Restoration

[Tkalec]

I open the cabinet revealing a row of bottles; a rare sight these days. Fine alcohol is hard to find and the prices are usually very expensive. The locals mostly drink home brewed moonshine but those liquors are of questionable quality. I choose a bottle and proceed to pour the valuable liquid in two glasses, one for myself and the other for the Major.


I hand him his glass and seat myself behind the table facing the Major head on. "I am going to be honest with you." I start. "The blunt truth is that the militiray forces in this region are too thin. We will need more manpower if we are going to retake the whole region."

 

[Quilboarian]

The Major gladly accepts the glass, immediately taking a small sip of the liquid. He nods as you say this, then offers a reply. "Well, during the meeting, you also brought up the issue of insufficient law enforcement. The soldiers under my command could be involving themselves more in such affairs- making the streets safer. But we won't be able to do that if we're off engaging infected and wild survivalists," he tells you.

 

[Tkalec]

"Leave the streets to the law enforcements. Your primary concern should be expanding our influence in this region." I say assertively. "However, I am glad that we both agree on the issue. That is why I am strongly considering requesting more troops. At the very least, a battalion sized unit could defend this place against almost any outside threat. But if we were to start initiating large scale operations, I fear that even a battalion wouldn't be enough. We may need to request a brigade to be deployed here." As I finish, I take a sip of the good old whiskey waiting for the Major to express his thoughts on my proposals.

 

[Quilboarian]

"If we requested the regular army to be sent in, they'd be under the control of somebody in national command, not you. And deploying them would probably only be for emergencies. Me and my men are essentially who you're trusted with to order around. If you want more troops that you have actual jurisdiction over, you're going to have to recruit locally and expand my unit's numbers. Though, it wouldn't be out of the question to request a few more military units to be transferred here, for you and I to control. But don't expect them to be very experienced. The government isn't generally fine with handing over their seasoned troops to somebody else," the Major says after a small drink from his glass. "But they've got volunteers and reservists that they wouldn't mind dumping on a superintendency like this."

 

[Tkalec]

I take a few moments to consider his words before responding. "What you speak of is true, but that doesn't put us in a great position. Let's consider the option to recruit locally. The problem we are facing here Major, is your rank. As you already know, as a Major you are limited to commanding a Company, under normal circumstances. So that means that we are limited to around two hundred and fifty men at most. Anything above that can be considered illegal unless we give them a good reason why you are commanding formations not designated for your respectful rank. Either that, or you somehow need to get promoted." I stop for a second to take another sip of the whiskey after which I continue. "However, there are loopholes but I doubt you'd want to hear about that."

 

[Quilboarian]

The Major scratches his chin and seems to think for a moment. "Hmmm. I've got an idea. You could raise men that are not under my command per se, as they would be a separate unit. They could officially be managed by you, or possibly your police chief- if you want to try and pull them off as law enforcement. In reality, they're just extra muscle that we're going to be using to reclaim the unsafe regions. You could consider them a militia, or 'special police,' I think," the Major says.

 

[Tkalec]

Suddenly, I realize that the Major probably won't be a problem in the future. Most importantly, he doesn't seem to mind me meddling with the military forces and doesn't oppose the idea of troops directly under my authority. Of course, I had set this meeting up fully prepared to barter with the officer in order to reach an agreement, but in the end I didn't even have to. From the start, all I really needed was him not opposing the creation of a paramilitary force under my command. Well, not only did he not oppose it, but he proposed the idea first. All it took were a few thought out suggestions and some carefully picked words. Truth to be told, he didn't have much choice anyway. I am certain that this is the best option for this district. There is truly no other way. "You are correct Major. Paramilitary forces are not bound by standard military rules of organization. And besides, this is a great way to tackle unemployment," I say.

 

[Quilboarian]

The Major nods after taking other drink from his glass. "Mhm, it is a good way to tackle unemployment. I'm not sure how it would work out if we had this force operating in and around the city of Denmont, though. I'm assuming the ranks will contain a lot of riffraff, and these men could behave poorly around ordinary civilians. That means it would probably be best to have them out retaking the zones, while domestic duties could be left to the city's policemen," he says. "My troops could handle the outskirts, but I don't think we'd want to endanger our best men by sending them into the heart of the infested regions."

 

[Tkalec]

"We would train them here of course and then dispatch them to infested areas. The benefits that arise from this solution are invaluable. Our forces will be significantly strengthened and a lot of questionable individuals will be removed from the streets."


Satisfied with our new agreement, I decide to smoke another cigarette. "Very fine tobacco. Extremely hard to find." I say, offering one to the Major before lighting mine.

 

[Quilboarian]

Major Kirley nods and accepts a cigarette, reaching out and taking one from the cardboard packet that you offer. He keeps it between two fingers, as if waiting to see if you're going to light it. "Thank you," he says. "Now, I suppose it would be good of us to meet again later and discuss the organization of this paramilitary force, if you would like my input there."

 

[Tkalec]

Honestly though, I didn't care whether he wanted to involve himself in organizational matters as long as I stayed in command. "Of course. I will notify you when I start dealing with the matter." I say, putting the cardboard back in my pocket. I offer a hand to the Major. "I am glad we had this meeting."

 

[Quilboarian]

Major Kirley extends his free hand and gives you a firm handshake, before retracting his arm and digging around in his uniform pocket for something to light his cigarette with. He pulls out a reusable lighter, flicking it on as he holds the cigarette up to his mouth, and the lighter to the tip. He leans back in the chair, taking a puff or two afterwards and putting the lighter away. "Well," he says. "Will there be anything else, Mister Marshall?"


[You can decide to end the day, and go about the planning of your paramilitary group semi-OOCly.]

 

[Tkalec]

In a slow hand motion, I pull out a box of matches and take one out of the box to light a cigarette with. First I light the match and then position it next to the tip of the cigarette, lighting it in the process. I take an unusually long puff and blow out a considerable amount of smoke. I flap my hand in a fast motion to extinguish the match as the nicotine begins to run its magic and I start to feel relaxed. "No Major, that would be all." I say.


[i'd like to do the planning now.]

 

[Quilboarian]

[i'll be on in a few hours, this is somewhat rushed.]


He nods. "Very well, thank you for the whiskey and cigarette," he says as he rises from his chair and pushes it in. "Good morning," he tells you as he exits your office and closes the door behind him.


You may now spend the next few days planning on how to structure and organize the paramilitary group you had in mind.

 

[Tkalec]

[it's alright. How would I go about and plan this? Do I just list what I want completely OOC or?]

 

[Quilboarian]

[How about a sheet? If you feel like anything else should be added, say so. You can ask random advisors for quick input.


[Ranks, uniform, training and such can come next.]


Organization Sheet


Basic Information


Name:


Type:


Role:


Emblem:


Motto:


Enlistment Standards





Gender:


Age:


Physical Fitness:


Criminal Record/Loans:


Education:


Notes

• It is required by federal law to possess citizenship in addition to a safe-zone passport when joining a uniformed service.
  
• The regular military tends to disqualify people based on their ethnicity, if said ethnicity is associated with a current/previous enemy country.
  
• The regular military tends to disqualify people that were suspected to have been part of hostile groups before they were rescued, if the person lacked almost all records of their whereabouts during the outbreak.
  
• The regular military tends to disqualify people with close family members that went missing during the outbreak, especially if the enlisting person has no other close relatives/friends left. This aims to prevent people with nothing to lose from signing up, getting training and gear, and immediately deserting the military in order to go look for their lost relatives.
  

 

[Tkalec]

Basic Information

Name: Volunteer Guard

Type: Irregular Military Forces

Role: Retaking infested areas

Motto: "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war" - The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare

Enlistment Standards

Gender: M/F

Age: Above 18

Physical Fitness: Must pass physical fitness test and mental health test

Criminal Record/Loans: Accepting individuals regardless of their criminal records (if all other requirements are met)

Education: Finished primary school​

 

[Quilboarian]

The name "1st Volunteer Battalion" could be set as the name of the first unit, but what is the name of the paramilitary as a whole? [ex: Volunteer Troops, Volunteer Forces, Expansion Forces, Expeditionary Militia]


An advisor notes the presence of the rifles on the emblem, and asks if any will be equipped with Emlite-type rifles [universe's M16-equivalent]. They can be rather hard to get, which is why it isn't uncommon to see national guards carrying around semi-automatic rifles and submachine guns as supplements.

 

[Tkalec]

[updated info above]


Whenever possible, unit commanders and NCO's will be equipped with Emlite-type rifles. Lower ranks will be equipped with whatever is at disposal at the time.

 

[Quilboarian]

For weaponry, civilian hunting rifles, shotguns and a surplus shipment of semi-automatic battle rifles will likely be the mainstay of the volunteers. The authorities may be able to donate several submachine guns confiscated from criminals, as well. You will be able to secure at least several Emlite assault rifles, but at some monetary expense.


For uniforms, some possibilities would be a set of especially outdated fatigues from the military, coupled by water camouflaged looking things the members bring along themselves. Identification could be done using armbands, if it is cheaper than sewing insignias directly onto uniforms. For headwear, it would be easier to simply make it necessary for every recruit to bring a cap or hat to wear himself, but it could be possible to secure some surplus helmets, standard-issue army helmets, or police riot helmets.

 

[Tkalec]

[shit, sorry, I was extremely busy the last two days.]


We'll make do with any available weaponry, also donations are always welcome. Any uniforms are suitable for the time being. Helmets and caps can be brough from the home.


As far as the recruitment goes, we'll start with prisons and posters will be promptly placed around town to raise awareness. With the current unemployment rate, we should get enough volunteers from the street.


Also, it seems that we will need to make some kind of a deal with the police commissionare concering the equipment they could donate and we need an approval to start recruting in prisons. Even though I doubt they'd have a problem with clearing their cells.

 

[Quilboarian]

[Not a problem.]


The Chief of Police, Roger Colinson, seems willing to allow convicts to enter into voluntary paramilitary service as an alternative to longer prison sentences, as long as such penal units do not operate in or around the city. He says he is unwilling to allow prisoners convicted of capital crimes to serve, however.


Defense analyst Adam Grund expresses disagreement on recruiting convicted criminals into a paramilitary force. "Drug addicts, thieves and othe degenerates shouldn't be given weapons and grouped together. Expect major disciplinary issues and generally ineffective fighting men. We won't be able to have sufficient oversight of such units, due to the lack of military policemen in our local forces."


National Guard officer Harry Daudery, however, seems to show support. "It's good to have some of the prison population actually doing something useful. Though, we should maybe keep them separate from the other men, as to not lower overall morale. That would be good to have, so the most dangerous tasks wouldn't need to be taken by the other troops, who probably joined to feed their families. We could always recruit some men to give oversight of these penal units; just offer some experienced policemen some special training and a position with higher wages. Though that would mean less policemen on the streets, it's better than having these criminal-troops get out of control."

 

[Tkalec]

"I will not segregate my troops based on their criminal records!" I make a loud remark during the meeting, interrupting the argument between the two men in the process. "Every recruit must be equal to the man standing beside him. Otherwise, how do we expect them to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion. I assure you, if we segregate these men and oversee them like animals, they will behave like animals. Furthermore, if a unit consists solely of criminals, it is highly likely that the unit will revolt eventually. That is why we will structure these units heterogeneously, with recruits of various backgrounds and personalities." I finish letting them know that my word is final.


"And as far as the morale goes, I will personally choose the officers who will command these units. We are looking for men with high competence and decisiveness. They will be authorized to devise penalties based on the offense, with the highest being a swift execution on sight."

 

[Quilboarian]

Advisory Committee member Leonard Taxley voices his agreement. "Yes, it shouldn't be too much of an issue for criminals to be part of the same units as normal volunteers. Remember that both criminals and non-criminals will be serving for identical reasons- because they've got to. A lot of our normal recruits likely consist of criminals that just haven't been caught, too. I do not expect the average poor soldier to harbor many bad feelings towards a former petty criminal," he says.


"But, you have to draw the line at some point. The troops might not tolerate serving alongside certain criminals. While it's easy to understand why one convict may have been stealing food to feed his family, being forced to serve alongside a rapist or gangster may create tension among the troops. The squad could take justice into their own hands."

 

[Tkalec]

"I find that scenario highly unlikely and have a hard time following your reasoning. What makes you think that the former inmates will willingly present themselves as rapists or murderers? Even if some fellow recruits are aware of some rather insidious backgrounds, I assure you that they will not act against their fellow soldiers. The conduct of this unit shall be kept orderly and proper by the designated military personnel. Otherwise, harsh disciplinary measures will follow." I say pretty determined with my view on the issue. "Now, I will not hear another word on this subject. I have listened to your different inputs regarding the issue and your concerns are appreciated, but I stand firm with my decisions."