Freikorps, Marauders, and Militias

[Webstral]

I like it. Mexican units listed as marauders might be interpreted as free companies. Perhaps this is the fate of some Soviet units in the northwest Pacific, too. Soviet units isolated in Eastern Europe easily could go this route. Americans left behind by OMEGA. The possibilities are varied and rich...

So many blurry lines. Marauders, free corps, warlords, military governors--who is to say who is who?

I know I've had my ideas about the definitions of marauder, warlords, and so on, but I'm wondering if we every really tried to come up with clear definitions. When does a marauder band change sufficiently for its leader to become a warlord? When does a warlord's army become a marauder band? How do free corps fit into the picture? When does a military governor become a warlord? What would be required for a warlord to become a military governor? As the US (or any nation) rebuilds, the powers that be are going to have to make some deals. Co-option is the term, I believe. The Shogun in Nevada (Silver Shogunate) is a good example of someone who could be either warlord or marauder, depending on one's definition. Suppose Milgov concludes that destroying the Gunryo, his army, would cost more than Milgov wants to pay. The decide instead to co-opt him and offer him a job commanding his force for Milgov. Is the Shogun now a military governor?