From 25,053 BBY until its disbandment in 1000 BBY, individuals were recruited into the Republic Army as Republic soldiers. These soldiers served directly under the command of the Galactic Republic. However, during times of conflict, it appears their numbers were augmented by conscripts from various Republic planets. The majority of soldiers within the Army seemed to be Human males. Notable examples of Republic soldiers include Trask Ulgo and Carth Onasi, who were stationed aboard the Republic Endar Spire, a Hammerhead-class cruiser. The ranks held by Republic soldiers encompassed positions such as captain, commander, and ensign.
The Republic's military forces included not only the Republic Army, but also local militias and sector forces. These militias and sector forces answered to their individual generals instead of the Defense Ministry. To improve coordination of the Republic's defenses against the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, Darth Revan (prior to his fall to the Dark side of the Force) was appointed as the first field marshal, commanding all the disparate units. Due to the nature of their duties, they frequently acted as guards on capital ships, rather than ground-based troopers.
During the Great Galactic War, the Republic soldiers were professionalized, with millions of volunteers from thousands of planets enlisting in the Republic Army. The Army's logistical infrastructure ensured a steady flow of reinforcements to various planets. Republic Army recruits underwent eighteen weeks of basic training, which included drills, tests, and exercises, followed by up to twelve months of specialized training. Infantry units participated in combat in eighty percent of the engagements against the Sith Empire.
Republic soldiers were equipped with armor that had a red and yellow color scheme, worn over what appeared to be a black bodysuit. Combat suits and Republic mod armor were also available for issue to Republic troops. Standard-issue weaponry for Republic soldiers included blaster rifles, blaster carbines, blaster pistols, disruptor rifles, and heavy repeating blasters. Vibroswords were employed for close-quarters engagements, particularly against the Sith and other close-quarters enemies that became more prominent during the Old Sith Wars. Various types of explosives, such as grenades and mines, were also provided for combat and demolition tasks.
During the Cold War, Republic Infantry were given a blaster rifle that could use different types of energy cells, a sidearm, grenades, Duraplast Armorweave, an encrypted Comlink, and four days worth of food.
The Star Wars Miniatures game's Champions of the Force set includes a miniature based on the Republic soldier. This miniature, known as the "Old Republic Trooper," is classified as "Common" in terms of rarity. Another miniature, called "Old Republic Guard," which is also modeled after the Republic soldier, is featured in the Knights of the Old Republic set. The "Old Republic Captain" miniature from the same set has the armor of a regular soldier, but has a commander effect in the game.