Democratic Colonies Military
Army Officers in General Service Uniforms
The Democratic Colonies Military is composed of three branches under the civilian Department of Defense, which is led by the civilian Secretary of Defense. As the Democratic Colonies was only recently provided with FTL travel and advanced technological capabilities, the Democratic Colonies Military is currently in a state of transition in terms of equipment, doctrine, and capability. During normal peace time, the military personnel form less than one half of a percentage of the nation's population. Both men and women can be accepted into any duty or position
The Democratic Colonies is home to a number of citizens' militias that in times of war may be called upon in the defense of the nation in addition to the regular armed forces. Retired or discharged military personnel may also be called to service in times of war or national emergency. Together, these two elements form reserve force of sorts that is available should the need arise.
Navy, Marine Corps, and Army ranks are compatible through the Inter-Service Rank System.
The Democratic Colonies is home to a number of citizens' militias that in times of war may be called upon in the defense of the nation in addition to the regular armed forces. Retired or discharged military personnel may also be called to service in times of war or national emergency. Together, these two elements form reserve force of sorts that is available should the need arise.
Navy, Marine Corps, and Army ranks are compatible through the Inter-Service Rank System.
Military Services
- Democratic Colonies Navy
The Democratic Colonies Navy retains its seagoing traditions and culture while utilizing advanced technology to serve as the Democratic Colonies' primary force projection and territorial defense arm. The Navy is the largest single branch of the military, and includes the the Marine Corps as well as its own special operations units under its authority.
The Marine Corps provides the Navy with space-based planetary assault as well as ship-to-ship boarding capability, and also serves in a support role in maintaining order and enforcing discipline aboard Navy vessels.
- Democratic Colonies Army
The Democratic Colonies Army consists of planetary based personnel and equipment and is primarily tasked with filling a ground-based planetary defense role on both the Capital World of Tannhauser and space colonies. Equipment ranges from heavy planetary anti-ship weapons complete with support facilities on developed planets, to small arms and light weapons with as small of a logistical footprint as possible on remote frontier settlements. - Democratic Colonies Judge Advocate General's Command
The Judge Advocate General's Command is responsible for investigating and prosecuting misconduct by military personnel from any of the services.
The basic Judge Advocate General's Command unit is the Field Detachment which is composed of three officers with formal legal training and of at least O-4 (Lieutenant Commander or Major) rank. One JAGC Field Detachment is assigned to every Army or Peacekeeper battalion as well as every Navy capital ship to observe and record operations, ensure adherence to fundamental protocols, the laws of war, and moral behavior, as well as investigate and if needed intervene in cases of clear command incompetence or cowardice.
Legally trained JAGC officers serve as the prosecuting attorneys in military court-martials. In times of war, in cases of gross and immediately clear breach of fundamental protocols, a JAGC Field Detachment in conjunction with a commanding officer of at least O-6 (Wing Commander, Captain, or Colonel) rank may function as a field judiciary and try, convict, sentence, and execute military personnel in the enlisted, warrant officer, or junior officer ranks. Military personnel sentenced to death are normally expected to "fall on their sword," commiting suicide with their issued officer's sword or general issue sword-bayonet. Should they fail to do this however, standard field execution protocol calls for those sentenced to death to be shot with a military side arm. The approval of all three members of the JAGC Field Detachment and the accused's commanding officer of at least O-6 rank is required for a conviction to occur in a field judicial situation. Any disagreement or doubt among the judicial parties will result in the accused being transported to the Democratic Colonies for a full court-martial. - Democratic Colonies Peacekeeper Command
Peacekeeper Command is tasked with peacekeeping, disaster relief, and humanitarian operations. Special training in negotiation, peaceful conflict resolution, and less-than-lethal tactics are used. A reserve auxiliary of civilian teachers, skilled tradesmen such as plumbers and electricians, and engineers and other technical experts is maintained for possible deployment by Peacekeeper Command in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Internal Affairs.