Officers' Connections were tight social networks among the officer corps of late human states.

The connection functioned structurally like an association. Members elected their presidents and attended assemblies. What distinguished Officers' Connections were their exclusivity to military officers and their social importance. A connection was a source of friendship and company, of information, and especially of favors and financing. Through regular social activities (famously drinking; most connections owned a bar or full mess), members formed tight links, which resulted in a preference among connection members to help one another (even if two individuals didn't know each other particularly well). They were, in a sense, an institution of corruption, but they were largely tolerated for the sake of officer morale and especially because of their relative political power.

Instances

Most Officers' Connections existed in the Union, where they were first founded, and in its successor. Neighboring Coalition states however also adopted the model in parts, usually with considerable local differences.

Cuprien Union

The first formal Officers' Connections were founded in the Cuprien Union, in the aftermath of the Grand Empire's collapse, when the officers' collegiates and close friendships which had formed in the Grand Armies decided to create formal unions or associations.

From the 370s onwards, the original connections (which were initially unit-level networks) had spread more broadly and established a core cultural structure. In a continuing process, the different connections would become increasingly detached from specific units and locations and become regional or even national networks; new connections (founded after 350) were most often more defined by which branch they belonged to and being gender-restricted than from their origins. The rise of the internet also helped accelerate the process of globalization.

In the classical Union connection, there were very strong traditions to be adhered to, inspired by the founding connections. Membership, being so tightly personal and valuable, was highly selective, and predisposed knowing other people to join. There was also an unspoken rule that only humans could be members, with a few rare exceptions. The process began for most peoples while they were still in military academy, joining as cadets who were allowed to attend certain events like the regular drink-meets. They formed tight friendship networks in school and began getting to know the older members, who would also be their senior officers later in their careers. Upon graduation, the entire class would undergo a ceremony of entrance together, becoming juniors. These were allowed to attend more events, but they could only spectate assemblies. After 5-7 years, they underwent another ritual, sometimes closely tailored to the person, and became full members.

Members wore classical caps, resembling officers' caps in shape but consisting of a single broad layer of felt. The color and decorations distinguished connections; some individuals, like local branch board members and the national president, also had sashes in the right colors. The caps were combined with a pin system: these small metal decorations, quite prized and socially valuable, were affixed to one's cap, or sometimes to the sash. Members who served in an elected role for the connection got a specific pin for that role, but the more frequent source were pins of major events, such as annual national meetings. These were given to the chief organizers, and could also be earned by participants, as an additional benefit of achieving some connection award, or for particular challenges at the event.

Azure Bonds

The Azure Bonds were a nationwide women's navy connection which, though not one of the most influential or wealthy, had some of the most engaged members. It was founded in 351 to stand in for the women in the corps, who were of course a major minority. Full members received blue cords in their initiation ceremony, which they affixed on the front of their black caps.

The national gathering was held once every two years, a multi-day event focused largely on social exchange, excursions, and spectating sports together with the assembly of regional heads (to elect the national president and her core board) tacked on. It was held at the same place and time as the National Sports Competition (usually Royal), so that members could go watch the competition as part of the activities and especially cheer for their athlete members. The Azure Bonds were famous for having strong athletes among their members, particularly in the disciplines of swimming, rowing, spear throwing, ogre wrestling, and volleyball. A navy team composed fully of Azures won women's volleyball gold in 382.

The Azure Bonds were an unusual connection in that they also allowed national athletes to become honorary members. Top athletes trained all together, no matter whether civilian or military, and a naval base was home to the primary state training center.

State of Humanity

The State largely inherited the Union's connections, and, being notoriously conservative regarding their traditions, they did not change much of their customs (though there was more diversity mixed in from the beginning, since other members' states brought their own kinds of Officers' Connection). From 430 onwards, there was a drift towards more open connections (tolerant of different races and genders), at the same time as the connections' informal political power, which was in the background initially, considerably accrued.

After 438, some connections - both smaller, elitist men's connections and purpose-founded new ones - became Cutting Connections. Among these, fencing was a very heavy focus, playing a role in many of their significant traditions. Most fencing was done with sabres and padded clothing with face masks, but some "matches of honor" were done without protection, playing for first blood. With some members, a visibly scarred face, called a cutface, was a great sign of prestige.