Republic Military

"I support our brave soldiers whether they come from the clone factories, or from any of the thousands of systems loyal to the Republic."

―Senator Padmé Amidala, addressing the Senate in a speech speaking against the creation of more clone troopers^[4]

The Republic Military, also known as the Republic Forces and during the Clone Wars as the Republic Armed Forces, was the Army, Naval and Starfighter forces of the Galactic Republic. The Military was lead by the Minister and Ministry of Defense, while Republic officers, soldiers, troopers, crewmen, and pilots made up the military. They were organized into the Republic Army, the Republic Navy, and the Republic Starfighter Corps. The Republic Senate Guardsmen and their successors the Senate Guards, were not part of the Military. It was dissolved during the Ruusan Reformation and replaced by the Judicial Forces. However, it was reestablished as the Republic Armed Forces—also known as the Grand Army of the Republic—during the Clone Wars, and eventually reorganized into the Imperial Military.

History

Main articles: Great Hyperspace War, Old Sith Wars, Great Galactic War, Cold War (Galactic Republic–Sith Empire), Galactic War, New Sith Wars and Clone Wars

Positions in the Republic Military during the , from left to right—Republic trooper, pilot, officer and naval officer. — Positions in the Republic Military during the Jedi Civil War, from left to right—Republic trooper, pilot, officer and naval officer.

For most of the Republic's history, its military had been a loose collection of fleets and soldiers from across the galaxy. Each member planet contributed forces to the whole, and each force brought its own arms, uniforms, ranks, and traditions.^[5]

After the devastation of the Jedi Civil War, the Republic rebuilt its forces in the decades that followed. Those in command went to great lengths to promote unity and camaraderie. Ranks, uniforms, and equipment were standardized as much as possible. Recruitment and training programs became universal, with unit memberships and starship crews intentionally mixed to prevent divisions by species or homeworld. Troops learned to fight alongside Jedi as they always had, but they also trained to fight without any Jedi at all, so they wouldn't become too dependent on them—as had happened in the past. These initiatives continued for decades, marked by setbacks and constant revisions. But over time, these efforts transformed the Republic military into a more cohesive and capable force.^[5]

After the Seventh Battle of Ruusan and the death of Lord Hoth, the Ruusan Reformation disbanded the Republic's military forces and replaced them with the Judicial Forces. It also placed the Jedi Order under the Senate's control.

When the Confederacy of Independent Systems posed a huge threat to the Republic, the issue of recreating the Republic Military became a large debate and eventually became the Grand Army of the Republic when Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was voted emergency powers by the Senate. The Grand Army made up one part of the Republic Armed Forces ("RAF"), which was headed by Republic High Command, which, until the Battle of Coruscant, was under the command of the Jedi High Council and Galactic Senate, and only afterward came under the total control of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. After the Declaration of a New Order, the Republic Military was transformed into the Imperial Military.

Organization

The Republic's military follows a strict chain of command to maintain order and clarity of authority. All forces ultimately answer to the Senate, typically represented by the Supreme Chancellor in strategic matters. The Supreme Commander, the Republic's highest-ranking officer, advises on and oversees the execution of military plans. Orders flow down to army generals and navy admirals, who coordinate their forces to carry them out.^[5]

Role

The primary function of the Republic military was the defense of the Republic and its citizens, particularly against the Sith. Beyond front-line combat, the military also carried out a variety of secondary functions. These included anti-piracy patrols, suppression of smuggling and raiding activities, and the disruption of illegal arms trafficking, which expanded during periods of galactic conflict. Criminals captured in such operations were typically transferred to planetary security forces, though such transfers could be delayed by ongoing military objectives.^[5]

The Republic military also played a significant role in humanitarian and civic operations. Its forces provided security and logistical support for relief missions and colonization projects, such as the recolonization of Taris, ensuring the transport of supplies and personnel. Soldiers were often rotated between combat and non-combat assignments to balance operational strain and maintain long-term readiness.^[5]

Branch Relations

Throughout its history, the Republic Military grappled with internal tensions between its primary branches. Hardly any of these forces worked together willingly, and friction between the Republic Navy and infantry units was sharp and highly contentious. Traditionally, the Republic's navy was regarded as its most valued military asset, and fleet commanders and crews were well aware of this. They often leveraged their importance by demanding higher wages from the Senate and expecting unconditional cooperation from ground forces, who depended on them for transportation and support. Ground forces weren't just devalued by the Navy—their pay was lower across the board, and equipment standards varied widely from one planet's forces to the next.^[5]

Proper Address

Members of the Republic military were mandated to use rank or the honorific "sir" when addressing superiors, irrespective of gender. The policy was intended to simplify interactions among species with varied or unclear gender norms. However, it was controversial—critics argued that it created confusion and felt inappropriate for those who did not identify as male.^[5]