The Armed Forces of Saxum

The Armed Forces of Saxum: Army, Marines, Navy, and Militias

The Armed Forces of Saxum are central to the country’s defence, tasked with maintaining order and protecting its interests both at home and abroad. These forces include the Army, Navy, Marines, and the Militias of the individual states. The structure is designed for flexibility and rapid deployment, with Saxum regularly sending mercenary forces to foreign conflicts, a vital source of income for the nation. Below, we explore the ranks, organisation, and unique features of Saxum's military forces.

Commander-in-Chief

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Saxum is the President of the United States of Saxum, as established in the nation's constitution. Holding the highest military authority, the President oversees strategic operations, defence policies, and the deployment of forces both domestically and abroad. They have the power to authorise military engagements, negotiate defence treaties, and direct Saxum’s military-industrial strategy. Given Saxum’s reliance on mercenary operations as a key economic asset, the President also plays a crucial role in managing these forces, ensuring they align with national interests while maintaining military readiness.

The Army of Saxum

The Army of Saxum is responsible for the defence of the country, maintaining order, and ensuring the protection of vital territories. It is an integrated force, where both regular soldiers and state militias play essential roles. The Army's uniform is distinctive, worn by both regular Army personnel and militia members, though the latter can wear different colours and designs to represent their state.

Army Organisation

The Army is organised into various tiers, each with distinct functions. The Army's organisation follows a clear hierarchical structure, ranging from the large Corps level down to the smallest battle formations.

Army

Led by a Lieutenant General (appointed by The Assembly) with an average of 80,000 soldiers. In times of war, numbers could theoretically reach 1,296,000. However, as Saxum is not currently at war, the standing army remains far smaller.

Corps

Led by a Lieutenant General, each Corps consists of 2 to 6 Divisions, with an average of 36,000 soldiers (ranging from 8,000 to 432,000). The Infantry Corps is assigned one artillery brigade, while the Cavalry Corps has two.

Division

Led by a Major General, a Division consists of 2 to 6 Brigades, with an average of 12,000 soldiers (ranging from 4,000 to 72,000).

Brigade

Led by a Brigadier General, a Brigade is composed of 2 to 12 Regiments, with an average of 4,000 soldiers (ranging from 2,000 to 12,000). Artillery Brigades consist of 4 to 6 Batteries, with the first three typically assigned to a Corps.

Regiment

Led by a Colonel, a Regiment comprises 2 Battalions, totalling 1,000 soldiers.

Battalion

Led by a Major, a Battalion consists of 5 Companies, totalling 500 soldiers.

Company / Troop / Battery

The smallest battle formations, led by a Captain with a First and Second Lieutenant. Companies and Troops consist of 100 soldiers, including a Sergeant Major, 3 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Musicians, and 90 Privates. These can be further broken down into 2 Platoons, each subdividing into 2 Sections, which further divide into 2 Squads.

Batteries consist of 6 field guns, organised into 3 sections of 2 guns.

The Army of Saxum is divided into Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery. The Cavalry is light and equipped primarily with repeating rifles, while the Artillery uses field guns for support during battle.

Enlisted Ranks in the Army

The Army's enlisted ranks are clearly defined, with a progression from the entry-level Private to the senior Sergeant Major.

• Sergeant Major: The highest enlisted rank, responsible for maintaining discipline and advising officers.
• Staff Sergeant: A senior non-commissioned officer (NCO), leading platoons and managing tactical operations.
• Sergeant: Supervises sections or smaller units, ensuring efficiency and discipline.
• Corporal: Leads squads, assisting with training and operational oversight.
• Private First Class: A more experienced soldier with additional responsibilities.
• Private: The entry-level rank for all soldiers, responsible for learning duties and following orders.

Militias and Private Regiments

In addition to the regular Army, the states of Saxum (Tamarillo, Wheatstan, Goldrock, and Fortune City) have the right to form their own Militias. These forces follow the same rank structure as the regular Army but may wear different uniforms that reflect their state identity. The Militias are often raised in times of need and play a crucial role in bolstering the nation's strength.

Private Regiments can also be raised by individual citizens or companies within Saxum. These units are not part of the official Army but must adhere to the same rank and insignia structure. Frequently used for mercenary work abroad, they are highly versatile and serve as an important source of income for Saxum, with units often deployed overseas to participate in conflicts.

The Marines of Saxum

The Marines of Saxum are an elite fighting force within the Navy, specialising in amphibious operations, coastal defence, and boarding actions. Marines are fully integrated into naval operations, providing crucial support during naval engagements and assaults. While they share much of the Army’s structure, their role aboard ships and in amphibious missions sets them apart.

Marine Organisation

Marines are organised into Companies and Platoons, similar to the Army, but they are always integrated with the Navy, stationed on ships or deployed for special missions. The Marine Corps uses the same rank structure as the Army, though Marines may receive additional specialised training in close-quarters combat, boarding actions, and rapid assaults.

The Marines are deployed for operations such as coastal landings, seizing strategic positions, and defending naval installations.

Enlisted Marines serve as Privates, Corporals, and Sergeants, with ranks and duties identical to those in the Army.

The Navy of Saxum

The Navy of Saxum is the seafaring arm of the military, charged with safeguarding the country's coastline, securing maritime trade routes, and projecting force globally. The Navy’s strength lies in its fleet of steam-powered and sailing ships, though the service is steadily transitioning to more modern vessels, including ironclads and steam-powered warships.

Naval Organisation

Like the Army, the Navy is organised into Fleets, Squadrons, and Ships. Each vessel is a self-contained command unit, with officers and enlisted sailors forming the backbone of naval operations.

• Fleet: The highest level, led by a Vice Admiral, composed of multiple squadrons and ships.
• Squadron: Led by a Rear Admiral or Commodore, a Squadron is a collection of ships organised by their role or mission.
• Ship: Led by a Captain, each ship serves as a strategic unit, carrying out a wide variety of operations, including patrolling, blockades, and supporting land-based operations.

Naval Ranks

The rank structure in the Navy mirrors that of the Army, with distinct roles on board ships, ensuring the chain of command and discipline are maintained. Enlisted sailors serve under Petty Officers, while Naval officers command the ships and fleets.

• Vice Admiral: The highest-ranking naval officer, in charge of overseeing fleets and strategic naval operations.
• Rear Admiral: Commands a Squadron, with operational control over groups of ships.
• Commodore: Leads smaller groups of vessels within a Squadron.
• Captain: The commanding officer of an individual ship, responsible for all operations aboard.
• Commander: A senior officer with responsibility for specific aspects of shipboard operations.
• Lieutenant Commander: Junior officer responsible for overseeing specific ship sections.
• Lieutenant: Mid-ranking officers who typically lead smaller groups or departments on board ships.
• Ensign: The entry-level officer rank in the Navy.

Equivalency of Ranks Between the Army and Navy

For clarity, here is a table comparing the equivalent ranks across the Army and Navy of Saxum.

Army Rank	Equivalent Navy Rank	Officer or Enlisted	Equivalent Role/Responsibilities
Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral	Officer	Highest-ranking officer in both branches, overseeing large units.
Major General	Rear Admiral	Officer	Senior officers, managing divisions (Army) or squadrons (Navy).
Brigadier General	Commodore	Officer	Commands brigades (Army) or small naval squadrons (Navy).
Colonel	Captain	Officer	Leads regiments (Army) or ships (Navy), responsible for operational success.
Major	Commander	Officer	Leads battalions (Army) or oversees departments on ships (Navy).
Captain	Lieutenant Commander	Officer	Mid-ranking officers, managing key operations or ship departments.
First Lieutenant	Lieutenant	Officer	Junior officers, responsible for small teams or specific tasks.
Second Lieutenant	Lieutenant (Junior Grade)	Officer	Entry-level officer rank in both branches, learning leadership.
Ensign	Ensign	Officer	The starting officer rank in both branches, responsible for gaining leadership experience.
Sergeant Major	Chief Petty Officer	Enlisted	Both are the highest enlisted ranks, providing leadership, maintaining order, and advising senior officers.
Staff Sergeant	Petty Officer First Class	Enlisted	Senior NCOs with leadership roles, overseeing large groups of enlisted personnel and managing operations.
Sergeant	Petty Officer Second Class	Enlisted	Supervisory roles in charge of smaller teams or sections, ensuring tasks are carried out efficiently.
Corporal	Leading Sailor	Enlisted	Junior NCOs in charge of squads or small units, assisting with leadership and training.
Private First Class	Able Sailor	Enlisted	More experienced enlisted personnel, sometimes given more responsibility within their teams.
Private	Ordinary Sailor	Enlisted	Entry-level rank, responsible for performing basic duties under supervision.