Sydalene Defense Forces
| Sydalene Defense Forces | |
|---|---|
| Founded | c. 11th century |
| Current form | 1919 |
| Service branches | |
| Leadership | |
| Queen | Melisende III |
| Minister of Defense | The Count of Nerumunti |
| Prefect of the General Staff | Danel Cutazur |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 17 |
| Conscription | 18 |
The Sydalene Defense Forces (Sydalene: Sydalen forzi tad-difiża, literally: " Sydalene Defense Army") sometimes known as the Protectors of the Holy Land (Sydalene: Protetturi tal-Art Imqaddsa), are the armed forces of the Sydalon. The Defense Forces are composed of four branches: Army, Navy, and Air Guard, and Royal Guard gendarmerie. While the Order of the Holy Lance has been increasingly included in the Defense Forces, it remains an independent force, though still subservient to the Monarch as the Order's hereditary Grand Master. The Defense Forces are the state military of Sydalon, and have no civilian oversight making it only answerable to the Crown. Since 1919, the Defense Forces have been a conscript army, though there is a sizeable volunteer contingent. Sydalon's defense is based around a history fending off invasions of neighboring hostile nations, due to its status as a Crusader State, though most recently to prevent an invasion by Yisrael or domestic unrest.