>>14629019They have logistics and structure, which are the most important parts of effectiveness in a fighting force. At least, in comparison to the likes of the legion.
Caesar says it himself, that his band is mostly large-scale raiders. Every male in Legion territory is conscripted to fight, or made a slave. Every female is a slave. There are no cities, no specialized workers, no true culture. The structure is tight autocratic, and largely is glued around Caesar.
His entire goal with looking to annex the NCR is to make a Hegelian synthesis with his legion as the Thesis and the NCR as the antithesis; the logistics and culture and civilization of the NCR, with the effectively disciplined fighting force and single-minded decisive might of the Legion forming a new way.
The NCR's effectiveness isn't affected so much by their training and skills as it is by the senate's unwillingness to commit to total war and full support, instead opting for small expeditionary forces.
They're obviously competent enough as a defensive force and such, but they aren't expansionist and thus aren't too suited to such things as forays into the Mojave.