“Let me be straightforward. Are you prepared?”
“In the mountain division training of the Pry Free Democratic State, I walked out just fine, so my mental strength isn’t that fragile.”
I delivered a cool fact right in front of Chief of Staff Joseph.
“The 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Battalion is a mess.”
“…”
The face of Colonel Joseph, who had been confidently speaking, hardened. I was afraid he might lash out again.
But I had no intention of stopping.
Colonel Joseph Lebandovsky was the most proactive and capable officer I had met among field-grade officers.
It wasn’t just empty talk about drinking foreign water. The difference in thinking and capability between a fielded officer and one who hadn’t been abroad was evident in reality.
However, no matter how you look at it, he was still a frog in a well.
Even if he established quite innovative and aggressive strategies and organizational structures by Ukraine’s standards, compared to future battlefield structures, he was still inadequate.
That’s why I had to deliver these facts.
A staff chief like him would surely understand what I was saying and could significantly revise the strategy.
“To put it precisely, the Ukrainian army itself is a mess. The rank system is not properly organized, and the command structure is a disaster.”
“May I ask why you think so?”
“Feel free to ask. Even if I were the battalion commander, you, Chief of Staff Joseph, are a senior figure with a higher rank.”
“Hmm… Yes. I almost forgot for a moment.”
Joseph nodded and added,
“I agree that the Ukrainian army is a mess, but I don’t think our battalion should be called a mess just because we achieved some results at the Limanskr Arsenal…”
“True, it’s better than before, but it’s still lacking. Haven’t you seen the mountain division of the Pry Free Democratic State firsthand?”
From what I know, the mountain division of the Pry Free Democratic State can exert 100% combat effectiveness even at the beginning of the war.
One of the reasons the Pry Free Democratic State highly recommends it to new players is because of this.
If you stayed in that mountain division before the Great War broke out, you would rapidly advance in rank and gather achievements as soon as the war started.
The reason the mountain division can exert such combat power is not just due to rigorous and well-organized training.
The biggest reason is the organization.
“The Pry Free Democratic State’s mountain division consists of three mountain regiments, each with four battalions. Each battalion has an average of 300 personnel, divided into three combat platoons, two reserve platoons, and one support platoon.”
I listed off the organization of the mountain division that I had studied in advance. Given that Joseph had worked there for nearly a year, he certainly knew this.
“When you first conceived the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Battalion, didn’t you get ideas from there?”
“Yes. At first, I intended to focus on developing the combat platoons while leaving the two less important reserve platoons aside.”
“That’s where the problem lies. The reserve platoons play a crucial role. Moreover, the support platoon’s organization is also flawed. It shouldn’t just be a staff section.”
The term “reserve” might seem unimportant at first glance. Terms like reserve number, reserve force, etc., give a sense of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances.
However, on the battlefield, it’s different.
Reserve units are one of the most effective organizations to minimize unit losses and determine the outcome of battles.
Does anything go according to plan in war? Historically and personally, units classified as reserves have never failed to be deployed in actual combat.
“If we had reserve units last time in Limanskr, we wouldn’t have needed to bring the third regiment.”
“That’s true…”
“Furthermore, aren’t we conducting special operations called ‘assault’? We’re performing tasks distinctly different from those of the Pry Free Democratic State’s mountain division and forming units for unprecedented operations.”
I continued relentlessly. With every word I spoke, Colonel Joseph’s hands moved faster.
His eyes were fixed on me, and his hands were moving frantically… If someone unfamiliar saw this scene, they might panic and run away.
“The 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Battalion should be reorganized into the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit.”
Joseph’s hand, which had been scribbling wildly, suddenly stopped.
“Combat unit…?”
“This concept may not exist in Ukraine or other countries, but given that we already operate assault units, it’s not unusual.”
When I was still in the intelligence service, I once discussed the organization with a U.S. military officer stationed there.
Given the deployment of U.S. forces worldwide, their basic model emphasizes mobility and versatility through Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs).
In essence, it’s a compact version of a division-sized operation managed at a brigade level.
By organizing a brigade with three combat battalions and one each of reconnaissance, artillery, engineer, and support battalions, it allows for flexible responses to any situation, as per the U.S. military system.
This is what I intend to implement now.
“Think about it. Considering the game’s setting is from the late 19th to the 20th century… even though it’s a leap ahead in terms of organization.”
In reality, until the major full-scale war and total war start in five years, we’ll enjoy quite a bit of fun.
How powerful would a unit that combines mobility and versatility be?
“Tell me more about that combat unit.”
Colonel Joseph’s eyes sparkled. I had thrown the bait, and he bit it.
Our conversation continued for a long time after that.
Surely, the sun was high in the sky when we started, but when I finally left the staff headquarters, it was pitch dark.
Even though we talked so much, there was still much to do.
Sony Chepelin had received maximum autonomy from King Orlando Rus III.
I intended to fully utilize this authority to completely overhaul the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Battalion.
Opportunities came sooner than expected.
But there was no room to relax.
I took out a cigarette from my pocket and looked up at the starry night sky.
Wow, it’s so beautiful.
*
“Did everyone sleep well?”
A few days after discussing the concept of a battalion combat unit with Colonel Joseph for the first time.
I received a letter dispatched from the capital city of Petrobona.
“His Majesty King Orlando Rus III has granted Acting Captain Enok Revendale of the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Battalion administrative authority and full powers over training and unit organization.”
“However, formal enlistment is not allowed; local appointments will be made but must not be reported to the Personnel Command.”
In short:
“Okay, do whatever you want, but you know it’ll be troublesome to officially register it, right? Let’s think about officially registering it later.”
Honestly, this is enough. There’s nothing wrong with it.
Moreover, given that the internal forces within the Soviev Empire are far more threatening, there’s no need to publicly advertise concepts like battalion combat units or local appointments.
Anyway, having received permission proudly from the highest-ranking military authority and the supreme ruler of the kingdom,
I immediately gathered all the battalion members.
“At ease!”
“Attention! Honor to the Acting Captain!”
“Glory to the Motherland!”
More than a hundred soldiers lined up in formation and saluted in unison. Their voices echoed throughout the entire battalion area.
“Glory. Dismiss.”
“Dismiss!”
Ah, this is what it means to be a commander…
Even if it’s just acting.
Seeing all the troops staring intently at me, waiting for my next words, I inevitably recalled my unfulfilled goals in real life.
‘I couldn’t achieve it in real life, but here I am playing the role of a battalion commander.’
For a moment, I felt overwhelmed with emotion.
I cleared my throat and unfolded the speech I had prepared.
“Did everyone sleep well? Before we start, let’s honor our fallen comrades who sacrificed their lives in the last battle.”
A solemn silence fell over the formation. Some soldiers, who had been close friends with the fallen, sniffled.
Six soldiers had died, and now eight. Soldiers Randal and Schmidt, who were ambushed by mutants.
Despite the efforts of Bella Meyer and the medics, both eventually passed away.
As more soldiers became restless and tears fell on the ground,
I began to speak.
“But one thing is certain: our 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Battalion has secured a decisive victory against the ruthless Soviev Empire. We carried out the first ever raid on the empire’s territory in Ukrainian history.”
The soldiers slowly raised their heads to look at me.
“Who achieved this? You did. Not only did we successfully execute the mission, but we also uncovered the empire’s hideous secrets, which became a weapon to strangle its lifeline.
Your courage in charging fearlessly toward the enemy, your pride in taking responsibility for not leaving a single comrade behind.
These noble and honorable actions reached even the distant capital. Those whose names I will call should come forward.”
I called out their names one by one.
“Chaykovsky, Rick Hanson, David Song, Brian Taylor, Robert Haley…”
They were all soldiers, looking puzzled as if they didn’t know why they were called. I descended from the podium and approached them, bewildered.
Then, I shook hands with Chaykovsky, the soldier standing at the forefront.
“Congratulations, Sergeant Chaykovsky.”
Not only did I call him sergeant, but I also attached the shoulder boards I took from my pocket to their shoulders.
Only then did the soldiers’ faces gradually turn to shock.
This was the first step in reorganizing the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Battalion into a combat unit.
Today, thirty soldiers unofficially became non-commissioned officers.
And many more were promoted unofficially.
Also, the first ‘non-commissioned officer cadre’ in Ukraine was born.
