Royal Holyn Defence Forces

Royal Holyn Defence Forces
Royal Holyn Defence Forces
Kráľovské Holynské Obranné Sily
	Emblem of the Royal Holyn Defence Forces
	Banner of the Royal Holyn Defence Forces
Founded	1743 (Army of the Holyn Kingdom); 12 November 1925 (Holyn People's Army); 12 November 1950 (Holyn Armed Forces)
Current form	7 April 2002
Service branches	Holyn Ground Forces; Royal Holyn Navy; Royal Holyn Air Force; Royal Holyn Marines; Holyn Airborne Assault Forces; Holyn Strategic Forces
Leadership
Monarch	Mikuláš I
Defence Minister	Oliver Rezek
Chief of Staff	x x
Chief of General Staff	General of the Army Miloš Stejskal
Personnel
Military age	16-17 with parental consent, 18 without parental consent and serve in combat roles
Conscription	Inactive, registration continues but not enforced
Active personnel	491,340 (ranked 7th)
Reserve personnel	753,127
Expenditure
Budget	$101.3 billion
Percent of GDP	4.5
Industry
Domestic suppliers	List Sample ;

The Royal Holyn Defence Forces (Hornat: Kráľovské Holynské Obranné Sily) is the military force of Holynia comprising the Holyn Ground Forces, Royal Holyn Air Force, Royal Holyn Navy, Royal Holyn Strategic Forces, along with two independent arms of service; the Royal Holyn Marines and the Holyn Airborne Assault Forces.

Holynia has maintained a standing military since 1743, however the current interation traces its roots to the Holyn People's Army founded in 1925. This force was reformed in 1950 into the Holyn Armed Forces. The collapse of communist Holynia and separatist rebellion in Bogoria saw the Holyn Armed Forces begin to splinter and disintegrate. Elements of the military were accussed of war crimes, including ethnic cleansing. The military was reorganized in 2001 as the Holyn Defence Forces, adding the Royal prefix in 2002. The military underwent rebuilding and modernization in the 2000s and 2010s.

The head of the military is the Holyn monarch, currently King Mikulas I, the figure that service members swear allegiance to. The constitution, however, vests de facto executive control of the military in the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence who lead the National Security Council. The Chiefs of the General Staff leads the day to day operations of the military.

The Royal Holyn Defence Forces is authorized for 493,700 personnel under the FY2021 budget. The military is entirely volunteer based, with conscription ending in 2005. Civilians must still register for conscription once they reach 18 years of age, however, are not called for service. The military budget of Holynia is around $101.3 billion. Three branches of the military operate nuclear weapons, the Royal Holyn Air Force, Royal Holyn Navy and the Holyn Strategic Forces.

History

Holyn Armed Forces

The Holyn Socialist States’ collapse in 1998 left the military in disarray. The centralized Holyn Armed Forces disintegrated under the weight of political chaos, economic decline, and internal corruption. Soldiers went unpaid, discipline deteriorated, and command structures became dysfunctional, leaving the armed forces ill-prepared for the escalating tensions in Bogoria, a breakaway state.

The Bogoria War (1996–1998) revealed the full extent of the military’s decay. Ill-trained and poorly equipped Holyn forces were deployed into combat against a determined enemy with external support. Many units, hastily assembled and led by inexperienced officers, suffered devastating losses. Corruption within the ranks further hindered operations, with reports of equipment theft and resource mismanagement becoming widespread.

The humiliating defeat deeply scarred the Holyn Armed Forces and ignited public outrage. The war also exposed systemic issues within the military, including entrenched corruption, a lack of accountability, and an over-reliance on outdated doctrine.

Holyn Defence Forces (1999-2001)

The post-war period was marked by efforts to reorganize and rebuild the military. In 1999, the government dissolved the remnants of the old Holyn Armed Forces and established the Holyn Defence Forces (HDF). However, the newly formed HDF inherited many of the same problems, including rampant corruption and criminal behavior among officers and enlisted personnel.

Generals used soldiers for non-military tasks, such as farming private lands, performing household duties, and other menial jobs unrelated to defense. Murders, theft, and other violent crimes within the ranks became alarmingly common. The absence of robust oversight allowed these issues to fester, further undermining public confidence in the military.

Royal Holyn Defence Forces (2001-present)

In 2001, Holynia’s transition to a constitutional monarchy and the establishment of the Kingdom of Holynia brought a symbolic rebranding of the military as the Royal Holyn Defence Forces (RHDF). King Daniel II personally championed efforts to reform the military, viewing its dysfunction as a threat to national unity and stability.

However, the name change did little to address the deeply rooted issues plaguing the RHDF. Public discontent over military scandals, corruption, and incompetence reached a boiling point, prompting the Narodna Rada to demand urgent reforms.

By 2002, public anger over military corruption and inefficiency had reached a crisis point. Reports of generals misusing soldiers, criminal activities within barracks, and the military’s failure to address internal violence led to widespread protests. Parliamentary inquiries and media exposés detailed widespread corruption among senior officers. In response, the government launched a series of reforms aimed at restoring discipline and accountability within the military.

In 2003, the government created the Royal Military Police (RMP) to act as an independent body responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes within the military. The RMP was granted sweeping powers to enforce discipline and investigate corruption, theft, and violent crimes. Its establishment marked a turning point in the fight against internal abuses.

Military courts were given expanded jurisdiction to handle cases of corruption, misconduct, and serious crimes committed by personnel. Judges with reputations for integrity were appointed, and trials became more transparent to rebuild public trust. The harsh sentencing of corrupt officers and violent offenders sent a clear message that the era of impunity was over.

Parliament demanded a restructuring of the RHDF’s command hierarchy to eliminate inefficiency and reduce opportunities for abuse of power. Generals and senior officers accused of corruption or incompetence were dismissed, including high-profile cases like General Pavel Zelenka, whose misuse of soldiers for personal gain became a national scandal. A new Code of Military Ethics was introduced, outlining strict guidelines for leadership behavior and accountability. General Tomas Rada, a disciplined reformist, was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 2004. Rada implemented strict oversight measures, ensuring that unit commanders adhered to their duties.

In 2006, Minister of Defence Anna Kolarová, appointed in 2003, created anti-corruption task forces to audit military spending and investigate fraudulent procurement practices. These task forces uncovered numerous schemes involving the embezzlement of defense funds, leading to the prosecution of several senior officers.

The reforms of the mid-2000s began to bear fruit, with notable improvements in discipline and morale across the RHDF. Training programs were overhauled to emphasize physical fitness, tactical proficiency, and unit cohesion. The integration of officers and instructors from Skoskie, who introduced Western military practices, was particularly influential in shaping the new RHDF culture.

A turning point in the RHDF’s transformation was the integration of officers and instructors from Skoskie, Holynia’s overseas territory. Skoskie’s military, heavily influenced by Western doctrines, had long been recognized for its professionalism, decentralized command structures, and emphasis on tactical innovation.

Skoskian officers played a critical role in reshaping the RHDF’s culture and operational approach. General Elias Dobrev, a Skoskian officer with extensive experience in Western-style command, was appointed to lead the newly established Royal Military Academy in Bratisna in 2006. Under his leadership, the academy introduced modern training programs focusing on leadership, strategy, and operational planning. Colonel Katarina Vukova, another prominent Skoskian officer, restructured the RHDF’s infantry training programs, emphasizing small-unit tactics, flexibility, and rapid decision-making. Her methods significantly improved the effectiveness of frontline units. Skoskian non-commissioned officers (NCOs) were embedded in training programs to instill discipline and provide mentorship, addressing the chronic lack of professionalism among enlisted personnel.

The infusion of Skoskian expertise helped bridge the gap between Holynia’s communist-era practices and modern military standards. It also introduced a new generation of Holynian officers to concepts such as joint operations, counterinsurgency tactics, and the effective use of technology on the battlefield.

By 2008, the RHDF had successfully eliminated many of the most egregious abuses that had tarnished its reputation. Crime rates within the military dropped significantly, and soldiers began to view their roles with renewed pride and professionalism.

Service Branches

The Royal Holyn Defence Forces are made up of four main service branches and two independent troop branches.

Main service branches

Holyn Ground Forces

The land warfare branch of the Defence Forces. Consists of 190,000 active duty personnel, supported by 370,500 reserve personnel. Largest branch of the military by size.