NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm looking for good manpower numbers for my army. Also, I need lists of favorite storefronts. Any suggestions?

I think that 1-3% of your population is still the standard. Most people should still accept 5% and maybe as high as 10% in a time of war and with a government that's more than willing to stomp on the rights and freedoms of its people.

Of course, you eventually get to the point where even 1% is ridiculous. I can't imagine my nation having 8.5 million people in the military.

Haha.... Hack got his maths wrong.... :p

Assuming 8.5 Billion population.... at 1% you'd have 85 Million people in you armed forces which is larger than many RL counties entire populations

Assuming 8.5 Billion population.... at 1% you'd have 85 Million people in you armed forces which is larger than many RL counties entire populationsMiscounted my zeros, heh. Okay, even more insane :p

I maintain around 26 million people in my military, but then I RP my nation as very militant. Me, I think 1% is good.

It's the number aimed at by the US for a long period of time (during the late 19th century for one) and actually pionered by the militarist Prussians.

Doesn't the PLA have thirty-odd million troops?

I prefer a small, elite group of troops. I have about 800,000; they are called Cossacks. Then, I have commandos, paras and snipers. However, I can't talk about them too much. Thirdly, there are the normal soldiers. They are still disciplined and brave, however. They number at least five million.

And finally, there are the nine feet tall super soldiers. They number about three million.

I'm looking for good manpower numbers for my army. Also, I need lists of favorite storefronts. Any suggestions?
Well, 1-3% is overall. Split that among your Army/Air/Naval/&c. forces as you like. Then, take about 2/3 of that for each service, and you get your support infrastructure; half at least unless you want a very brittle force in the logistical sense (think North Korea; if they don't overrun SK in one shot they're toast...). You don't need to get unduly detailed about your logistical forces if you don't want; just make known that they exist, maybe some details of your support equipment, where all those supplies and transports are going when at war, &c.
As far as force structure goes, I've heard the recommendation that you can have one division per 15-25 million people depending on low, (per 15 million), medium (per 20 million) or high (per 25 million) technology equipment, and the corresponding logistical requirements to keep such going without breaking your economy. Since the US treats Army Divisions/Air Wings/Naval Strike Groups/Marine Divisions as generally equivalent entities, you could conceivably substitute one of those per nominal 'division' to structure your other services.
Also, you could go a size smaller with independent Brigades/Air Groups/Naval Task Forces at one per 5-15 million depending on technology/logistics; theoretically. However, I don't know where this whole "1 unit per x-million population" argument originated, so be careful. It makes sense to me, but I won't pretend it's mine. Oh, and don't sweat the unit nomenclature; that's just for example following US usage, and is by all means changeable.
My fav' storefronts...:cool:
United Earthling Military Systems: (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=471334) This guy offers a ton, although mostly a bit on the Western side in case you're thinking more Pact equipment. However, the suggestion policies are quite open and domestic production rights' prices are always listed. Also, although listing your price isn't required here for service it is still much appreciated.
The New Soviet Storefront: (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=517844) Great if you want just about any Soviet or Warsaw Pact style weapons system; including NS designs. Note that this is a "Do Your Own Math" or DYOM like most storefronts; a disadvantage compared to UEMS.
Pudite Military Arms Storefront: (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=435395) Every bit as good as UEMS, and a bit simpler too. Lower ranked b/c of DYOM.

(think North Korea; if they don't overrun SK in one shot they're toast...).Actually, judging by their arty, SK's pretty screwed regardless.

Actually, judging by their arty, SK's pretty screwed regardless.
Well, Seoul is @ least, granted. But if the offensive peters out pretty much anywhere after there, NK's got a real technical and logistical problem with such a combat-heavy force structure and dated arsenal; with no realistic solution available. That's what happens IRL when you try to support eighty-plus divisions and a nuclear arsenal on what's almost certainly the paradigm for an "Imploded" economy in NS terms...

Heh. Then again, nobody ever accused Kim Jong Il of being sane.

And being completely batshit insane is perfectly acceptable in NationStates. Then again, since all role-play is consent based, being a whackbag might not be the best idea.