Army History and Personnel.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Conceptually, the Parthian Army has gone through several major changes over the millenniums.

The domination of the Old Selucid Empire ~250BCE saw the Parthians originally relying on Arsarwan- Knights & men at arms on scale-barded horses using Lances and Bows, and supplemented by nomadic horse archers. Peasants levies formed lightly armed infantry. 

Politically, Parthian Shahahans ruled as 'King of Kings' with the Great Houses ruling princely states nominally subservient.  The Civil War around 250CE, which saw the defeat of the Sassanians, saw a political reformation. This included more centralization and the mandate that noble second sons and daughters would serve in the Royal Cavalry, and the creation of standing Heavy Infantry formations

By the 630CE, The Parthians fielded a well rounded force, including the standing Heavy Infantry formations, those of the Dalimite mountaineers being particularly well known. A small corps of royal engineers existed, and engaged in siege and primitive chemical warfare.  The long quarter century war against Byzantine, followed by plague, hollowed out the army and treasury, exhausted the nation, and led to fratricidal succession wars. Against that backdrop, the Mohammedians attacked, and the Muslim conquest destroyed and scattered the standing forces.

The Reconquista against the Muslims saw the Royal army become a national force, and the Royal family as the national rallying point. The decades of need led to compulsory 'militia' training for all social classes, and the beginnings of National Service. With peace, the military did not need so many soldiers, and so infrastructure absorbed the national service. This is when the assistance and cooperation with the Tang dynasty introduced the idea of exams to ensure the competent rose through ranks.

The Mongol onslaught 700 years ago, initially saw the Armies defeated and Northern third of the nation laid waste.  This also wiped out much of the bloodline Parthian tribe.  The national effort to repulse the Mongols and reclaim the nation solidifed the Nation in Arms concept and the members of the Royal Family as rally points when the nation was shattered into pieces. The price of reunification was that this period saw the signing of the Grand Charter (aka Magna Carta) introducing the idea of councils to advise or in extremis overrule leaders.

On the military side, the Mongols brought with them Chinese siege engineers with gunpowder artillery.   
The Mongols continued as a major threat through the time of Timur.

The Advent of gunpowder slowly displaced archery in the army, much like in other areas. Among nobility, mounted archery with powerful recurve bows continued, as highly effective against compact pike & ball formations, while reserving pistols for short range. Later, much like learning swordsmanship, mounted archery has persisted among the nobility. Among the rural folks, percussion cap muzzle loaders are permitted and have largely displaced archery and slingers.

National Service
The Parthian Army of 1910 is a mixture of Regulars, Reserves and National Service troops.
For all but the eldest child of each family (the presumptive heir), starting at 15 years of age, Parthians enter National Service.  First gathered at regional camps, they are fed well for two weeks and checked for health. Then sent to Muster Camps, they are well fed and given physical training, entwined with 'top off' schooling in Parthian language and history, as the provinces diverge somewhat. The Muster camps have an expected death rate from disease, which good food and living quarters is expected to battle.  After the first 6 months of nutrition, exercise and classes, a series of 'suitability tests' sort the students.

This applies to all social classes, but this testing typically allows the Nobles and other higher classes to demonstrate their higher skills set and education.  To the common folk, this reinforces their suitability to be in leadership spots.   Overall, the fitter and brighter are taken by the armed services, while the remainder go into Civil Service. 

Parthians then serve 2 years under Arms (and 12 in the reserves) or 3 years in Civil service.

Those in military service will first spend a year training and serving under arms. After the first year, troops are eligible to sign up for long term service and the more capable will become specialists, NCOs or Officer Candidates.

Those in civil service spend their time doing low skilled labor, from general infrastructure labor, to au paire tasks, secretaries, census takers, and civic gardening.

In each case, the National Service experience blends citizens from all walks of life,  Some fail to see the end, criminal acts, fraternization and pregnancy cuts many terms short, but the system has long found ways to keep that loss minimal. For the rest, it fosters a common background and 'ownership' of what it means to be Parthian. The pay ensures that even the poorest born leave service with a nestegg to start their life, while those who earn high marks can test for entrance to Academies of Higher Learning.

Regulars, Reservists and Conscripts

The current establishment of the Parthian Army relies on regulars for Officers, NCOs and many of the troops, and uses conscripts throughout, particularly where strong young folks are needed. Regulars serve as the cadre at all levels. In the Line Infantry and Cavalry especially, they integrate these troops down to the Squad Level. At least one squad per platoon will be all regulars,  while the remaining squads will be mixed, but team each conscript with a proven regulars. In other branches the mix is more even. With this model, the majority of the formation is regulars, and the conscripts can play 'follow the leader', while the leader is judged in part by the success of their conscript.

Officers
The Parthian army has used merit as a consideration for Officers and NCOs for 1200 years. During the long war to reclaim Parthia from the Muslim Conquest, the Tang Dynsasty provided safe haven and in the trans-oxus, troops. This introduced the concept of a professional officer and NCO corps, and testing as an element required for promotion. Again, the better educated and pre-trained Nobles usually do well, but only make part of the officer corps.

Infantry
The infantry is the majority of the army, and the branch nearly all start in, and many stay in.
Those infantry nearing the end of their careers usually rotate to Fortress troops, Reserve Cadres, or support arms where creaky knees are not such a consideration.

Cavalry
The Parthians originated as the Parni, nomadic horse archers. After conquering Parthia, they added armor to man and horse, fielding Asarwaran fighting with bow, lance and axe and the model for the later Byzantine Capharacts. The Parthian cavalry is still a vital arm, seasonally skirmishing on the Golden Horde frontier.  While much of their cavalry is 'light' and a limited number the 'heavy' armored Dragoons, they both typically fight dismounted. In combat, one trooper holds the reins for the other 3 in the Lance, who advance.  If there is no time, the horses are taught to lie down and serve as breastworks.

The Dragoons still wear armor, ineffective at point plank range, but can stop a rifle bullet at moderate engagement ranges, common on the steppe. The Dragoons are expected to hold the more dangerous areas of line, or lead the assaults- mounted or dismounted.

Age and Fitness :
The Parthians seek to match the physical capabilities of the troops with the tasks they do. 
Physical training is prevalent and done over the long term, but capabilities and frame are assessed before assigning troops to branches. A 5'2" slightly built soldier will not be assigned as a loader for heavy artillery, or a cargo handler.  But they may be tasked as a messenger if they can run long distances, or an engineer support if good at math, or simple infantry if they can keep up while loaded.

Uniform :

Colors :
Infantry : Grey-Green Tunic and Grey Trousers
Cavalry : Blue-Grey Tunic, Dun trousers.
Pioneers : Forest Green Tunic
Artillery :   Blue Tunic, light grey trousers.
Quartermaster : Butternut Tunic, Grey trouser
Marines : Grey Tunic, Blue trousers.


Hat :
Wide brimmed hats with tall peaks and ventilation holes are common to ward the sun.
All arms tend to pin one side of the hat up, 'Aussie' style, allowing a rifle to be shouldered or slung.
Unit badges are pinned to the upturned section. The Cavalry often chooses plumes or sprays.

Scarf :
Parthians have a silken charcoal grey scarf. Prior to the fight, they wrap it around their face, leaving their eyes showing.
Gas masks have limited this.

Cloak :
A reversible overcloak is issued, branch colors on each side. To be used as cover in sudden storms.

Sash :
Formal occasions demand the silken sash be worn. On it is symbols for both family and personal notes of merit, badges and awards both civic and military. 

Helmet :  Helmets are issued to Fortress troops, in case of intense barrages. Helmets are also issued to Dragoons, as they are considered potential assault troops.

Reservists
Reservists are generally assigned to Fortress troops or their own territorial formations. In each case, cadres of regulars fill out the Officer and NCO slots in the units, a role typically seen as a end-of-career 'plum' post for high performers.   Optimally Reserve formations are not directly assigned to frontline combat without additional months of training, at which point it is preferred to assign them by company or battalion sizes to larger regular formations.