Garlean Military and Armament

[Enkidoh]

Naria is correct - it's stated in both 1.0 and ARR that the bulk of the Garlean military's front-line forces are conscripts drafted from the nations they've conquered (specifically, Ala Mhigo, but other subject nations are also used as a source of troops).

Accordingly, the regular 'grunts' wield basic weapons like swords and bows, even armed with magic (which is the clue they're not real Garleans - native-born Garleans are naturally poor at using magic - hence their reliance on technology), because they're considered expendable - why waste precious money and resources on someone that's just going to end up as cannon fodder anyway?

Hence magitek weapons like gunblades are usually reserved for the 'elite' troops or officer ranks like the centurions, tribunes like Livia and Nero, and the Legatee like Gaius, as these positions would definitely be limited to those of 'native Garlean' birth, with some exceptions (like Rhititayn being not Garlean born, but rising to a position of authority within the military).