Dragoian Imperial Army

"For control of the land and for the glory of the Empire" Imperial Army Motto
The Dragoian Imperial Army (or IDA as a shorthand name) was the common name for the terrestrial forces of the Dragoian Empire. It has been in existence since Dragoian year 0 when the empire was formed. Following the introduction of tanks, the IDA's personnel typically numbered around 100,000,000 infantry, 30,000,000 vehicle crew and around 20,000,000 within logistics. These astonishing numbers are spread roughly evenly across the Dragoian Empire, with a little under 10% of them serving as police.
==Overview==
thumb|350px|Dragoian Imperial Army officer rank structure.
The main fighting force of the Dragoian Empire was formed in year 0 when House Bles united the warring Dragoian factions in a peace (well, there was a few civil wars) that lasted until The Tri-Split in 2017. It continued to serve after 2017 although numbers were diminished due to around half of it's officers and soldiers siding with TwinBragia during The Tri-Split and with a few joining the Seperatists as well. The IDA employed a 6 stage officer system with only rank 6, or Field Marshal, only being accessible to one person at a time, this was, as of 1825, TwinBragia. 
While the leader of the empire, as of 1825 this was Seldragia Bles, had total control of all armed forces, if their ability to command was compromised in any way, full command of the IDA would be handed over to the Field Marshal, if the ruler was the Field Marshal the most trusted General was chosen to command. The empire's policing body was part of the IDA and normally consisted of trustworthy officers and soldiers from the actual army.
Most of the IDA's time was spent performing mock combat operations and acting as a police force. With their main live-fire combat being against criminal gangs, rebellions and the various Human nations. Combat against Humans typically took the form of small-scale border raids just to remind the humans of the Dragoian presence, but would occasionally be helping the legitimate government of a Human nation crush a rebellion which would often hire Dragoian mercenaries to try and make up for their lacking numbers.
==Rank Structure==
The IDA operates 2 rank structures, Officer and Non-Officer. During combat, a class based system depending on weapon and equipment is used.
===Officer===
*Lieutenant: The lowest officer rank, Lieutenants normally only command small detachments inside squads and are often the Squad's tank commanders.
*Captain: Captains normally command small squads with either one or no tank.
*Major: The rank of Major normally results in command of a large squad with multiple tanks, although never a Heavy class tank.
*Colonel: Colonels tend to either manage multiple squads (a Battalion) or large squads consisting of at least one heavy class tank.
*General: Generals can command entire regiments although they often work together to command their regiment, while some generals choose not to manage regiments and choose to control large scale logistics.
*Field Marshal: Only one officer can hold this rank, and as a result, they have control over the entire IDA. However, the Field Marshal is replaced if they are incompetent as there is no margin for error should the King/Queen become incapable of leading the army.
===Non-Officer===
*Soldier: Soldier's effectively have no rank whatsoever, and form the bulk of the IDA. They are the enlisted personnel that are bound most tightly to the combat class system.
*Corporal: Corporals are low ranking non-officers, they can command one or two soldiers and are normally assigned to lead these small detachments during a squad wide split up.
*Sergeant: Sergeants are often involved in tank piloting and squad logistics, and rarely actually command a tiny detachment like they did when they were a corporal.
== Organisational Structure ==
Unlike many Human armies, the IDA groups it army differently in several categories and relies on hundreds. Size estimates below only account for infantry, and not vehicle crews or those involved with logistics.
* Detachment: Up to around 20 infantry and at most a single tank, usually commanded by a Lieutenant unless single digit in which case it is usually led by a Corporal or Sergeant.
* Squad: A term that encompasses a group of roughly 100 infantry with a roughly even mix of classes which may be supported by a Light or Medium Tank. Usually led by a Captain.
* Scout Squad: Smaller than a usual squad numbering roughly 50 infantry and focused mostly on reconnaissance rather than actual fighting. Despite their name, they are filled with a roughly even mix of classes and always have a Light Tank. They are often looked down on by "Combat" Squads. Usually led by a Captain.
* Specialist Squad: A general term used for a squad where the majority of their roughly 100 infantry are of the same combat class. These are usually few in number due to their overly specialised role and will rarely have a tank. Out of all Specialist Squads, Lancers are the most common as a dedicated anti-tank unit. Usually led by a Captain, but have been known to be led by a Lieutenant.
* Large Squad: A group of roughly 200 infantry supported by multiple Light or Medium Tanks. Usually led by a Major.
* Tank Squadron: Up to 100 tanks of varying types but rarely more than 1 Heavy Tank, with around 50 infantry, all Engineers, for field repairs. Tank Squadrons are never included in a standard Battalion. Usually led by a Colonel.
* Battalion: A group of 10 assorted squads that usually consists of 2 Scout Squads, 7 regular Squads, and a Large Squad. Usually led by a Colonel.
* Tank Battalion: Up to 10 Tank Squadrons of varying types but rarely more than 1 Heavy Tank per battalion. Usually led by a Colonel.
* Regiment: A group of 100 assorted squads, usually but not exclusively 10 Battalions/Tank-Battalions that usually equals roughly 10,000 soldiers. A regiment without a single dedicated Tank Squadron is rare, while a regiment with just Tank Squadrons is unheard of. Led by a General.
== Logistics ==
To keep the immense IDA from collapsing, it has a huge supply chain with around 20 million personnel that are not considered typical infantry but are part of the IDA who are responsible for ensuring combatants have ammo, fuel, food, etc.
Logistics have no tanks of their own, only those they are delivering to a combatant, but are in possession of thousands of heavily armed and armoured railway trains as well as an astonishing amount of APCs and trucks.
Despite no formal organisation, Logistics usually have 1000 personnel assigned to a typical army Regiment, and a Logistics general will command roughly 10,000 personnel, or 10 army Regiment's worth.
==The Civil War of 1935-1940==
The only major war the IDA has actively fought in, with anywhere near full force, was the Dragoian Civil War of 1935-1940. During these 5 years more soldiers lost their lives than were lost in the various smaller civil wars of the past three centuries combined.
At the time of the civil war's start, the Empire had over 340,000 light tanks, over 215,000 medium tanks and 1200 heavy tanks (the heavy tank number does not include the Dralkyritank or the Royal Tank). In addition to the tanks, the IDA had a semi-completed landship as well as very large numbers of APCs.
==2013 Onwards==
The introduction of space-flight caused the IDA to merge with the Dragoian Imperial Navy (or IDN) to form a new force, the Royal Dragoian Navy. This did not change the rank structure or uniforms in any way, and despite serving together, the IDA remained seperate from the IDN despite being united under the same service name.
==Special Forces==
=== The Casteless ===
Main Article (The Casteless)
The Casteless are a special penal squad that operate alongside the IDA although they do not wear the standard equipment, and only take orders from the assigned Casteless Commander. They are often sent to a assist a front where the fighting is expected to result in heavy casualties.
=== Agthe Special Projects Division ===
Main Article (Agthe Special Projects Divison)
Not strictly part of the IDA, the ASPD is a military technology development division of the Dragoian Empire under direct command of Dragyia Agthe. For the purposes of field testing their inventions, the ASPD fields some squads that operate alongside the IDA, wearing the same uniforms but under the direct orders of Dragyia Agthe.
ASPD squads are often met with distaste from IDA officers due to them being outside of the normal chain of command and only taking orders from Dragyia.
=== Imperial Tank Corps ===
Main Article (???)
Since the introduction of combat tanks to the IDA's arsenal at the start of the 19th century, their overall command was decided to fall under the "Special Forces" triumvirate member's jurisdiction despite a large majority of tanks being assigned to normal IDA squads.
==Equipment==
====Standard armament====
*1x Hydra Pistol
*1x Main Weapon (depends on specialisation; Lancers carry Anti-Tank lances; Troopers a Small Machinegun (SMG); Gunners a Machinegun; Scouts and Engineers a Rifle; and Snipers a Sniper Rifle).
====Standard armour====
*Multi-layered (Thick fabric-Rare Dragoian Metal alloy chainmail-Thick fabric) armoured uniform of navy blue color (legs and arms) and white (chest)
*Armoured chestplate (optional)
*Armoured knee plates (optional)
*Arm-mounted blast shield (Lancers only)
*Armoured elbow plates (optional)
*Armoured plates on chest (optional).
====Other====
*1x Clip-on backpack to carry kit in as well as showing class insignia
*A small personal item that was approved by an officer (e.g. a photo of family)
*1x Utility Belt (Engineers only)
*1x Personal radio (or radio backpack if squad radioman)
====Exceptions====
*Officers in the field wear an armoured version of their normal dress uniform and don't carry backpacks but may be seen with the standard external armour plates used by normal soldiers.
*Field Marshal TwinBragia wears a high purity RDM chainmail version of her dress uniform as well as mounting 2 massive high purity RDM shoulder plates. She also wears a backpack and utility belt that serve the purpose of carrying extra ammunition for her massive gun. TwinBragia also carries an enlarged Hydra Pistol which is known as the Hydra Cannon.
*Queen Seldragia Bles wears a RDM chainmail version of her dress uniform and carries a large sword/machine-gun combination weapon, the RuhmBlade.
*Tank Commanders wear minimal armour that consists solely of their lightly armoured jacket, as they are not expected to get outside of their tank during a fight. They do however carry a map holder (containing the local area map) and compass to aid in tank navigation.
==Notable Members==
*Seldragia Bles
*TwinBragia, later defected.
*Dragyia Agthe
*Drark, after 1935-1940 civil war
Category:Dragoians
Category:Dragoia (Planet)
Category:Militaries