Uantir Military

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This page defines the military forces of the Kingdom of Uantir

The Uantir Armed Forces

The Uantir military is not run like a conventional military force as seen by most governments. Due to the confederative 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 Uantir Army are referred to as Guardians.

The Uantir 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 units within each Guard are marshaled with the expectation of being supplied as part of a foreign action. The Uantir offensive can be described as a network of small to medium, special operation style forces extremely capable at precision operations. Outside of one of these units only Guardians on national borderlands ever expect to have to cross over enemy lines when those lines are not being crossed to reclaim lost Uantirian ground. For these reasons, as a military force, Uantir is not capable of committing to a very 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. All air and naval powers are managed as part of the Uantir Army. The militia composition of Uantir’s forces, being organized from the ground up, make multiple branches of the military unnecessary. Naval and Air units are simply other potential training tools for all soldiers and potential assets for all units. 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 the ship are Soldiers as well as Mariners. Instead of having to coordinate with another branch of the 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 change depending on the member’s primary function. A soldier who becomes part of an aircrew would be referred to as an Airman. A soldier who worked primarily onboard a ship would be a Mariner.

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 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 could 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 (if they are not full time) 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

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 Royal Guard is technically free from territorial constraints and is recruited from across the nation, though the majority of the force is garrisoned at the nation’s capitol.
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
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 Soldier Kannaireh
Team
-A team is a relatively informal unit and who is in what team is primarily an inter-Patrol issue.
-Alternates
Fireteams
Fire and maneuver
Patrol
-The smallest semi-official unit led by a Sairshint.
-Alternates
Crew: Used by vehicular (such as tanks), air and sea units.
Section: Primarily used by expeditionary and offensive units.
Squad: Used by some who like to use more familiar American terms.
Group
-The smallest officially recognized unit led by a Lieutenant. Groups frequently create unique names and insignia that they wear to identify which Group they are from.
-Alternates
Troop: Used exclusively by vehicular units.
Watch: Used exclusively by Mariners.
Platoon: Used by some who like to use more familiar American terms.
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.
-Alternates
Battery: Used exclusively by artillery units.
Squadron: Used exclusively by Airmen.
Ship: Used exclusively by Mariners.
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.
-Alternates
Flotilla: Used exclusively by Mariners.
Wing: Used exclusively by Airmen.
Battalion
-As a brigade, though covering more territory.
Fleet: Used exclusively by Mariners.
Flight: Used exclusively by Airmen.
Regiment
-The largest military unit commanded by a military officer.
No alternatives are in general use.
Group
-The territorial designation of all the military personnel under an Aristocrat’s control.
No alternatives are allowed

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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 equivilent Royal Guard insignia (to be supplied by the Crown) in addition to their road 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.

There are ten ranks used by the Guardians, though air and sea units have variations on what the ranks are referred to as.

Code Rank Name US Equivalent (in position) British Equivalent (in position)
OR-1 Trainee Private (No Insignia) Private (No Insignia)
OR-2 Soldier Private “PV2” (Chevron) Private (No Insignia)
OR-3 First Class Private First Class Lance Corporal
OR-4 Kannaireh Corporal / Specialist Corporal
OR-5 Sairshint Sergeant No Equivalent
OF-1 Lieutenant 1st or 2nd Lieutenant 1st or 2nd Lieutenant
OF-2 Commander Captain Captain
OF-4 Brigadier Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel
OF-6 General Brigadier General Brigadier
OF-9 Captain General General

Trainee

There are no trainees ‘in the field.’ All personnel, regardless of prior experience or education, are ranked as trainees during their initial training. The rank of Soldier is awarded at the completion of training. In some cases a Trainee maybe promoted to First Class or Kannaireh for prior education or leadership experience, but no higher.

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

Soldier

Soldier Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

Soldiers make up the majority of the Uantir Army. Most Guardians remain in this position the majority of their career. The Uantir Army is predominantly composed of the average person, with a life outside the Army, who takes ownership of their responsibility as a citizen. Only a very small percentage of the overall force can be considered ‘active’ and those driven individuals are those that climb through the ranks.

All Guardians, be they working land, air or sea, are considered respectable and responsible people. There is no ‘lowly and worthless private’ mentality. The Uantirian Army does not run on strict control, fear and intimidation. Every Guardian is referred to as Mr. or Ms. (Mrs. is appropriate if married) and their last name. To refer to any soldier, even the newest recruit just out of training, as just their name (in an official capacity) is an insult and poor manners. The term soldier is more often used as a way to identify a group of Guardians, i.e. ‘These Soldier over here.’ than it is used as a rank or title. All alternates are treated in the same fashion.

Alternates

Trooper: Vehicular personnel

Mariner: Sea personnel

Airman: Air personnel

Symbolism: The chevron, both pointing up and down, is iconic symbols of military and paramilitary rank. A chevron facing up, its most primitive meaning, represents masculinity. Though the military is not male only, the concept of war is a very male one. Removing the curve customary of chevrons and creating a more elongated and angular design the insignia provides the room necessary for further embellishment. In addition it takes on a sharper and menacing character, reminiscent of the teeth of the lion on the Royal Crest of Uantir.

First Class

First Class Soldier Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

This is a rank of merit. It is awarded to those who complete certain tests or trials of capability appropriate to their area of expertise and to those who show exceptional promise or capability. Though not a leadership position, a First Class Soldier is expected to be the one to step up when necessary. Sometimes soldiers skip this rank entirely and are promoted straight to Kannaireh.

The term First Class is used after the soldier’s last name as a form of introduction or identification when appropriate. Introducing yourself, or introducing someone else as “Mr. Example, First Class.” is an appropriate use of the title. Going up to a soldier and saying, “Hello Ms. Example, First Class.” would be considered awkward and inappropriate.

Alternates

Trooper First Class: Vehicular personnel

Able Mariner: Sea personnel. Unlike ‘First Class’ the term Able is never used alone, it is always used in conjunction with Mariner. “Mr. Example, Able Mariner.”

Airman First Class: Air personnel

Symbolism: The spikes act as both an indication of merit, but also form the base of the crown that is the mark of leadership in all subsequent ranks.

Kannaireh

Kannaireh Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

The most junior leadership rank, a Kannaireh is in charge of a team of men as part of a section. Kannaireh are expected to be proficient in everything they could expect their soldiers to do and many units require a trial or qualification test to be passed to earn the rank.

Mr. / Ms. (Last Name.) This is the first rank that is used as a title, though rank and name in direct conversation is reserved for officers except in announcement or introduction. Rank can be substituted for name. “Yes Mr. Example.” and “Yes Kannaireh” are both valid responses to a request. A Kannaireh should never be introduced or announced as Mr. / Ms. (Last Name.) ‘Kannaireh Example’ is correct.

Alternates

Leading Mariner: Sea personnel. Introduction for a Leading Mariner is the same as Able: “Ms. Example, Leading Mariner.”

Symbolism: As the most junior of leaders in the Royal Guard the Kannaireh’s insignia is comprised of the chevron of a soldier wearing the crown of authority.

Sairshint

Sairshint Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

The principle leader of the small sections that comprise a group the Sairshint is the final ‘enlisted’ position within the Guardians and is the last positions to have little to no administrative duties like those officers have. Qualifications, tests or trials are an almost universal requirement for promotion.

Mr. / Ms. (Last Name.) Rank and name is reserved for officers except in announcement or introduction. Rank can be used in lieu of name. “Yes Mr. Example.” Or “Yes Sairshint.” A Sairshint should never be introduced or announced as Mr. / Ms. (Last Name.) ‘Sairshint Example’ is correct. Frequently it is shortened to ‘Sairsh.’

Alternates

Chief Mariner: Sea Units. A Chief Mariner is usually just referred to as ‘Chief.’

Symbolism: The Sairshint’s extra chevron below their own represents the Soldiers that they lead, are responsible for, and watch over.

Lieutenant

Lieutenant Insignia - Uantiri Royal guard

The first of the officer ranks, transition from Sairshint to Lieutenant requires a hefty investment of time, education and training as well as testing and review. Whereas Lieutenants in other Armies are predominantly college or academy graduates, with some being prior service enlisted, all Uantirian Lieutenants are experienced and dedicated soldiers. Lieutenants are in charge of a Group.

Rank and name or sir are the two principle methods of referring to or addressing an officer. Mr. / Ms. (Last Name) is acceptable from a superior officer, though it is considered derogatory when used in that application. It is inappropriate for a subordinate to refer to a superior officer in that way.

Alternates

Ensign: Sea Units.

Symbolism: The badge (here in the shape of a shield) is the honored symbol of officers in the Guard. The Guard exists primarily as an entity to defend Uantir and the shield represents that defensive posture. Other units may use other badges such as a shell or rocket for an artillery unit, an anchor for a naval unit, a plane or propeller for an air unit, etc.

Commander

Commander Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

In charge of a Company the Commander is the first officer who typically works independent of a superior unit and is the last direct leadership level rank. At the Company level there is still direct feedback between the Commander and the newest soldier, or at least in properly run units there should be.

Rank and name or sir are the two principle methods of referring to or addressing an officer. Mr. / Ms. (Last Name) is acceptable from a superior officer, though it is considered derogatory when used in that application. It is inappropriate for a subordinate to refer to a superior officer in that way.

Symbolism: The commander of a Company is the last leader in direct control and contact of their soldiers and is the last ‘field officer’ with boots on the ground so to speak. The additional chevron touches both the ‘ground’ and the chevron that represents the soldiers under their leadership.

Brigadier

Brigadier Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

The Brigadier is the first strategic leadership level rank and a Brigadier does not have a direct relationship with soldiers. A Brigadier’s job is to organize and lead Commanders in their efforts. A Brigade is a more regional entity than a physical one, and a Brigadier can be in charge of various Companies stationed in various placed across a number of cities or outposts.

Rank and name or sir are the two principle methods of referring to or addressing an officer. Mr. / Ms. (Last Name) is acceptable from a superior officer, though it is considered derogatory when used in that application. It is inappropriate for a subordinate to refer to a superior officer in that way.

Alternates

Commodore: Sea Units

Symbolism: As the first level of strategic commander the Brigadier has a far more overarching perspective of their forces when it comes to their responsibilities as represented by the wings.

General

General Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

Short for ‘General Officer’ a General is in charge of a vast network of Brigades and Companies. Unlike other militaries a General is not a political position and is simply an officer that has the expertise and knowledge required to coordinate such a diverse number of personnel.

Rank and name or sir are the two principle methods of referring to or addressing an officer. Mr. / Ms. (Last Name) is acceptable from a superior officer, though it is considered derogatory when used in that application. It is inappropriate for a subordinate to refer to a superior officer in that way.

Alternates

Admiral: Sea Units

Air Marshal: Air Units

Symbolism: Responsible for organizing, overseeing and maintaining a wide array of varying units across a region requires a level of multi-tasking and stability from this leader. They act as a foundation for keeping a number of unrelated units working together. Two pillars of strength and stability are added to this officer's insignia.

Captain

Captain Insignia - Uantiri Royal Guard

The Captain is the military advisor to the Aristocrat of every Guard and is the closest thing to a political military position as exists. Though the Aristocrat is, in the end, in charge of their Guard, the Captain exists to lend a trained and experienced military eye to the situation and take control in a situation where the Aristocrat is otherwise unable or unwilling to be involved. In the majority of the nation the Aristocrats spend very little influence on their guards and allow their Captains nearly complete autonomy over their territorial forces.

Rank and name or sir are the two principle methods of referring to or addressing an officer. Mr. / Ms. (Last Name) is acceptable from a superior officer, though it is considered derogatory when used in that application. It is inappropriate for a subordinate to refer to a superior officer in that way.  

Symbolism: A sword, the traditional symbol of military authority, marks the Captain as the supreme commander of his Guard’s forces with near Aristocrat level authority and responsibility. The sword is also the traditional weapon used with a shield. Like the officer’s badge, this symbol varies and can take the form of a spear, rife, trident etc.