Imperial Military The Imperial Military , also referred to as the Imperial Armed Forces , comprised the various branches of the armed forces of the Galactic Empire , such as the Imperial Army and Imperial Navy , as well as agencies such as Imperial Intelligence . History . Formation . Following the end of the destructive three - year galaxy - wide conflict known as the Clone Wars , then Supreme Chancellor Palpatine ushered in the formation of the Galactic Empire , a dictatorship composed of the entirety of the former Galactic Republic and with himself as its head of state , the first Galactic Emperor . With vast portions of the galaxy still unconquered and outside Imperial dominion , the Emperor Palpatine transformed the Grand Army of the Republic into the Imperial Military composed of both the Army and Navy of the prior government . Embarking on a massive militarization effort in order to combat the remaining Separatist holdouts across the galaxy , as well as bring more worlds under Imperial control , the Imperial Military would serve as the primary means of Imperial enforcement and expansion from the Imperial Center . The Galactic Civil War . In the nineteen years following the Empire ' s rise , a growing rebellion would cause concern within the higher echelons of the Empire , ultimately resulting in the formation of the Alliance to Restore the Republic . For years , the opposing sides fought across the galaxy for control of sector s , systems and the loyalties of their respective populations , with major encounters on the Outer Rim worlds of Yavin 4 , Hoth and Endor . Despite crushing the Alliance on Hoth , the Battle of Yavin and Endor would see the destruction of both Death Stars , following which the Empire would enter into a state of disarray as former military leaders formed splinter fleets , while the New Republic slowly pushed Imperial forces back towards the Coruscant Core . Splintering and dissolution . Following successive defeats at the hands of the New Republic , a year and four days after Endor , the Empire ' s military forces made their final stand over the Inner Rim world of Jakku . Suffering heavy casualties , Imperial diplomats on Coruscant ultimately signed a peace treaty — the Galactic Concordance — with the New Republic , ending both the battle and the war . Over the years , remnants of the Imperial armed forces founded the First Order , located in the far corners of the Unknown Regions . Briefly inhabiting a wing of New Republic politics , the First Order eventually seceded from the Republic — a move that was welcomed by many — firmly committed towards reestablishing the former glory of the Galactic Empire . Organization . Administration . The affairs of the Army and the Navy were overseen by the Joint Chiefs , the various commanders of the two branches , while the Stormtrooper Corps operated under the oversight of the Army . However supreme command was given to the Galactic Emperor and his Sith apprentice , Darth Vader , referred to as 1 and 2 respectively . The Imperial Department of Military Research helped the Imperial Military by upgrading and developing new weapons and technology , while former companies friendly to the Republic helped manufacture the newer Imperial vessels entering production , with some of the largest being Sienar Fleet Systems and Kuat Drive Yards . Organizations such as the Naval Intelligence Agency , Imperial Intelligence , and Imperial Security Bureau often worked in conjunction with the Imperial Military , with the ISB installing an internal affairs officer aboard all " Imperial - " class Star Destroyers and utilizing informants to discover the location of the Alliance Fleet during the Galactic Civil War . Enlistment was open to human men and women , who were trained at the numerous Imperial Academy complexes across the galaxy , with many members becoming enlisted personnel , officer s or Stormtrooper s . Since the Empire favored humans and looked down on Alien s , it was rare to find non - humans serving in the Imperial Military . Embodying the spirit of the Tarkin Doctrine , the armed forces relied on the sheer threat of force to keep neighboring systems in line . Fear and intimidation were essential for all Imperial Military operations , exemplified by the sheer size of Star Destroyers which acted as both a physical and psychological deterrent from assaulting it — and the Empire .