Alsesian Armed Forces

Logo: Beasts of the Nation

The **Alsesian Armed Forces (Alses Armen Forces)**, formerly called the **Bālthorist Armed Forces**, serve as the military of Alsesia. The AAF consists of the Ground Army, Naval Service, Air Service, Marine Corps, Space Corps, and the National Guard.

The President of Alsesia serves as the commander-in-chief, and forms military policy alongside the Department of Defense and the Department of National Security. All branches of the AAF are part of the Uniformed Services of Alsesia.

Since their formal establishment in 1729 AGC as the Bālthorist Armed Forces, the Alsesian military has served a crucial role in maintaining the interests and security of the nation. As of 2021, the AAF is one of the largest militaries in existence, bolstered by a generations of institutional knowledge, a highly skilled technology sector, and generous funding from the government

By law, the AAF must receive an annual budget equaling at least 3% of national GDP. Traditionally, it has received between 3.5 to 4% in peacetime, with increases up to 46% during times of war and other major crises.

## History

*See the military history of Alsesia for more details.*

The Bālthorist Armed Forces were established during the First Nogod Civil War on September 1st, 1729, through the merger of the Royal Army and 46 other armed groups fighting against the Volkists.

After its formal enshrining in the Constitution as the armed forces of Nogodrick, the BAF embarked on a long period of modernization, studying the doctrines used during the First Civil War and concurrent/ongoing conflicts. At its inception, the BAF was composed of the Army, Navy, and a gendarme known as the National Guard.

The new military would first be tested during the Nogod-Sanvirdese War of 1733, where a masterstroke in amphibious warfare would lead to the capitulation of the Sanvirdese. The success of the landing operation lead to the creation of the Marine Corps, which was formally founded on July 2nd, 1733.

In addition to the formation of the Marine Corps, the Army and Navy would have their names changed to the Ground Army and Naval Service in what was considered the first restructuring of the armed forces. The National Guard remained the same in role and name.

On December 4th, 1852, the Air Service was established as a branch subordinate to the Ground Army, dedicating itself to providing intelligence and bombardment through manned balloons. As technology and doctrine evolved, the Air Service's roles expanded to also providing strategic bombing, air superiority, and many other vital services in war. The Air Service was made independent on January 12th, 1948.

As part of the reforms launched during the final years of Warrēn Parnell's administration, Bālthorist Armed Forces were renamed the Alsesian Armed Forces on April 13th, 1982.

The final branch to be established was the Space Corps on September 9th, 1993. The Space Corps were split from the Space Section of the Air Service, as the government had determined that the Space Section would function better as an independent branch. Since its founding, the ASC remains dedicated to the protection of military and civilian assets in space, alongside their uses in war.

## Structure

The role of Commander-in-Chief was transferred from the Czar to the President in 1982. The Armed Forces are divided between two cabinet departments, the Department of Defense, which controls the Departments of the Army, Naval Service, and Air Service, and the Department of National Security, which oversees the National Guard.

The chain of command flows from the President to the Secretaries of Defense and National Security, who delegate further responsibilities to the Secretaries of the Army, Naval Service, Air Service, and National Guard. All Secretaries are civilians that have either never served in, or have been separated from the Armed Forces for at least 5 years. Within the departments are also The military departments and services are responsible for organizing, training, and arming the forces, while actual command is conducted through Combatant Commands.

The Committee of the Service Commanders, which is officially outside of the operational chain of command, is the senior-most military body in the Alsesian Armed Forces. It is led by the Committee Chairman of the Service Commanders, who is the military head of the armed forces and foremost advisor to the President and Secretaries on military affairs. Their deputy is the Vice Committee Chairman of the Service Commanders. Other may members include the Master General of the Ground Army, Master Admiral of the Naval Service, Master General of the Air Service, Master General of the Marine Corps, Master Admiral of the Space Corps, and the Chief Commissioner of the National Guard. The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is the most senior enlisted member in the Alsesian Armed Forces.

Military schools and academies operated or funded by the government are used to train officers.

## Service Branches

The Alsesian Armed Forces are comprised of six coequal military service branches. Five of the branches, the Ground Army, Naval Service, Air Service, Marine Corps, and Space Corps are organized under the Department of Defense's military departments. The National Guard is nominally under the Department of National Security, but may be transferred to the Department of Defense's Department of the Army at the direction of the President or Czar(a).

### Ground Army

The Alsesian Ground Army (AGA) is the land warfare branch of the Armed Forces and part of the civilian-led Department of the Army, which is led by the Secretary of the Army. The military head of the AGA is the Master General of the Ground Army, who is assisted by the Vice Master General and the Sergeant Major of the Ground Army. It was founded on September 1st, 1729 as the Bālthorist Army.

The AGA is composed of the Regular and Reserve Armies. The Regular Army consists of personnel actively serving in the Ground Army, while the Reserve consists of personnel who have either transitioned from active service or have enlisted specifically as a reservist. Since all enlistment contracts have a ten-year commitment, a significant proportion of the Reserve Army is made of soldiers waiting out the last years of their contract. In times of war, parts of the National Guard may become subordinated to the Regular Army.

The AGA the largest service branch, with approximately 452,800 active personnel and 626,300 reserve personnel. The AGA provides the overwhelming majority of ground forces in all combat situations, and operates the most foreign bases, rivaled only by the Air Service. The AGA is also a diverse and highly flexible service, capable of operating anywhere from the tundra to the jungle. Its cooperation with foreign partners is a key part of its strength.

### Naval Service

The Alsesian Naval Service (ANS) is the naval warfare branch of the Armed Forces, and part of the civilian-led Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy (Naval Secretary). The military head of the ANS is the Master Admiral of the Naval Service, who is assisted by the Vice Master Admiral and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Naval Service. It was founded on September 1st, 1729 as the Bālthorist Navy.

The ANS is composed of the Regular and Reserve Navies, which account for active ships and personnel, and mothballed ships and inactive personnel respectively. The Regular Navy consists of personnel actively serving in the Naval Service, while the Reserve consists of personnel who have either transitioned from active service or have enlisted specifically as a reservist. Since all enlistment contracts have a ten-year commitment, a significant proportion of the Reserve Navy is made of sailors waiting out the last years of their contract. Being a reservist does **not** mean one will be deployed to a mothballed ship during times of war, but will fill crew shortages for active ships if necessary. In times of war, parts of the National Guard may become subordinated to the Regular Navy.

The second largest service branch with approximately WIP active personnel and WIP reserve personnel , the ANS is responsible for all foreign maritime operations, in addition to the defense of Alsesia's territorial waters when the Coastal Guard is insufficient. The ANS also secures sea lines of communication, defending commercial trade and freedom of navigation in the process.

### Air Service

The Alsesian Air Service (AAS) is the air warfare branch of the Armed Forces, and part of the civilian-led Department of the Air Service, which is led by the Secretary of the Air Service (Air Secretary). The military head of the AAS is the Master General of the Air Service, who is assisted by the Vice Master General and the Sergeant Major of the Air Service. It was founded on December 4th, 1852 as a subordinate branch of the Ground Army, and was made independent on January 12th, 1948.

The AAS is composed of the Regular and Reserve Air Forces, which account for active aircraft and personnel, and mothballed aircraft and inactive personnel respectively. Being a reservist does **not** mean one will be deployed to a mothballed aircraft during times of war, but will fill shortages for active aircraft if necessary. In times of war, parts of the National Guard may become subordinated to the Regular Air Force.

### Marine Corps

The Alsesian Marine Corps (AMaK) is the amphibious warfare branch of the Armed Forces, and part of the civilian-led Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy (Naval Secretary). The military head of the ANS is the Master General of the Marine Corps, who is assisted by the Vice Master General and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. It was founded on July 2nd, 1733 as the Bālthorist Marine Corps.

The AMaK is composed of the Regular and Reserve Marines, which account for active and inactive personnel, respectively. The Reserve consists of personnel who have either transitioned from active service or have enlisted specifically as a reservist. Since all enlistment contracts have a ten-year commitment, a significant proportion of the Reserve Marines are composed of marines waiting out the last years of their contract.

The AMaK is a small service branch, with approximately WIP active personnel and WIP reserve personnel. Its existence as an independent branch is the source of debate and controversy, as some in the Naval Service argue the Corps would operate more efficiently under the direct oversight and command of the Service. Nevertheless, its independence has so far been preserved. The Corps conducts amphibious landings supported by naval and air assets both belonging to itself and the Service. It is designed to create beachheads and fight under harsh conditions as shock troops until they can be relieved by Ground Army units with heavier assets such as main battle tanks.

### National Guard

The Alsesian National Guard (ANG) is the national gendarmerie and police of Alsesia. Unlike other service branches, the Guard is subordinate to the Department of National Security and its secretary. Its military head is the Chief Commissioner of the National Guard, who is assisted by the Vice Chief Commissioner and Chief Inspector. It was founded on September 1st, 1729.

The ANG is composed of the Royal Guard, Garrisons, and the Coastal Guard. The Royal Guard is responsible for the protection of VIPs in the country, as outlined in military policy approved by the civilian government. The Garrisons of the National Guard are responsible for policing areas outside of the jurisdiction of Provincial and Territorial police forces, protect high-value civilian sites, aid in responding to disasters, as well as handle internal security affairs during times of unrest in areas where the regular police are insufficient. The Coastal Guard is responsible for maritime security, customs enforcement, and search-and-rescue operations within Alsesia's territorial waters.

Due to the nature of the Guard, parts of it, namely the Garrisons and Coastal Guard, may be subordinated to other branches during times of conflict. In addition to this, the Garrisons are also tasked with providing assistance in mobilizing reservists during times of war.

## General Commands

General Commands (Jenral Komands), abbreviated as GECOs (JEKOs) are joint military commands consisting of forces from multiple military departments, with their chain of command flowing from the president, to the secretary of defense, to the commanders of the GECO.

GECOs are divided into General Region Commands and General Mission Commands, focusing on specific geographic locations and specific activities such as logistics and intelligence, respectively.

### General Region Commands

General Region Commands (Jenral Jēyok Komands), abbreviated as GRCs (JJKs) are used to command deployed forces in a given geographic region of the world.

### General Mission Commands

General Mission Commands (Jenral Mule Komands), abbreviated as GMCs (JMKs) focus on a specific mission set such as intelligence gathering, logistics, and other non-geographically constrained operations.

(ELHKOM)
(SPOKOM)
(NUKKOM)
(DRĀKOM)

## Personnel

The AAF is the world's **WIP** largest military by active personnel.

Since 1982, the AAF has been an all-volunteer service, although the Citizen Service continues to maintain a list of eligible conscripts in the event that conscription is reenacted. All citizens between the ages of 19 and 28 are required to be registered.