Equestrian Armed Forces

The Equestrian Armed Forces are the federal military forces of Equestria. They consist of the Royal Guard, the Lunar Guard, Marine Corps, Royal Air Force, and Navy. Equestria, while a peaceful nation, has a strong military tradition of principality control of the military. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are the military's overall heads, and help form military policies and give executive orders, along with the Equestrian Department of Defense and the Minister of Defense acting as the principle organ by which military policy is carried out. The Minister of Defense is second in command, just below the princesses, and serves as the chief assistant to the princesses in all military-related affairs. 
Despite a separation between them, all of the branches work together during operations and joint missions. The Equestrian military is one of the largest militaries in terms of number of personnel, falling just behind Germaney and Saddle Arabia. Its power is drawn entirely from paid volunteers, as conscription has not been used in Equestria since the First Griffon-Pony War almost 3,000 years ago, save for the Lunar Guard, who drafted eligible Thestral ponies during the Solar-Lunar Civil War. 
Equestria's expenditure on its military has been predominantly low in recent centuries; an extended period of peace seeing no need for spending on a superfluous military budget. However, after the Second Griffon-Pony War, Equestria has more than quadrupled its military budget, leading to great advancements in military technology over the past several years. 
== Branches ==
=== Royal Guard ===
The Royal Guard make up the bulk of the Equestrian Army. The poster child for the Army, the Royal Guard serves a multitude of roles across the spectrum, including military police, castle and archive guards, bodyguards to important delegates, and frontline infantry. The Royal Guard accepts ponies from all walks of life (Earth, unicorn, and pegasus), save for Thestrals, who must enlist in the Lunar Guard, as per protocol. 
The Royal Guard is distinguished by their golden armor when in civilian-present roles, such as ceremonial guards and policing duties. The Royal Guard armor is enchanted, disguising their cutie marks and altering the coats, manes, and eyes of all ponies wearing it to a uniform white or gray, blonde, and blue respectively. When deployed on active service, the traditional green drab uniforms or camouflage ACUs replace the weighty armor to favor speed, agility, and camouflage. The uniform has no enchants, and all ponies maintain their respective colors and cutie marks. 
The Royal Guard is currently under the command of Captain of the Guard Shining Armor.
=== Lunar Guard ===
The Lunar Guard, also known as the Nightwatch, are the dominant military force of the night, and the sole police force of the Hollow Shades. Originally the only military unit capable of fighting effectively during the day and night, the Lunar Guard were specialized soldiers assigned to the tasks that required the most finesse and stealth. In the modern day, they serve a similar function to the Royal Guard, with tasks such as protecting the Hollow Shades and Canterlot and acting as bodyguards for Princess Luna. Unlike the Royal Guard, however, all applicants must be a Thestral, born either of the Shades or anywhere in Equestria, so long as they bear Thestral traits. Unlike the Royal Guard armor, Nightwatch soldiers' appearances are not altered, nor do they have different uniforms. 
While once a sizable force, the Lunar Guard has severely dwindled in numbers since the Solar-Lunar Civil War and the eradication of many Nightwatch soldiers. A lower bat pony population has also led to a decrease in size. While often looked down on, the Lunar Guard is one of the toughest regiments of the Equestrian Army, making up for numbers with skill and drive. In recent years, the Lunar Guard has seen a spike in recruitment and training, owed mostly to new policies enacted by Princess Luna and the Lunar Guard captain. 
The Lunar Guard is currently under command of Commander Borealis. 
=== Royal Air Force ===
The Royal Air Force is the primary aerial warfare service branch of the Equestrian Army. While other branches possess pegasus and bat ponies capable of flight, the Air Force focuses its attention solely on aerial combat and the use of aerial military technology. As such, only certified Air Force pilots are trained to fly helicopters. The Royal Air Force is based out of Cloudsdale, and includes one of the most famous units known across Equestria: the Wonderbolts. 
All Air Force ponies are required to be pegasi with a wing power of 5 or greater. The roles of the Air Force infantry are vast, ranging from aerial reconnaissance and air-based strikes to pilots and helicopter mechanics. The Air Force also serves as a rapid response unit in the event of a weather-based emergency. 
The Royal Air Force is currently under command of Captain Blackhawk.
=== Navy ===
The Equestrian Navy is the aquatic-based warfare service branch of the Equestrian Army. With over twenty armed vessels patrolling the waters around Equestria, the Equestrian Navy is second only to Braytain's. The Navy functions a dual role as Equestria's primary means of engaging aquatic enemies as well as troop transport across bodies of water, and as a coast guard. The Navy accepts any race of pony or creature, provided they are Equestrian nationals and know how to swim. 
The Navy has recently undergone many dramatic changes, thanks to the increase in military expenditure and development of modern battleships and submarines. Now at the largest its ever been, the Navy stands ready to meet any water-based threat. 
The Navy is currently under command of Admiral Intrepid. 
=== Marine Corps ===
The Equestrian Marine Corps is the newest and most developed branch of the Equestrian Army. Created as a joint task between Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, and Just Cause, the Marines fill the role between frontline infantry and Special Forces operators. The Marines act as shock troopers, causing great deals of damage and distress quickly to enemy lines to disrupt and disorient them. The Marine Corps also serves as an expeditionary force, reinforcing and aiding foreign assets when needed. It is currently the smallest unit, but willingly accepts all races of ponies, provided they pass the rigorous entrance test as well as the Royal Guard exam. 
The Marine Corps is also under command of Captain of the Guard Shining Armor. 
== Special Forces Units ==
=== The Wonderbolts ===
The Wonderbolts are a Special Forces unit within the Royal Air Force. While mostly used as show ponies to demonstrate their enhanced feats of flight and aerial daringness, all Wonderbolts must go through a rigorous training program to ensure their physical fitness should they be called into duty. The Wonderbolts only ever act in a case of severe and sudden danger to the homeland (i.e. a dragon attack), as their response time vastly overshadows any other unit's. 
The Wonderbolts are currently under command of Lieutenant Spitfire. 
=== Equestrian Rangers ===
The Equestrian Army Rangers (known more commonly as the Rangers) are a Special Forces unit under the Royal Guard. Created during the Solar-Lunar Civil War to combat the threat of guerrilla Nightwatch soldiers, the Rangers specialize in reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, personnel and hostage recovery, direct action, and combat search and rescue. In the present day, the Rangers serve as a light infantry unit in more hostile environments and engagements. The Rangers accept all ponies that have served meritoriously within the Royal Guard and pass through Ranger School at Fort Alicorn in Canterlot. 
The Equestrian Rangers are also under command of Captain of the Guard Shining Armor. 
=== Skyfall Unit ===
Skyfall Unit is a top secret black ops unit designed to meet and counteract threats to Equestria and its interests. Unlike the Rangers, Skyfall operates in clandestine operations, often utilizing questionable means and bending rules and laws to accomplish their goals. They are also able to infiltrate both hostile and friendly entities with the blessings of the government, as opposed to requiring a declaration of war or other justified cause to act. Skyfall Unit specializes in counter terrorism, espionage and intelligence gathering, hostage recovery, assassination, and direct or indirect action. 
Skyfall Unit is currently under command of Captain Fleethoof. 
== Structure ==
=== Royal Guard Ranks ===
The rank structure of the Royal Guard follows a traditional modern military chain of command.The Royal Guard and all subsidiary branches (like the Equestrian Rangers and Skyfall Unit) follow this model of ranking. These are the Equestrian ranks authorized for use as of the Modern Era. 
Equestrian Pay Grade	E-1 	E-2 	E-3 	E-4 	E-5 	E-6 	E-7 	E-8 	O-1 	O-2 	O-3 	O-4 	O-5 	
Title 	Private	Private First Class	Lance Corporal	Corporal	Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Master Sergeant	Sergeant Major	Second Lieutenant	First Lieutenant	Captain	Commander	Captain of the Guard	
Abbreviation 	PVT 	PFC 	LCPL 	CPL 	SGT 	SSG 	MSG 	SGM 	2LT 	1LT 	CPT 	CMD 	COTG 	
=== Lunar Guard Ranks ===
The Lunar Guard follows a similar ranking structure as their Royal Guard counterparts. However, soldiers enlisted in the Lunar Guard are unable to achieve the rank of Captain of the Guard. A transfer to the Royal Guard must first be permitted before any active duty Lunar Guards may attain this position. 
Equestrian Pay Grade	E-1 	E-2 	E-3 	E-4 	E-5 	E-6 	E-7 	O-1 	O-2 	O-3 	O-4 	O-5 	
Title 	Private	Private First Class	Lance Corporal	Corporal	Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Night Vanguard	Night Overseer	Night Master	Captain	Commander	Captain of the Lunar Guard	
Abbreviation 	PVT 	PFC 	LCPL 	CPL 	SGT 	SSG 	NVG 	NOV 	NMT 	CPT 	CMD 	COTLG 	
=== Royal Air Force Ranks ===
The following is the list of all active Royal Air Force ranks as of the Modern Era.
Equestrian Pay Grade	E-1 	E-2 	E-3 	E-4 	E-5 	E-6 	O-1 	O-2 	O-3 	O-4 	
Title 	Airpony Basic	Airpony	Airpony First Class	Senior Airpony	Staff Sergeant	Master Sergeant	Cadet	Second Lieutenant	First Lieutenant	Captain	
Abbreviation 	APB 	APY 	AFC 	SAP 	SSG 	MSG 	CDT 	2LT 	1LT 	CPT 	
=== Equestrian Navy Ranks ===
The following is the list of all active Equestrian Navy ranks as of the Modern Era.
Equestrian Pay Grade	E-1 	E-2 	E-3 	E-4 	E-5 	E-6 	E-7 	E-8 	O-1 	O-2 	O-3 	
Title 	Seapony Recruit	Seapony Apprentice	Seapony	Petty Officer Third Class	Petty Officer Second Class	Petty Officer First Class	Chief Petty Officer	Senior Chief Petty Officer	Lieutenant	Captain	Admiral	
Abbreviation 	SPR 	SPA 	SPY 	PO3 	PO2 	PO1 	CPO 	SCPO 	LT 	CPT 	ADM 	
=== Equestrian Marine Corps Ranks ===
The following is the list of all active Equestrian Marine Corps ranks as of the Modern Era.
Equestrian Pay Grade	E-1 	E-2 	E-3 	E-4 	E-5 	E-6 	E-7 	E-8 	E-9 	O-1 	O-2 	O-3 	
Title 	Private	Private First Class	Lance Corporal	Corporal	Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Gunnery Sergeant	Master Sergeant	Sergeant Major	Second Lieutenant	First Lieutenant	Captain	
Abbreviation 	PVT 	PFC 	LCPL 	CPL 	SGT 	SSG 	GSGT 	MSG 	SGM 	2LT 	1LT 	CPT 	
== Equipment ==
With the exception to Special Forces units, all service branches within the Equestrian Armed Forces utilize similar armaments, standardizing weapons to make ease of use and interchangeability an asset to soldiers. The Equestrian M4A1 or M16A3 are the standard issue service rifles to all infantry within the Equestrian Army, and a standard nine-millimeter pistol is issued as a sidearm. Personal sidearms are not permitted within the Army. 
Royal Guards in a ceremonial position are issued only the standard golden armor and bolt action rifles for appearances. 
Breech loading rifles, the Springfield 1873, the forerunners to the bolt action rifle, are no longer used by any branch of the armed forces. 
All ponies active in foreign lands are issued patterned ACUs, as pictured. Standard kits include essentials such as food and water, a combat utility knife, navigation equipment, night-vision goggles, long-range radios for communication, and fragmentation grenades.
== Gallery ==
Recruiting poster earth by regolithx-d4z4l49 copy.jpg|An Equestrian Armed Forces recruitment poster.
279493 safe blushing princess+cadance shining+armor love+heart poster military propaganda artist-colon-firebrandkun.jpg
47 m16a4.jpg|The M16 assault rifle, standard issue.
Colt M4 Carbine Rifle 21456.jpg|The M4 carbine, standard issue.
M9 zoom001.jpg|The M9 pistol, the pistol the Equestrian sidearm is modeled from.
XBL42-Z-F2-L.jpg|A Civil War-era bolt action rifle, no longer in service, but still used for ceremonial and drill purposes.
File:Springfield Model 1873 rifle.png|The Springfield Model 1873 'trapdoor' was the forerunner to the bolt action rifle, and once was used commonly across all branches. A great deal of these rifles were converted from old muzzleloader stock. When the armed forces phased out these rifles, the vast majority were sent to be broken down and the parts were refurbished/recasted into components for bolt action rifles, with the remainder being lost in transit or destroyed. As such, there are little surviving examples today.