Royal War College
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| Motto | Missio Prima Semper Homines |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Mission First. Men always. |
| Type | Military college |
| Established | 1745 |
| Affiliation | Aquitaynian Armed Services |
| Budget | 75.4 million |
| Chairman | Senior Field Marshal Hanz Eichfeld |
| Students | 3,450 |
| Undergraduates | 2,850 |
| Postgraduates | 500 |
| 100 | |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Red – White – Blue |
The Aquitaynian Royal War College is a military education college, who's mission is to increase the capabilities, resolve, knowledge, and competence of the Officer Corps. The college was founded not long after the Aquitaynian War of Independence which ended in 1741, and has an official establishment date of 1745. The college would quickly become a highly reputable and sought-after posting, and likewise the highly competitive admissions list left, usually, only nobles and knights on par to attend. The college's first class of attendees numbered only 45 total, and the small student roster would become a staple for decades. In 1850, however, the admissions council and Ministry of Defense announced that the college would be expanded, and within six years the college had doubled in size and had over 500 students.
In 1888, however, during the War of the Usurper, Cassonaise troops would lay siege to the Capital and set fire to the War College, leading to its complete destruction. Discussions about closing the college were quickly dismissed, and the King allocated funds via royal decree to rebuild the college at four times its previous size. The college would be closed for the next 10 years as rebuilding went on, and would officially re-open in 1898. Within twenty years, the graduates of the War College would be called upon to serve in the Great Astyrian War, and it was through this war that the true value of the college became apparent not only to military leaders, but the public as well.
The Royal War College has graduated, throughout its history, over 70,000 officers - of which only a few go on to be granted flag officer positions within the Aquitaynian Military. Initially, from 1745 to 1805, the college was only for commissiond officers above the rank of Colonel for continuing education and specific study in the art of war as a flag officer. However, it became apparent that the lower ranks of Aquitayne's officer corps was lacking in education and experience. Thus, the school opened its doors and restructured its curriculum to include undergraduate admissions to its new Cadet Corps, providing a direct pipeline of new officers for the armed forces that had legitimate military training. The school has always allowed foreign military officers from nations in "good standing" with the Aquitaynian government to attend the college as well. Admissions increased drastically, and the molding of new, young officers and older, seasoned veterans mixed to create an unparalleled environment of experience, knowledge, innovation, and expansion.
Most recently, in 2020, the Royal War College finished its most recent update to facilities, faculty, staff, and housing for students. The college now boasts a 3,500 student annual retention rate, and has received increases in funding for facilities and staff wages.
Mission
The mission statement of the Royal War College is to:
- Educate, train, and inspire leaders of character;
- Lead students to become principled commanders by instilling the core values of the War College:
- Honor
- Duty
- Respect
- Train and hone military skills, knowledge and experience to provide for the national defense.
History
The Royal War College was created by order of Augustus I on 5 January 1744, three years after the end of Aquitayne's war for independence against the Empire of Exponent, to establish a new military university. Augustus aimed to replace the informal social expectation that noblemen educate their sons in military tactics and history throughout their upbringing. Though this practice would continue, Augustus hoped for the standardization of the officer corps and the competency at which new officers would enter the military service. At the time of its creation, the then-abandoned palatial villa of the previous Exponential governor, Turcellius Adventus, stood empty on the outskirts of Telora. Augustus ordered the property commandeered for government use and it quickly became the focal point for military education in the nation, with many senior officers from the revolution taking teaching positions at the college.
The school trained a large number of young officers and generals who served during the War of the Usurper and other conflicts. In the aftermath of the Battle of Fort Tremblay and the larger Siege of Telora, Cassonnaise troops woould burn down the Royal War College building in 1888. The college was ordered to be rebuilt at four times its previous size, and has received additional expansions since. It officially reopened in 1898, ten years after its destruction.
A reform in 1898 on the schools reopening split the school into two entities: the current undergraduate school, devoted to the training of direct-recruitment officers, recruited through annual national exams and interviews, and the postgraduate cadets from internal recruitment (selected from officer ranks). This second school also devoted education resources to administrative specialists, officers and generals. The school admitted its first female cadets in 1980 and underwent minor reforms in 2004 to increase diversity in its recruitment.
Since 1744, over 70,000 Cadets and officers have been trained, along with over 4,000 international cadets. Of the Aquitaynian graduates, 11,291 died on the field of battle. Alumni also count 3 Prime Ministers, 15 current and former Knight Commanders of the Order of the Rose, and each Aquitaynian monarch since Richard I attended in 1813.
Motto
The motto of the Royal War College is Missio Prima Semper Homines, meaning "Mission First, Men Always". This motto derives from the College's belief that each of the officers it produces must first be able to lead the soldiers they're tasked with commanding. This is ingrained in the studies and classes the Cadet and postgraduate students are taught in.
Traditions
Class names and insignia
Since 1775, every class of the War College chooses a name. It can be a nickname, the name of a famous battle, or the name of a famous soldier or general. Since 1929, each class also chooses a special insignia. These are often printed on sweatshirts, t-shirts, or other athletic apparel for use during physical training or leisure.
Uniform
Cadets of the War College wear a specialized version of the Infantry Officers Dress from 1840. The dress incorporates a dark-blue tunic, red trousers (skirts for female cadets), and a shako with red and white plumes. Tunic facings and trouser stripes are light blue, as is the cover worn on less formal occasions. Red fringed epaulets are worn by cadets and yellow by cadet-officers. This traditional uniform was worn by both cadets and instructors at the War College from 1840 to the present day. The original uniforms worn were based on officers' dress from the War of Independence from 1741, which was worn until the new style was adopted in 1840.
Ceremonies
The various steps of the cadets' formation from civilian to officer are celebrated in various ceremonies, all performed at sundown. At the beginning of the first year, after the cadet has completed boot camp, the cadets are welcomed by third-year cadets with their standard-issue shakos. This is called the "First Night". At the beginning of the cadets' second year, they are presented with the red and white plume for their shakos as well as their officers' sword. This is the "Second Night". At the beginning of their third year, cadets are officially commissioned as second lieutenants. This is celebrated in the "baptism" of the class, a ceremony where every cadet receives the accolade of the Commandant. At the end of their fourth and final year, cadets are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and receive their posting in a ceremony called the "Conquering".
Defense of Honor
The Defense of Honor refers to the 1888 attack by Cassonnaise troops leading to an hours-long standoff where 15 students were killed and another 50 injured during the Siege of Telora. On the night of the 6th of June, every year, students construct defensive positions around the college grounds and stand watch overnight in shifts to keep a steady eye on any intruders. This is done in remembrance of the students who lost their lives in defense of the school, and as a tangible way to feel the history and prestige of the students that came before them. Throughout the ritual's history, some classes have mounted simulated attacks as Cassonaise troops, but this tradition was outlawed after an incident in 1912 where a student was killed in the reconstruction. Today, students simply stand watch from dusk to dawn while the end of the exercise is marked with the playing of taps across the campus speakers at sunrise.
Application
Cadets are recruited through a national annual competitive exam, during their final year of primary education. Aquitaynian students take exams on general knowledge, aptitude and intelligence, and also sit for an interview and must pass a medical physical and physical fitness test.
- Standard test: Recruitment occurs during the final year of primary education for Aquitaynian students, typically in the second half of their last year. Students are required to submit an "Intent for Application" at least one year before their graduation to allow the College time to arrange interviews, tests and background checks. Six months after students file their intent to apply, they will sit for the Military Entrance Exam (MEE) which will score them in topics ranging from mathematics to general knowledge, sciences, history, and language skills. If the applicant passes, they will proceed to the interview phase.
- Interviews are conducted by War College alumni only, which usually means they are currently-serving officers or retired officers of substantial rank. These interviews are notoriously intense for applicants, with the interviewers asking very direct, open-ended questions to see how the applicant reacts under pressure.
Applicants who score well enough on the MEE and score highly in the interview are then moved to the Selection Committee, which will decide if they're admitted. Additionally, a number of foreign students are admitted annually. They are required to travel to Aquitayne to complete their in-person interview, but may complete the MEE abroad.
Training
Undergraduate
The learning approach that the Royal War College embraces in regards to the Center for Strategic Studies is a full-envelopment approach. The War College believes that by enveloping students in the very topics they're learning about and discussing in the classroom, they will better understand the nature of why those events took place, and how they unfolded. The War College calls this technique the "Envelopment Model", and uses it throughout lectures across the college's academic courses. This degree encompasses the full spectrum of operations, and covers a wide variety of both military and social, political and economic subjects that allow for an encompassing view on the world and how it interacts with itself.
For undergraduate students, the course is four years long and covers academic training, military strategy and theory, practice of war, training, physical training, and leadership and organizational training. The first year involves military training and academics. The second and third year focus on academics with one to three week breaks for military training exercises. The last year focuses solely on military operations and integrating students into military units, familiarizing them with Ministry of Defense doctrine and administrative requirements as well. Officer cadets at the Royal War College are commissioned officers and attend school from September to July. Each class of the RWC is organised as a battalion and thus the Corps of Cadets is structured as a regiment.
Upon graduation, cadets are awarded the diploma of the War College, which is a master's degree in International Relations and Military Strategy, Management, or a military degree, depending on the major. Majors are in engineering, science subjects or specialization in classics, modern or ancient history, modern and ancient languages, law, security, political science or military studies. Typically, degrees will also bear the name of the Center under which the student gained their diploma.
Graduates leave the school with the rank of lieutenant and are assigned to a regiment to serve as a platoon leader.
Post-graduate
Each school of the Royal War College also contains postgraduate and doctoral programs for officers who have already completed their undergraduate degrees and are already serving in their respective armed forces. The War College allows foreign officers to pursue postgraduate degrees and encourages them to do so. Since most of these students are already seasoned officers, there is less focus on espirit de corps and more focus on full spectrum of operations training and analysis to provide immediate benefits to their military experience. These students are not considered Cadets, and are authorized (and expected) to wear their military uniforms daily to classes. Cadets are requried to render hand-salutes to any of these officer-students and assist them if needed.
Most master's programs take two to three years, offering degrees in International Relations, Military Strategy, Strategic Studies, Leadership and Management, Engineering, among others. The only doctoral program the War College provides is a doctorate in International Affairs and Strategic Studies.
Schools
Center for Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
The Center for Peacekeeping and Stability Operations forms a supplemental range of coursework and study around when, where and how to use military force to impact conflicts around the globe to maintain peace and regional security. Much of this coursework centers around the nation state, how and why they function, as well as how and why they fail.
Being able to effectively identify regional conflicts that may require international intervention, understand the complex social and political backgrounds of those conflicts, and knowing how to deploy forces to best impact the conflict and prevent it from spreading or continuing is a key skill for any officer to have.
Given the highly specific nature of the subjects in the CPSO, each course is a short term 7-week course, with students taking two courses per semester to fill the entire 14 week block.
Center for Strategic Leadership
The Center for Strategic Leadership is one of the cornerstones of a Cadet and officer students' education at the War College. The first half of the semester is in a classroom setting where students are taught the fundamental foundations of leadership in a military environment.
Center for Strategic Studies
The Center for Strategic Studies forms the foundation of studies at the Royal War College. The Royal War College believes that, for any officer to excel at their position, they must have a fundamental understanding not only of how a military organization functions - from the fiscal allocations to the maneuvers they learned in Officer Candidate School - but also of how the world around them functions, and how rapid developments in geopolitical and social standings can directly affect national security and their troops.
All first-year students attending the Royal War College must complete the academic course load for the Center for Strategic Studies. Without this foundation of knowledge and global scope, it is unrealistic to expect students to be able to grasp the larger themes and ideas expressed in the other specific education centers. The Royal War College believes that understanding the world as a whole, and having the ability to divide it into political, social, economic and ethnic diversities is key to being able to effectively deploy troops, manpower, resources, and special forces across the globe. The Center for Strategic Studies can be a complete degree from the Royal War College. The scope of the Center for Strategic Studies widens broadly after the basic per-requisite courses are completed, however taking these classes is not necessary for advancement through the War College. The War College is interested in examining and dissecting the military maneuvers and political power-plays that encompass the world, and understanding why and how those endeavors were successful, or failed. The War College's Center for Strategic Studies features a full-time staff of retired Special Operations officers, four-star generals who headed Aquitaynian Combatant Commands, as well as infantry officers and intelligence officers from around the world. Their main focus is not only to educate students that attend this Center, but likewise to publish academic papers and research regarding military's around the world and their engagements.
Center for Unit Management
Privileges
Graduates of the War College are permitted to use the post nominal RWC upon graduation. Given its highly selective admissions process, and the potential for its graduates to eventually end up in high ranking government or military positions, its seen as a mark of accomplishment for those who are able to be seen with distinction. The nominal RWC falls behind any military decorations or chivalric order that the individual has earned or been given.
Notable Alumni
- Augustus Reich (b. 1958), current Secretary of State for Defense and former Commandant of the Royal Marines.
- Lucius Plainier (b. 1965), current Commandant of the Royal Marines
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| Leadership |
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| Personnel & Training | |
| Intelligence | |
| Strategy | |
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