Aquitaynian Armed Services
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| Aquitaynian Armed Services | |
|---|---|
| Arme Deevens | |
 Flag of the Constitutional Monarchy of Aquitayne | |
| Service branches | Army Navy Air Force |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | King Samuel Reich |
| Secretary of State for Defense | Lord Augustus Reich |
| Chief of Defence | Grand Field Marshal Halvor Hummel |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 17.5 years of age |
| Conscription | None unless approved by the King and Parliament. |
| Available for military service | 20,580,185, age 15–49 |
| Fit for military service | 12,792,987, age 15–49 |
| Reaching military age annually | 427,581 |
| Active personnel | 698,000 regular personnel |
| Reserve personnel | 565,500 reserve personnel |
| Deployed personnel | 46,581 |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | 165.4 billion NSD |
| Percent of GDP | 2.15% (2015) |
| Industry | |
| Domestic suppliers | Axalon Private Security |
| Foreign suppliers | ASAE, UNADS, Armax, Palaimachos Arms Limited |
| Annual imports | Template:Country data Emmeria File:Eslovakian Flag.png Eslovakia  YohannesTemplate:Country data Questers Template:Country data Lyras  Eagleland |
The Aquitaynian Armed Forces (Vik'Rus: Arme Deveens us Aquitayne as Majeiste) encompasses the Aquitaynian Army, Aquitaynian Navy, and the Aquitaynian Air Force. The Monarch of Aquitayne heads the armed forces, with the title, "Cheif us Arme Deveens", or "Chef of the Armies". The King is the supreme authority for military matters and is the sole official who can order a military strike.
The Armed Services is a full-time, professional fighting force used for the defense of Aquitayne and its territories. The Armed Services, in their current organizational structure, has existed since 1975, with a large doctrine change occurring in 2001 with the introduction of CIPCA. Likewise, the modern organizational structure introduced the Ministry of Defense to replace the inadequate Ministry of War.
The Armed Force's commander-in-chief is His Majesty Samuel I, who is responsible for their actions on a national scale. The Armed Services have certain leniency's when it comes to civil affairs; Martial Law may be enacted in the event of a rebellion, uprising or civil unrest, where the Arme us Teir would intervene and effectively the area would be designated a war zone. Other than that, the Armed Services are constitutionally incapable of intervening in civil matters. Otherwise, the Armed Services interfere during national disasters such as hurricanes, blizzards, floods, and other catastrophic events.
The Privy Council and National Security Council are the senior staff and advisers to His Majesty in the Armed Services. It was established in 1965, after it was apparent that branch cohesiveness was a large problem as many wanted to seek the honor of claiming victory over the others, which was seen abruptly in the Battle of Bordeaux in 1960. It's role throughout peacetime and war are to advise His Majesty on the military affairs of the nation, enemy actions and potential hostile troop movements, and to keep the Royal Family advised on the general capabilities of the Armed Services as well as those of other nations.
The Aquitaynian military policy is to maintain a small, well trained, highly adaptable, and excellently equipped personnel to fight the modern war in a numerically disadvantageous position. This policy has lead to reduced military spending and the ability of the Armed Services to spend an annual amount of around $650,000.00NSD on a basically trained Aquitaynian soldier. With advanced training and specialty MOS assignments, spending for an individual soldier can increase to over $2,500,000.00NSD. These advantages in training quality and equipment allow Aquitayne to proactively defend itself from numerically larger forces.
History
Mission
The Aquitaynian Armed Services serve as the only federally recognized contingent of the professional defense for Aquitaynian territories and property. The current constitution constitutes the Armed Services mission as:
- Preserving the peace and security of Aquitaynian territory and its people as far as deemed necessary by His Majesty.
- Supporting the national policies of His Majesty.
- Enforcing the national interests of Aquitayne and its allies.
- Engaging in the active defense of Aquitayne and its allies.
Doctrine
Main Article: CIPCA Doctrine
The Aquitaynian military doctrine, abbreviated CIPCA (for Cyber warfare, Intelligence, Precision, Combined Arms) is the basis for all Aquitaynian military operations around the world. The doctrine was developed in 2001, at the turn of the Century, by Field Marshal Brian Hammels (ret.) of the Aquitaynian Advisory Council and Professor of Military Tactics at the Royal War College, Donald Liptken. Both men conceptualized a type of military tactic that incorporated all fields of knowledge and maneuver-warfare that is required in a modern battlefield. In 2003, after the doctrine was completed by their standards, they came before the Joint Military Panel (JMP), which is the heads of all major branches, to make their proposal. The doctrine was reviewed and deemed to be much more capable in saving lives and ending wars quickly than the previous SCADD doctrine (Shock and awe, Charge, Attack, Demolish and Destroy).
Recent Operations
-Operation Red Sea in Pangus, Insula Fera.
-Humanitarian Intervention in the former Imperial Spartanian Empire.
-Contribution to ATO forces in the defense of Nouvel Ecosse.
There are currently 84,331 Aquitaynian military personnel deployed overseas, while 37,750 are currently deployed on OPEX, for External Operations. OPEX is normally used only when discussing hostile environments where the use of force is authorized, rather than regular deployments to allied nations, such as Symphonia, which are called TOREX. Aquitayne often sends troops to assist in humanitarian efforts across Astyria. Aquitayne has also sent troops, mostly Special Forces troops to assist in international operations such as the defense of Nouvel Ecosse, although Aquitayne has largely stayed away from the Plättesian Adler Conflict. In Operation Red Sea, Aquitaynian troops were deployed to separate the Mican Straight between Stretta and the former Imperial Spartanian Empire in a show of force against the Spartanian threat of embargoes.
Notably, the largest current ongoing OPEX is the Greater Insula Feran Conflict, which has evolved into the current Occupation of Pangus, to better encapsulate the scale of the ongoing operations there. The Aquitaynian Joint Task Force and Training Center, Ceria, is the staging ground for most international operations that Aquitayne takes part in, and is one of the largest staging grounds and ports in the nation. It often deploys Aquitaynian vessels which conduct anti-piracy operations in the Mare Ferum and the North Symphonian Sea, which rarely see vessels hijacked by certain parties.
Additionally, Aquitaynian troops have been deployed to the former colonial holding of Aswick to uphold the Aswickan Guarantee of 1961 during their civil war.
Personnel
Historically, Aquitayne has relied heavily on conscription to make its manpower available for the defense of the nation during times of crisis, especially when the warring parties were vastly larger than Aquitayne. These conscripts would compliment the small size of full-time professional soldiers who, in turn, would remain their commanding officers, non-commissioned officers, and instructors. However, following the Frisian War, the use of non-volunteer draftees in foreign operations was ended; if their unit was called up for overseas tours of duty, draftees were offered the choice between requesting a transfer to another unit or volunteering for the mission.
However, HM Thomas I formally announced the end of conscription in 2002, and it was ended entirely in 2004. Any draftees that remained in the service did so voluntarily. Now, the entire Aquitaynian Armed Services are comprised of all-volunteer forces. Young people do, however, still have to register for possible conscription, should the situation call for it.
| Component | Personnel |
|---|---|
| Army | 188,828 |
| Foreign Legion | 8,530 |
| Navy | 107,682 |
| Royal Marines | 53,108 |
| Air Force | 86,472 |
| SOCOM | 14,512 |
| Total Active | 454,620 |
| Army Reserve | 454,045 |
| Navy Reserve | 55,297 |
| Air Force Reserve | 54,258 |
| Total Reserve | 565,500 |
| Combined Component Strength | 1,022,072 |
The reserve element of the Aquitaynian Armed Services consists of one element, the Citizens Reserve, with 565,500 personnel respectively.
Organisation and Service Branches
The Aquitaynian Armed Services are divided into three branches, operating out of 63 military bases around Astyria.:
Army
Main Article: Aquitaynian Army
The Army is the oldest serving branch of the Aquitaynian armed services. It is also the main branch of the armed services, and the largest, which is responsible for land-based military operations. It traces its origins back to 1465, to the First Muster, which is considered to be the first formation of a unit of Aquitaynian Soldiers. Alongside the Aquitaynian Navy and Air Force, it comprises one of the three main branches of the service. It currently ranks as the largest branch, with approximately 316,750 active personnel, and 145,500 Reservists. The Army is headed by the Chief of the Aquitaynian Advisory Council.
The active branch of the Aquitaynian Army is considered the Regular Standing Army, with the Reservist component being considered the Reserve Forces Aquitayne. All members of the Army take an oath of allegiance to His Majesty and the Constitution of Aquitayne, and to uphold the wishes of Parliament and the people of Aquitayne. The Aquitaynian Army has seen much larger versions of itself, with the zenith of its strength reaching a total of 2.5 million personnel, during the Great Astyrian War. It has conducted many foreign combat operations, with current operations taking place in Pangus, Insula Fera.
The Aquitaynian Army has recently undergone overhauls to its electronic communications in a successful bid to begin network centric warfare and the ability to fully incorporate satellite communications, wireless networks, and digital radios. The ability of a field commander to contact his superiors during times of crisis have improved dramatically, and it has shown in the operational capabilities of the army as a unit. Regularly, the Aquitaynian military trains under conditions which severely limit electronic capabilities, due to many Astyrian nation's doctrines which call for electronic warfare. Aquitaynian soldiers are given front-line attention in receiving new and advanced equipment to fight the future land battles for which they may be called.
Main Article: Aquitaynian Navy
The Aquitaynian Navy is the second largest branch of the Armed Services, comprising of just 1,500 more personnel than the Air Forces. At present, the Aquitaynian Navy is a small maritime entity but boasts large technological advantages from its counterparts across Astyria. Currently, the Navy operates three aircraft carriers, the HMS Orion, a Yohannesian Washington Class CVN, the HMS Thomas Reich, a second Washington Class CVN, and a third, HMS Valeria, an Eaglelander Alexander Class CVN. At the height of its prowess, the Navy operated approximately 15 aircraft carriers, which were deemed unnecessary after the conclusion of the Great War and the downsizing of the Aquitaynian military. With a compliment of 80 and 70 aircraft respectively, these ships constitute a vast shift in Aquitaynian power projection.
Although Aquitayne currently boasts a small Navy, naval traditions are deeply embedded in Aquitaynian naval culture and pride. The Aquitaynian Naval Academy, located in Ceria, is one of the most prestigious military institutions in Astyria, and has fielded many of the greatest Admirals and naval officers of the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries. The course of the Naval Academy runs for approximately 6 years, with students starting their academia straight out of high school, or earlier, depending on aptitude testing, and being in schooling until they are released at the rank of Lieutenant and given a command of their own. It is the only military institution which commissions officers at a grade above O-1, and is also the only way to get an immediate command out of training in the Aquitaynian military.
Air Force
See more: Air Force
The Aquitaynian Air Force (Vik'Rus: Arme us Ahr) is the aerospace branch of the Aquitaynian Armed Services, responsible for the protection of the airspace in and around Aquitaynian territories. The Air Force's roots can be traced back to a small, underfunded expenditure in the midst of a large increase in airplane manufacturing internationally, which Joseph Goering saw as a potentially militaristic venture. Many of the pilots receive domestic training, although for more advanced courses Aquitayne does export its pilots internationally to garner the best product possible. Alongside the Aquitaynian Army and the Aquitaynian Navy, it makes up the third and final branch of the Aquitaynian Armed Forces. It is currently the smallest of the three branches, employing about 190,000 personnel, and retains the highest minimum requirement score on the ASVAB test for military acceptance.
The full time, active-duty service members of the Aquitaynian Air Force are referred to as Airmen. The reservist units are more commonly called Auxiliary Airmen, as their services are needed only irregularly. Aquitayne's Air Force traditions can be traced back to the small workshops of Telora where the Top Secret engineers pieced together airplanes for military use, training daring individuals to fly and possibly kill with them. It was the beginning of what would become one of the most prestigious air forces in all of Astyria, as well as one of the most feared.
Contrary to popular belief, it is currently unknown whether the Air Force possesses nuclear weapons, though it has been rumored that the Air Force does operate up to 50 LM-80 Dagger Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, as a part of Aquitayne's CIPCA Doctrine.
Special Forces
Aquitayne, over the last decade, has greatly expanded its Special Forces components to include various units from across all branches of the military. The current command structure of the Aquitaynian Special Forces falls under the Unified Combatant Command of SOCOM, a joint-branch command structure that encompasses all of the individual branch's commands into one unified structure to facilitate rapid response and coherent mission structure. Within SOCOM, there are 10 different commands at the lower, service-branch level, that fall under its jurisdiction. SOCOM is currently commanded by Grand Field Marshal Vladimir Petrov.
Operationally, the Aquitaynian Special Forces have adopted the Symphonian designation system used for Special Operation Forces in their nation. These divisions are broken down into three tiers:
- Tier One: This tier comprises of only two of the five SOCOM units, that being the Special Warfare Unit (SWU) and the Operational Maneuver Response Group (GROM). These two units take orders from the Advisory Council and the King himself explicitly, and can conduct a full spectrum of operations.
- Tier Two: This tier comprises two more of the five SOCOM units, those being the Aerial Commando Legion (KAL) and the Naval Special Operations Unit, or Uneit Zinova. These units are tasked with equally dangerous mission profiles, but have less autonomy than the Tier One units, and can take orders from SOCOM directly, rather than the Advisory Council or the King.
- Tier Three: This tier comprises of the singular, and last, Special Operation Forces unit within SOCOM: the Kyng's Gurd. This unit is responsible for the logistics and support maintenance of the other four SOFCOM units, as well as the protection of the King's estate in Telora.
One of the greatest levels of autonomy granted to these units is a Parliamentary and Ministry of Defense declaration which stated that all SOCOM units must train independently of regular army, navy, and air force units. This means that SOCOM has acquired it's own military and training facilities which it uses year-round to recruit, train, and enhance their soldier's combat effectiveness. While some analysts believe that this type of seclusion limits SOCOM's interchangeability on the battlefield and its ability to coordinate effectively, SOCOM Commander Nitz ensures that, "SOCOM units frequently train with regular military personnel in a fashion upholding of their skills and allowing easy integration of units on the battlefield, should the need arise".
In general, all Special Operation Forces go to Scout Reconnaissance Sniper School, in the outskirts of Sangura. It retains one of the highest attrition rates for any military school in the Armed Services, and is one of the best schools in Astyria for Snipers. All SOCOM units are trained for direct action operations, and their operational summaries can be found below.
| Name | Branch | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Special Warfare Unit | All | The Special Warfare Unit (Vik'Rus: Uneit Wurfur Sezial) is Aquitayne's secretive Tier One Special Forces unit, made up of members from each of the three branches. The SWU's primary mission set is to deal with counter-terrorism, direct action, and national intervention operations, as well as retaining high flexibility and the ability to conduct any other type of mission set that the King, or SOFCOM, may require them to accomplish, such as anti-VIP, hostage rescue and raids. |
| Aerial Commando Legion | Army | The Aerial Commando Legion, or Kommandosow Areil Leigon (KAL), is Aquitayne's foremost Tier Two unit, taking specialization in air assaults. Currently it is comprised of a single regiment, the 1st Kommandosow Regmont based out of Ceria. It is tasked with conducting air assault, helicopter, and parachute operations (including HALO and HAHO operations); CQC, strategic and special reconnaissance operations; direct action HR, PR, intelligence collection, raids and ambushes; frogman and underwater attack missions; FID tasks; and other missions as deemed necessary. |
| Naval Special Operations Unit | Navy | The Naval Special Operations Unit, or Uneit Zinova, is Aquitayne's Tier Two unit dedicated to underwater warfare and ship-based warfare. The entire unit currently consists of a single regiment, the 1st Zinova Regmont, based out of Telora. It is tasked with conducting operations on the sea, under water and in on-shore facilities, as well as land special operations. It is prepared for operation in times of war, crisis, and peace. |
| Operational Maneuver Response Group | All | The Operational Maneuver Response Group, or Regoweina Opehationeil Manuveir Grup (GROM), is Aquitayne's elite counter-terrorist unit. It is one of five special operation forces in the Aquitaynian armed services, and is the only unit which retains a Tier One status alongside the Uneit Wurfur Sezial. It's role is to conduct unconventional warfare and a variety of other special operations, including anti-terrorism and power projection behind enemy lines. All GROM Operators are trained to be medics, snipers, frogmen, and are proficient in parachuting. Operators are also required to know at least two foreign languages, other than Vik'Rus and Imperial Common. |
| Kyng's Gurd | Army | The King's Guard, or Kyng's Gurd, is a small regiment which takes its home in the Royal Palace in Telora, Aquitayne. It has the strict role of guarding the King's person, his property, and his estate. While battalions of the King's Guard have been deployed to combat theaters in the past, there are currently only two regiments which comprise the Guard, and at any time only one Battalion may be deployed. There are approximately 1,500 men guarding the Royal Palace. |
Joint Task Force
See Aswickan-Aquitaynian Joint-Task Force for more information.
Personnel
Recruitment and Training
Benefits and Pay
| Officers | |||
| Grade | Rank | First Year Pay | Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flag Officer | |||
| O-10 | Grand Field Marshal of [BRANCH]/Supreme Admiral of the Navy | £500,000 | Not applicable |
| O-9 | Grand Field Marshal/Grand Admiral (NAVY) | £220,000 | Not applicable |
| O-8 | Chief Air Marshal/Chief Marshal (ARMY/MARINES)/Flotilla Admiral (NAVY) | £200,000 | Not applicable |
| O-7 | Senior Air Marshal/Senior Field Marshal (ARMY/MARINES)/Senior Fleet Admiral (NAVY) | £150,000 | Not applicable |
| O-6 | Air Marshal (AIR FORCE)/Field Marshal (ARMY/MARINES)/Admiral (NAVY) | £110,000 | Not applicable |
| Commissioned Officer | |||
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel | £89,000 | Not applicable |
| O-4 | Major | £75,000 | Not Applicable |
| O-3 | Captain | £61,000 | Not Applicable |
| O-2 | First Lieutenant | £52,000 | Not Applicable |
| O-1 | Lieutenant | £45,000 | Not Applicable |
Enlisted, Army
| Enlisted | |||
| Grade | Rank | First Year Pay | Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noncommissioned Officers | |||
| E-10 | Sergeant Major of the Army/ | £95,000 | Not applicable |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major/ | £82,000 | Not applicable |
| E-8 | Master Command Battery Sergeant/ | £75,000 | Not applicable |
| E-7 | Command Battery Sergeant/ | £68,000 | Not applicable |
| E-6 | Chief Battery Sergeant/ | £57,000 | Not applicable |
| E-5 | Battery Sergeant/ | £41,000 | Not applicable |
| E-4 | Sergeant/ | £36,000 | Applicable |
| Enlisted | |||
| E-3 | Corporal/ | £30,000 | Applicable |
| E-2 | Private Second Grade | £22,000 | Applicable |
| E-1 | Private/Airman | £18,000 | Applicable |
Enlisted, Air Force
| Enlisted | |||
| Grade | Rank | First Year Pay | Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noncommissioned Officers | |||
| E-10 | Command Sergeant Major of the Air Force | £95,000 | Not applicable |
| E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | £82,000 | Not applicable |
| E-8 | Senior Command Master Sergeant | £75,000 | Not applicable |
| E-7 | Command Master Sergeant | £68,000 | Not applicable |
| E-6 | Chief Master Sergeant | £57,000 | Not applicable |
| E-5 | Master Sergeant | £41,000 | Not applicable |
| E-4 | Air Sergeant | £36,000 | Applicable |
| Enlisted | |||
| E-3 | Senior Airman | £30,000 | Applicable |
| E-2 | Airman Second Class | £22,000 | Applicable |
| E-1 | Airman | £18,000 | Applicable |
| Enlisted | |||
| Grade | Rank | First Year Pay | Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noncommissioned Officers | |||
| E-10 | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy | £95,000 | Not applicable |
| E-9 | Master Chief Petty Officer | £82,000 | Not applicable |
| E-8 | Chief Petty Officer Third Class | £75,000 | Not applicable |
| E-7 | Chief Petty Officer Second Class | £68,000 | Not applicable |
| E-6 | Chief Petty Officer | £57,000 | Not applicable |
| E-5 | Master Petty Officer | £41,000 | Not applicable |
| E-4 | Senior Petty Officer | £36,000 | Applicable |
| Enlisted | |||
| E-3 | Petty Officer | £30,000 | Applicable |
| E-2 | Seaman Second Class | £22,000 | Applicable |
| E-1 | Seaman | £18,000 | Applicable |
Enlisted, Royal Marines
| Enlisted | |||
| Grade | Rank | First Year Pay | Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noncommissioned Officers | |||
| E-10 | Chief Command Sergeant/Chief Command Sergeant of Marines | £95,000 | Not applicable |
| E-9 | Command Sergeant | £82,000 | Not applicable |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant | £75,000 | Not applicable |
| E-7 | Sergeant Major | £68,000 | Not applicable |
| E-6 | Senior Battery Sergeant | £57,000 | Not applicable |
| E-5 | Battery Sergeant | £41,000 | Not applicable |
| E-4 | Sergeant | £36,000 | Applicable |
| Enlisted | |||
| E-3 | Lance Sergeant | £30,000 | Applicable |
| E-2 | Specialist | £22,000 | Applicable |
| E-1 | Private | £18,000 | Applicable |
