Difference between revisions of "Imperial State Army"

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'''The Imperial State Army''' or The I.S.A is the current standing army of The [[Holy Orenian Empire]]. It was founded out of the ashes of [[War of the Two Emperors]] to replace the outdated levy armies which the imperial crown believe was one of the reasons that lead to the war in the first place. Over a century of operation The I.S.A has undergone many changes in officers, ranks, uniforms & standard operation. Currently, The Imperial State Army is the largest army in the realm, boasting a mighty 25,000 active soldiers with thousands more in reserves.
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'''The Imperial State Army''' or The I.S.A is the current standing army of The [[Holy Orenian Empire]]. It was founded out of the ashes of [[War of Two Emperors]] to replace the outdated levy armies which the imperial crown believe was one of the reasons that lead to the war in the first place. Over a century of operation The I.S.A has undergone many changes in officers, ranks, uniforms & standard operation. Currently, The Imperial State Army is the largest army in the realm, boasting a mighty 25,000 active soldiers with thousands more in reserves.
  
 
<blockquote>''"With the collapse of the Legion of the Seventh Empire, so too did a period of immediate martial decline begin. From the Haeseni Declarations of 1719 to the infamous Podophile Affair, it had long become obvious to the Lord Protector that the status quo was no longer tenable. It was with this motive that he began collecting the great military minds that still remained in Imperial borders; from Rhenyari commanders to Kaedreni strategists, the military complex of the Empire under his Protectorate soon expanded tenfold. His untimely death, however, would mean his new model army would not be completed during his tenure, and indeed the martial prowess of the Crown soon stagnated once more.'' </blockquote>
 
<blockquote>''"With the collapse of the Legion of the Seventh Empire, so too did a period of immediate martial decline begin. From the Haeseni Declarations of 1719 to the infamous Podophile Affair, it had long become obvious to the Lord Protector that the status quo was no longer tenable. It was with this motive that he began collecting the great military minds that still remained in Imperial borders; from Rhenyari commanders to Kaedreni strategists, the military complex of the Empire under his Protectorate soon expanded tenfold. His untimely death, however, would mean his new model army would not be completed during his tenure, and indeed the martial prowess of the Crown soon stagnated once more.'' </blockquote>

Revision as of 20:47, 4 September 2021

Imperial State Army
OrenianFlag.png
The Imperial Standard
Active: 1721-Present
Alliegance: Holy Orenian Empire
Type: Imperial Military Order
Headquarters: The Bastion, Providence, Holy Orenian Empire
Size: 25,000 Active Duty, 8,000 Reserves
Motto: "Orenia aut Mortem"
Colors: Red and White
Major Engagements:
Imperial Generals
First Imperial General: Alren DeNurem
Second Imperial General: Peter Baldwin d'Arkent
Third Imperial General: William Darkwood
Current Imperial General: Erik var Ruthern

The Imperial State Army or The I.S.A is the current standing army of The Holy Orenian Empire. It was founded out of the ashes of War of Two Emperors to replace the outdated levy armies which the imperial crown believe was one of the reasons that lead to the war in the first place. Over a century of operation The I.S.A has undergone many changes in officers, ranks, uniforms & standard operation. Currently, The Imperial State Army is the largest army in the realm, boasting a mighty 25,000 active soldiers with thousands more in reserves.

"With the collapse of the Legion of the Seventh Empire, so too did a period of immediate martial decline begin. From the Haeseni Declarations of 1719 to the infamous Podophile Affair, it had long become obvious to the Lord Protector that the status quo was no longer tenable. It was with this motive that he began collecting the great military minds that still remained in Imperial borders; from Rhenyari commanders to Kaedreni strategists, the military complex of the Empire under his Protectorate soon expanded tenfold. His untimely death, however, would mean his new model army would not be completed during his tenure, and indeed the martial prowess of the Crown soon stagnated once more.
With the completion of various civic engagements, and with the creation of a modern, capable fighting force from which both the current Empire and all successors may derive the projection of military might and peacekeeping ability now urgently required, the governing bodies of the Holy Orenian Empire have seen fit to implement and expand the Imperial State Army which is formed to be more cohesive and reliable than feudal levies, but avoiding the tyranny and weakness of central Imperial legions of old." - Imperial State Army First Edition by Simon Basrid, 1746

Brigades

The Imperial State Army is made up of five brigades. The 1st Brigade makes up the general infantry force of the army. The 2nd Brigade is where all recruits & cadets are sent for basic training. The 3rd Brigade is the army cavalry unit nicknamed The Helena Dragoons. The 4th Brigade is the elite guard that protects imperial royalty & carries out special missions. Lastly, The 5th Brigade is the medical & research division of the Imperial State Army.

The 1st Brigade

The 1st Brigade makes up the main fighting force and support component of the 1st Regiment. The soldiers of the 1st Brigade have a wider scope of specialization available to them and are tasked with the day-to-day upkeep/operations of the Regiment. Important Lieutenant positions within the brigade include the Quartermaster, Drillmaster, and Taskmaster for the entire Regiment. Alongside these Regiment billets, the 1st Brigade has a Grenademaster to lead the Imperial Grenadiers and Houndmaster in charge of training war dogs.

  • The Captain of The 1st Brigade currently is: Vladrick var Ruthern

The 2nd Brigade

The 2nd Brigade is the main hub of training and education for the freshly oathed as well as the entire Regiment and Imperial State Army. All new recruits and cadets are enrolled in the 2nd Brigade where they are expected to complete a basic training course consisting of 5 badges. Additionally, the 2nd Brigade hosts the Commissar Corps, an elite group of military disciplinarians who take decisive action in battle and on garrison to ensure that order and discipline are maintained at all times. Finally, the 2nd Brigade is the main recruitment force for the 1st Regiment, maintaining a cadre of recruiters that embark on community outreach missions to ensure a steady stream of new comrades.

  • The Captain of The 2nd Brigade currently is: Olivier Renault

The 3rd Brigade

The 3rd Brigade is made up of four officer positions; Captain, Master of The Vanguard, Master of The School & Master of The Horse. The Master of The Horse is a position dedicated to the well-being of the brigade's horses. They ensure that all horses are fed & healthy along with regularly breeding to create future mounts for the brigade's use. The Master of The School is responsible for all 3rd Brigade trainings & recruiting Cadets & Recruits from The 2nd Brigade into the 3rd. The Master of The Vanguard is in charge of leading the elite vanguard unit which is sent on the majority of imperial scouting & recon missions. Finally, The Captain oversees all 3rd Brigade activity & reports it directly to the Imperial General

A detailed guide of other 3rd Brigade positions known as billets can be found here - 1

The 4th Brigade

The 4th Brigade is composed of the 1st Regiment’s most skilled soldiers. The specialization of the brigade includes bodyguard work for the Imperial royalty, combat escort services for the most esteemed members of society, and special missions operations for covert objective accomplishment. A more in depth description of the 4th Brigade is classified to ranking officials of the Imperial State Army on a need to know basis by the War Office.

  • The Captain of The 4th Brigade currently is: Sir Erik Othaman

The 5th Brigade

The 5th Brigade is a collection of troops with a pendant for innovative design and a mind for research. Soldiers of the 5th brigade are often tasked with developing new weapon systems for the Imperial State Army, to include artillery and fortification designs. Additionally, soldiers of the 5th brigade are also experienced military engineers, able to bring their designs into reality to construct earthworks and field defenses, as well as staffing the Military Engineering Academy.

On the 17th of Sun's Smile, 1825, General William Darkwood disbanded the 5th Brigade. Viktoriya DeNurem was the last Captain of the 5th Brigade.

The 6th Brigade

The 6th Brigade of the Imperial State Army is a special operations unit founded on the ideals of holding the empire's beliefs to the highest esteem. The unit specializes in carrying out high-risk operations with stealth and swiftness with their secondary purpose to be a protective detail to the highest-ranking officials within the Imperial State Army. Furthermore, soldiers of the 6th Brigade are known as "Disciples".

On the 17th of Sun's Smile, 1824, General William Darkwood disbanded the 6th Brigade. Leopold Draskovic was the last Captain of the 6th Brigade.

Ranks

Officers

Colonel

A Colonel serves as the sole chief of a regiment, a sizable collective composed of several brigades. A regiment is usually organized according to geography, and serves as the largest division of troops within the Imperial State Army. As such, the rank of Colonel is the highest command in peace-time. Regiments officially bear the nomenclature of numbers, such as the 1st Regiment or the 2nd Regiment (and so on) yet are frequently appelated with nicknames in order to better identify them.

With the total command of a regiment in their hands, the duty of a Colonel is immense in nature, and therefore the widest in scope. Colonels lay out the operational plan that their men shall follow. They are charged with the creation of plans for both present and future, such as the fortification of entire provinces, or the movement of armies in war.

In the absence of war-time Generals, Colonels are the highest-ranking members of the Imperial State Army. All officers long to one day bear this rank, with the prestige and wealth it entails.

Lieutenant Colonel

Lieutenant Colonels are experienced officers that have shown a masterful ability to both lead and administrate sections of the Imperial State Army. Lieutenant Colonels are often tapped for the billet of Regimental Executive Officer, assisting the Commanding Officer in the management of the Regiment and acting as the commander in their absence.

Major

Majors are often very experienced officers that have earned the rank after several years of service as a Brigade Commanding Officer or other important staff duty. Majors are often kept on as regiment staff officers and are respected for their experience and long service.

Captain

A Captain serves as the sole chief of a brigade, the immediate sub-division of a regiment. These entities are more specialized and smaller, with several brigades coming together under the authority of the higher regiment. These brigades, commanded by Captains, typically have formalized names, such as the Nauzica Brigade.

Captains maintain the Imperial State Army beret of command, along with a gold pin of office. If any officer holds the billet of Brigade Commanding Officer, he is styled commander of said brigade, to avoid discrepancy of rank, and for all brigades that he would oversee, he is also styled commander.

Captains are in the primary administrative role of a brigade. They are charged with the total upkeep of their respective brigades, from upkeep of supplies, housing of soldiers, and recruitment of fresh men. A Captain is expected to be a model for his men to follow, and his morals are ever-scrutinized. Captains are also charged with maintaining the discipline of his men. They supply all the necessary training they see fit, and mobilize brigades in times of war.

Lieutenant

Lieutenants are the primary assistants for a Captain in the management of his particular brigade. They are often entrusted with matters of administrative significance as well as assisting in command. A Lieutenant is the lowest rank that may bear the Imperial State Army beret of command. Lieutenants are capable of commanding small units as well as managing the daily operations of the brigade.

Ensign

An Ensign is a junior officer, often a noble cadet, who has been freshly awarded his first commission from the Crown. He is not expressly in command of any particular force, though is allocated to a brigade (and hence a greater regiment by extension) and is expected to advance his career by showing his superiors his nascent prowess in military command. Accordingly, Ensigns are often tasked with jobs that require a low level of commanding authority, including the control of small groups of regular soldiers for special assignments or miscellaneous administrative or logistical tasks. To be commissioned as an Ensign is representative of an entry into officership, and the beginning of one’s rise through the ranks.

Ensigns are typically assigned in a brigade to small unit leadership under a capable NCO to guide them. They will learn basic staff functions of an officer and obtain valuable leadership principles from both their Lieutenants and NCOs. It is important that Ensigns learn as much as they can in order to be an effective and capable officer.

Orenian War Propaganda during the Tenth Nordling War, c. 1818, by Renly Galbraith

Enlisted


Master Sergeant

A Master Sergeant is the highest enlisted rank a soldier can obtain. They are experts in all things relating to their specialization, combat skills, military standards, and are well-regarded leaders among their peers. They are by far the most grizzled and veteran of the enlisted ranks, having been a part of and/or helped lead a number of military campaigns or operations. The wealth of knowledge and experience of these soldiers is vital to the continuation of desired military traditions and standards throughout the ranks. They are even looked upon to mentor commissioned officers and mold them into effective leaders. Master Sergeants also have the unique duty to ensure their Sergeant Corps is operating to expectation and aid their commanding officers in ensuring the needs of the troops are met.

Sergeant

A sergeant is the highest rank of enlisted in the Imperial State Army and often begets years of grizzled service. While an Ensign may have command over them, a Sergeant often possesses the wisdom and experience to serve as a non-commissioned officer and aid them in their charge. Sergeants often serve as the disciplinarians, quartermasters, or standard-bearers of their troop, keeping order and executing for the brigade the officer’s plan directive. Within a brigade, the billet of First Sergeant is often filled by a Sergeant, acting as the chief enlisted soldier in the unit, advising the officer's corps on the wellbeing of the Regulars. Sergeants are afforded a ribbon to distinguish themselves during active duty.

Sergeants are the best of the best from the pool of enlisted men. Often representing those who cannot qualify for the Officer Corps, they make up the pool of non-commissioned officers. Many of their duties are similar to those of an Ensign, but their experience and combat prowess mean they function in a much more forward role, and are delegated to command in combat or stressful situations far more often.

Senior Corporal

Senior Corporals are those who have mastered their original specialization and can be relied upon to be effective combat assets on the battlefield. They are soldiers who have been a part of a number of military operations and are well versed in the ways of warfare. Having obtained technical expertise, these soldiers begin to pivot towards developing their leadership skills. Snr. Corporals are also expected to obtain an additional specialization that is useful to their Brigade or Regiment.

Corporal

Corporals are regarded as veterans of service, having been bloodied or tested multiple times and proven their worth as dedicated professional soldiers. They are entrusted with more duties and responsibilities than their Private counterparts and hold some degree of command over them, often guiding them through their duties and training. A Corporal has usually begun to specialize their talents in a few key civilian and military skills, often proving as indispensable pieces towards a brigade’s overall success. They are the first rank that is permitted to wear their awards of service upon their uniform during active duty.

Corporals are the far more veteran enlisted men. Almost certainly with combat experience under their belt, they’re expected to be the basis of morale when Officers cannot provide. Corporals provide leadership to the enlisted men by means of example and are expected to take the lead in situations where less experienced men may slip up.

Junior Enlisted


Private First Class

The Private First Class is the main bulk of a Regiment. They compile to form the battle lines, and take their orders as law, following them without question. A Private First Class understands the workings of military life and is trusted with many responsibilities within the Regiment and individual Brigade. Privates First Class are the bulk of the enlisted, as well as the bulk of the Army. They carry out daily tasks such as gate duty, foot patrols, armed security, and law enforcement. Though their tasks often seem menial, these men are the backbone of the Empire.

Private

Upon the completion of basic training, an oathed regular can now be named an official member of the Imperial State Army as its lowest rank of Private. Privates are entrusted basic duties of service and begin to explore the various facets of imperial service to see where they may best hone their talents. As a result, most privates are expected to specialize in a myriad of talents or skills to better serve the military as well as fulfilling their basic duties and directives by their officer corps. Some of these duties range from smithing, tanning, drumming, estate management, guard work, specialized melee, and weapons training, sapping, siegework, ranging, medicinal arts, riding, athletics, tactics, training, path-finding, spotting, engineering, construction, trade, prisoner management, tracking, hunting, sapping, signaling, trumpeting, voyaging, sailing, chemistry, and so forth - any talent that the corps would need, it is expected a Private to begin that task of fulfilling it.

Operation Lady in Hightower, c. 1743

Recruit

Fresh recruits undergo a training process known as the Imperial Combat Academy before being oathed and raised to private. During this time, they are exposed to the rigor and discipline of state military tradition, along with a nascent education in Orenian society and culture. They have not yet formally enlisted into the military, and thus, as a result, do not have the right to wear the regulars uniform or for that matter any military regalia.

Recruits are freshly conscripted soldiers, still learning, proving their allegiance. Recruits are expected to shadow Privates and other Enlisted superiors, as well as receive training from their commissioned officers.

Special Units


Chaplains

The Chaplains of the Imperial State Army are the moral and morale officiators of the force. Their ultimate responsibility is to develop and nurture the soldiers of the ISA and ensure total compliance with military and spiritual doctrine. Keepers of the Imperial Army culture and integral martial traditions; Shepherds towards salvation and holy absolution for the soldiers of the ISA. They carry the divine purpose of instilling self-sacrifice and an unrelenting dedication to the doctrine of the Imperial State Army, the moral inspiration to do good, and the moral motivators both on and off the field of battle. The Chaplains make manifest the will of God, ensuring all their comrades are in alignment. The first and last face a soldier of the Imperial State Army should see shall be that of a Chaplain.

Chaplains are fearless soldiers and selfless servants, each willing to fight their way through hordes of enemies to reach the fallen, expending every last essence of their life force to save that of the wounded. Outside of combat, Chaplains are responsible for monitoring the ISA ensigns and recruits for deviant behavior, flaws, or corruption in their being. Additionally, they are the warrior-priests that minister to the spiritual well-being of their comrades, instilling in them the values and beliefs of the Imperial State Army- promoting the veneration of each soldier, the Heroes of Mankind and God.

These soldiers are the spiritual leaders of the Army. They administer the rites, preserve the rituals, and perform the righteous ceremonies of initiation, vindication, and redemption that are as important to the Army has their loyalty, dedication, and zeal.

A Chaplain must be as courageous as his fellow soldiers if not more so, for he must perform his duty amid the battlefield or face darkness and evils that would sooner crush any normal man. Their mental fortitude must be of the utmost among their comrades, for they are the vanguards against what aims to penetrate the minds and corrupt the soul. They also possess the capacity to conduct warfare at levels the average footman cannot, resisting and even counter-assaulting inherent evil in the mind- unwavering in their sense of duty and purpose.

Chaplains are the keepers of the congregation halls for the Imperial State Army, maintaining, enforcing, and occupying them with their work and duty. Finally, they are also the keepers of the Army’s developing history and most precious of relics, guarding, and maintaining the symbols of the past for the sake of the future.

Lex Kaedrini

The Lex Kaedrini is the military law that all soldiers are to abide by. While a soldier is on active duty, the Lex Kaedrini protects them from facing criminal court. Instead, soldiers face a court-martial that decides their appropriate punishments. If a soldier is discharged from duty for a crime, the Orenian courts can choose to pursue further investigation & trial of a former soldier.

The Lex Kaedrini can be found here

War Games

Terratorial Map of the Holy Orenian Empire, displaying the nine terratorial states, c. 1822

Prior to the arrival of Orenians on Almaris, war games were classified as joint international military mock skirmishes. In 1822, during the Tenth Nordling War, General William Darkwood introduced a new take on War Games where instead of skirmishing with other militaries, ISA Brigades would have skirmishes among themselves. When the War Games were announced to the enlisted soldiers and junior officers of the Imperial State Army during the yearly regimental address, one recruit remarked the war games as "...a modern take on the board games of my youth..."

Each brigade would be provided a specific regional state in the Holy Orenian Empire to start in. From there they were expected to defend their regional state from other brigades along with attacking other brigades regional states. In order to capture a regional state, brigades are to perform two uninterrupted patrols of the area to secure it. To attack a regional state, a brigade is expected to fight two consecutive field battles and win before laying siege to the capital of the regional state; capitals often being the largest city or fort in the region). If the attackers win all three mock battles they would capture the regional state and continue the game until one brigade remained.

The Games officially began on the 11th of Horen's Calling, 1822 with the 1st Brigade led by Erik Ruthern, Count of Kositz capturing the Municipality & County of Dobrov. Several other brigades followed suit however, it took a length of time for other brigades to muster enough personal for their patrols, marking the first decline in ISA activity since 1744.

References

1. Imperial State Army First Edition by Simon Basird, 1746
2. Imperial State Army Second Edition by C.B. Puller, 1815
3. The 6th Brigade by William Darkwood, 1818
4. ISA Medals and Awards by Minuvas Melphestaus, 1820