Republic Expeditionary Force
The industrialization of the Tasnica Republic and the discovery of the Web of Worlds necessitated some military reforms. In 30 WB, Prime Minister Angela Halon created the Republic Expeditionary Force, a professional, all-volunteer army specializing in military operations in foreign lands. The REF was thus an explicitly offensive force; maintaining the defense of the Republic fell to the Landsknecht . Over sixty years later, Rhodes Palmerston effectively did the same thing when he created an 'offensive' Republic Marine Corps and the 'defensive' National Militia System. An avid sports fan, Rhodes likened it to having separate offense, defense, and special teams in football.
The REF soon attracted almost all of the Republic's 'best and brightest' professional soldiers, and instituted a standard of drill, regimentation, and supply which made it one of the finest forces in the Early Web. They developed a deeply professional, highly independent organizational culture that was hostile to politicking. This culture continues to influence many of the Web's militaries, perhaps most significantly, the Grand Army.
Commenting on the REF's equipment and structure is difficult, as it spanned a period of rapid technological progress and military innovation. However, it remained an all-volunteer force for most of its existence, except when losses in the NAMAC Conflict forced conscription. The REF could also serve as a "foreign legion" of sorts, and the ranks were open to non-Tasnicans (of whom Torstensson Lenart and Model Steinmetz were probably the most famous.) Officers were commissioned into a particular branch: Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Nachrichten (communications/intelligence), and Pioneers (engineers).
The REF's first big campaign was against the Shah of Auria, in the Dragon Dimension, under the command of General of Cavalry Erich Fromm. This established Auria as a Tasnican sphere of influence in the Dragon Dimension, and the REF maintained forces in the area, occasionally launching operations against nearby potential hostile powers like Aradia. The REF also fought several short, decisive campaigns before the Great War.
In the Great War, REF units in the Dragon Dimension managed to resist the Dark Dragons for over a year before succumbing. Although Wilhelm Klinten considered sending the REF to support Baron's fight, Baron was hesitant to allow Tasnican troops on their soil. Negotiations eventually broke down, and Tasnica eventually decided to try to gain influence in the newly-discovered Esper Dimension instead.
The Nikeah And Mobliz Army Corps, or NAMAC, opposed Tasnican goals in Esper, and in the first battles of the war, inflicted severe defeats on the REF. In a war lasting ten years (4-14 WR), the REF had to adapt to new tactics and technology. Eventually, with the intervention of Esperian allies, the Tasnicans gained the upper hand, and the REF inflicted a final defeat on NAMAC at the Battle of Albrooker Plain.
Then the REF was dispatched to invade Ticondera, which led to the greatest military disaster in Tasnican history at the Battle of North Viper. Virtually the whole REF was wiped out, and it had to be rebuilt from scratch in the coming years.
The next large-scale REF campaign was in the Ice Country, under the command of Celiose Cole. This three-year campaign (21-24 WR) made Celiose's reputation, and proved that the Ticonderan Legions were beatable. This was the REF that Rhodes Palmerston contributed in toto to form the heart of a new, multinational Grand Army.
