Kalistani Major History

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Defense Minister delivers Kalistani Readiness Report
Regular Force stands at 71% readiness
Bozo Rover CATC, Ananto
February 25, 5325


LtCol Heather Y. Bradley, Kalistan's Defense Minister, speaking highly of the 1st Regular Fleet's exceptional readiness

The Kalistani Regular Force is 71% ready to meet demands of Kalistani Strategic and Tactical Defense. This was the conclusion of the Kalistani Readiness Review, a new 5 year report that has been implemented at the Ministry of Defense within the last three years. "Some will look at that number and say 'a Low C' is no way to defend a nation," said Defense Minister Col Heather Y. Bradley. "But they do not consider a number of factors that went into our evaluation which I would like to share with the Republic. This is not to put an optimistic shine on mundane scores: We still do have a number of issues with our readiness which I aim to focus on in the coming two years. However: Considering where we have come from and compared to our closest potential rivals, 71% means we will survive most battles in tact, and in line with our defensive national security doctrine, that is the direction we ought to be headed."

Over the last two years, Defense Minister Bradley has been systematically grading Kalistani Regular units based on a number of rigorous criteria: Readiness for Combat operations within 48 and 24 hours, serviceability of combat weaponry and systems, completeness of complement, tactical innovation in combat wargames, tactical competency in a warlike situation, conformity to strategic mission, physical fitness, command and control infrastructure, and battlefield logistics. "Over all, Force-wide we scored 71.085% on a weighted scale of those criteria," said the Defense Minister. "Our strengths are in readiness, serviceability, innovation, and physical fitness. Areas for improvement are primarily in completeness, C&C, and logistics. These trouble spots will hinder our ability to carry on heavily coordinated battle field operations over a long war, and will be the focus of procurement and training going forward."

The Defense Chief singled out the 1st Fleet of the Regular navy for commendation: "This unit scored the highest in all categories except physical fitness," said Col. Bradley. "They also receive additional marks for their combat readiness drills which were outside of 1 standard deviation from the norm: Needless to say, the 1st Fleet has distinguished itself as a fast response team in the even of an impending combat situation, and gives us some illumination as to their evolving strategic role in the Anantonese Ocean." The 1st Fleet is stationed at Bozo River CATC and recently participated in joint exercises with the United Kingdom of Lourenne.

Lt. Colonel Bradley summarized the Republic's prospects in war. "We do face some challenges and some limitations, especially compared to more technologically advanced adversaries. However, let me also add a special note. A data point that does not make its way into our report is the variable of the Militia. I wouldn't have any idea how to appropriately score the Militia, using this scale. That said, they do offer a very important component to our nation's military readiness: The Militia can be relied upon, both the spar against for the regulars, but also to add strength to our Regular force. It will be militias who set up the first fire lines and will fire the first artillery barrages during any invasion. Their job when nationalized is not only to take the first life fire shots and regrettably, casualties, while the Regular force is spun up, but then to switch to their more traditional role as destroyers of enemy will to fight.

"While regulars sleep in their fire bases, the Militia will be out at night harassing the enemy, denying him sleep, engaging in hit and run battles against the forward vanguard of an advancing column of enemy soldiers, to blind them and to deny them confidence to continue to march. They will be the ones behind enemy lines destroying communications infrastructure, and logistics infrastructure, to starve, deafen, and disorient the enemy, and reduce his morale to the point that the enemy demands to return home and shoots any enemy officer who stands in the way. That is the job of the militia in combat. To do everything the laws of war do not allow our Regular Forces to do. They may act outside the bounds of 'respectable' warfare, but the sort of qualified immunity the possess within the Republic during times of war, should give our enemies that much more reason to pause and rethink their decision to attack Kalistan. Informally, it boosts our combat readiness appreciably."

The Socialist Party welcomed the report: Analysts thought it would come in lower, which would have called into question the Government's seriousness about procurement and refitting. "It has long been a goal of our government, through many an administration, to bring the military up to date," said Xavier Cortes, Deputy from Yoshimi. "And so far, each and everyone, Socialist and other, has failed to even get close to fulfilling their promise. It would appear that this Administration is at least trying, and I for one stand behind the efforts."

The Next Readiness report is due in 5 years, with the current 5 year plan for modernization ending in two, and then following the first three years of the next plan for modernization. Bradley said she anticipates higher numbers once changes from this Report have been implemented.