Uantiri Military

This page expands upon the history of the Kingdom of Uantir

The Uantir Armed Forces

The Uantiri military is not run like a conventional military force as seen by most governments. Due to the confederate nature of Uantir’s territories being a conglomeration of relatively autonomous territories the military forces of Uantir resemble a militia far more than a standing Army. Individual members of the Uantiri Army are referred to as Guardians.

The Uantiri Army is not an occupational force, it is not designed or intended to be used as a means to conquer or sustain an invasion. Each Guard’s primary purpose is to defend their home from foreign invaders. Their knowledge of the terrain and ability to interface with the local populace (as they are the local populace) makes Uantir an extremely difficult nation to invade. The average Guardian does not conduct operations on foreign soil. Select individuals within each Guard can attempt to become a member of the Royal Guard, Uantir’s closest resemblance to a standing Army. More reminiscent of small to medium, special operation style force the Royal Guard is extremely capable at precision operations. Outside of the Royal Guard only Guardians on national borderlands ever expect to have to cross over enemy lines when those lines are not being crossed to reclaim lost Uantiri ground. For these reasons, as a military entity, Uantir is not capable of committing to a strong full-on outward assault.

Uantir maintains an adamant ‘only when necessary’ policy when using its armed forces abroad. The Guardians do not interfere in things that can be considered someone else’s business or petty; it does not conduct peace keeping, global policing, or diplomatic duties. They serve one purpose: to be the swift and decisive instrument in the protection of Uantir from foreign aggression and to mete out disproportionate retribution on those who would harm the people of Uantir. The Uantir Army is notorious for lethality, brutality and effectiveness.

Other Branches

Uantir has no Navy or Air Force, but air and naval powers exist as parts of the Army. Naval forces are controlled by the Fleet, and air power is organized by the Air Corps (never ‘The Corps.’) Reducing these branch barriers cuts down on duplicity across the force, eliminates branch conflict, and reduces wasted personnel. Marines are unnecessary when all personnel aboard a ship are Soldiers as well as Mariners. Instead of having to coordinate with another branch of military service when Soldiers in the field need air support they simply call up the Air Squadron in their Brigade as if they were interfacing with any other unit. This blending of skills creates units unusual to veterans of conventional forces. This does not mean that the culture of their specialized profession is lost. Rank, uniform, insignia, and other cultural aspects generally change depending on the member’s primary function. A soldier who learns to fly planes would be referred to as a pilot or aviator. A soldier who worked primarily onboard a ship would be a Mariner or Sailor.

Customs and Culture

Traditional cultural norms such as close rank and file, uniforms, the salute, and regimental discipline common in conventional armies are unheard of among the Guardians. The Army’s goal is ruthless efficiency and considers many aspects of conventional militaries as stifling and distracting. Uniformity is a throwback to medieval times when combat as a large cohesive group was necessary. These tactics persisted into the gunpowder age as inaccurate rifles were made more potent by organizing bricks of riflemen to fire in unison. These same groups of people, who had to take time to reload every shot, were protected by the line of riflemen firing over their shoulders, etc. In the modern age advanced high capacity firearms capable of long distance accuracy and rapid fire operation render such tactics obsolete. Thus techniques designed to ingrain an almost mechanical subservience out of soldiers, so they could be more effectively used as part of a group by a single commander, are likewise antiquated. This does not prevent units from forming unique uniforms or marching in time. As a rule uniformity for the sake of uniformity is regarded as unnecessary by the majority of the force. Guardians are prone to wearing gear and acting in a way that is most comfortable, efficient, and conducive to the environment they are fighting in. In the field fatigues appropriate for the weather and terrain are more preferred than the pea coats worn out at sea. Air and vehicle crewmembers have a penchant for jumpsuits.

A much more common practice than instigating uniforms is the adoption of dress codes, especially for dress wear. Units tend to choose colors and styles that can be used to associate members with a particular unit. For instance, one unit may decide to wear red tops over black bottoms. Some soldiers may wear a long sleeve button up red shirt while another, who gets hot more easily, could be wearing a red t-shirt. Still a third may be wearing a blue shirt but a red vest over the top of it. One may be wearing black jeans, the other cargo pants, and the last slacks. The bottom line is no one gains a tactical advantage by looking identical to the man next to him.

Likewise actions such as polishing boots to a mirror shine, starching clothes, and hunting over a coat with a magnifying glass for a stray hair are common military pastimes that are unheard of among the Guardians. As long as the soldier looks professional and presentable and is capable of performing their duties to the high level of proficiency expected, the other business is looked at as a waste of time. Every hour that soldier would have been spending polishing, or ironing, or obsessively cleaning, or standing in formation is better spent training, going to school, spending time with their family, or going to work.

Another appearance issue alarming to members of conventional armies is the lack of restriction on the length of hair and facial hair. Since the gas masks used in Uantir are full hooded ones, a moderate beard and hair do not interfere with their use. Extreme lengths may do so, and the individual is taking that risk upon themselves by maintaining that particular style. Many consider Guardians undisciplined and not very military like. Uantir’s proud culture of personal responsibility and having the talent where and when it counts extends all the way to the Guard. A soldier does not have to snap to attention and supplicate to be a good soldier, he has to shoot straight and think fast. Many conventional soldiers scoff at the Guardians and consider them a ‘hot mess.’ On the battlefield, where it counts, Guardians show exactly what all those wasted hours preening themselves and being terrified of their superiors can do when put to better use at drills and training.

This is not to say that the Guardians are completely devoid of military bearing. Drill and ceremony has its place during certain ceremonies such as raising and lowering the flag, funeral detail, Royal escort, color guard, and promotions. These activities utilize the position of attention, salutes, and marching in time. All these duties are on a volunteer basis and as such only those who are interested in completing these tasks take it upon themselves to coordinate their unit in a respectable fashion.

Units

Guards

Each individual territory is allowed to configure their forces however they deem fit and use whatever term is most appropriate to that Aristocrat’s environment. The only requirements for units is that each regional force will be referred to as a Guard, usually proceeded by the territory’s name if no other name is provided by the Aristocrat. A Guard is the equivalent of a US Division in hierarchy, though the volume of personnel is generally far lower. Each Aristocrat has their prerogative as to the internal structure of their guard. Unless stated otherwise, Guards can be assumed to follow the precedence set by the Royal Guard. Uantir maintains seven Guards.

The Royal Guard

The Nerianti Guard

The Wolfshire Guard

The Auldarant Guard

The Sideran Guard

The Itol Guard

The Keb Guard

Though not influential enough to control a Guard, lesser nobles likewise have their own units to offer.

Crocker Company

Lialand Company

Unit Hierarchy

Name	Strength	Constituent Units	Leader
Guard	15,000 - 35,000	2+ Regiments	Aristocrat
Regiment	5,000 - 10,000	2+ Battalion	Captain
Battalion	1,500 - 3,500	2+ Brigades	General
Brigade	150 - 1,000	2+ Companies	Brigadier
Comapny	50 - 175	2+ Groups	Commander
Group	16 - 40	2+ Sections	Lieutenant
Patrol	4 - 10	2+ Patrols	Sairshint
Team	2 - 4	2 - 4 Soldiers	Kannaireh

Team

A team is a relatively informal unit and who is in what team is primarily an inter-Patrol issue.

Alternate terms for a team include “Fireteams” as well as “Fire and Maneuver Teams”

Patrol

The smallest semi-official unit and led by a Sairshint. It is popular for the way it portrays the defensive nature that is the primary function of the Guard.

“Squad” is a fairly common alternative. Vehicular, air, and sea units prefer the term “Crew.” The Royal Guard and other offensive or expeditionary units use “Section.”

Group

The smallest officially recognized unit and led by a Lieutenant. Groups frequently create unique names and insignia that they wear to identify which Group they are from.

”Platoon” is a common alternative, while “Troop” is common among cavalry and vehicular units. “Watch” is used almost exclusively by Mariners.

Company

The largest autonomous field unit. Companies rarely follow the ‘Letter / Number’ method of identifying themselves and almost always choose a unique name and insignia to identify by.

The Air Corps prefer “Squadron” and “Ship” by the Fleet. Artillery units are the only ones to use “Battery.”

Brigade

The first ‘strategic’ unit. A Brigade is a regional entity and usually adopts the name of the region it covers, as well as the region’s imagery.

Though it’s rare to find dedicated Air Corps organizations on this scale, they would be referred to as a “Wing.” When a number of ships organize they are referred to as a “Flotilla.”

Battalion

As a brigade, though covering more territory.

Though almost unheard of an Air Corps unit of this magnitude would be called a “Flight.” If enough ships organized on this scale it would be referred to as an “Armada”

Regiment

The largest military unit commanded by a military officer.

Though the naval forces of the Uantiri Army are referred to collectively as ‘The Fleet’ in this instance, such a gathering of ships would warrant being referred to as “a Fleet.”

Guard

The territorial designation of all the military personnel under an Aristocrat’s control.

No alternatives are allowed, though if an Aristocrat were to choose to raise only naval or air units one would modify the address such as “Sea Guard” or “Air Guard”

Rank Structure

There are no official, mandated ranks or insignia for units to follow. It is left up to the Aristocrat’s discretion what the hierarchy of their Guard shall be. NATO standard rank scale is encouraged to ease cross unit identification. Visiting military personnel are expected to wear equivalent Royal Guard insignia (to be supplied by the Crown) in addition to their own for identification purposes.

Unless otherwise specified, any Guard is assumed to follow the precedence set by the Royal Guard. Uantir utilizes only one scale. Officers are soldiers that have the talent, leadership, education and time in service to warrant the position. There are no direct commissions. The NATO code is adapted for ease of international congruity, but is largely meaningless internally.

Uantiri Rank Code	U-1	U-2		U-3	U-4	U-5	U-6	U-7	U-8	U-9
Title	Trainee	Soldier		Kannaireh	Sairshint	Lieutenant	Commander	Brigadier	General	Captain
Abbreviation	TRN	SLD		KAN	SST	LTN	CDR	BRG	GEN	CPT
US Equivalent	Private	Private	PVT First Class	Corporal / Specialist	Sergeant	Lieutenant	Captain	Lieutenant Colonel	Brigadier General	General
British Equivilent	Private	Private	Lance Corporal	Corporal	Sergeant	Lieutenant	Captain	Lieutenant Colonel	Brigadier General	General
NATO Code	OR-1	OR-2	OR-3	OR-4	OR-5	OF-1	OF-2	OF-4	OF-6	OF-9

Address

Trainees are referred to only as Trainee, or Trainee ‘last name.’

Soldiers are referred to as Mr. or Ms. (Mrs. is appropriate if married) and their last name.

Kannaireh and Sairshints can be addressed by Mr. or Ms. but are most frequently referred to by their rank alone, or rank and name.

Only superior officers may address subordinate officers as Mr. or Ms. and it is considered a term of endearment when done so. Otherwise officers are addressed by rank and last name, or ‘sir / ma’am.’

Non-Grade Advancement

Many Guardians will spend their entire career as a Soldier or Kannaireh, as their service in the Guard is as an auxiliary in a readiness capacity. As such, time in service and commitment not warranting promotion is rewarded with non-grade advancement. Traditionally that comes in the form of the modifiers ‘First Class’ or ‘Master’ being added to that Guardian’s rank. It represents the expertise and skill that the individual has in their grade. All ranks, including officer ranks, except the rank of Trainee may be modified in this way.

Air Corps

The Air Corps differs little from the Army except that they use the rank Crewmember instead of Soldier. Those pilots rated for flight typically use the prestigious Aviator. Though largely utilized in ceremonial situations, the term Aviator can be carried on to all ranks, such as Kannaireh Aviator or “Commander Aviator.” The highest ranking officers of the Air Corps refer to themselves as Air Marshals not Generals.

The Fleet

The Fleet differs the most from the rest of the Guard when it comes to rank. Instead of Soldier members of the Fleet are Mariners or Sailors. They forego Kannaireh and Sairshint entirely, electing to follow old nautical tradition of Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer instead. Ensign and Lieutenant are used interchangeably, Brigadiers are Commodores, and Generals are Admirals.

Awards

Reward for achievement and acknowledgement of success is very important in an organization where the very life of its individuals is in mortal peril. When typical conventions that strip down the individuality of a soldier and make them more supplicant to the hierarchy are abandoned incentive is even more important. For that reason the Crown issues a number of awards and medals for service and actions in combat. Aristocrats have the authority to issue their own awards that may not be listed here.

By Order of Precedence (combat decorations of equal precedence supersedes)

Combat Decorations	Service Awards
Gold Crown …for gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.	Legion of Merit …for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
Military Medal …for setting an example of bravery and resource under fire.	Superior Service Medal …for superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility.
Silver Crown Medal …for gallantry in action against an enemy.	Soldier’s / Mariner’s / Aviator’s Medal ...for distinguishing one’s self by heroism in the face of great personal danger or of such a magnitude that it stands out distinctly above normal expectation, not involving actual conflict with an enemy.
Distinguished Service Medal …for exceptionally meritorious service in combat.	Meritorious Service Medal …for non-combat outstanding achievement or meritorious service.
Bronze Crown Medal …for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in combat.	Army / Fleet / Air Corps Commendation Medal …for distinguishing oneself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.
Blood and Tears Medal …for being wounded or killed in any action against the enemy	Army / Fleet / Air Corps Achievement Medal …for outstanding achievement or meritorious service.
Prisoner of War Medal …for Being taken prisoner and held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy.	Occupation Medal …for three or more consecutive months of duty in occupied territory.
Land / Sea / Air Medal …for meritorious achievement while participating in land, nautical, or aerial operations against the enemy.	Campaigning Medal …for 36 months of service in occupied territory.
Distinguished Warfare Medal …for extraordinary achievement related to a military operation.	Long Service Medal …for 15 years of honorable service.
National Defense Medal …for participation in combat operations and encountering armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action, on Uantiri soil.	King / Queen’s Guard Medal …for completing a tour of duty as part the King or Queen’s personal guard entourage.
Expeditionary Medal …for participation in combat operations and encountering armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action, in foreign territory.	Humanitarian Service Medal …for meritorious participation in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature, or have rendered a special service to mankind.
Combat Action Medal …for actively engaging in combat with an enemy.	Volunteer Service Medal …for substantial volunteer service to the local community.
Marksmanship Medal …for exceptional weapons craft	Training Medal …for being trained and qualified as a military instructor to new recruits.