Aderian Royal Army

The Aderian Royal Army, often abbreviated as ARA, is the ground service branch of the Kingdom of Ader. Prior to the War of the Cleric in 740 AB, it was also the name of the Second Empire of Ader's military; however, following the empire's end, the Aderian royal army was dissolved and reestablished in its current form.

Structure

The ARA has two main service branches - infantry and cavalry; while infantrymen come from all walks of life, cavalrymen must be knights. Senior infantry officers, i.e. majors or higher, are required to be of noble status; however, if a promising officer is of common background, they are likely to be knighted or to be granted a token piece of land to lord over. Cavalry officers are required to be of noble descent. The following chart displays the regular chain of command. Changes to the structure of each unit are often made ad hoc in times of war, most commonly regarding the deployment and structure of cavalry units in the form of equine companies.

ARA Division
- ARA Brigade
  - ARA Battalion
    - ARA Company
      - ARA Platoon
        
        ARA Squad
- Equine Battalion

Auxiliary in the ARA

While the ARA is an organic army whose forces are self trained and disciplined, some of its members are trained by another party prior to their regular service. The following is a list of auxiliary units and personnel within the ARA. Auxiliary units in the ARA

Auxiliary Platoons in veteran companies, also called Eighth Platoons, are comprised of veterans of the Navaran Magisterial Corps or the Saltisian Armed Forces. As of 1051, veteran companies also include veterans from the forces of House Ugran or House Rhanil.

Magocissors, also known as Spellbreakers, are specialized soldiers that undergo wizardry studies in the Korsian Islands. Though usually they serve in a silent company, magocissors are often assigned to other units when said units are in need of their specialist skills.

Chaplains undergo most of their training within the Andorian Inquisition as they are required to elicit confessions and arbitrate religious matters; due to the inquisition's militant nature, some of a chaplain's military training is also done by the inquisition.

Culture

Training

Training in the ARA takes place over a period of three to eighteen months, and is divided into three phases:

Basic Training is a month long training course mostly concerned with converting recruits from civilians to soldiers. This course is usually considered the most difficult period of all training programs, even though it is not as physically draining. During basic training, recruits receive no breaks and the discipline is at its highest level. The official purpose of basic training in the ARA is summarized in three words: "Discipline, Conformity, Purpose".
Specific Training is a two to seven months period where soldiers are trained in their specific role; this may include weapon training, individual soldiery, professional training for support units, and more. For fighting units, this training is up to company cohesion and tactics.
Advanced Training is a four to ten months period, intended only for fighting units. It focuses on greater cooperation between soldiers and units; infantry training is up to brigade cohesion and tactics. This is the only training phase where cavaliers are required to participate in, and is up to division cohesion and tactics.

Lingo

The following is a list of the most common abbreviations used by the ARA.
It does not include abbreviations that:

Refer to classified information
Are only used by specific units
Comprised of or otherwise include profanities

Common ARA abbreviations

PACaL - Proper Administration, Conduct, and Lawfulness; A document issued by the unit's highest ranking NCO that defines the daily routine within the camp. Informally, it is also used to describe something as either necessary or as routine, even when discussing non-military topic.
CaD - Correctional and Disciplinary; Referring to punishment for a misdemeanor that does not warrant a court martial.
CaDER - Correctional and Disciplinary Exercise Routine; Most common punishment for recruits, which consists of infeasible, often pointless, physical exercises, such as catching the tail of a galloping horse; a single soldier being given no more than a few minutes to pitch a 10-men tent; keeping one's axe haft constantly clean; relocating an entire encampment a few meters away. Also commonly used as a verb e.g. The drill commander is cadering the recruits
Galtzhach - Garment, Loops, Tips, Zircon, Hat, Chin, Cheeks; An scronym used to memorise formal appearance for ARA soldiers. This includes special garments (specifically, an overshirt and a cloak); polishing the loops in one's uniform and the tips of one's weapon and armor; a brooch with zircon gem in it, whose hue indicates one's rank (red - soldier, blue - commander, green - senior officer) , and additional noteworthy achievements indicated by it's tone; a headpiece, usually a capisa, or a helmet if in an area of conflict; shaving one's face.

Type

Military, Armed Forces

Training Level

Professional

Veterancy Level

Experienced

Leader

Auguste Arsenault

Ruling Organization

Kingdom of Ader

Leader Title

Grand Marshal of the ARA

Parent Organization

Might of the Holy Pact

Notable Members

Related Ethnicities