New California Republic Army

The New California Republic Army (NCRA) is the standing army of the New California Republic and is by far the largest and one of the most effective military forces in the post-nuclear United States.

Overview
The origins of the Army are not detailed, but by 2241 it was the largest standing army in New California, composed of several divisions, including special (mechanized) cavalry and other mechanized units. The New California Republic Rangers were incorporated into the military in the following years, but with a separate chain of command.

The army has continued to grow and serve NCR's interests, securing its expansion and protecting territories under its control. Following the death of President Tandi, it has also became an instrument of expansion, further developing its numbers. In 2253, the retaliatory Pacification of the Mojave was carried out by an overwhelming force of three battalions, in a protracted war that lasted seventeen years. Soldiers of the army distinguished themselves, including future President Aaron Kimball. Other notable campaigns that shaped the modern NCR Army were the removal of long-standing raider tribes such as the Vipers and the Jackals, and, of course, the Brotherhood War.

By 2281, the NCRA was the single largest military force in the wasteland, rivaled only by the Caesar's Legion. Composed of numerous army battalions, a sharpshooter-skirmisher battalion, and many Ranger battalions, the NCRA has tens or hundreds of thousands of troops at its disposal, enough to absorb the continued loss of one thousand troops each year in the Mojave Campaign alone and still retain operational capability.

The biggest problem the Army encountered was the influence of brahmin barons. Although they only had one vote at the ballot box, their wealth made it easy for them to buy the loyalties of soldiers. This warped the Mojave Campaign to the point that heavy infantry units, soldiers with normal and salvaged power armor suits, stay back home protecting the barons' ranches from small-time raiders, while rank-and-file troops are sent to the Mojave to maintain the campaign, often without proper service rifles or body armor. The ongoing occupation of the Mojave and the lack of activity from the Legion resulted in the quality of training among soldiers deployed to the theater to deteriorate. By 2281, the situation in the Mojave has reached the point where replacements are shipped out with merely two weeks of training.

Furthermore, under the Kimball administration, sexism has reared its ugly head once more. The reactionary undercurrent has led to a disproportionate rate of promotions among male military officers as opposed to female ones.

Wars
The New California Republic has gone to war several times. A chronological order of the wars they fought are as followed:
 * NCR-Enclave War
 * Brotherhood War
 * NCR-Great Khan War
 * NCR-Legion War

Organization
Based on the pre-War United States Armed Forces chain of command and organization, the New California Republic Army uses many of the same elements, adjusted to fit the smaller population and army size. When intact, this chain of command fosters a very capable fighting force; however, should this structure be broken, soldiers become unable to operate efficiently without a commander and usually retreat from battle. The Army has an eligible age of 16 for voluntary military service, but the NCRA draws most of it manpower from NCR states through conscription. Volunteers already in the service may elect to transfer to the NCR Rangers.

The basic theater-level unit of organization is the battalion, divided into companies, platoons, and squads, created at the commanding officer's discretion. Typically, they are led by a sergeant or other non-commissioned officer. The Mojave Campaign began with the deployment of three battalions of infantry to the desert at the behest of President Wendell Peterson. Military bases of the Army (typically called camps) are always under the command of a commissioned officer (usually a major, e.g. Polatli or Knight at Camp Forlorn Hope and Mojave Outpost, respectively). Larger field camps are under the command of a colonel (e.g. James Hsu and Cassandra Moore at Camp McCarran and Hoover Dam, respectively); these field camps also train recruits and employ drill sergeants.

Specialized battalions and units exist, including the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (a sharpshooter/skirmisher battalion), NCR heavy shock troopers (under direct command of General Lee Oliver), medical corps, logistics corps (quartermasters are typically non-commissioned officers), the Field Preparations Division and the NCR military police.

The pay in the Army's service varies greatly. Enlisted troopers are frequently paid poorly, with privates receiving less than 200 caps in monthly wages. On the other hand, the Army does offer generous benefits and fiscal security in the long term, if a trooper completes his service and earns an honorable discharge. Good readiness evaluations can result in the Army giving raises to well-performing soldiers.

Laws
With laws enacted during President Tandi's administration, the NCR recognizes the rights of prisoners of war and approaches their care humanely and free from abuse. Most officers find these laws to be constricting, but resourceful officers find ways around it by employing the service of outside consultants.

While modern in terms of organization, some elements thereof hearken back to methods used by military forces of the 17th and 18th centuries. For example, flogging can be used as a non-judicial punishment for desertion or suspicion thereof. The war with the Legion and fall-off in training levels result in it being used too liberally at times. Of course, it depends on circumstances. Desertion in the face of the enemy is a capital offense, with the penalty being hanging or to be shot on sight. Severe dishonorable conduct, such as armed robbery by active soldiers, also warrants capital punishment, by firing squad.

Foreign relations
As the military arm of the NCR, matters of diplomacy are left to be decided by the civilian branch of the government, (the president and the congress). Outsiders' view of the military depends on their relationship with the NCR.

Technology
The Army of the Republic enjoys a substantial advantage over many of its competitors, thanks to a strong industrial base, a large supply of manpower, and rugged, standardized technologies. Its biggest advantage, however, are command and control capabilities: The Army uses computer software to coordinate and evaluate its troops, with radio and satellite communications providing real-time coordination of its military operations.

The Gun Runners are the primary contractor responsible for supplying the Army with weapons and ammunition, enough to be considered an unofficial branch of the military. Caravans deliver weapons and ammunition in bulk from factories in the Boneyard to wherever the Army needs them. Other companies supply the Army's body armor, with the principal contractor being the Crimson Caravan company, competing with Far Go Traders.

Personal armaments
The NCR Army prizes ruggedness and reliability above all else. NCR troopers use mass produced weapons made from durable materials (such as steel and wood) that perform reliably and can survive harsh treatment. The basic service weapon is a semi-automatic 5.56mm service rifle, supplemented by cowboy repeaters, hunting rifles, varmint rifles and even caravan shotguns. High-end firearms such as marksman carbines, assault carbines, riot shotguns and .308 sniper rifles are commonly issued to veteran units, particularly in strategic locations such as Hoover Dam. A limited supply of energy weapons, such as laser rifles, plasma rifles, tri-beam laser rifles and multiplas rifles, is also available, though restricted to rear echelons.

9mm semi-automatic pistol is the standard sidearm of both officers and grunts. All of these weapons are provided by the Gun Runners, who handle a majority of the weapons contracts of the army. It consists of a metal breastplate and backplate supported by leather pauldrons worn over brown fatigues. The NCR is also known to use mine tactics; Chief Hanlon is famous for it.

The heavy infantry shock units are specialized units provided with heavy weapons and salvaged power armor. Suits of T-45 power armor from the war with the Brotherhood of Steel confer superior protection. A small number of functional suits is also in service with rear echelon units. They carry heavy weaponry such as light machine guns, incinerators, and even missile launchers as well as Gatling lasers, plasma casters, Gauss rifles and even Tesla cannons.

In addition to the regular infantry, there is an entirely separate special forces branch known as the NCR Rangers. Most Rangers wear NCR-designed Ranger patrol armor, while veterans opt for the so-called Black Armor: a traditional Desert Ranger trenchcoat worn together with a pre-War 3rd generation combat armor and matching helmet. They also have access to superior weapons, such as trail carbines, Ranger Sequoias, anti-materiel rifles, and brush guns.

The NCR make use of salvaged pre-War weapons and equipment as well: Hoover Dam is protected by an anti-aircraft gun capable of firing flak shells to bring down aircraft.

Air force
The NCR has limited airpower, with a fleet of captured Vertibirds for special missions (with some of them stationed at border outposts, such as the one on the Long 15), with at least one Vertibird being reserved as the president's personal vehicle ("Bear Force One").

While the Republic has access to surviving fixed-wing aircraft, it is not known if it has the technical ability to operate and maintain them.

Mechanized division
The New California Republic have a mechanized vehicle division. The exact number and the type of vehicles in the division is unknown. The primary limitation is the supply of tires and other degradable parts that greatly limit the possibility for fielding any larger scale vehicle fleet. It is known, however, that the NCR logistics corps employ several former United States Army trucks and jeeps for transport, and several scavenged tanks These are kept running by a dedicated team of mechanics and well-stocked workshops, such as the truck repair depot at Camp McCarran.

Appearances
The Army appears in Fallout: New Vegas although it is mentioned in Fallout 2 and covered in the Fallout Bible.