Republic Self-Defense Force Mutiny

The "Republic Self-Defense Force Mutiny" or "Republic Mutiny" was a general strike and subsequent revolt (and, in some cases, armed insurrection) by Republic Army and Navy personnel in late 906 ARR. From an initial flashpoint on Coruscant, the revolt subsequently spread and came to involve 54 Ordnance/Regional Depots, over one hundred warships, and over a half-million personnel.

Causes of the Mutiny
By 904 ARR, two years after the re-establishment of the Republic military, military spending had passed over 70,000 credits per year in armaments purchases, causing concern in the Republic Senate. The unchecked military expansion was seen in some circles as potentially-threatening to the Republic, and not commensurate with the lack of security threats to the Republic.

Concerns of misuse of the military peaked in 904 ARR, with the arrest of Chief Justice Highbacca of Tapani and Justice Theodoric of Loronar by reserve units of the Republic Army stationed on Coruscant. In the aftermath of the arrest, Senate debate quickly turned in favor of regulating the size of the Republic Self-Defense Force, with calls for disclosure of the full list of military armaments and equipment.

The Waterloo Act
By late 904 ARR, Senate discussion on the size of the Republic military settled in favor of a hard financial limitation on military armaments and equipment. This resulted in passage of the Waterloo Act, which specified a reduction in the size of the military from 120bn datari to 80bn in upkeep within a three-month period.

The Mutiny
Implementation of demobilization policies in early 906 ARR resulted in over a million Army and Navy personnel receiving separation notices, sparking a general strike by military personnel. On Coruscant, where more than 300,000 Army personnel were issued separation notices, troops seized two bases and equipment and began publicly striking for benefits denied them and concerned about future jobs. One Buckler-class transport was seized by its crew before vanishing, and tensions at the Republic's 54 Ordnance/Regional Depots escalated to the point where hostilities were considered likely.

Senate Debate and Galactic Responses
In the Republic Senate, discussion following the strike turned to providing an extension of benefits and negotiations with striking personnel, with numerous worlds expressing interest in recruitment of separated personnel. Proposals for military responses met with little enthusiasm, as the Republic military had considerably-fewer battalions stationed on the Galactic capital than the number of strikers.

Ending of the Mutiny
The mutiny, lacking any sort of cohesiveness binding the strikers and mutineers, quickly ended following the success of negotiations. Many former servicemembers decided to emigrate, although some stationed on Ordnance/Regional Depot worlds were absorbed into the local defense forces and others became mercenaries. A notable exception was Ord Mantell in the Bright Jewel sector, where mutineers seized local military bases and established a junta not deposed until the following year.

Aftermath
The Republic Mutiny led to a prolonged period of instability in Republic internal security policies and affairs, culminating in large-scale military buildups both inside and outside the Republic. Immediately after the mutiny the Chairman of the Republic Joint Chiefs of Staff was replaced, and a series of review boards were convened to address the mutiny's causes and aftermath.

Efforts in the Republic Senate would eventually result in the passage of the "Resolution for Former Service Members" in 908 ARR.