MAC Igala
Overview
MAC Igala is, put bluntly, a catchall term for the overall military of the CFIN, and effectively stands as the military for all of the countries therein. This force is split into primarily three groups; Machinists, Mages, and Teks, each with their own specific abilities. Notable, however, is the fact that the three groups are integrated, even to the squadron level, where it is not uncommon to find members of all three groups within a single squad. Unofficially, there is in effect a fourth group; Marines, but the need for footsoldiers on the battlefield has decreased heavily, and oftentimes, pilots are ultimately dragged into performing roles that are less suited to them, including infiltration and occupation.
MAC Igala is largely centered in four primary bases, referred to as "institutions," or "institutes." These institutes are handled like military bases during times of crisis, but are more similar to what one could approximate as a military college--while with the same basic procedures, each institute is unique in regards to the details. The specifics of each institution will be handled elsewhere.
Military Structure
As has been stated before, MAC Igala divides its personnel up into three broad categories; Teks, Machinists, and Mages. These personnel are integrated into groups onto even squad levels, ultimately. Advancement is highly similar amongst all three groups, for the typical merit reasons that one would imagine one would advance in the military, so essentially, a mage has the same chances as a Tek has the same chances as a Machinist.
Of note is how the military college aspect alters things; oftentimes, higher ranking personnel double as instructors or teaching aides within a specific class. One could argue that MAC Igala as a whole has two separate "personalities," as during times of heated conflict, classes within the specific institute shut down, and all personnel are shifted to active duty. Essentially, personnel are always in classes and essentially training in some method when they aren't being sent out of the battlefield, effectively creating a military group that does not grow "rusty."
The tactics employed by members of MAG Igala is as varied as the members themselves; whereas some opt for stealth and ambush tactics, others instead go for more direct routes, be they high speed aerial or ground combat or being a veritable immovable wall. One could argue that one can see a little bit of everything used. However, it is notable that one constant for all the MAC institutes is a heavy focus on the use of Armors and battlesuits. As a result, there are fewer people serving full-time as infantry, and pilots are often forced to double as marines or stealth operatives when such are needed--much to the chagrin of some.
Hardware is more typically left to the aforementioned Armors and battlesuits. It is notable, however, that as far as weapons go, favoritism tends to go toward standard cannons as well as particle accelerator cannons. Most other weapons see some use within the group, but those two categories see widest use within the faction. Durasteel is often used as the protection of choice on MAC Igalan armors, due to its relative cheapness above all else. However, it is not too uncommon to see armors with alternative forms of protection.
As has had a degree of historical precedent, MAC Igala units tend to have a preference for more open battlefields--fields and plains, as opposed to forests or urban areas. While they have a degree of naval experience, they once again utilize Armors primarily, often modifying them instead of creating completely different ones. Oftentimes, Armors are airdropped to the location--be it land or water--by specialized dropships. If a long-term operation in an area is necessary, a temporary base is often built in order to house the troops necessary for the specific operation.
Squadrons in MAC Igala are often named after letters of the old Solasian Unified Alphabet, denoted by that as well as which institute they hail from (As such, someone from A-Gamma squadron would be from Institute A in Doma, while someone from D-Gamma would be from Institute D, in Baron, and have no affiliation with A-Gamma). This may be confusing to some outsiders.
MAC Igala Armors
To be discussed later
