"Pets", or more appropriately, npc squadmembers...

[Cavadus]

Pets are awesome!  I want faction pets, droids, creatures, et cetera.  I had a blast CHing it up in SWG back in the day.  One of the most rewarding professions for sure.

[Ravano]

I have no objection to non-com pets.  Controlling battle worthy NPCs is another matter entirely.

The ability to command NPCs should depend on the situation or mission.  Full time, on demand NPC minions for mission or open field play is potentially detrimental social aspect of FoA and should be ruled out.  Players should be encouraged to group up not wander around solo with their own NPC death squad.

[SS2Maximilian]

Maybe instate of pets, players will be able to control a squad of NPCs, such as light Mechs, infantries or light vehicles (No heavy, mainly because it'll be a bit unfair). You can also limit it to missions or other stuff to prevent players from using them all the time in duels or in some battles. And definitely limit the amount of units. Not too many I say, for example 1-6 infantries. Or maybe give them control of 1 heavy unit. I'm taking this idea from Guild Wars, mainly the henchmen that appeared in GW Prophecies and the Heroes that appeared in GW Nightfall.