Dieron District Gymnasium
Sarna News
The Dieron District Gymnasium (DDG) is a military academy on Dieron within the Draconis Combine which produces MechWarriors. Compared to other military academies, the DDG is quite liberal in its educational style and outlook. The school accepts any applicant who meets the physical and mental standards, regardless of their political or philosophical standing (though it is known the ISF keeps tabs on the DDG to prevent infiltration). Cadets are allowed to train at their own pace, and classes are scheduled when necessary, often taking the form in impromptu gatherings in one of the corners of the massive gymnasium building.[1][2]
Instructors keep tabs on student attendance by determining, in their judgement, those who put in the proper amount of study time. If a student has put in sixteen hours of quality study time, they are allowed one hour of simulator time. After five hours of simulator time, cadets are allowed one hour in a BattleMech, either on the live-fire range or simulated combat range. Five hours of 'Mech time earns a cadet a twenty-four hour training mission, limited to one mission a week. Once any three instructors have determined that a student is ready, they are given a final series of simulator tests, with those passing graduating from the DDG.[2]
The unique structure of the DDG means that students who work hard excel faster than others and graduate sooner, though some purposefully go at a slower pace. Regardless, on average the DDG graduates fifteen to twenty MechWarriors a year, most of whom will serve the Dieron Military District.[1][2]