The Japan Self- Defense Forces, Metropolis Universalis Detachment (JSDF(MU)) is the IC military. If you wish to play a legal military officer or soldier (or sailor or pilot) who is operating in his home country, then you need to be assigned to the JSDF (MU). In the app guide there are rules for new orgs. if you and a group of other players wish to form another unit of the much larger JSDF, or perhaps organize as the guard unit for a foreign embassy or consulate. (US Marines guarding the American Embassy for example. ) Then you may do so according to the the aforementioned guide.
JSDF, in this case, primarily means the Okinawa/Metropolis detachment and it's base (JSDF(MU) ). For OOC simplicity and IC politics this unit will accept DP's, however it is the ONLY unit the JSDF that will do so. Further, No DP will ever rise higher in rank than Colonel, And the Unit will always be Commanded by a Native Japanese and very trusted Brigadier. This unit has officers, soldiers and equipment from all three elements of the JSDF. As the only unit in Japan likely to see combat it is a very popular posting with eager officers and troops. Small and faced with adversity it is also reasonably tight knit. The JSDF (MU) uniform is the branch and service uniform of the member's wider JSDF service with one small change. On the left breast pocket there is a blood red pin the shape of a shield with a lower case greek letter 'mu' in black. This 'pin' indicates ongoing or prior service in the 'MU, detachment'. It is a double edged marker. As The JSDF's only unit likely to see combat, many see it as a ticket to faster promotion, or as a marker of a true soldier; one who can be trusted to guard your back when the excrement hits the fan. On the other hand there is the countervailing opinion that it is a kind of 'scarlet letter' the mark of someone tainted by serving with Gaijin... Weird other dimensional Gaijin. no less. It could even be that a soldier so marked IS such a foreigner. And regardless, parade ground and desk bound soldiers have always distrusted "killers in uniform".
All Three Branches of the JSDF are represented. The bulk of the personal and ,usually, the tactical commander are Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF or GSDF). The mix of troops includes a few line Infantry companys , an artillary battery, an attack helicopter squadron, and a support battalion of maintainers, MPs, cooks and other support staff (mostly GSDF but can contain members and officers from other branches) . It also includes the world's first Mecha Company. The JGSDF operates what is currently (2004) the only mecha currently deployed by any military, a reverse engineered Gundam EZ-8. More accurately, a canibilized EZ-8, The Japanese armaments industry can make everything but the reactors and the beam sabers. These must be captured from the badlands and the military only has enough to reliably maintain about a dozen mechs. Those 12 EZ-8's are divided into 3 'plattoons' of 4 mecha and a command AFV. At least one platoon is on call for deployment to the Badlands Wall at any given time.
The Maritime Self Defence Forces (JMSDF or MSDF) operate a very minor fleet base. It can accommodate frigates and other small ships easily enough but for anything destroyer sized and up it is little more than a glorified rest and refueling stop with secure docking. Cruisers and even larger Capital Ships have to dock, infact, at the civilian port further down the coast of the island. The MSDF detachment does include some secure facilities at the said port as well as such dockings in a major city like metropolis are not uncommon, and the bars are often filled with often sailors from many navies, not just the JMSDF. In addition to their share of staff for the support battalion, the MSDF does provide the JSDF (MU) with a maritime combat element. Six high speed combat Hydrofoils each equiped with Harpoon Anti-ship missiles and a 5 inch anti-aircraft gun. All under the over all command of an MSDF Lt. Commander.
The Air Self Defence Forces (JASDF or ASDF) have dispatched an entire fighter sqaudron to the island. The 801st Tactical Fighter Squadron has been fully staffed with modern F-15J (E) Eagles and upgraded from it's 'Training Squadron' status. These are the latest and somewhat experimental of the Japanese Eagles, They have received modifications similar to those of the F-15E Strike Eagle, allowing them a ground attack ability the regular F-15J's did not enjoy. While the 801st and it's attached maintnance and support staff are no longer an all female show-piece they are still the sqaudron into which the JASDF dumps it's DP's, brawlers, otaku, and other undesirables.
The JSDF maintains a recruiting office in Metropolis, Taxpaying residents of the city, even if not Japanese citizens, can join the JSDF (MU). Also any DP's who are from the JSDF in their home realms are, if they wish to continue to serve in this world, assigned to the MU detachment.
As such, A JSDF(MU) member is a member of a formal military. Complete with dress codes, Codes of conduct, rank structure and onerous duties. If that sort of RP appeals to you, feel free to join up ICly or include membership in the JSDF in your application. To do so you should be TRAINED (see Application Guide: skills list) in at least some basic military skills (firearms, tactics, Primary Military Occupational Speciality) etc. Additionally, to have any rank above corporal or specialist, those skills need to be better than the TRAINED level and you need some skill in leadership. There aren't many OOC commitments. Though it is hoped you can walk and talk like the kind of soldier you are pretending to be. and that you can spoof JSDF formations should an event (usually a badlands breach) require the services of the Defence Forces.
Take over bars and get rowdy off duty, and only get slapped on the wrist the next morning. Get to fight the same monsters for low pay, that Merc's guild types charge a fortune to fight. Drive neat vehicles, shoot big guns. Serve and Defend Japan. Snazzy Uniform. Free drinks at some establishments.