Hephaestus Defense Forces

The Hephaestus Defense Forces is the primary and only defensive force of the Free Republic of Hephaestus. The defence forces has two branches: The fleet forces and the defensive ground security force. The Defense Forces are an all-volunteer organization, although the Hephaestan Executive Council has expressed interest in starting an evaluative planetary conscription program if a referendum on it is passed.

Currently the military employs approximately 12.7 million individuals in various positions in the military. The fleet is currently the biggest of the two service branches. The supreme commander of the Hephaestan Forces is President Gren Vayne.

The best way to recognize a member of the Hephaestan Defense Forces is by his or her purple beret carrying either a grey (fleet) or black (ground security force) flash insignia.

The Hephaestan Space Fleet

The Hephaestan Fleet Force is a versatile space-based force also having capabilities for ground and security operations. The fleet currently has close to 500 vessels of various shapes and sizes on its ranks. Recruits to the fleet are required to complete a mandatory three year course in the Hephaestus Defence Academy if wishing to continue up to officer level. Non-commisioned officers and other crew will require training at the academy lasting up to 1,6 years. Higher officers such as captains and commanders of starships will be required to complete an additional 1 year of mandatory specialization studies as captain or commander trainees aboard training vessels or sometimes real starships.

The fleet primarily engages in the defense of Hephaestus' borders, but also acts to prevent piracy in accordance with the DHR charter. So far the fleet has no expeditionary forces, since it still a state surrounded by territories of the Gigerdi Alliance.

The fleet also includes a small security corps, which handles security aboard the starships and defends the vessels in case of boarding attempts. Personnel to this security force are drawn directly from the Defensive Ground Security Force, who have to undergo training for their specialized assignments.

The Defensive Ground Security Force

The Defensive Ground Security Force is the ground combat organization of the defense forces. It includes several Clone Infantry divisions commanded by ground force officers trained in strategic and tactical commanding via neural links.

The ground security force officers and personnel are trained in both offensive and defensive operations, although naturally more emphasis is put on defensive training. The recruits for the ground security forces wishing to become i.e. clone infantry commanders must complete a mandatory three year course. Officers wishing to command greater brigade-, or division-sized elements are required to complete an additional 1 year of mandatory specialization studies as infantry commanders and so on.

Defensive Ground Security Force training is not entirely subjected to the Defense Academy located on Hephaestus 2, but orbital training stations such as Kvidaram Station along with the Ossius Outpost located in the orbits of Mallor and Hephaestus 1 also contribute to the training.

Force Structure of the Defence Forces

All individuals wishing to join the Hephaestus Defense Forces can choose different career paths on their initial signing up. Enlisted personnel along with Non-Commissioned Officers must undergo training lasting up to 1.6 years in their individual training fields. After this time the enlisted personnel will be assigned to a duty post, and be given housing and accomodations free of charge from the government. The same thing applies to the Non-Commissioned Officers, who have earlier on chosen a training course for this as they signed up. Non-Commissioned Officers often serve as team, platoon or group leaders of various positions.

All individuals wishing to become officers in either the ground security force or the fleet must apply for a three-year course on their specific training fields.

Hephaestus Defence Forces Military Ranks

The Hephaestan Space Fleet

Enlisted/Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks

Crewman
Crewman, First Class
Ensign, Junior Class
Ensign (FRH)
Sub-Officer
First Sub-Officer

Officer Ranks

How to Join ?

The Hephaestus Republic welcomes one and all to serve in its defence forces. Theoretically anyone wishing to join will be given a job best suited for his or her skills after an adaptability test, but in reality it seems that not too many non-Hephaestans are especially interested in serving. Statistics have pointed out that only 2 % of the servicemen-, and women in the defense forces are either non-citizens and/or not Gigerdians. Closer relations to the DHR haven't helped the matter either, since many non-Hephaestans consider the systems the most likely starting point of the next conflict.

If wishing to join, one must either travel directly to the Hephaestus system or contact a recruiter from one of the DHR worlds. Hephaestus citizenship with its natural benefits are guaranteed to everyone upon recruitment.