Ventoran Armed Forces

The  (: Fuerzes Armadas Ventoranas) is the national defense force of Ventora. It consists of three combat branches: Army (Ejército), Navy (Armada), and Air Force (Fuerza Aerea), the Logistics Corps (Cuerpo Logístico), and, in wartime, the Gendarmerie (Gendarmaría). The armed forces consists of the national-level forces on active duty and the reserves which are devolved forces under the peacetime control of the duchies.

Command structure
Although members of the armed forces take an oath of fealty to the Regent, the actual commander-in-chief in wartime is the Governor General. During peacetime, the senior official is the Defense Commissioner. The Defense Commission oversees the day-to-day administration and functioning of the forces. The Captains-General of the branches and Logistics Corps report to the Commissioner directly. Although the Gendarmerie receives support from the armed forces, provides military police, and may be subordinated to the military during wartime, it is subordinate to the Homeland Commission during peacetime.

Reserve forces are under the peacetime control of the various duchies, distributed roughly on a basis of population. The reserves must maintain skills and competencies to standards set by the Defense Commission and are subject to recall for national service at the order of the Governor General or by consent of the duke or duchess. Reserve unit equipment and mandatory training requirements are funded by the state. The duchies may use their reserves for any lawful purpose at ducal expense. Common additional services on behalf of a duchy include supporting police during special events or providing assistance in response to natural disasters and other emergency services.

Defense Staff
The Defense Staff (Estado Mayor de la Defensa) provides advice to the Defense Commissioner and his subordinate senior (branch) commanders. The staff evaluates statistical and intelligence data, assesses combat capabilities, and develops strategic and operational plans to achieve Ventora's military objectives. Captain General José Luis Salomón Matos is the current Chief of the Defense Staff. Although the fourth highest ranking official for protocol purposes, the Chief of the Defense Staff is not actually in the chain of command.

Army
Ground forces fall under the auspices of the army. They are organized under a regimental system with lineage and honors that date back to when armies were raised by the dukes and duchesses. The modern ground forces are well-trained and equipped, drawing their personnel from across the, not just a particular duchy. The primary function of the army is to defend Ventora from attack by external forces. Captain-General Leandro Grimaldo Señor Castro del Facer is the current Army Chief of Army Operations.

Navy
Ventora's navy is comparatively robust considering the size of the country. This is due to the country's seafaring history and traditions. The navy ensures the protection of Ventoran shipping on the high seas in addition to the seaborne defense of the homeland. Captain-General Horacio Fabián Borja y Chavarría is the current Chief of Naval Operations.

With a manpower of about 27,750, including 6,300 naval infantry, the navy operates 77 ships totaling over 200,000 tons in displacement. The ships operate in two fleets: a high seas fleet and a coastal fleet.

Air force
Charged with aerial defense and support to both land and sea forces, Ventora's air force has a variety of air superiority, bomber, and close air support aircraft. For example, the CM-40 seajet is a multi-role airframe capable of take-off and landing at sea or on land. It can carry cargo and troops or be outfitted with anti-ship missiles, sonobuoys, depth charges, and/or mines for anti-ship and anti-submarine roles, or bombs and missiles for ground force support. Captain-General Omar Pepe Oquendo is the current Chief of Aerial Operations.

Logistics Corps
The Logistics Corps provides support services to the combat branches and oversight of the Gendarmerie's military police operations. Key functions of the Logistics Corps include:
 * Materiel specification, acquisition, storage and distribution, maintenance and repair
 * Personnel administration, housing, feeding, transport, and medical services
 * Facilities acquisition, operation, maintenance and repair
 * Acquisition or provision of other services as needed
 * Basic and advanced military and technical training

Captain-General Edmundo Desiderio Matías Matos is the current Chief of Logistics. He oversees a force of nearly 203,500 personnel who see to the operation of military facilities and transport, maintenance, and supply of military equipment and personnel. To this end, Logistics Corps operates 20 support vessels with more displacement, at over 291,500 tons, than the navy's combat craft. The support vessels include landing vessels, oilers, replenishment ships, and tugs.

Personnel
Ventora's armed forces consists of over 410,000 active duty personnel among the three branches and Logistics Corps. About two-thirds of the force consists of personnel completing their compulsory service while the balance are career personnel. Nearly all personnel above the rank of soldier, seaman, or airman are careerists.

Conscription
All citizens must complete a year of military service upon reaching age eighteen. Service may be deferred for students in university. After completing their conscript year, personnel who muster out of active duty remain active reservists for a period of five years and attend two-weeks training annually. Upon satisfying their service obligation, they become inactive reservists until age 45. There is no recurring training for inactive reservists unless recalled to active duty in the event of a national emergency.

Training
Military training is administered by the Logistics Corps who operate training installations for basic military and advanced military training. There are also training facilities for technical skills to ensure competence in the duties assigned. In addition, Logistics Corps administers the Non-Commissioned Officer School, Officer Training Center, and the Defense Academy, which provides training for staff officers from all branches.

Equipment
The Ventoran armed forces has extensive equipment ranging from weapons, armor, artillery, aircraft, ships, and vehicles to the mundane, such as material handling equipment, food service equipment, maintenance and repair equipment, and the like. Most equipment is quite modern and rather sophisticated for a country the size of Ventora.