New Shiron
05-10-2004, 21:17
The Empire and its Dominions has a system of conscription, and each year those who reach the age of 19 are subject to call up (female and male). Conscripts have the choice of military service in the Territorial Guard (in the National Guard, Air National Guard or Coast Guard of their Dominion or of New Shiron), or civilian service (in the Ministry of Education, Park Service, Ministry of Natural Resources or Ministry of Health and Welfare). The conscript chooses a preference of either military or civilian service, but is then assigned to which ever military branch or civilian ministry can best make use of him or her (trying to follow their preference if possible). Military conscripts spend 2 years in the service followed by an 8 year reserve obligation (generally a weekend a month plus two weeks each year except in time of war or national emergency). Civilian conscripts spend 4 years in whatever Ministry they are assigned to.
Officers and senior noncommissioned officers are promoted from the ranks of lower noncommissioned officers who have demonstrated superior ability and are then sent to special officer training academies followed by additional training from branch schools. Outstanding officers are later sent to the National War College, or in some cases, even overseas to friendly nations to attend their equivalent institutions.
Military Branches of Service
National Guard (10% career, 90% conscript or reserve) this branch provides ground combat and combat support forces as well as general support services to all other branches. Most units are combat or heavy engineer units, motorized infantry, general combat support units (such as medical, signals and transport units) and general support units (like construction battalions, port battalions, rail battalions, and truck transportation battalions). (An example would be the US Army National Guard, but also includes the West German reserve units from the late Cold War period, as well as the British, Swiss and Israeli reserve systems).
Coast Guard (15% career, 85% conscript or reserve) this branch provides the coastal defense of the nation. Combat ships include patrol cutters and patrol boats, minesweepers, fast attack boats (including hovercraft and hydrofoils) and fishery inspection vessels. In addition, the Coast Guard operates any defensive mine fields, as well as mans coastal defense brigades, which are equipped with anti ship and anti aircraft weapons (primarily missiles but also rapid fire auto cannon and light cannons). (an example would be the US Navy Reserve, but also the British Volunteer Navy reserve with a bit of the old Soviet and current Chinese Navies, which had or still have extensive coastal defenses including forts).
Air National Guard (15% career, 85% conscript or reserve) this branch provides for the air defense of the nation. It operates airborne early warning aircraft, radar and signals stations, space tracking stations, satellite control centers, the space launch facility, and also operates interceptor aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, antisubmarine helicopters, search and rescue aircraft, and just as importantly, mans missile bases that are located throughout Imperial territory that defend cities and vital installations with surface to air missiles, auto cannon, and as technology and budgets improve, will eventually man weapons designed to deal with cruise and ballistic missiles (such as patriot type missiles, linear accelerators otherwise known as rail guns, and other new systems including lasers and particle beams when tech is high enough). The Air National Guard also operates the strategic rocket forces of the nation. (Essentially a mix of the US Air National Guard and the old Soviet Air Defense Force).
In addition to these military branches the Empire also has two volunteer branches of service. Recruits are drawn from conscripts who volunteer for a 4 year term of service and many of these people stay on for their career of 20 years or more.
The Imperial Navy is an all volunteer force and is equipped with submarines and surface combatants, as well as support ships and amphibious assault ships. It also has its own air arm which includes long range maritime strike aircraft from shore bases, and fixed and rotary wing aircraft that operate from ships. In addition, the Imperial Navy also operates fixed wing fighter aircraft for extended operations overseas, to support the Imperial Guard in its operations, and to provide air cover to the Imperial Navy.
The Imperial Guard is also an all volunteer force and it has light infantry units including marine, paratrooper and air assault infantry, as well as heavy units such as mechanized cavalry and armor, plus rotary wing, field artillery, missile artillery and mobile air defense units. Special operations forces (the Imperial Scouts) are drawn from volunteers from the Imperial Guard and provide the nation with antiterrorism troops, as well as troops for commando and similar type operations. The Imperial Guard also provides troops for Embassy details as well as providing security for strategic weapons (such as nuclear warheads) and for the Royal Family and Prime Minister.
Budgets and Manpower
Each Dominion and the Imperial Homeland devote no more than 2% of the GDP to defense except for in times of emergency. This is designed to keep the economy strong but provide the necessary forces to defend the Empire. Of this, half is spent on the Territorial Forces (as many of them are either low ranking conscripts or part time weekend reservists, there is a substantial savings in employment costs), and the other half is spent on the Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy (30% Guard, 70% Navy).
There is frequently a surplus of conscripts, so only the most suitable generally end up in the military branches. A ceiling of 1% of the population is set for the regular forces, with another 2% of the population available for service in the Territorial Guard. This is mainly due to economic policy, but also as a safeguard to ensure the military remains subordinate to the will of the people as expressed by their democratic leadership and as a check on the Crown.
Budget Allocation is generally as follows:
Imperial Navy 70% of Imperial Defense Fund
Imperial Guard 30% of Imperial Defense Fund
Air National Guard 50% of Dominion / Kingdom Defense Funds
Coast Guard 30% of Dominion / Kingdom Defense Funds (except in New Kern, where it is 10%)
National Guard 20% of Dominion / Kingdom Defense Funds (except in New Kern, where it is 40%)
As a consequence, the Empire fields a very sizeable air force (when Royal Navy and Air National Guard forces are counted together), a sizeable fleet, and a relatively small standing army with a large reserve force.
Space exploration and forces
The Imperial Space Program is extremely well funded, and gets 1% of the GDP as well (which is separate from the Defense Budget). Much of this is spent on the Air National Guard, which operates space tracking networks, defense radars (which work for space tracking as well), handles the satellite control centers, and the space launch facilities. This still leaves a sizeable amount of money for military and government satellites, as well as a nascent manned flight program. Civilian corporations and individuals are allowed to operate civilian satellites and generally pay for space aboard military launchers operating out of Point Sur Space Launch Facility and Rosamond Dry Lake Aerospace Center.
Nuclear and other strategic forces
The Empire also sets aside 1% of the GDP (maximum) for the strategic arsenal necessary for deterrence. At this time, the Empire has ICBMs (operated by the Air National Guard), Strategic Bombers (operated by the Air National Guard plus some available from the Imperial Navy), and Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile submarines (operated by the Imperial Navy). The Empire has a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons but reserves the right to reply in kind if weapons of mass destruction are used against its national territory or military forces, including but not limited to nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.
Most of this budget is spent on nuclear weapons and delivery systems, but some is also allocated to research and development projects to defend against such weapons, as well general research in appropriate fields.
Civil Defense
The Empire and its Dominions also spend 1% of their GDP on Civil Defense measures including hardened shelters, supplies, and medical stockpiles. This also includes the Severe Weather Alert Early Warning System, Geophysical Research Agency (earthquake and volcano predication), and Agricultural Research Agency (crop problems like diseases and pests). This provides the Empire with a defense against unconventional types of attack such as biological weapons being used against its food supplies or economy, and the natural disasters that occur from time to time, as well as reducing casualties as much as possible in the event of a major war.
In all, the Empire spends 4% of its GDP on defense, including military forces and civil defense. Only in times of prolonged war or conflict will that figure increase substantially.
The Empire consists of the homeland of New Shiron, and the Dominions of New Cynthia and Upper Big Sur (which are all located in the semimythical region of California) and the Dominion of New Kern II (located in the super continent of Manium). In all, as of the time of this post, the combined population is around 200 Million, and a Good economy and stable government.
The Crown consists of the Queen, who acts as President for life essentially, but the Parliament (which has members from the homeland and all three dominions) controls the purse strings, is democratically elected, and military forces swear and oath to defend the constitution. An independent judiciary keeps everyone honest (appointed by the crown and approved by Parliament)
Each Dominion has a Duke, who is appointed by the Queen and approved by Parliament as well. The Duke serves as essentially governor for life.
Officers and senior noncommissioned officers are promoted from the ranks of lower noncommissioned officers who have demonstrated superior ability and are then sent to special officer training academies followed by additional training from branch schools. Outstanding officers are later sent to the National War College, or in some cases, even overseas to friendly nations to attend their equivalent institutions.
Military Branches of Service
National Guard (10% career, 90% conscript or reserve) this branch provides ground combat and combat support forces as well as general support services to all other branches. Most units are combat or heavy engineer units, motorized infantry, general combat support units (such as medical, signals and transport units) and general support units (like construction battalions, port battalions, rail battalions, and truck transportation battalions). (An example would be the US Army National Guard, but also includes the West German reserve units from the late Cold War period, as well as the British, Swiss and Israeli reserve systems).
Coast Guard (15% career, 85% conscript or reserve) this branch provides the coastal defense of the nation. Combat ships include patrol cutters and patrol boats, minesweepers, fast attack boats (including hovercraft and hydrofoils) and fishery inspection vessels. In addition, the Coast Guard operates any defensive mine fields, as well as mans coastal defense brigades, which are equipped with anti ship and anti aircraft weapons (primarily missiles but also rapid fire auto cannon and light cannons). (an example would be the US Navy Reserve, but also the British Volunteer Navy reserve with a bit of the old Soviet and current Chinese Navies, which had or still have extensive coastal defenses including forts).
Air National Guard (15% career, 85% conscript or reserve) this branch provides for the air defense of the nation. It operates airborne early warning aircraft, radar and signals stations, space tracking stations, satellite control centers, the space launch facility, and also operates interceptor aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, antisubmarine helicopters, search and rescue aircraft, and just as importantly, mans missile bases that are located throughout Imperial territory that defend cities and vital installations with surface to air missiles, auto cannon, and as technology and budgets improve, will eventually man weapons designed to deal with cruise and ballistic missiles (such as patriot type missiles, linear accelerators otherwise known as rail guns, and other new systems including lasers and particle beams when tech is high enough). The Air National Guard also operates the strategic rocket forces of the nation. (Essentially a mix of the US Air National Guard and the old Soviet Air Defense Force).
In addition to these military branches the Empire also has two volunteer branches of service. Recruits are drawn from conscripts who volunteer for a 4 year term of service and many of these people stay on for their career of 20 years or more.
The Imperial Navy is an all volunteer force and is equipped with submarines and surface combatants, as well as support ships and amphibious assault ships. It also has its own air arm which includes long range maritime strike aircraft from shore bases, and fixed and rotary wing aircraft that operate from ships. In addition, the Imperial Navy also operates fixed wing fighter aircraft for extended operations overseas, to support the Imperial Guard in its operations, and to provide air cover to the Imperial Navy.
The Imperial Guard is also an all volunteer force and it has light infantry units including marine, paratrooper and air assault infantry, as well as heavy units such as mechanized cavalry and armor, plus rotary wing, field artillery, missile artillery and mobile air defense units. Special operations forces (the Imperial Scouts) are drawn from volunteers from the Imperial Guard and provide the nation with antiterrorism troops, as well as troops for commando and similar type operations. The Imperial Guard also provides troops for Embassy details as well as providing security for strategic weapons (such as nuclear warheads) and for the Royal Family and Prime Minister.
Budgets and Manpower
Each Dominion and the Imperial Homeland devote no more than 2% of the GDP to defense except for in times of emergency. This is designed to keep the economy strong but provide the necessary forces to defend the Empire. Of this, half is spent on the Territorial Forces (as many of them are either low ranking conscripts or part time weekend reservists, there is a substantial savings in employment costs), and the other half is spent on the Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy (30% Guard, 70% Navy).
There is frequently a surplus of conscripts, so only the most suitable generally end up in the military branches. A ceiling of 1% of the population is set for the regular forces, with another 2% of the population available for service in the Territorial Guard. This is mainly due to economic policy, but also as a safeguard to ensure the military remains subordinate to the will of the people as expressed by their democratic leadership and as a check on the Crown.
Budget Allocation is generally as follows:
Imperial Navy 70% of Imperial Defense Fund
Imperial Guard 30% of Imperial Defense Fund
Air National Guard 50% of Dominion / Kingdom Defense Funds
Coast Guard 30% of Dominion / Kingdom Defense Funds (except in New Kern, where it is 10%)
National Guard 20% of Dominion / Kingdom Defense Funds (except in New Kern, where it is 40%)
As a consequence, the Empire fields a very sizeable air force (when Royal Navy and Air National Guard forces are counted together), a sizeable fleet, and a relatively small standing army with a large reserve force.
Space exploration and forces
The Imperial Space Program is extremely well funded, and gets 1% of the GDP as well (which is separate from the Defense Budget). Much of this is spent on the Air National Guard, which operates space tracking networks, defense radars (which work for space tracking as well), handles the satellite control centers, and the space launch facilities. This still leaves a sizeable amount of money for military and government satellites, as well as a nascent manned flight program. Civilian corporations and individuals are allowed to operate civilian satellites and generally pay for space aboard military launchers operating out of Point Sur Space Launch Facility and Rosamond Dry Lake Aerospace Center.
Nuclear and other strategic forces
The Empire also sets aside 1% of the GDP (maximum) for the strategic arsenal necessary for deterrence. At this time, the Empire has ICBMs (operated by the Air National Guard), Strategic Bombers (operated by the Air National Guard plus some available from the Imperial Navy), and Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile submarines (operated by the Imperial Navy). The Empire has a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons but reserves the right to reply in kind if weapons of mass destruction are used against its national territory or military forces, including but not limited to nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.
Most of this budget is spent on nuclear weapons and delivery systems, but some is also allocated to research and development projects to defend against such weapons, as well general research in appropriate fields.
Civil Defense
The Empire and its Dominions also spend 1% of their GDP on Civil Defense measures including hardened shelters, supplies, and medical stockpiles. This also includes the Severe Weather Alert Early Warning System, Geophysical Research Agency (earthquake and volcano predication), and Agricultural Research Agency (crop problems like diseases and pests). This provides the Empire with a defense against unconventional types of attack such as biological weapons being used against its food supplies or economy, and the natural disasters that occur from time to time, as well as reducing casualties as much as possible in the event of a major war.
In all, the Empire spends 4% of its GDP on defense, including military forces and civil defense. Only in times of prolonged war or conflict will that figure increase substantially.
The Empire consists of the homeland of New Shiron, and the Dominions of New Cynthia and Upper Big Sur (which are all located in the semimythical region of California) and the Dominion of New Kern II (located in the super continent of Manium). In all, as of the time of this post, the combined population is around 200 Million, and a Good economy and stable government.
The Crown consists of the Queen, who acts as President for life essentially, but the Parliament (which has members from the homeland and all three dominions) controls the purse strings, is democratically elected, and military forces swear and oath to defend the constitution. An independent judiciary keeps everyone honest (appointed by the crown and approved by Parliament)
Each Dominion has a Duke, who is appointed by the Queen and approved by Parliament as well. The Duke serves as essentially governor for life.