The Republic Military has a manpower size of 575,000, with the largest navy in Terota, if not Myzelis, boasting over 150 major warships and 750 other ships of a similar size class to frigates or smaller that constitute the makeup of 13 Fleets tasked with defending certain Miti'oire (provinces). Unlike most militaries, the Arediāni Republic's Armed Forces is just one branch, being the Navy, with three different offices of the navy: the Marines, Island Defense Force, and the Air Service. In order to maintain this size, the Republic has used conscription to keep Island Garrisons combat-ready and logistics fleets running. Historically, this wasn't necessary until 2310 because Warlords who had control of many of the islands to the South and Southwest would constantly attack the Upoatua and Navanui islands after the Great War, provoking many citizens to volunteer to fight. Those conflicts, called the Wars of Liberation, have had a profound effect on the cultural zeitgeist towards military service, where many will volunteer and sign up for the Navy, and conscripts aren't typically resentful of their assignment since they usually have the choice of serving in their home island, giving the men and women conscripted a more tangible sense of purpose. Not to mention that the Republic's neighbors have not changed their antagonistic stance, and the military's size offers genuine comfort to many average citizens. The number of volunteers and career military personnel is around 345,000, with around 230,000 conscripts, and most conscripts serve for around 27 months, reaching Subchief to Chief rank before being discharged.
Currently there is no Army branch for ground warfare in the Republic of Arediāna Armed Forces, and there hasn't been one for a good number of centuries. The reasons are both practical and political. In practice Island Defense Forces are best coordinated by local Division Admirals within the structure of the navy, rather than creating a completely different command structure that would be dependent on the navy anyway. The political reason is that the public, and thus the government, are generally uncomfortable with generating a force capable of building an Empire. Being that all but two provinces are just islands, any proposal to build a large land army separate from the navy would be a huge red flag to most citizens and any politician supporting such a proposal would have committed political suicide by doing so. Fatigues are the most common uniform to wear while deployed with the navy, and would be a dark ocean blue, with armor commonly painted with gray, black, and blue stripes. For Island Defense Forces, they wear urban gray fatigues and uniforms or dark green. The only exception being the specially trained and equipped Desert Troopers from Sharadai who wear tan and khaki. All soldiers also receive a Ki’hei (which is a shawl, cape, blanket combo) for their regular and dress uniform. Many troops prefer to wear shorts for the warm weather as well. The Arediāni tradition of tattooing is also somewhat more prolific within the Armed Forces, with a variety of types of tattoos and coverage, from half sleeves and full sleeves to tattoos covering the entire body including the face. Specific Haka dances are often performed when NCO's and Officers have been promoted, or are retiring from their service and is meant to be a unifying social ritual. When the Republic Navy would face off with their rivals in massive battles, specifically the Admiralty of Guardia and the now defunct Patriotic Defense Council, sailors and marines would come up on deck to perform a Ngeri Haka to prepare for ship-to-ship combat with their opponent, with lyrics similar to "Ka Mate." Assuming the tradition is honored and combat doesn't immediately initiate, the sight is truly something to behold, and the sound is deafening as thousands upon thousands of mariners drown out the ambiance of the ocean waves, warning aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins to retreat out of the battle area. The Haka also works as a morale boost, as it psyches up not just the participants but anyone observing to prepare for a fierce fight. To opponents like the Imperial Remnant forces in Illagua who don't have this same cultural observation, the Haka sounds terrifying and would cause most conscripts and inexperienced soldiers to be filled with anxiety and fear.
Enlisted personnel typically wear dark ocean blue fatigues while deployed with the navy, with armor commonly painted with gray, black, and blue stripes. For Island Defense Forces, they wear urban gray fatigues or dark green uniforms. Soldiers also receive a Ki’hei, which is a shawl, cape, and blanket combination, for their regular and dress uniforms. Most troops prefer to wear shorts for warm weather.
In the days of the Second Republic, officers wore bright red uniforms accented with yellow or gold. However, in modern times, officers wear navy blue uniforms that are still of fine quality but are more comparable to the average enlisted sailor's uniform.
Currently there is no Army branch for ground warfare in the Republic of Arediāna Armed Forces, and there hasn't been one for a good number of centuries. The reasons are both practical and political. In practice Island Defense Forces are best coordinated by local Division Admirals within the structure of the navy, rather than creating a completely different command structure that would be dependent on the navy anyway. The political reason is that the public, and thus the government, are generally uncomfortable with generating a force capable of building an Empire. Being that all but two provinces are just islands, any proposal to build a large land army separate from the navy would be a huge red flag to most citizens and any politician supporting such a proposal would have committed political suicide by doing so. Fatigues are the most common uniform to wear while deployed with the navy, and would be a dark ocean blue, with armor commonly painted with gray, black, and blue stripes. For Island Defense Forces, they wear urban gray fatigues and uniforms or dark green. The only exception being the specially trained and equipped Desert Troopers from Sharadai who wear tan and khaki. All soldiers also receive a Ki’hei (which is a shawl, cape, blanket combo) for their regular and dress uniform. Many troops prefer to wear shorts for the warm weather as well. The Arediāni tradition of tattooing is also somewhat more prolific within the Armed Forces, with a variety of types of tattoos and coverage, from half sleeves and full sleeves to tattoos covering the entire body including the face. Specific Haka dances are often performed when NCO's and Officers have been promoted, or are retiring from their service and is meant to be a unifying social ritual. When the Republic Navy would face off with their rivals in massive battles, specifically the Admiralty of Guardia and the now defunct Patriotic Defense Council, sailors and marines would come up on deck to perform a Ngeri Haka to prepare for ship-to-ship combat with their opponent, with lyrics similar to "Ka Mate." Assuming the tradition is honored and combat doesn't immediately initiate, the sight is truly something to behold, and the sound is deafening as thousands upon thousands of mariners drown out the ambiance of the ocean waves, warning aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins to retreat out of the battle area. The Haka also works as a morale boost, as it psyches up not just the participants but anyone observing to prepare for a fierce fight. To opponents like the Imperial Remnant forces in Illagua who don't have this same cultural observation, the Haka sounds terrifying and would cause most conscripts and inexperienced soldiers to be filled with anxiety and fear.
Non-Commissioned Officers and Ratings
In the Arediāni Republics Armed Forces, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) play a significant role in tactics and are trusted with making tactical decisions in combat, similar to the United States Armed Forces. This structure is more out of geographic necessity and a preference for a more decentralized command structure than from experimenting with doctrine. Soldiers salute each other by raising their hand outstretched to their forehead with the back of the hand facing the person they're saluting. This practice originated from the fact that sailors' hands would often be covered in oil and grime while working on deck, so they would show the side that is clean when saluting. When someone is personally addressed by a superior, it's required to announce their rank and full name until they become more familiar with that particular person.Enlisted personnel typically wear dark ocean blue fatigues while deployed with the navy, with armor commonly painted with gray, black, and blue stripes. For Island Defense Forces, they wear urban gray fatigues or dark green uniforms. Soldiers also receive a Ki’hei, which is a shawl, cape, and blanket combination, for their regular and dress uniforms. Most troops prefer to wear shorts for warm weather.
| OVN Pay Grade | Name of Rank in Arediāni | Translated name of Rank, Duties, and Description |
|---|---|---|
| F-1 | E Kii (EH KEY) | Recruit: In training, also used to describe hastily made militia units. |
| F-2 | Tao (tuh-o) | Spear: The equivalent of Private in European terms, the Tao handles the average duties of sailor/infantry. The name comes from spear infantry that were commonly used historically. The insignia used for the rank is a horizontal spearhead shaped white arrow to represent a spear head, pointing towards the front. |
| F-3 | Reva (REH-vuh) | Flag: The name of the rank comes from the job of a signaler on ships, where the job was traditionally passed down to a sailor who have proven themselves in at least one voyage. In the context of the military, Reva handles most of the same duties of Tao and teaches subordinates some of the ropes. The insignia for the rank is two horizontal white arrows where the bottom one is facing the oppositie direction and is separated from the top one by a dark colored border. |
| F-4 | Nā Raro Tāvana (NAH RUH-roh TA-vuh-nuh) | Subchief: A sub chief is the lowest ranking non-commissioned officer, and would be the first to take command if the Chief would be incapacitated. Otherwise, they direct subordinates typically in coordination with the Chief. The rank insignia is a white bar above a ʻōʻō birds head. |
| F-5 | Tāvana (TA-vuh-nuh) | Chief: For dedicated infantry they are typically the squad leader, equivalent to Sergeant, responsible for the squad's wellness and needs. As a sailor, they hold complex technical roles and would have a rating along with their rank within the ship for what role they serve. It’s not uncommon for mariners to be both in case of boarding actions or to fill manpower needs in case of a serious attack against an island for any of the Chief ranks. This is the lowest possible rank for training staff. The rank insignia is the head of an ʻōʻō bird. |
| F-6 | Matahiapo Tāvana (Muh-tuh-he-uh-po) | Senior Chief: Similar to the Chief, they’d hold a complex role within a ship and some advance to this position if they decided to become a career soldier during their conscription service. For infantry roles, the Senior Chief would be a platoon chief and is the lowest rank that directly reports to Officers. The rank insignia is the head of an ʻōʻō bird above a horizontal white bar. |
| F-7 | Tahua Pahī Tāvana (tuh-HOO-uh pu-HE) | Deck Chief: Advancement to Deck Chief on a ship requires a minimal time in service of at least 32 months and a high evaluation on their Career Record. It’s a significant promotion, as they would take on more administrative duties and must be technical experts and leaders within their ship. For infantry, Deck Chief’s would commonly work at the company level with the CO to coordinate and plan training and operations. As dedicated infantry, there are some different requirements to meet to fit the role but the difficulty is about the same. The rank insignia is the head of an ʻōʻō bird above two horizontal white bars. |
| F-8 | Fatu Tāvana (FUH-too) | Master Chief: Advancement to Master Chief, is similar to Deck Chief for requirements but is based entirely on leadership performance and skills. Since the position is sought after, different Deck Chiefs typically compete with each other for priority to advancement in terms of scores on their Career Record and tests taken when they try for the position. In infantry roles, the Master Chief could be assigned to a brigade level position as a specialized expert, a staff function or have leadership responsibilities within various company or battery functions. The rank insignia is the head of an ʻōʻō bird above two horizontal bars with a small silver star above the bird. |
| F-9 | Nā Raro Tenente (NAH RUH-roh Teh-NEN-teh) | Sub Lieutenant: This is a special rank given only to NCO’s that have proven themselves in combat scenarios to get on the Officer track. It’s typically bestowed by a Captain or Commander, and is treated effectively the same as the same rank as the Navy Guard junior officer, and promotion from this rank would be advancing to Lieutenant. Typically people with this rank, if not on a ship, are training in the infamously difficult AEC program for special forces training and potentially becoming an elite ORCA. The rank insignia is a gold star above a gold bar. |
Officers
Besides learning and training for four years in the San Oreo Naval Academy or Turra Amphibious Warfare Academy, the Arediāni Military has a strong tradition of promoting enlisted personnel to the Officer track in the past two centuries due to constant conflict and threat of conflict from the country's neighbors. It's maintained to this day, and has been enhanced even further with the ACE Training Program that is supported by both of the countries military academies to train elite officers.In the days of the Second Republic, officers wore bright red uniforms accented with yellow or gold. However, in modern times, officers wear navy blue uniforms that are still of fine quality but are more comparable to the average enlisted sailor's uniform.
| OVN Pay Grade | Name of Rank in Arediāni | Translated name of Rank, Duties, and Description |
|---|---|---|
| RA-1 | Pāruru no te Nu’u Moana | Navy Guard: Literally translated to Shield of the Navy. Equivalent of an Ensign, a junior officer fresh out of San Oreo Naval Academy or the Turra Amphibious Warfare Academy. The rank insignia is a horizontal gold bar and so is the badge. |
| RA-2 | Tenente (Teh-NEN-teh) | Lieutenant: They typically serve as a junior officer on ships learning under a ship's Commander or Captain. Commonly they also command smaller ships for patrols to the biggest being frigates. For infantry, Lieutenants are commanding officers in company sized units coordinating with NCO's. Advancement to this rank from Navy Guard typically means they’re fully qualified and have served up to 24 months after graduation. Sub Lieutenants typically complete their AEC training sooner than graduates. The insignia is a silver star above two gold bars. |
| RA-3 | Nā Raro Tōmānā | Sub Commander: The highest rank of junior officers, Sub Commander’s answer directly to a Commander and Captain of a ship or brigade. While also sometimes serving specific staff roles on ships or bases. It’s not uncommon for Lieutenants to advance to Commander rather than go through Sub Commander through the Naval Combat section of the AEC Program. The insignia is a silver star above one thin gold bar and one large gold bar. |
| RA-4 | Tōmānā | Commander: Often enough they have command of Frigates, Destroyers, Submarines, Corvettes and Aviation Armadas. Sometimes they serve on larger ships under Captains as an XO. For infantry they serve the same purpose, where they are commonly the XO of a Captain, unless they’re an ORCA or serving other administrative roles within a unit. The rank insignia is two silver stars above two thin gold bars one large gold bar. |
| RA-5 | Ra’atira Pahī | Captain: Literally translated to Ship Officer, Captains in the Navy often command ships of cruiser size or larger. Larger ships commonly denoting more senior Captains. For infantry, they command brigade sized units. The rank insignia of a Captain is three silver stars forming a triangle above a small two large gold bars. |
| RA-6 | Motu Pāruru Tōmānā | Island Defense Commander: Promotion to MTP consists of eligible officers being reviewed by the ‘Atimarara Kaunihera and the President. After nominees are chosen, the Senate Kaunihera votes to confirm their promotion. Afterwards, if the position is open, the officers chosen are promoted and assigned the Island they are responsible for. While also working with subordinate officers on the island and ships, they take command of garrisons of up to 10,000 infantry, and coordinate with the local Division and Armada Admirals in defensive and training operations. The rank insignia is two gold blue whales forming a circle above two small gold bars and two large gold bars. |
| RA-7 | Tuhu’a ‘Atimarara | Division Admiral: Division Admirals are in command of a flotilla of their respective fleet, typically numbering between three to five ships. Similar to the MTP, advancement to this rank requires review through the board and confirmed through the Senate, but Armada Admirals may also recommend eligible officers for the position. For amphibious operations, they typically also command up to a division of marines, 10,000 to 15,000. The rank insignia is one gold star above three large gold bars with the symbol of the navy, an anchor, on a seperate accoutrement backed with a yellow background with one red stripe on both sides. |
| RA-8 | Armada ‘Atimarara | Armada Admiral: Armada Admirals in peace time is typically an administrative position in the OVN, or teaching in the San Oreo Naval Academy and ACE Program. During times of conflict, Armada Admirals are used in fleets to coordinate and take command of task forces of about five to ten ships. In amphibious operations, Armada Admirals command multiple divisions of marines that can number from 20,000 to 45,000 troops. The rank insignia is two gold stars above three large gold bars. |
| RA-9 | Tāruru Waka ‘Atimarara | Fleet Admiral: A Fleet Admiral is the highest officer rank that can be achieved during peacetime, and is a very unique and special position. Similar to the previous officer ranks, Fleet Admirals are considered by the ‘Atimarara Kaunihera and the President in a list of Division and Armada Admirals, and are chosen with the utmost scrutiny. The selection process involves long days and nights within the House of the President, where the currently appointed Fleet Admirals and the President go through every eligible candidate's entire career and known personal history dug up by the OVN. After selections are made, the nominees would then need to be ratified by the Senate via two-thirds majority. There are a maximum of 13 Fleet Admirals, one for each province and the Expeditionary Fleet, with each one having a pre-chosen successor. Fleet Admirals typically are in command of a fleet respective to the size of the province they’re in charge of guarding, which could range as small as 20 major warships to as big as 50. The rank insignia is three gold stars forming a triangle above three large gold bars. |
| TA | Rahi ‘Atimarara no te Repuppitra | Grand Admiral of the Republic: During times of war, a Fleet Admiral would be chosen to step up as the Grand Admiral of the Republic. Their role would be as Supreme Commander of the Republic's forces, needing to coordinate every fleet and operations across national waters and with the Expeditionary Fleet. Informally, the Grand Admiral is commonly called "The Fleet" as if they are the Navy itself. The rank insignia is three gold stars forming a triangle around a red star in the center above three large gold bars. |
| TA | ORCA | Oceanic Reconnaissance and Combat Assault: Elite troops that are trained to the highest level on the Amphibious Combat portion of the AEC Program. They are expected to lead Special Forces units and reinforce regular units. They are highly trained, typically very experienced, with a high priority being given expensive and specialized equipment. They’re expected to operate in very high risk situations cut off from support in order to accomplish important objectives. The name and acronym is done in Arenian purposefully so adversaries recognize the role and it's reputation. Their symbol is an Orca curling up to form a circle shape, with a red trident protruding out from the center where the prongs emerge just above the Orca. |
'Aro Ora (Fight and Survive)
Leaders
President Te'ra and Grand Admiral Caldos Putua
President Te'ra and Grand Admiral Caldos Putua
Founding Date
1717 ISC
Type
Military, Armed Forces
Alternative Names
The Navy, the RANF or the RoA Navy
Ruling Organization
