It was formed not long after the first Neo-Zeon war, and shares a similar mission with its Londo Bell counterpart. It was created as independent task force to do the dirty and secret missions that Londo Bell wasn't equipped for. ECOAS has its own command system, even Londo Bell cannot command them directly. Their base of operations is Luna II. Their activities cover a broad range of things from military needs to simple policing, and they’re guaranteed special rights. Their existence is kept a secret within the Federation Forces.

Major military bases
Earth

• Jaburo
  
• California base
  
• New York base
  
• Hawaii
  
• Beijing
  
• Madras
  
• Belfast
  
• Torringtion base
  
• Kilimanjaro

Space

• Luna II
  
• Konpeitoh (formerly Solomon)

Military rank of the EFSF
Non-commissioned Ranks

• Petty Officer Third Class
  
• Petty Officer Second Class
  
• Petty Officer First Class
  
• Chief Petty Officer
  
• Master Chief Petty Officer

Commissioned Ranks

• Warrant Officer
  
• Ensign
  
• Lieutenant JG
  
• Lieutenant
  
• Lt. Commander
  
• Commander
  
• Captain
  
• Commodore
  
• Rear Admiral
  
• Vice Admiral
  
• Admiral

Commissioned Officer
Admiral - One of the highest ranks among military officers, given only to those who have shown long-term dedication and service, and have the most renowned of performance records. The senior most rank in the military, they oversee the command of entire fleets from the center of the fleet. Their ships are often seen as the flagships of their respective fleets, and their orders are absolute during combat situations. Held only by important NPCs or those of staggering dedication to the faction. Their level of command ensures that this is indeed the hardest rank to achieve.

Vice-Admiral - One of the highest ranks among military officers, given only to those who have shown long-term dedication and service, and have the most renowned of performance records. Senior to all save a Full Admiral, their job is to assist an Admiral in the command of large ship fleets. Vice Admirals take command of the front-line ships, taking the brunt of any assaults that come towards the fleet and ensuring the safety of the Admiral. Held only by important NPCs or those of staggering dedication to the faction. Amongst the hardest rank to achieve.

Rear Admiral - One of the highest ranks among military officers, given only to those who have shown long-term dedication and service, and have the most renowned of performance records. A Rear Admiral is junior only to a Vice or Full Admiral, and assists the latter and the former in the command of large ship fleets. As to its name, Rear admirals command the rear forces of a fleet, allowing their seniors to command the front line fleets while ensuring a safe retreat window if need be. Held only by important NPCs or those of staggering dedication to the faction. Amongst the hardest rank to achieve.

Commodore - The lowest of the so-called "flag ranks" among military officers, given only to those who have shown long-term dedication and service, and have the most renowned of performance records. A Commodore is junior only to all other flag ranked officers, and assists them in the command of large ship fleets. They are usually tasked with supervising individual ship squadrons within the larger whole of the fleet, though some instead choose to specialize in staff positions for their higher ranked counterparts. Held only by important NPCs or those of staggering dedication to the faction. Amongst the hardest rank to achieve.

Captain - Held by those that have graduated from Captain's Academy and are capable of overseeing the safe operation of a battleship. They are assigned to a specific battleship and take command of its operation during combat; their orders are absolute aboard their own ship save to those of the Admiral rankings. This rank is the lowest rank necessary to command a ship, and will be given out to those with above average profiles which have shown an interest in captaining a ship.

Commander - Held by officer's who are renowned for their tactical prowess, and have shown true dedication to the Earth Alliance. Commanders take the role of strategists, often overseeing an operation from their assigned post and conferring with their ship captains. They rarely sortie into front line combat, unless the situation demands it, and are often as well respected as ship captains are. This rank will be given to those who prove to have above average RP posts and have proven themselves during more than two military operations. They must also show a sense of self-control and ability to mediate heated discussions.

Lieutenant Commander - Held by dedicated officers who have proven to keep a cool head under pressure and have an exceptional performance record. Lt. Commanders have a middle rank among officers, and often take on advisory roles to ship crews, while lending their own expertise during combat. They are amongst the highest ranking for officers that continue to participate in front line mobile weapon combat. This rank will be given to those who prove to have above average RP posts and have proven themselves during more than two military operations.

Lieutenant - Held by those that have proven themselves to be respectable officers through dedicated service or exceptional combat and tactical performance. Lieutenants hold a middle rank among front-line soldiers, often aiding higher ranking officers and taking a hand in the training of up and coming officers. They hold a middle rank among other officers. This rank will be given to those who prove to have above average RP posts and have proven themselves during at least two military operations.

Lieutenant Junior Grade - A rank held by those that have shown an above average level of proficiency in officer protocol or in Mobile Weapon combat. Junior Grades are shown to have the makings of respectable officers, and are sometimes put into leading positions among small squadrons, or in advisory positions among ship personnel. Their experience often makes them ideal test crew for experimental projects, as those with more experience are too precious to waste on potentially dangerous or worthless projects. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on Profile quality and content.

Ensign - A rank held by those that have shown an above average level of proficiency in officer protocol or in Mobile Weapon combat. Ensigns are often put into a 'second in command' position among small squadrons, or in an advisory position among ship crews, and hold a lower-middle rank among other officers. Their experience often makes them ideal test pilots for experimental projects, as those with more experience are too precious to waste on potentially dangerous or worthless projects. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on Profile quality and content.

Warrant Officer - Held by skill pronounced low ranking ship staff such as CIC officers, as well as low ranking pilots. It is the minimum character rank required for a Player Character to actively pilot a mobile weapon in the RP. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on profile quality and content.

Non-Commissioned Officer
Master Chief Petty Officer - The highest non-commissioned rank available, usually held by skillfully pronounced high ranking ship staff such as chief mechanics, doctors, CIC officers. Their authority is usually restricted to their area of expertise, so a doctor would have little say over what happens in a hangar or on the battlefield, unless it was to do with an injured soldier. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on profile quality and content.

Chief Petty Officer - Held by high ranking ship staff, such as chief mechanics and doctors. Their authority is usually restricted to their area of expertise, so a doctor would have little say over what happens in a hangar or on the battlefield, unless it was to do with an injured soldier. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on profile quality and content.

First Class Petty Officer - Held by middle ranking ship staff, such as mechanics, helmsman, and doctors. Their authority is usually restricted to their area of expertise, and are often assistants to other, higher ranking officers. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on profile quality and content.

Second Class Petty Officer - Held by low ranking ship staff, such as apprentice mechanics, nurses, and CIC officers. They are often assistants working under other, higher ranking officers. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on profile quality and content.

Third Class Petty Officer - Held by low ranking ship staff apprentice mechanics, nurses, and CIC officers. They are often assistants working under other, higher ranking officers. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on profile quality and content.

Recruit - Held only by recruits fresh out of basic military training. This rank will be handed out to members at random, depending on profile quality and content.