The Lunar Army & YT
Many citizens associate the Empire's armed forces with YT and, though incorrect, this is understandable.
Since they are not privy to the deeper levels of worship, the public only see the surface of army life. The maintenance of regimental spirit requires the participaton of all soldiers and officers in communal worship. Each week a service is held, during which all ranks gather and give praise to YT and the 'regimental spirit'.
This is what the public sees, and why YT is considered the war god of the Empire.
What the public don't know:
After this ceremony the regiment splits into it's component parts and each group goes to worship its prefered god(dess). Few know this because only initiates of the cult attend.
Thus all soldiers worship YT as lay members, then move on to complete their devotions as they see fit. Most officers and NCOs are initiates of YT since advancement in cult and army are linked - it is also difficult to have the respect of the grunts if you are not higher in the YT hierarchy than they are. Difficult, but not impossible. Most grunts are NOT initiates of YT - if they were considered suitable for initiation then they would also have been advanced to NCO status.
YT is considered the professional soldier's cult. While worship is not necessary it does act as a fast-track to promotion.
Most NCOs and officers are YT initiates and higher, most YT initiates are
(or were) NCOs or officers...BUT one does not guarantee the other. YT is
percieved as the primary war god, but not all soldiers (by a long shot) are
initiates of YT.
(Here follows a party political broadcast...*Bring Back Lay Membership!*)
While the above may not be well written, I hope you see what I mean.
Nigel
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