Zanaro's Military

Military Overview

The military makes up approximately 1% of the population of Zanaro. It is a highly trained and well equipped military force focusing on small fire teams, and naval forces. Due to their naval specialization the army focuses mostly in the defense of the nations capital, and official military parades. Their expeditionary forces specialize in quick strikes and being mobile, allowing them to strike and move quickly, but they are not very effective at holding ground at one location for an extended period of time. A vast majority of the military exists in the form of the Navy and Marine forces, with the Army and Air-force being far smaller. The Military of Zanaro uses only one ranking structure for the whole of its military forces. This was done so as to create less confusion and conflict between the various military branches in service to the Kotonashi. In addition it sets a clear line of authority in joint operations with certain branches having higher authority in situations of shared rank.

The Zanarite military is flawed in that it is dominated by nepotism throughout the officer core. A vast majority officers are members of the nobility, either through birth, or through becoming a Kenjin. Officers who are not members of the Nobility are very unlikely to attain any major post or position, instead relegated to secondary positions, rarely attaining anything higher than O-4. Due to this nepotistic mentality among the higher ranking members of the Kenjin rarely attain ranks higher than O-6. The Zanarite ground forces focuses more on being a quick mobile force, which keeps them from being particularly effective in a head on head ground fight, they prefer to be on the move. Tanks and slower moving vehicles are typically in rare usage as such, reducing their capability to fight in traditional ground warfare.

Military Doctrine: Specialized

National Attitude: Projecting

Military Focus:

• :Army 5%
• :Navy 45%
• :Air force 20%
• :Marines/Expeditionary 25%
• :Special Forces 5%

Pros: Fast, Mobile, Well-Equipped/Trained, Modular Fighters, Navy/Marine Focused Cons: Nepotism, Overly specialized, lack of long-term land based combat capability

Military Branches

The overall military doctrine of the Zanarite military focuses on control of the sea and of the coastal regions through its Naval air units and its marines. This has led to the Navy and Marines making up over half of the overall military forces of the Koto'Ara. Both focus on utilizing maneuverability, and technological superiority to overcome their opponents.

The Imperial Legion

The Imperial Legion primarily focuses on the defense of the capital city of Torman, as well as being the honor guard for the Imperial Family. Often times the Imperial Legion will be at the center of military parades, alongside special units from the other military branches. While the Imperial Legion is the smallest branch it is still highly trained.

The Imperial Navy

Imperial Naval Ship doctrine focuses on the use of Aircraft Carriers and support ships to defend them. Many of these carriers will serve as the command ship for their task-force, with special focus going to the Super Carriers. The ships are designed to be able to strike nearly any nation that would threaten Imperial interests, and secure the territorial waters of Zanaro and its allies. While slower than most other naval forces with the use of aircraft they are able to strike from a sizable distance before being detected.

The Imperial Airforce

The Imperial Airforce is designed to support Imperial Naval air-ops and the security of the Norunda archipelago as a whole. The use of the STOVL system on many of the Airforces jets allow for them to be exceedingly maneuverable for their deployment locations. In addition it is expected the Imperial Airforce pilots can land aboard Imperial Navy Aircraft carriers.

The Imperial Marines

The Imperial Marines are the second largest branch within the Zanarite Military and their training and equipment emphasizes the use of Maneuver Warfare over Attrition Warfare. They focus on small unit tactics and out maneuvering their foes. Six main elements of the Imperial Marines war doctrine

• Tempo: Noting the shift of battles and utilizing those shifts to push for a strategic victory.
• Focal Point: Finding and targeting the enemy at the right place at the right time, striking vital locations that are under-guarded.
• Deception: Utilizing false information and trickery to ensure surprise and advantage.
• Combined Arms: The use of a variety of weapons systems within a combat element as well as the support of non-ground elements. eg: Naval Air command
• Flexibility: The ability to adjust equipment, gear, and plans on a moments notice. These units must be well rounded, have redundancies, and be self contained.
• Decentralized Command: Lower level leadership must be able to make decisions quickly without need to communicate with higher ups at all points. This means that lower level leadership must know the intent and overall strategy prior to beginning missions but have the flexibility to adjust a tactical level to ensure command operations are completed.[/list]

Enlisted Ranks

Enlistment is available to any non-noble that meets the eligibility requirements. Those who've completed some form of military academy start their career as Jotohei instead of starting as a Nitohei.

• E-1 Nitohei (Standard entry rank)
• E-2 Ittohei
• E-3 Jotohei (Completion of a Military academy rank)
• E-4 Heicho
• E-5 Gocho
• E-6 Gunso
• E-7 Socho
• E-8 Jun'I

Officer Ranks

Officers are members of the military who have completed the Officer training course. Most officers are subjects, with a distinct number of Kenjin, and a few high ranking Nobles. Only the highest of ranks can be attained by members of the nobility, with subjects only able to reach the position of Kishi'Shosa at the highest. A Noble officer though can suggest a non-Noble be reviewed to become a Kenjin if they feel they are worthy of the position.

• O-1 Kishi'Shoi
• O-2 Kishi'Chui
• O-3 Kishi'Taii
• O-4 Kishi'Shosa (Non-Nobles cannot promote beyond this)
• O-5 Kishi'Chusa
• O-6 Kishi'Taisa (Kenjin cannot promote beyond this)
• O-7 Kishi'Shosho
• O-8 Kishi'Chujo
• O-9 Kishi'Taisho