Shall have its own name, banner, and symbol (worn either on an armband or on a badge/baldric/mantel/surcoat). Why--letting unit members know what unit they belong to while letting opponents know which Meridian unit they face.
Should, when formed, have its name/banner/symbol chosen and approved by its members. Choosing and approving unit identification (name/banner/
symbol) will hopefully create unit loyalty among Meridian fighters similar to the loyalty they feel towards their own groups (households, shires, baronies, etc.).
Can, if their fighters agree, merge with other regiments or disband. Once merged or disbanded, former regimental names/banners/symbols will not be worn/displayed until a new regiment's fighters decide to use them.
Should train together as often as its fighters agree. For example, the Southern Marches (eight shires who agreed to share their fighting/non-fighting skills) has had fighters training together since June 1990. Its success in Fools War IV was due to fighters having fought as a unit and the allies who joined them accepting that idea.
FIGHTERS COLLEGIUM SHOULD...
Provide an 'after action' evaluation of the past year's battles (what went right, what went wrong, etc.).
Promote strategic/tactical information sharing, either in publications or at events where group fights are held, throughout Meridies (as in, how do we fight and how do our neighboring kingdoms fight).
Emphasize an active offense and an active defense (our armor and weapons are not well-suited for passive defensive positions and 'set piece' offensive moves).
OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE THEORY
Defense--again, carefully study your opponent's positions. Continuously hit his/her weak points; disrupting operations while keeping an 'escape route' open. As much as possible, use the terrain to your advantage ('taking the high ground,' etc.). Like your offense, you want your defense to keep your opponent guessing as to what you're doing.
To do this, weapon/shield fighters will 'fill the bill' though having archers/
florentines/great swords/javelineers/polearms/slingers can only help. Armor and shields must protect, that's a given, but they must also allow mobility...for there may be times, no matter how well planned beforehand, where offensive moves create defensive positions and defensive moves create offensive opportunities.
Weapon and shield fighters are the 'building blocks' for any unit. Javelineers/Polearms work best against the opponent's center while archers/florentines/great swords/slingers work best against his/her flanks.
On defense, the javelineers/polearms should help form a defensive position while archers/florentines/great swords/slingers harass ('hit and run' attacks) your opponent's position/advances.
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DISCLAIMERS
Page updated 27 June 2012 by Lord Robert Cattanach of Moravia.
(c) The Waterbearing Fish.
References
Large Melee Tactics Class
'Proposal Regarding the Royal Army of Meridies'