Taldryan Military Institute

The Taldryan Military Institute (TMI) serves as the primary military academy at which all Taldryan Security Service officers receive their command training. It provides all of the officers for the Army, Navy, and Intelligence Services. It is currently commanded by Lieutenant General Nas Crut, who also took part in the institution's initial planning and startup.

History

When the Dark Jedi Brotherhood was still a sister organization of the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet, the Clans were less independent in military matters. The Fleet deployed Imperial Army soldiers and Stormtroopers, while the Clans maintained small House-guard units of their own. However with the Exodus of the Brotherhood from the Fleet, each Clan had to develop their core military systems as they moved into both new territory without Fleet assistance.

In response to this need, Consul Kir Taldrya Katarn established the Taldryan Security Service, along with it's constitute parts (Army, Navy, Intel, Logistics). Drawing partially upon his own experience with the Imperial Army and Navy, and largely from the experience of those fleet officers who already served Taldryan (or that he could bribe away from the Fleet), the Consul put together a large professional military organization, second to none amongst the clans.

It was quickly realized that a professional military needs professionally trained officers to maintain it's edge, and therefore the Taldryan Military Institute was formed. Officers who had served in various military academies (both Imperial and other) were sought out by the Clan and brought to Karufr. In addition, many of the clan's Jedi who had served as longtime military commanders volunteered their efforts.

Admissions

Taldryan recruitment officers are constantly on the lookout for intelligent, motivated citizens to enroll in the Military Institute. Potential officers are either directly recruited from various educational, military, or other regional organizations, or they are culled from enlistees who score high on their enlistment exams. All future officers are required to sign a ten-year (post-education) commitment to Clan Taldryan. To outsiders this often seems extreme, but to date Taldryan's military retention beyond initial commitment remains at 90%.

Curriculum

The TMI curriculum was put together by an experienced panel of military officers and academics, lead by Consul Kir Taldrya Katarn. Almost all of these officers had served in the various Imperial Academies, and most had graduated from the advanced schools on Carida as well. Their idea was for this single academic institution to provide comprehensive military education and officer training for all of Taldryan's military branches. This was a departure from previous academies that had separated Army, Naval, and other forces into individual units. While the TMI would contain numerous branch-specific courses, it would also emphasize cooperation between branches for optimal operational outcomes. The entire course of training at TMI takes six years to complete.

Cadets are graded in three basic fields: academics, military leadership, and physical fitness. The TMI is not a traditional degree-granting institution, it only graduates cadets with degrees in military science - there are no other "majors" available. All cadets are required to take courses in engineering, sciences, and politics (as pertaining to Taldryan and Brotherhood-controlled systems). Cadets are expected to maintain the highest levels of academic achievement, and while expectations are extremely high the Institute does it's best to ensure all of it's students graduate.

Military training is an everyday activity, however it is truly emphasized during "Op-quarters", which are periods during the year when academic courses are suspended and all cadets participate solely in military exercises and leadership training. In addition, fifth and sixth year cadets spend the majority of their time attached to active military units across Taldryan's territory gaining on-the-ground experience. Military exercises and deployment are two ways cadets maintain their standards for the third grading criteria, physical fitness. All officers are expected to be in peak physical condition and serve as a role model for their soldiers. Physical conditioning has numerous direct correlations to success on the battlefield, and this is drilled into the head of all cadets at TMI.

Upon the completion of their sixth year, all cadets are required to pass a very challenging cumulative exit exam, which covers major concepts from the entire curriculum. Once cadets pass this exam they are commissioned into their specific service and begin active duty.

Post-Graduate Training

The Institute also offers a post-graduate program known as "Strategic Command College". Talented, experienced officers from all branches are sent to the SCC to be taught advanced strategic planning and concepts. These courses are supervised by senior military leaders and active senior commanders often make guest appearances. The SCC is not a traditional academic setting, officers there are expected to take an active role in their advanced education, and creative planning is highly encouraged. Command College graduates generally end up as senior staff officers before eventually becoming either Naval Directorate members, Army Command Council members, or senior active field commanders.