Aristanian insignia and medals of the Standewehr

The Standewehr

The Standewehr was created on November 30, 2018, by lieutenant Aristotle Graf and has went through countless reforms and trial and error to get to its modern equivalent. The Standewehr was a concept based on the demilitarized army of Wiemar Germany, the Reichswehr. The nation uses the Standewehr as an exclusively defensive and peace keeping force. To learn more about lieutenant Aristotle Graf click here. [1]

Uniforms of the Standewehr

The uniforms of the Standewehr are mostly re-purposed surplus equipment but in the early days of the Standewehr locally sourced uniforms were used and tailored for military units. A tradition of the officer corps of the Standewehr is to get a privately tailored uniform in the m18 style. The m18 style is emulated in the German style with a four pocket design. The m19 was a modern take on the m18 in which the lower pockets were removed and internal pockets on the chest and arms, similar to an East German tunic. The latest iteration of the tunic is the m20, which is made in wool or cotton and is a simple 2 pocket jacket with exposed front buttons, though variants with covered buttons exist (m21). The cap pattern is the m21 pattern most akin to the American overseas cap. (A blue or brown 5 pointed star in cloth or metal affixed to the front of the cap). Great coats of all types and parkas are commonly seen in the Standewehr as winter clothing has just begun to be issued.

Standewehr collar and rank insignia and specialization colors

The current insignia of the Standewehr (m21 pattern) is just about the simplest thing about it, all caps are to either have a blue star (subdued versions exist being in green or brown) or a national cockade of yellow, blue, and green. The tunic is to display litzen and use the stripe system of rank for rank identification, this can either be on the shoulder boards or the left arm in the form of a patch. Divisional insignia has almost been done away with in favor of no divisional patch due to security of all units. The older issue m19 insignia has a colored stripe system with a series of collar insignia to denote rank and is still in major use with the northern garrisons. The southern garrison by and large has been updated to m21 insignia.

Basic uniform and equipment of some units. Some appear more green while others brown. Earthen tones are the norm.

Specialization colors:

Alpenjager -Dark green

Infantry - Bottle green or red

Artillery - Dark red

Pioneer - Black

Fortress troops - Black

Medical troops - Dark blue

Cavalry - Light blue

Chemical troops - Orange

Signal troops - Yellow

Military police - Pink

Motorized troops - Green

Logistics troops - Blue

Paratroopers - Light blue

Air force personnel - Light blue

Navy personnel - Golden yellow

Active units in the Standewehr and information on uniform regulations

Machine gun ambush position during the maneuvers of June 2020.

1st Guards rifle Regiment

All units belong under the 1st Guards Rifle Regiment.

2. II Infantry Fusilier Battalion - Designated as an Infantry battalion, this unit type is considered the backbone of the Standewehr.

3. III Infantry Guard Battalion - The oldest unit in the Standewehr this unit carries the tradition and uniform insignia of the old guard of the Standewehr.

4. IV Capital Guard Battalion - Perhaps the most unique of the Standewehr units is the Capital Guard Battalion, this unit wears distinctive dark blue tunics with litzen on the collar, brass buttons and the m21-T side caps in a dark hue of blue or black. These units are typically stationed in the capital.

5. V Grenadier Motorized Battalion - Motorized unit of the Standewehr. Commonly paired with fusilier battalions and sapper groups.

6. VI Guards Sappers Battalion - This unit is used for breakthrough attacks and plugging gaps in the line. They use specialized equipment for this task.

7. VII Standewehr Loyalist formations - These units are attached to most battalion sized elements of the Standewehr. Uniform wise a distinctive feature is the obsolete m21 collar tabs are in use with this unit, typical infantry attire typically using m21 side cap variants. Heavy usage of camouflage within this unit. Typically meant for security roles and impromptu guard duties such as prisoner collection and anti partisan work in conjunction with police units.

8. VIII Naval Infantry Battalion - This unit is composed of sailors and infantrymen forming a naval infantry group. Typically pulled from coastal artillery formations these units can have an extreme mix of naval and regular army equipment.

9. IX Infantry Battalion - Considered the best equipped unit of the Standewehr. They wear normal uniforms and tend to stick to the green specialization color for infantry specified in the 2021 regulations.

History of the unit - The Aristanian 1st Guards rifle Division was the first official division within Aristan, spanning back to around January 2019. Before this Division existed the Standewehr was in itself a unit and had men raised as part of the H division or Home guard Division. This unit evolved to be the III Infantry Guard Battalion and is considered to be the oldest active Standewehr unit. The Regiment is equipped to deal with mostly domestic threats as well as ceremonial events and is commonly seen on maneuver.

Medals and Awards of The Standewehr

The Aristanian Standewehr uses different medals and badges to award those who have distinguished themselves in a variety of fields.

Service medals

Sports Badge - A badge akin to the sports badges of the DDR, small badge worn on the left pocket or above.

Infantryman's Badge - Earned after completion of training maneuvers and if the individual displays soldering ability and seriousness to the degree necessary.

Proficient Soldier Badge - Awarded to personnel who have shown proficiency as a soldier.

Loyalty Cross 1st and 2nd Class - The cross is awarded to those who distinguish themselves in the service in the Standwehr, though citizens who display acts of bravery, loyalty, or make strides and developments in the country can receive the medal. The recipient in question must be reviewed by a military tribunal and an acting commissioned officer.

ROA Cavalry Badge - This badge is seldom awarded, it was a campaign badge for the frontier actions against the Republic of Connecticut during the summer of 2018. where mostly dismounted cavalry was utilized. Members of the first organized unit of the Standewehr, The 1st Guards rifle division are seen wearing this badge more often.2018-2019 2018-2019 Service Medal - Awarded to civilians and Standewehr personnel alike, the medal can be obtained through contribution to Aristan between 2018 and 2019 it celebrates the founding of the state and it's one year anniversary. Is to be worn above the right side pocket flap.

Specialization Badges

Drivers Badge - Completion of basic driving course for military vehicles.