Every Branch of the Imperial Military

[@myriadmediamusings]

And apparently every one of these branches hate each other with interpersonal conflict that Palpatine either encourages or doesnt give a damn about.

[@bradleyrutledge]

He probably encouraged it

[@bemasaberwyn55]

"Treachery is the way of the Sith"

[@hessanscounty3592]

He definitely encouraged it as have many RL strongmen from Vladimir to Small Mustache Man. You get a bunch of hopefully somewhat competent people in positions with overlapping, unclear spheres of power and influence. They will be too busy fighting with each other to cooperate to overthrow you. Then, when they have something serious enough come up that they can’t resolve it to cloak and dagger way, they have to turn to the Dear Dictator to resolve the dispute. This reminds them that you hold the reins and that you can yank the rug out from under them in a heartbeat. Finally, when someone does try to pull a Run to Moscow, the ambiguity of their authority makes it harder for them to get started and all the other folks in the hierarchy can act as speed bumps until they run out of momentum and can be piled on by the loyalists.

[@SSD2024]

Not to mention the insane amount of corruption in each branch.

[@jordanwhite352]

Sounds like my country AKA America

[@ST-534]

As a acout trooper, i can confirm we are highly superior to everyone else. We practically hit everything... 'practically'

[@Yes-r3j]

Real.

[@colororb4105]

I bet the Imperial Engineering Corps are supposed to be pretty similar to the USA Army Corps of Engineers. They tend to work on civilian-facing projects. I go camping a lot by a dam and bridge built and maintained by the ACoE

[@JBTriple8]

My Brother worked for Nav-Air and Now Lockheed-Martin his work is largely confidential but he does work on Missile guiding Technology from he is able to disclose.

[@kotor610]

That was my thought, rome was so successful because they invested heavily in infrastructure projects. Better infrastructure means more efficient pipelines for manufacturing goods (including military assets)

[@therealAZLN]

Or engineers for the Imperial Navy, similar to NAVFAC

[@ToonScapeTV]

Essayons

[@WilliamBricks]

This video feels a bit more like your older videos, and I’m loving it!

[@Saukko31]

Palpatine: "...For a safe and secure society!" And then eventually stopping to even pretend that is anything like that. Definitely hoping to see more of these in Andor season 2.

[@JBTriple8]

Im wondering what Imperial payroll is gonna buy also in addition to Mon Mothma gett additional Funds with Tay Kolma This move seems to fund The Alliance for years to come at least the group we see in Rogue One Through Return Of The Jedi.

[@StuartLugsden]

They just said Krennic and Dedra will clash so get ready to see Intelligence vs the ISB.

[@tatepatrick3095]

For the original trilogy and some other parts makes sense for them being storm troopers and I’m starting to realize that the ones in Star Wars rebels were probably all military police

[@HumbleAshe]

Kind of ironic how even the brutal Empire still had its own diplomatic core - it feels more like something there for symbolic purposes considering how intense or brutal the Empire generally was when occupying or maintaining worlds. I do wonder if this corps would have a higher role if carried over along the other branches into the First Order. The First Order would still be a dangerous occupying force, but I’d wager diplomacy would be more important to keep their activities hidden, and to keep the New Republic and other rivals off their backs. Especially after the main leadership collapsed after Exegol (something that would REALLY be good to explore in a new show as something different for once).

[@JBTriple8]

Commander Pyre and Agent Tierny likely had Imperial Diplomatic Core training carried over .

[@JarrettOriginal]

Many of the most successful conquerors in World History had excellent diplomats. Why waste resources overwhelming a state with a military campaign, when you can woo their leaders into joining you?

[@neofulcrum5013]

Can you guys cover the branches of the rebel alliance?

[@JBTriple8]

its kinda hard to know right now to know there Alliance is compromise of Cells I speculate Luthen Rael is the Founder of The Rebel Intelligence Network why I'm glad General Draven will be in Andor season 2 to confirm that . The Alliance had an Army (Fleet Troopers,Pathfinders, Endor and Hoth Ground Troops) as well there Navy.

[@jacoblyman9441]

There are actually ten branches of the Imperial military, but nobody regards the Imperial Coast Guard as a military branch seriously. 🤣

[@Compucles]

What about the Imperial Space Force...oh wait, that's just the Imperial Navy.

[@JNArnold]

Interesting that you place Stormtroopers specifically under the Army, because in the older sources I always understood it that the Stormtrooper Corps was separate from the Navy and the Army(hence why we have a distinction for Imperial Army Troopers or Imperial Navy Troopers) that were then assigned or attached to the other organizations. They even have their own Officers(black uniforms). So the Army and Navy had its own personnel and soldiers throughout the reign of the Empire but they also had Stormtrooper units available to them. The idea here was that Stormtroopers were trained specifically for unquestioning loyalty to the Emperor and not only acted as military shock units but also as a reminder to other Imperials to remain loyal.

[@MajorCarvia]

In canon, they are explicitly stated to be a sub-branch of the imperial army. Though you are correct they have their own officers (that wear black with blue plaques) and are ultimately loyal to the Emperor. Though as we see throughout star wars, they served a variety of branches due to the nature of their unit.

[@Toppo69]

The way it sounds like it that they function semi separately from the army and probably are only in it to streamline their ability to obtain more heavy assets like walkers and speeders instead of being a third-party requesting it

[@sansfi]

Alex resisting calling it "Dr Ball"

[@siovgaming2674]

Dr Balls!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@ormapa1206]

ISB was definitely the most interesting of all.

[@StuartLugsden]

I wish they would explain how they went from clones to army troopers to TK/stormtroopers. Those guys are almost never seen so it causes confusion.

[@StuartLugsden]

10 years ago Dave Filoni said Kallus doesn’t fight in big battles and command star destroyers. That line did not age well and by season 4 he straight up says he commanded star destroyers. And very recently we’ve seen Director Barsha commanding one while also ranting about awful the army and navy is to Kay and Vader and how it’s the ISB that will end the Rebel Alliance. Security Bureaus in SW are meant to be the FBI but they act more like a branch of the military.

[@mattwong5403]

Specialized units in civilian intelligence agencies are known for doing paramilitary work in the real world (ex: FBI Hostage Rescue Team and the CIA Special Activities Center), so this is not entirely out of the realm of possibility

[@StuartLugsden]

@@mattwong5403 True, they have tactical teams but aren’t they meant to be more like police SWATS only more advance? I don’t see them commanding aircraft carriers.

[@StuartLugsden]

@@mattwong5403 I saw the other reply in my notifications but I didn’t get a chance to read it in full. Why did you delete it?

[@SpencerStudios]

I thought that the guy with the big helmet in the thumnail was Dark Helmet from Spaceballs for a second.

[@imperialadvisor4880]

At West End Games, which created and developed most of the divisions on this list always designated the Stormtrooper Corps as independent and separate autonomous Legions from both the Imperial Army and Navy, with their own Order of Battle, Command Structure, and Supply Chains. While the Stormtroopers would support the other branches, they were ultimately fully loyal to The Emperor himself. On this list it says that the Imperial Navy had the most personnel. While true that they had the Hutts’ share of resources and funding, there were more Imperial Army troops and units than there were Naval staff. There were more Imperial Major Generals than full Imperial Captains (as opposed to the courtesy title given to any ship’s command officer). The Army had to deploy and occupy the Galaxy, the Navy had to content itself with ruling over it. I never like the term Grand General myself, Surface Marshal (sometimes given to a Moff) was what I personally pushed for back in 1989 and we see it in the Imperial Sourcebook.

[@MajorCarvia]

In canon, the stormtrooper corps is not independent and is a subbranch of the imperial army (though as we see, they work for/under several organizations). It is worth noting the ISB had loyalty squads, basically stormtroopers they owned, with their personal that they added to the stormtrooper corps to ensure loyalty (they did a similar thing with the starfighter corps). As for your second note, I am confident that was true in legends, but from what I've read/found, there's little basis for that claim in canon.

[@austinnewell9791]

I really wish this was the direction the new canon went in. I like the idea of Stormtroopers not being the standard trooper but rather designating that role to the imperial military, with the Stormtroopers being an elite trooper. I think Andor did a pretty good job in showing this, as well as Solo, but every other piece of media has treated the Stormtroopers as canon fodder. To be fair, I think that was George's original intention so I can't be too upset. Edit: I think Alex did a good job of justifying why we see less of the Imperial Army as time goes on

[@imperialadvisor4880]

@@MajorCarvia Disney acquired Star Wars in October 2012. The earliest reference I can find that Stormtroopers were part of the Imperial Army is late in 2014, so that’s been (Disney era canon) for ten years. The West End Games Imperial lore is from 1989 which held up till the Disney era, so some 23 - 25 years of of precedence is what I am quoting here.

[@Compucles]

@@imperialadvisor4880 While it's interesting information, precedence ultimately doesn't matter after canon is (mostly) reset like it was after the Disney purchase, and Legends info that's no longer canon should be framed as such. Your point about the Imperial Army having more personnel is likely still canon, though.

[@MajorCarvia]

@@imperialadvisor4880 I do apologise but it being Disney canon for 10 years, still means its canon. In fact there are several sourcebooks in canon now that directly state the stormtrooper corps is under ther imperial army. You're right from a legends standpoint, not canon

[@philrm99]

Excellent discussion

[@TheWarmachine375]

Despite all that, the branch of the Imperial Military never worked together and focused on outdoing each other or getting more power for themselves. Why is why they lost to the Rebel Alliance.

[@JBTriple8]

yeah what happens when your Head of State is Sith as well his Second In Command.

[@Compucles]

One of several reasons, but yes, a big one.

[@louisgarcia2415]

My favorite department is Destablization or Destab for short. It was profiled in the Star Wars RPG adventure Death In The Undercity. Very ruthless.

[@JBTriple8]

Love these I would rather be a Maimed pilot Imperial pilot like Shen From Squadrons than deal with the Galactic Empires imperial power struggles to one up one another. If I had to chose an Imperial branch to serve within the Empire it would be the Imperial Navy.Its best to be lowly grunt than a high ranking Officer Though Once A Rebel Always to Quote Hera .

[@poil8351]

the isb was basically star wars version of the nkvd.

[@ethannagioff7584]

Don’t forget the inquisitorius

[@thekuan7002]

Wouldn't it be the Engineering Corps' responsibility to construct and maintain structures? Like the HVAC version of star wars will be on the EC. Would they lend their boys to the other branches to maintain communication infrastructure?

[@fateagle4life]

Would the Emporer's Guards be part of the ISB or did they have their own branch? They were chosen from the best soldiers in the Empire.

[@WhatUpRob]

The Hand Rail Corps is so far off the books they don’t get enough funding and you know…

[@coltertilley6448]

I'm a little surprised and disappointed by your quip at 2:12 Alex. I'd have expected you to know that Stormtrooper armor is quite useful, and is more so meant to reduce the lethality of an injury rather than stop it altogether. Just like modern body armor worn by police and soldiers in the real world, while it does absorb some of the hit for you, and will probably help you survive, you're still being hit by a ton of force/energy, and it's going to do some damage, regardless of how good the armor is.

[@randomgamer625]

lol XD

[@Compucles]

The helmets restricting their eyesight is the bigger issue, if Luke Skywalker's and Rex's remarks have any validity to them.

[@newingvaeona8907]

@@Compuclesthe have digital hud displays

[@coryfice1881]

@@newingvaeona8907 The fact you need "digital hud displays" in order to actually SEE what's in front of you is a huge flaw in design. Considering how downright primitive Digital tech is in Star Wars.

[@StuartLugsden]

I just realised you forgot to include special forces.

[@RiksGamingChannel]

LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE

[@bemasaberwyn55]

I didn't know there were ao many

[@DangerDave-e7u]

The Inquisitors were special forces.?

[@StuartLugsden]

In a way yes but also no. In the way that Vader is an extension of Sidious the Inquisitors are an extension of Vader. They’re enforcers, mouths, eyes and dogs of the Emperor.

[@oakandthepack4887]

If Star Wars were real, I'd join the Empire and try to get a spot in the ISB. Long Live The Empire!

[@Exaldear]

I'm guessing engineering would build the research and development corps would design

[@DangerDave-e7u]

Wizard!

[@paakdisayaniyom]

While each braches of Imperial military range from army to navy (or even non military such as ISB) serves a different role and duty. One thing that every beaches have in common is their allegiants are the one who rejected their humanity. Becoming heartless, mindless, souless machine exist only to receive and execute order without any remose as we seen in Andor... A common senseless stooges...

[@michaelhviper]

I was surprised to hear from this video that the Empire had a Diplomatic Corps. I know the Federation in Star Trek had one, but I never expected the Empire would. Maybe they also make and maintain diplomatic ties with other governments in the Star Wars galaxy.

[@Compucles]

Even the Empire couldn't do everything through force (or The Force) alone. They did want to expand their reach and pacify existing Imperial populations peacefully whenever they reasonably (at least what the Empire considered reasonable) could.

[@Solo13508]

I wonder if the Surgical Corps was also responsible for Project Blackwing in the EU

[@tk-6967]

Wait, what's with all the dislikes, what did he get wrong?

[@varunvijay9293]

Really interesting how these branches were set up and what each do. Thanks for the video.

[@gigachad3457]

Where is advanced science corps?

[@CharlesFromAccounting]

It's been so long since we've had a video like this. I absolutely love it!

[@warrenduncan1528]

I dig the style of this video. Great job, keep ‘em coming!

[@chrisgerstel7197]

what movie is 1:32 from

[@thatJackson50]

Andor

[@jordanwhite352]

I would love to see someone one day explore and hell if I ever become a good publisher writer. I would totally pitch this in lucasfilm to explore the imperial treasury and how that runs. And literally answer questions. Like how much did death Star cost? How it was funded? How did the transition from the Republic money system to the imperial money system happened in the first place? The history of money in Star Wars, how credits actually work? The literal business politics there constantly avoided in the series ECT. Go unexplored and yet you look at popular TV shows and movies like The Wolf of Wall Street and billions and I'm shocked there's never been a Star Wars version of this! Interesting untapped potential.

[@McAster99]

I do wish we could get more stories out of Engineering Corps. Stories of people truly and honestly excited about all the advancements they are making early on in the Empire or for those getting out of education and core worlds, and then see how they change over time as they learn how their work is being used. Likewise I would want a sequel series that shows the New Republic having a corp of engineers who go around helping planets like Tangenine or Mimban to recover from the Empire.

[@Nenerii]

Finally, a video explaining the branches for the Empire.

[@MikeWasThere]

more videos like this!

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

Another amazing video

[@Hapokas112]

Interesting.

[@zachdisador3093]

I love this

[@AmericanUnionState1824]

LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!

[@RayOfTruth]

Does the Empire ever have a water navy fleet?

[@lizliz3974]

Military police sounds like a ISB sub branch

[@tbnone2501]

Those are not imperial army troopers on Fenix. Their armour is black, not grey. More likely they are imperial security troopers, hence their riot control function

[@CFC-xi8dz]

First

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thank you, Alex! ⚙