Republic Army



The Republic Army was the collective military ground forces of the Galactic Republic from its founding in 25,000 BBY until its dissolution in 2,000 BBY. Unlike its famous naval counterpart, not much was known of the Republic Army. What information there is reveals that its forces included specialized troops such as rocket-jumpers and also a fair number of combat droids of differing models. Each Army division was associated with particular places or beings. For example, a division raised on Coruscant might adopt (or be given) that name as part of its title thereby becoming the "Coruscant Division". One part of the Republic Army that outlived the rest was the Academy of Carida which served as one of its officer training schools.

Organization
Republic soldiers were decently equipped and supported by several kinds of aerial vehicles. They bore both grenades and blasters. Following the chaos of the Great Sith War, a deliberate decision to reintroduce melee weapons was made. This was brought about by the abundance of lightsaber wielding opponents. To guard against these weapons, Republic swords were required to be made with a cortosis weave, often of Echani origin. Armor was worn and was noted for its modular nature.

One characteristic of the Republic military was its equipping of its personnel with an array of cybernetic implants and head-wear. Some of these were deliberately designed to provide mental protection against the powers of Dark Jedi opponents. Another trait was its use of specialty equipment, such as the stealth field generator, and also physical enhancement technology. These non-combat items and saw considerable research and development as a result of the Republic's use.



As of the Jedi Civil War, personal shield generators were used. Some models were purchased and some were manufactured directly for the Republic. However, the cost of these devices was such that only small units could be assured of a continual supply. Strike teams favored them as they enabled them to outfight an entire unit with conventional gear.

The Republic Army also made use of defensive devices such as emplaced turrets and a variety of land mines. This latter item ranged from fragmentation to plasma to toxin.

History
Around 2,000 BBY, when the Republic essentially collapsed at the start of the New Sith Wars, the Republic Army was replaced with the Jedi-led Army of Light. Following the end of the Wars in 1,000 BBY, the Ruusan Reformation nearly eliminated the Republic's military. The Republic Army remained, but was nothing more than a purely symbolic force; the few remaining ground military units were placed under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Forces. The Republic came to rely on local militaries for the majority of ground forces.

In 44 BBY during the Stark Hyperspace War, Ranulph Tarkin tried to portray the ground forces of his fleet as the legitimate Republic Army, even referring to it as such.

After the start of the Clone Wars in 22 BBY, the ground units of the Judicial Forces were inserted into the Grand Army of the Republic; presumably, the formal Republic Army was, as well. The GAR would then evolve into the Imperial army upon the Declaration of a New Order.

Behind the scenes
It is thought that the red uniform of the Old Republic era is a reference to the 'Redshirt' expendable plot element, popularized by Star Trek.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: The Golden Age of the Sith
 * Tales of the Jedi: The Fall of the Sith Empire
 * Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising
 * Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith
 * Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Days of Fear
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 17: Nights of Anger, Part 2
 * Galactic Republic Defense Ministry Daily Brief KD0092
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Passages
 * Passages