Editing AFFS training & education

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==Overview==
The AFFS is seen as the best army in the Inner Sphere, because it puts the right soldier in the right place through continued testing and training. In comparison to every other army the AFFS prepares its soldier better for the battle as in any other organization. Each year every major command participates in the annual combat simulations on their home planet. The units take also part in such simulations on a different world in a two-year circuit. The individual training is also held in high regards. A common soldier can hone his or her skills at the different Special Schools and the Department for Military Education (DME) also provides special courses for higher ranking officers.

The DME is divided into four different sub branches. The commanding officers of combat units, the High Command together with members of the four branches set the standards for the training.<ref name=FMFSp35>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', p. 35</ref>

==Department for Military Education (DME)==
===Directorate of Noncommissioned Training===
At the beginning is the Directorate of Noncommissioned Training. The Directorate is responsible for the entire training of the noncommissioned personal in the regular army and March militias.<ref name=FMFSp35/> When schools outside the AFFS want to be accredited by the Directorate must follow the rules of the DME. Graduates from that school underwent additional training before getting an AFFS soldier.<ref name=FMFSp35/>

====Basic Military Training====
80 percent of the annual intake of new AFFS members are enlisted personal. Most of the new soldiers are trained at state sponsored facilities. The duration and complexity varies considerably. The recruits must pass a series of health and mental tests to be accepted for regular army service.<ref name=FMFSp35/>

====Specialty Schools====
After the end of the basic training, the AFFS conducts further screening on recruits in order to determine what combination of skills a recruit possesses. The purpose of the screening is to create pathways for recruits to specialty training schools. Such Schools can be found in every PDZ. Once they have graduated from specialty training the soldier enters service as per their specialty pathway. The AFFS puts particular emphasis on cross training of their service personal in order to allow greater flexibility. After four years of service in their initial posting service members are able to access additional training in another field.<ref name=FMFSp36>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', p. 36</ref>

===Military Academies===

Military Academies are considered the premier training pathway for emerging leaders within the AFFS. Such institutions invest heavily in their students and such places in said institutions are reserved for those recruits who are from families of great influence (IE money or nobility). Additionally, scholarships are offered to regular citizens who show leadership promise. However, that comes at the cost of six to eight years of guaranteed service to the AFFS.<ref name=FMFSp36/>

The AFFS recruits primarily from military academies where possible. Secondary institutions held in less regard than military academies are also recruited from once the available pool from the military academies is exhausted.

====Standards of Training====

The DME set the rules and requirement for all academies and has further exchange programs with other Inner Sphere academies because the students can get a lot of experience.<ref name=FMFSp36/>

=====Enrollment=====
The AFFS have set a bunch of prerequisites for every academy. The requirement for access could be set higher by the school itself. The aspirant must pass a far harder test than the usual enlisted. Furthermore the academic exams are also more demanding. Over one third of the participants fail the tests. The DME will do its best to prevent patronage or some form of gift securing entry.<ref name=FMFSp36/>

=====Curriculum=====
All academies follow the same curricula. The DME watch that every institution meets the standards. Every cadet must participate at the fundamental courses like navigation, survival training and others to. The academic learning is also important. After 12 months of Basic Training the student starts his specialty field training. A few academies are specialized in some form like naval or infantry because other provides all fields at once. Entry is only possible with the test result meet the requirement or the instructor gives its o.k. should a recruit fail a field he can select another one. Cadets with extraordinary results can take part in a program should a civil university/academy located nearby. Recruit how show leadership skills can visit for 12 months an Officer Candidate School.<ref name=FMFSp36/>

=====Graduation=====
After three to six years, depending on the specialty, the recruit had ended his education successful and it now promoted to the rank of sergeant. The rank subaltern is reserved for the graduates of Officer Candidates Schools. The assignment depends on the individual specialization. Recruits with combat specialty take part in a training cadre for 12 months. Such cadets are led by AFFS veterans. A few get assignment to regular army commands. Graduates from state sponsored facilities must serve 72 months and from private operated academies 24 months.<ref name=FMFSp37>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', p. 37</ref>

===Regional Training Battalions===
The third way to get entrance into the army is via the Regional Training Battalions. Every new cadet must pass the usual basic training before the advanced training start. Every Training battalion was special arrangements with local boot camps. Potential recruit must absolve a special course under the watchful eyes of Battalions instructor. The instructors select the new Battalions members after the result and their personal judgment.<ref name=FMFSp42>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', p. 42</ref>

In contrast to the common academy training the education within the battalion is more practice orientated. A senior Cadet and a member of the staff help the students to develop their skills. A recruit can only graduate when he meets all requirements. Usually a cadet needs six years, outstanding trainees only 24 months. The graduates enter the AFFS as sergeant and visit a OCS to become an officer.<ref name=FMFSp42/>

===Combat Training Centers===
The task of Combat centers is to train the [[RCT]]s as a cohesive unit. Their sophisticated networks (which record all battle damage and simulate the result like a vehicle cannot move) is the centerpiece of each CTC. Throughout the [[Federated Suns]] there are 6 of such centers located and on was in the former [[St. Ives Compact]].<ref name=FMFSp42/>

====Location====

[[Capellan March]]<ref name=FMFSp42/>
* [[New Syrtis]]
* [[Novaya Zemlya]]

[[Crucis March]]
* [[New Avalon]]
* [[Defiance (system)|Defiance]]

[[Draconis March]]
* [[Robinson]]
* [[Woodbine]]

[[St. Ives]]
* Spica

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Field Manual: Federated Suns]]''