The Armed Forces of Saxum
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 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.
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.
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.
For clarity, here is a table comparing the equivalent ranks across the Army and Navy of Saxum.
| Army & Marine 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. |
| First 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. |
The Army and Marines Enlisted Rank Insignia
The design of enlisted rank insignia is consistent across all branches of the Army, with variations in colour and background to denote specific roles. Marine chevrons differ slightly, pointing in the opposite direction from their Army counterparts. Other than this distinction, all follow the same insignia system unless otherwise noted.
| Branch | Stripe | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Infantry | ||
| Cavalry | ||
| Artillery | ||
| Marines |
The Army, Marines and Staff Rank Insignia
Officers in all branches of the Army, the Marines and Staff wear 'shoulder boards' to denote their rank. The background colour denotes their Branch and the
| Branch | Background |
|---|---|
| Infantry | |
| Cavalry | |
| Artillery | |
| Staff and Marines |
Weapons Technology in Saxum
Saxum's military is currently in a transitional period regarding weapons technology. The Army and Marines have been relying on muskets for many years, though newer, more efficient firearms are slowly being introduced, particularly in the Cavalry and some Artillery units.
The shift from muskets to breach-loading rifles is underway, with cased ammunition becoming more common. However, this transition is gradual, and many regiments still rely on the older technology, particularly among the Infantry. The Cavalry has embraced repeating rifles, which offer a greater rate of fire, and these are considered standard issue for mounted units. Despite this, most of the Army continues to equip soldiers with muskets, especially in less advanced or frontier areas.
Artillery has also seen progress, with advancements in field guns and howitzers. These weapons are increasingly used in battle, with units adapting their tactics to utilise these more effective tools of warfare. The transition is slower for Infantry, as training and logistics must adapt to the new weapons.
While the pace of change is uneven, Saxum's military leaders are aware of the need to modernise, and the shift towards more advanced weaponry continues to shape the future of the Armed Forces.
The Navy of Saxum operates a variety of ships suited to different roles, from patrolling and defence to offensive operations. While the transition to more modern steam-powered ships is underway, many of the Navy’s vessels are still reliant on sailing technology, though this is rapidly changing. Below is an overview of the primary ship types used in the Navy:
1. Steam-Powered Warships
These ironclads and steam-powered vessels are the most advanced ships in the Saxum Navy, able to carry heavier armament and withstand significant battle damage. Steam-powered ships are equipped with iron or steel hulls, offering greater protection than their wooden counterparts. These ships are intended for offensive operations and blockades, providing flexibility on the high seas.
- Ironclads: Heavily armoured ships, specifically designed for combat. These vessels are equipped with cannonry and often feature twin engines, enabling better manoeuvrability.
- Steam Frigates: Lighter than ironclads but still steam-powered, these ships serve as the scout ships of the fleet. They are fast and capable of patrolling large areas.
2. Sailing Ships
Although transitioning to steam, many of the Navy’s ships still rely on sail power, particularly for long-distance travel or situations where steam is not ideal. These ships, once the pride of the fleet, are still used for escorts, patrols, and defence.
- Sloops of War: These ships are smaller, lighter sailing vessels designed for coastal patrol and blockade duties. Their speed and manoeuvrability make them effective in harassing enemy supply lines.
- Frigates: Larger than sloops but smaller than the massive ships of the line, frigates serve as the primary line-of-battle vessels for most engagements. They can also carry more extensive crews and armament than sloops.
3. Support Ships
In addition to combat vessels, the Navy also employs support ships, which provide logistical support and assistance to frontline vessels. These ships are vital for maintaining the Navy’s operational capacity.
- Supply Ships: These ships are designed to transport essential supplies like food, ammunition, and other provisions to keep ships at sea for extended periods. They are equipped with the basic necessities needed to sustain the fleet.
- Repair Ships: Equipped with workshops and storage for spare parts, repair ships ensure that damaged vessels can be maintained or repaired while out on the water. These ships are invaluable during long engagements or on overseas deployments.
4. Coastal Defence Vessels
These vessels are tasked with defending Saxum’s coastal waters and ensuring the protection of strategic ports.
- Gunboats: Small, fast, and heavily armed, gunboats are ideal for coastal defence, capable of patrolling and engaging enemy ships close to shore. Armed with light artillery or cannonry, they can fend off smaller vessels or pirates.
Well Known Ships
- U.S.S. Resolute – Ironclad
- U.S.S. Valiant – Steam Frigate
- U.S.S. Eagle's Flight – Sloop of War
- U.S.S. Vanguard – Frigate
- U.S.S. Defender – Gunboat
- U.S.S. Tempest – Frigate
- U.S.S. Ironclad – Ironclad
- U.S.S. Wanderer – Sloop of War
- U.S.S. Reaper – Steam Frigate
- U.S.S. Gallant – Frigate