(note: this is from my fanfiction State of the Union, which can be found in the appropriate part of this forum)
ROYAL GUARD
Traditionally the most prestigious posting within the Lyran military, the Royal Guards were brutally winnowed by the Federated Commonwealth, heavily involved in the fighting on Tharkad. Elite soldiers with the best equipment that the Lyran state could provide them with, three Regimental Combat Teams of loyalists were reduced by city-fighting to less than a single regiment by the time the allied forces breached the Triad - spearheaded by their newest sister regiment.
While no commands were struck from the rolls, all four have undergone considerable changes since the end of the war, adapting towards the new realities of a reborn Federated Commonwealth under an Archon-Prince who had won his throne after the newest regiment in their brigade - the first time since 2848 that the Royal Guards have had more than three commands. Morale was greatly improved for the First and Second Royal Guards when it was confirmed that the Archon-Prince would recall the First Royals to Tharkad in 3065.
The historical pattern of recruiting from the associated regions of the Lyran Commonwealth had fallen completely by the wayside with one RCT made up of ex-ComGuards and another regiment primarily drawn from the Suns. In addition, the usual detailed instruction in protocol and ceremonial duties has mostly fallen away. The Archon-Prince has confirmed that both will eventually be reinstated but for now military readiness must take precedence. One tradition that hasn't lapsed has been providing each command with the very best equipment available, even for the questionably loyal Second Royals.
The Royal Guards' traditional gold-trimmed blue paint scheme remains in use, but their distinctive dress uniform have been altered with the original pale green jackets darkened to the bottle-green once used by AFFS dress uniforms. The white uniforms once worn around the Triad have been retired and unlike some traditions, the Archon-Prince has made no comment on whether they will be restored at some point.
First Royal Guard RCT "Guardians of the Throne"
(The Pride of Donegal)
General Peter Riskind was presented with a unique challenge in rebuilding the First Royals, with only a tiny cadre to do so, demoralised by their transfer to Donegal. Determined not to relax the traditional standards, Riskind requested the assignment of senior NCOs with past experience in the Royal Guard and charged his command with carrying forward the old traditions of the brigade so that when their sister-regiments are reunited, they can learn them. New recruits to the Pride of Donegal still require five years experience in other regiments and undergo training for life at court alongside their combat practise. While little more than a combined arms regiment in strength, Riskind has petitioned for eventual expansion to a reinforced 'Mech regiment and four infantry and armour regiments, each drawing personnel from one of the four traditional Donegal provinces.
Second Royal Guard RCT "The Second Chancers"
(The Pride of Skye)
The vast majority of loyalist survivors of the Guards were concentrated in the Second Royals before they were sent to Skye in what was initially seen as an exile from Tharkad. Seeing an opportunity, Duke Robert Kelswa-Steiner made hasty overtures to win the Royal Guards over, focusing his efforts on Leutenant-General Parks (formerly of the Third Royals). This backfired after the Archon-Prince confirmed publicly that he would be bringing the First Royal Guards back to Tharkad once they'd rebuilt. Re-categorising their presence on Skye as a second-chance, the Pride of Skye have for the most part thrown themselves into earning that opportunity as watchdogs over the Duke (many are actively eager for another Free Skye Rebellion precisely so they can crush it). While LIC suspect several officers maintain private resentment, for the most part the troops are focused on proving their loyalty to the ruling branch of House Steiner.
Third Royal Guard RCT "The Prince's Men"
(The Pride of Tamar)
While granted the title, colour and honours of the Royal Guards' primary field force, the new Third Royal Guards are at heart the same ComGuards Division that followed Victor Steiner-Davion into the Civil War in 3062. Having fought for worlds of the one-time Tamar Pact under their new name against Clan Jade Falcon, the Prince's Men have begun what may be a long road to acceptance of their role at the heart of Lyran military pride. In a promising sign, new recruits from the remaining Tamar worlds have indicated their interest in one day joining ‘their’ Royal Guards. Rather than traditional RCT structure, the Third Royals still operate in combat commands made up of combined arms battalions as they did while part of the ComGuards. With an influx of fresh recruits and transfers they currently field six such combat commands, averaging four battalions in strength.
Fifth Royal Guard "Peter's Pride"
(The Pride of the Federated Commonwealth)
Raised from centuries old salvage in the Federated Commonwealth's hour of need, recruited from dispossessed mechwarriors on both sides of the war, the Fifth Royals followed Prince Peter into the brutal battles for control of both New Avalon and Tharkad, the only unit to participate in both. While most of their iconic Mackies were destroyed in battle or suffered engineering casualties over more than a year of fighting, replacements have been provided and in addition to brand-new Mackies, they act as a show-case of the newest equipment on either side of the Federated Commonwealth. Reorganised into three reinforced ‘Mech battalions, primarily with assault ‘Mechs but one Lightning Company per battalion; and a mixed brigade of armour and battle armour, the Fifth is slated for eventual expansion into a full RCT. Although hardened by combat, the still somewhat mis-matched soldiers are training fiercely to meet the standards expected of a Royal Guards unit.
