The Ishani Military

The Armed Forces of Ishan are the military arm of the Ishani Government. Formed in the aftermath of the Murai Civil War, it was reformed in 2165 in keeping with the lessons learned from the Second Great War. As of the present day, the Ishani Armed Forces are involved in peacekeeping operations in Khetai and Akor, as well as stationed in bases as far-flung as the North Velai and Kulatia.

Establishment
The Ishani Military was established on the 3rd of Arkan'i, 2090, shortly after the end of the Murai Civil War. Initially, it was made up of units from the Royalist forces in the war, as well as units that had defected from the Loyalist regime towards the end of the war. It saw it's first combat in the north of Ishan, fighting among the plains, mountains, and forests of Ikhatos and Khaenun. With the granting of amnesty to those who continued to fight on, many more would join the new Ishani military, having basically nothing to return to back home.

Early History
Following the civil war, the Empire remained dormant for a few years, sending out spies to keep watch of potential targets for colonization. In 2095, an opportunity presented itself, with the "Republic of New Rusan" going through a period of severe turmoil. With the aid of the Ekroi, the Empire of Ishan invaded the island, forcing the native government there to hand over a strip of land on the south-west coast of the island. But even with these conquests, the war machine didn't sleep. The Island of Khetai, primitive in comparison to it's neighbors, seemed to be the perfect place to establish a military presence, but the Murai were more enticed by the oil-fields on the northern side of the island. Thus, they plotted, conspiring to fabricate a just cause to go to war. But they wouldn't need to plot, for while on it's way to Ekros, a ship registered in Ishan was attacked by pirates in the island, it's crew and passengers slaughtered to the man. Outraged, the Empire declared war on the Island-nation on the 23rd of Sher'i, 2097, conquering it by the end of the year. Over the next decade, it would continue to expand, taking over several islands between it and Eastern Rusan.

The First Great War
At the start of the First Great War, the Ishani Armed Forces had grown to a considerable size, having roughly 993,000 active-duty troops and a further 3,200,000 in reserves. Many of these troops had been deployed to the far reaches of the Empire, to Khetai and Rusan, as well as to the Khilmi Islands and the border with Kharas. The world had nearly been plunged into war several times as of late, which led to many wishing to be prepared for the inevitable conflict. And of course, it came. At first, Murai forces in the Velai were ordered to advance on the Rumai holdings in Catrumia and Atrixia, leading to a long and protracted campaign over the next few years. With the aid of the Nodriketi, they would take the city of Aqila by 2115. In 2117, the first Murai soldiers would arrive in Ekros, where they would work alongside their allies to dislodge the Rumai forces there. For the next two years, they would fight side-by-side with the Ekroi and Nodriketi forces there, eventually attaining victory. But victory came at a high price, with anywhere between 1.2% and 2.5% of those in the Armed Forces dying during the war.

The Interwar Years
Though peace was achieved, fighting continued after the First Great War ended. An insurrection in Western Rusan led to a protracted campaign on the island for nearly a decade, giving yet another conflict for the Murai to fight in. Despite a brief economic downturn, the Military remained well-funded, it's buildup largely unchecked save for a few treaties signed between 2119 and 2139. It was hoped that war would be avoided for the rest of time, but such dreams were shattered in 2139, when the Rumai went to war once again.

The Second Great War
While it was, to an extent, anticipated that the Rumai would attempt to retake the Sarzhina region from Hrvatia after the war, the Ishani military didn't plan for the Nodriketi to side with them in the war. Initially, the Murai were forced to defend their holdings in the Velai, nearly losing Khetai by 2142. That year would, however, be a turning-point, even as Ekros fell under the rule of the Rumai and Nodriketi. Over time, the Murai and their allies would fight across the Velai before landing in Southern Ekros and winning the war by 2147.

Post-2147
The war was, at long last, over. With the victory over Rumas and it's allies, the Ishani Armed Forces began downsizing, not being able to afford the continued service of it's entire military. Nonetheless, in 2165, the military would undergo a series of reforms, establishing an official Air-Force independent of the Army and Navy, as well as the Joint Support and Medical Services. In 2206, Murai forces were deployed to Khetai on a peacekeeping mission following the beginning of a civil war. They remain there to this day.

Current Status
Since 2165, the Armed Forces of Ishan have been divided into five different organizations. They are as follows: The various branches of the military are under the command of the Minister of Defense, who delegates power to five Generals, or "Marshals".
 * The Ishani Army
 * The Ishani Navy
 * The Ishani Air-Forces
 * The Joint Support Service
 * The Joint Medical Service

The Army, Joint Support Service, and Joint Medical Service utilize the same ranks, while the Navy and Air-Force utilize different ranks. Below is a chart of these ranks (listed utilizing the NATO Rank system): Below is a chart of commissioned ranks in the Ishani Armed Forces:

Army
The Ishani Army is the ground-warfare branch of the Ishani Armed Forces. It is commanded by Marshal Jishek Akan, and it comprises the majority of military personnel. The Joint Medical and Support Services, though shared by the branches, are nominally under it's administration. The Imperial Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) is also a part of the Army. The Ishani Army provides bodyguard units to the clans, though they are ultimately still under the command of the central government.

Navy
The Ishani Navy is the ocean-faring branch of the Ishani Armed Forces. It is commanded by Admiral Esik Kartas and is the second-largest branch of the Ishani Armed Forces. It includes the Ishani Marines and has the second largest air force after the Ishani Air Forces. It maintains several radar stations across the Velai, with the permission of the local governments, of course.

Air Force
The Ishani Air Force is the aerial-warfare component of the Ishani Armed Forces, providing close-air-support and aerial supremacy for the military. It is commanded by Marshal Misha Narik, the first female marshal in the military's history. It maintains several airbases across the globe.