High Kingdoms Armed Forces

The High Kingdoms Armed Forces, also known as His Grace's Serene Armed Forces, are the military services responsible for the defence of the High Kingdoms of Alaxia. They also promote the union's wider interests, such as supporting international peacekeeping efforts and providing humanitarian aid. Furthermore, it is one of the recognised nuclear powers in the world. The Armed Forces consist of four branches: the Grand Army, Navy, ]Air Force and National Guard. Each branch has a specific role within the High Kingdoms military apparatus and they each conduct operations in their designated domain. Additionally, the National Guard acts as a paramilitary force and a law enforcement force. Each of the branches are further separated into sub-branches and administrative formations.

While officially formed in 2448, the groundwork of the modern H.K.A. military framework was paved by the Inysta Conference of 2445. However, it took nearly a decade for the organisation, tactics, structure and traditions of the constituent nations to be properly reformed into a reliable and efficient military force. It has participated in numerous military conflicts, insurgencies and humanitarian missions since its formation. Chief amongst them is the Heboi conflict of the 2510s. The National Guard was founded in 2456 after the Inysta Straits Crisis.

The monarch of the High Kingdoms of Alaxia is the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief. As of 2026, this is Albert I. However, constitutional convention allows for the delegation of de facto executive authority to the President of the High Kingdoms as the President is the representative of the monarchy and herald of the monarch. Some authority also resides in the Defense Minister as he or she is the highest ranking military official. The Defense Ministry handles all legislative and administrative duties of the Armed Forces, this includes enacting and enforcing the defence policy set by the President and his cabinet along with the Royal Defense Council.

The High Kingdoms is a permanent member of the International Concord Security Committee and one of the nuclear-armed states. It is also one of the founding and leading members of the IDDI.

The New Union Military
The origins of the H.K. Armed Forces begin with the Inysta Conference and later Esperiy Conference that outlined defense policies and funding respectively. What followed was an intermediate period of reorganisation where the individual armed forces of the constituent nations were merged and amalgamated into the its respective branches. During this period, the military was classified as the New Union Military. The first move towards a unified military was made during the Vreimer Conference of 2448. Here, various figures from the armed forces of the constituent nations came together to discuss the process of merger. By 2449, two factions had emerged between the high commands of the constituents. One proposed a unified military under the federal government with the various branches having their own independent commands. The other proposed that the constituents retain their armed forces but serve under a single high command. The government demanded a settlement of the dispute and internationally, conflict had been escalating in various parts of the world. Security concerns saw it imperative a conclusion be reached. Thus, in 2451, a middle ground was reached with a unified military under the federal government as well as a unified high command that oversees and coordinates with each branch. The following year, Henry Pershing was unanimously voted to be the head of the New Union Military. He led the force for around 5 years, much of it spent in streamlining the reorganisation process until in 2457, when he retired. In the immediate aftermath, the constitution was amended and the New Union Military was rebranded as the High Kingdoms Armed Forces, officially and alternatively called His Grace's Serene Armed Forces, marking the end to the reorganisation process.

Structure
The Sovereign of the High Kingdoms of Alaxia is the head of the armed forces. However, constitutional convention and royal prerogative enables the president to have de facto executive authority as the President is the representative of the monarchy and herald of the monarch. The President makes key decisions on behalf of the Sovereign with approval from the cabinet. Certain decisions such as those concerning budget is ultimately put forth by the Secretary of Defense and approved by the Premier and the House of Representatives. The Sovereign retains the ability to revoke or rescind decisions made by the President or government. Such scenarios are rare but not unheard of with major political and social ramifications. Usually, such decisions are made to prevent unconstitutional use of the Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defense oversees defense policy and budget. It also coordinates between the various services and acts as the civilian oversight for the military. The Chief Secretary of Defense is the principle administrator of the Ministry, further assisted by the Secretary of Defense for Armed Forces, Secretary of Defense for Defense Procurement, Secretary of Defense for Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Defense for Military Relations. The services (Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard) oversee the organisation, training and equipping its forces, actual operational authority and responsibility of management lies under the Royal Chief of Staff Committee and the Grand Defense Council of the Union as well as the four service boards.

The Grand Defense Council of the Union
The supreme governing body of the High Kingdoms Armed Forces, the Grand Defense Council of the Union (GDCU) is composed of senior representatives from the various services and the ministry of defense. It is chaired by the Secretary of Defense who is the general administrator of all 'affairs of defense' with the High Kingdoms of Alaxia. It derives it's powers through delegation from the President. It has command and control authority over the armed forces and provides an equal platform between the government and the military.

Until 2471, the GDCU did not contain the heads of the four services. However, with the 'Powers Act' of 2471, this changed. The GDCU now contained the heads of the four service boards while a seperate Defense Management Board was established as a wing of the GDCU that had contained the heads of the Armed Forces along with Civil Service and Ministry of Defense representatives. This Board was response for the full range of Defense Business rather than operational conduct.

The Royal Chief of Staff Committee
The senior-most body within the military, the Royal Chief of Staff Committee (RCSC) is a continuation of the Kiavalari service of the same name. It is composed of the most senior military personnel in the HIgh Kingdoms Armed Forces who advise on and coordinate military affairs. It is headed by the Chief of Defense Staff, styled as the Lord Highmarshal. It is the most senior rank in all of armed forces and held by a senior officer within the High Kingdoms Armed Forces. It also contains:


 * Vice-Chief of Defense Staff, styled the Lord Marshal
 * Chief of the Naval Staff, styled Lord Seamarshal
 * Chief of the Army Staff, styled Lord Grandmarshal
 * Chief of the Air Staff, styled Lord Airmarshal
 * Chief of the National Guard, styled Lord Custodian

Both the Chief and Vice-Chief of Defense Staff retroactively act as the commander and coordinator of all Strategic Command, thereby controlling the joint capabilities of the four services.