Davostag

[Augustus]

 

Military Recruitment and Organizational Efforts is Going Smoothly

22 February 5629 | Kivonia, Davostag

 

In a report published by the Ministry of Defence, it shows that every year there is a total of about 130,000 men and women who are conscripted into the mandatory military service of the Krigsmakt (Davostag Armed Forces) yearly, that is to say all young adults who have completed the mandatory high school, and about 25,000 of them deciding to stay after their 32 month service is completed. Thus providing a steady stream of trained soldiers for the various branches. But due to the efforts by the government to give a greater focus on military development, about 6,000 adult citizens have in these past four months decided to return to the Krigsmakt, with expectations that even more might return this year. Thus gaining the best year of military recruitment for a long while. 

 

The Armed Forces High Command (MOK) has taken the recruitments into consideration in developing new organizational plans for the government and the Central Military Commission to approve. This would see the creation of several new divisions and dozens of new regiments for the coming years. But it also provides a focus on special forces units (Spezeg) and their role in operational successes. The current Spezeg forces are composed of three brigades, positioned in the Davostag Army, with two other stations in the Navy each in the two respective fleets. MOK has provided good reports on the standards, efficiency and professionalism of the Armed Forces, stating that they value and prioritize quality over quantity. Aided by advanced technological equipment by the All-State Defence Company ("ASFK") and their TAE military industries, one could argue that the MOK's desire probably stands true. They have also made it clear to the Ministry of Defence that they are not opposed to an increase in size, but that they would like to exert patience with diligence in ensuring that the quality remains the same as before an increase in new recruits.

 

Riksbladet also took note of a report by the Ministry of Defence that the foundations for three new army divisions could be completed by summer and their inauguration done next year, together with two new naval divisions, as the ASFK have greatly increased the production of new warships. In total, this would mean between 35-40 divisions and maybe an increase from eight army corps to nine. On top of this, a source in the Ministry of Defence claims that the government and MOK has laid out plans for about 9 nine Spezeg brigades, 51 battalions and totalling about 60,000 soldiers. If so, MOK does not shy away from their quality talk. Another source, this time directly from MOK, which is not common, has said that there is a blueprint being worked on for a plan build the Krigsmakt up to 800,000 active personnel in the coming six years, which would be the largest size Davostag's military would see since the very old days.

 

The main obstacle towards the campaign for rapid increase in recruitment is the Central Military Commission, a body that has acted in pure formality as a civilian oversight body (due to the 5585 events*) to keep the Armed Forces in check. With militarist sympathies still dominating in the government, the CMC has mostly been for show, but this time voices within it has begun questioning whether a rapid recruitment increase might not be a reason for the MOK to acquire more influence in the government and pose as possible future threat. One could argue that this fear is not unwarranted, Davostag has a very long history of military coups. But the determination of the rikspresident and MOK will certainly become a challenge for any critical voices, especially those within the state.

 

* (The 5585 events refer to several scandals and abuses by the Davostag Military Police and army officers that led to several major corruption and torture court cases and a public demand for regulation and oversight of the military. It went as far as the Riksdag (legislature), known for having been completely under the control of the government and the ruling party, revolting and threatening to bring down both the premier and rikspresident. All of this led to the creation of the Central Military Commission.)

 

News report written by Peter Åkerman.