User blog comment:The Bespectacled Guy/On World of Remnant 2/@comment-4909254-20140919051253/@comment-4010415-20140921044328

The narrator said that most of the kingdoms just organize a military by recruiting citizens when a military is needed. Since they feel that they're in a time of peace, they don't think they need a military, so there isn't one at the moment.

Ironwood brought his military along, so maybe he figured since Vale's leaders don't think they need a military, he should bring his just in case, since he and Ozpin have been getting messages from Qrow about some things going on in the shadows.