Caradian Armed Forces

Caradian Armed Forces
Flag of Caradia
Country	Caradia
Founded	912 AN
Branches	Legions of the Black Flame Black Armada Skyfleet
Headquarters	Relacul
Leadership
Magistrate	Andrei Socavul
Manpower
Military age	18–65 years old
Conscription	Yes
Available for military service	345,000 (approx.)
Reserve personnel	3,000,000 (approx.)
Expenditures
Percent of GDP	3.3%
Domestic suppliers	CIC CAAT

The Caradian Armed Forces, sometimes called the Caradian Legion or Flemic Legion by Caradians, is the group tasked with the defense of Caradian ideals, and the propagation of those ideals. It consists of six units divided into three branches; the Legions of the Black Flame, the Black Armada, and the Skyfleet. These units have been given permission by the Duke to represent Caradia in conflicts that the Caradian government itself has no interest in by fighting as a mercenary unit. In this way, it is believed that the Caradian Armed Forces will represent Caradian might and acquire new adherents to the Church of the Black Flame, which almost all soldiers in the Armed Forces are members of.

One facet of the Caradian Armed Forces is their policy on reserve units and compulsory service. All Caradian citizens (except those who are exempt for medical reasons) are required to serve four years in the military upon their completion of primary education. After these four years, they are allowed to return home; however, anyone who has served in the military in the past and is not over sixty five years old is considered to be on the reserve forces for the nation, and must report monthly to the nearest military command centre and participate in drill exercises and tests. If people are determined to have lost their discipline and skill over the years, they are subject to extra training after the test day to instill military training in them again. This effectively means that the entire Caradian population (except those who were crippled before their compulsory service) are in the reserve units.

Mercenary Policy

• Main Article: Caradian Mercenary Policy

Following the opening of the country, then-reigning Duke Alecsi saw it as an opportunity, both to increase the nation's global presence, and to provide an extra source of income for the national treasury, to allow the military to be hired by other countries to fight by their side. This came with a promise to maintain neutrality in international ideological disputes when they do not concern the affairs of the Duchy.

White Vanguard Unit

The White Vanguard Unit, also known as the Order of the Redeemed, is a portion of the Caradian military (roughly 16,000 strong) that consists mainly of redeemed convicts from penal camps, though the higher ranking officers are never ex-convicts, often being lower ranking members of the Legions of the Black Flame that get transferred to the unit. The unit is mainly infantry, supplied with less valuable assets from the armada and skyfleet, such as smaller corvettes, light tanks and airships. The unit is particularly used for the more menial and/or dangerous jobs that the military would normally be tasked with, such as being a scouting force that goes ahead of the main contingent, or serving in diversion tactics. The unit was originally created with the idea of redeeming convicted Caradians through the Exaltation of Battle; an idea propagated by then Archbishop Cartoum Ghențeș.

Training Methods

Reduction of Self

The first and most important lesson taught by Caradian military instructors is that the individual is the enemy of the state. Thus, the first thing that occurs during basic training is the reduction of any of one's individual perception that remains after their first eighteen years in Caradia, instilling the idea that no one in the Duchy is a "civilian", but a small part of one contiguous, glorious whole.

Recruits are first divided into groups and put into lines on the first day of basic training, standing at attention in uniform while the instructors (who are always veterans of active combat) proceed down the line and ask the recruits their names. The recruits are then given six digit numbers that refer to them. From this point on, the recruits are conditioned to only refer to themselves and others by their given numbers, rather than their names, and refer to themselves only as "soldier number X" (X being their assigned number) or "this soldier". Soldiers who fail to remember these rules cause their entire group to be punished, usually by a withholding of a full meal or by requiring extra hours of drill or physical training. The soldiers are taught that their groups are one unit; they are punished together and rewarded together. Soldiers will then begin doing group training exercises that focus on group cohesiveness, and putting oneself in the trust of the whole.

Discipline

Caradian recruits are taught very early on that only perfection will be accepted. The smallest infraction results in immediate punishment for the group, ranging from withholding of meals to public flogging, depending on the severity and frequency of infractions, though usually the punishments that have the potential for permanent physical damage are avoided due to the possibility of damaging a potential soldier. Soldiers who are permanently damaged by physical punishments, or soldiers who do not improve their behaviour despite many punishments, are released from the military and made bound labourers for twenty years or more. The fears of these punishments push Caradian soldiers to follow orders as closely as possible, following the doctrine that a good order is followed swiftly and to the letter.

Physical Methods

The physical training of the Caradian military is brutal, though until recently it was also very specialised. Training recruits go through vary quite a lot depending on which branch they are serving in, though all branches have specific training exercises in common. Recruits are always trained in the coldest region of the Duchy, as is tradition, so that they build up a stronger cold resistance to serve in extended periods in varied environments. Recent additions, due to the possibility of soldiers fighting in other environments outside the island, include indoor simulated environments with extreme heat, humidity, and various types of rough terrain.

Recruits to the Legions of the Black Flame are physically trained primarily with the use of vehicles and extensive physical endurance training. Long marches in minimal clothing through the hills of eastern Caradia are an often used in this area of training. Drills for tank evacuation and counter-ambush tactics are common as well. Since the Legions are the most prominent branch of the military that is present at the military demonstrations that occur every now and then in large cities, the Legions are also drilled for demonstration procedures.

The Black Armada drills its recruits primarily to prepare for submarine attacks and the sinking of the ship. Recruits are also strenuously and meticulously conditioned to improve their swimming skills, and submarine operators are trained wth extreme depth drills.

The Skyfleet has perhaps the most strenuous physical training regimen of all the branches of the military. Recruits are trained to be physically fit, but recruits must train at a very high altitude regularly. The use of airships is limited to conserve the fuel, so recruits are trained for oxygen deprevation by being placed in low oxygen tanks, and are trained for the cold of the high altitude by extreme cold resistance training on the sheet ice just off the island, usually being trained to withstand the extreme cold for at least an hour with minimal clothing.

Mantra of the Armed Forces

We are Caradia
We are of the Flame
We do not falter
We embody Honour, Valour, Virtue and Glory
We are the sword and shield of The Ancestor's choosing
We fear only dishonour
Death holds only an affirmation of loyalty
Our country demands our service, and we go gladly
We are Caradia

Ranks

Legions	Armada	Skyfleet
Archon	Archon	Archon
Magistrate	Magistrate	Magistrate
Field Marshal	Grand Admiral	Sky Marshal
Legion General	n/a	n/a
Corps General	Admiral	n/a
Divisional General	Vice Admiral	General
Brigadier	n/a	Major General
Colonel	Rear Admiral	Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel	Commodore	n/a
Major	Captain	Major
First Lieutenant	Commander	n/a
Second Lieutenant	Lieutenant Commander	Sky Captain
Staff Sergeant	Lieutenant	Lieutenant
n/a	n/a	Master Sergeant
Sergeant	Ensign	Technical Sergeant
Lance Corporal	Warrant Officer	Specialist Sergeant
Corporal	Petty Officer	Sky Sergeant
Private First Class	n/a	n/a
Private	Seaman	Airman

Organisation

Legions of the Black Flame

Name	Leader	Composition	Types	Description
Branch	Legion General	9+ Corps	Combat Support	The Legions of the Black Flame are broadly divided into two branches, representing the two major components of the Legions, these being the support and combat branches. The branches represent the largest division of the Legions, albeit they are not tactical divisions.
Corps	Corps General	2 to 5 Divisions	Several	Corps are divisions of branches and are the largest tactical unit, representing the translation of strategy into tactical orders. Each corps is designated a specific group of activities to preside over.
Division	Divisional General	(Combined Arms) Armour Brigade 2 Infantry Brigades Mechanised Brigade Artillery Brigade Flotilla Air Support Group Main Support Regiment (Infantry Division) 5 Infantry Brigades Mechanised Brigade (Armour Division) 3 Armour Brigades 2 Mechanised Brigades (Artillery Divison) Infantry Brigade Mechanised Brigade 4 Artillery Brigades	Combined Arms Infantry Division Armour Division Artillery Division	Caradian divisions perform major tactical operations, being a mainly combat-focused organisational unit as opposed to the strategic focus of corps. Most corps are composed of mostly combined arms divisions and one specialised division. Some corps contain more specialised divisions, especially Lance and Cannon corps, which contain more armour and artillery divisions respectively. Combined arms divisions are the most common, and include a number of different brigades as well as support from a flotilla from the Black Armada and a close-support air group from the Skyfleet.
Brigade	Brigadier	(Infantry Brigade) 4 Infantry Battalions Mechanised Battalion Combat Support Regiment Logistics Regiment (Armour Brigade) 3 Armour Battalions Mechanised Battalion Intelligence Regiment Logistics Regiment (Mechanised Brigade) 3 Mechanised Battalions 2 Infantry Battalions Forward Support Regiment Intelligence Regiment (Artillery Brigade) 4 Artillery Battalions Forward Support Regiment Intelligence Regiment	Infantry Brigade Armour Brigade Mechanised Brigade Artillery Brigade	Brigades are simpler components of divisions, and allow for greater mobility and exploitation of weak points in opponents' defences as compared to a full division, which allows a single division to cover a wide area by splitting up into several brigades. Brigades are often, but not always, supported by air. Brigades consist of several battalions tailored to the brigade's specialty and two support regiments.
Regiment	Colonel	Same-type teams	Combat Support Regiment Logistics Regiment Intelligence Regiment Forward Support Regiment Main Support Regiment	Regiments are specialist components that support brigades and divisions.
Battalion	Lieutenant Colonel	(Infantry Battalion) 3 Infantry Companies Weapons Company Combat Support Company (Mechanised Battalion) 3 Mechanised Companies Armour Company Combat Support Company (Armour Battalion) 2 Armour Companies Weapons Company Battery Combat Support Company (Artillery Battalion) 4 Batteries Logistics Support Company	Infantry Battalion Mechanised Battalion Armour Battalion Artillery Battalion	Battalions are the smallest units the Legions are broken down into in the case of pitched battles or large-scale invasions. They are mobile and specialised.
Company	Major	(Infantry Company) 3 Rifle Platoons Heavy Weapons Platoon (Mechanised Company) 3 IFV Platoons Command Platoon (Weapons Company) Mortar Platoon HMG Platoon Anti-Armour Platoon Heavy Weapons Platoon (Armour Company) 3 Armour Platoons Command Platoon (Battery) 2 Gun Sections Direction Command Section	Infantry Company Mechanised Company Weapons Company Armour Company Battery Combat Support Company Logistics Support Company	Companies are the basic elements of a battalion, and consist of 4 or 5 platoons.
Platoon	First Lieutenant	(Rifle Platoon) 3 Rifle Squads Weapons Squad (Heavy Weapons Platoon) 2 Missile Squads HMG Squad RPG Squad (IFV Platoon) 3 Rifle Squads Supplied with 4 IFVs (Command Platoon) Supplied with 2 IFVs (Mortar Platoon) 4 Mortar Squads (HMG Platoon) 4 HMG Squads (Anti-Armour Platoon) 4 Anti-Armour Squads (Armour Platoon) 2 Armour Squads	Rifle Platoon Heavy Weapons Platoon IFV Platoon Command Platoon Mortar Platoon HMG Platoon Anti-Armour Platoon Armour Platoon	Platoons form highly compact, specialised task forces.
Section	Staff Sergeant	(Gun Section) 3 Artillery Teams (Direction Command Section) 1 Artillery Team	Gun Section Direction Command Section	Section is a denotation for an artillery force larger than a squad but smaller than a platoon.
Squad	Lance Corporal	(Rifle Squad) 2 Fireteams Armed with Rifles (Weapons Squad) 2 Fireteams Armed with Specialist Weapons (Missile Squad) 3 Fireteams Equipped with Rocket Artillery (HMG Squad) 2 Fireteams Armed with HMGs (RPG Squad) 2 Fireteams Armed with RPG Launchers (Mortar Squad) 3 Fireteams Armed with 81mm Mortars (Anti-Armour Squad) 2 Fireteams Armed with Grenade Launchers (Armour Squad) 2 Fireteams Armed with 2 Tanks	Rifle Squad Weapons Squad Missile Squad HMG Squad RPG Squad Mortar Squad Anti-Armour Squad Armour Squad	A squad is a group consisting of 2 or 3 fireteams and a total of 9 to 13 soldiers.
Fireteam	Private First Class	3 to 5 soldiers	N/A	A fireteam is the most basic unit of any Legion force, consisting of 3 to 5 soldiers with one designated leader.

Black Armada

Name	Leader	Composition	Types	Description
Fleet	Admiral	3 to 4 Battle Fleets	N/A	A fleet designates a group of battle fleets stationed in a particular zone.
Battle Fleet	Vice Admiral	At least one task force	N/A	A battle fleet is a grouping of at least one task force and one task group.
Task Force	Rear Admiral	5+ Large ships	N/A	A task force denotes a force of ships including at least 5 ships of destroyer size or larger.
Task Group	Commodore	5+ Small ships	N/A	A task group denotes a force of at least 5 ships of corvette size or smaller.
Flotilla	Captain	2 to 4 Large ships	N/A	A flotilla denotes a force of 2 to 4 ships of destroyer size or larger.
Task Unit	Lieutenant Commander	2 to 4 Small ships	N/A	A task unit denotes a force of 2 to 4 ships of corvette size or smaller.
Task Element	Lieutenant	One ship	N/A	A task element denotes a single naval vessel of any size.

Ordinance

Sword Corps

Name	Origin	Type	Photo	Notes
Infantry Vehicles
CAAT V-12	Caradia, CAAT	APC		Designed for swift movement over level terrain
CAAT V-14	Caradia, CAAT	APC		Employed by the Tundra battalions for rough terrain
CAAT V-7	Caradia, CAAT	IFV		Main fighting vehicle for mechanised infantry
CAAT V-9	Caradia, CAAT	IFV		Lighter fighting vehicle for more lightly-equipped forces
Helicopters
CAAT H-3	Caradia, CAAT	Heavy Lifting Helicopter		Designed for transport of infantry and ordinance

Lance Corps

Name	Origin	Type	Photo	Notes
Tanks
CAAT T-1	Caradia, CAAT	Main Battle Tank		Main tank for the Legions
CAAT T-3	Caradia, CAAT	Light Tank		Light tank designed for reconnaissance
CAAT T-6 Railgun	Caradia, CAAT	Heavy Tank		Designed for long-range/siege assaults
Titan Z14T33 Walking Tank	Cira, Confederate Military Production Matrix	Mechanised Walker		A contingent of Titan walking tanks was bought from the Ciric Confederacy in late 1679 because of the technological superiority of the confederate military
Štermgraza	Caradia	Super-Massive Tank		Only one ever built. Never used in battle.

Cannon Corps

Name	Origin	Type	Photo	Notes
Artillery
CAAT C-19	Caradia, CAAT	Towed Artillery		Used for static siege operations
CAAT C-21	Caradia, CAAT	Armoured Artillery		Used in mobile assaults requiring siege weaponry
CAAT C-24	Caradia, CAAT	Rocket Artillery		Heavy ordinance for more advanced siege fighting
CAAT C-27	Caradia, CAAT	Anti-Aircraft System		Designed for Anti-Aircraft support of infantry

Warmaker Fleet

Name	Origin	Type	Photo	Notes
Ships
Standard Class Corvette	Caradia, CAAT	Corvette
Gheață Class Submarine	Caradia, CAAT	Diesel Submarine
Trăsnet Class Destroyer	Caradia, CAAT	Destroyer
Aur Class Submarine	Caradia, CAAT	Nuclear Submarine
Flacără Class Cruiser	Caradia, CAAT	Cruiser
Coroană Class Battleship	Caradia, CAAT	Battleship
Ghețar Class Carrier	Caradia, CAAT	Aircraft Carrier
CSS Godrick	Caradia, CAAT	Supercarrier		One of two capital ships of the Black Armada; supermassive carrier
CSS Saint	Caradia, CAAT	Railgun Battleship		One of two capital ships of the Black Armada; unique railgun battleship

Skyfleet

Name	Origin	Type	Photo	Notes
Aircraft
Lunar Class Airship	Caradia, CAAT	Airship		Bomber airship
Solar Class Airship	Caradia, CAAT	Airship		Carries bombs, but is mostly designed to carry CAAT H-7 helicopters into battle
Astral Class Fighter	Caradia, CAAT	Fighter
CAAT H-7	Caradia, CAAT	Attack Helicopter
CSAS Overlord	Caradia, CAAT	Airship		Flagship of the Caradian Skyfleet