Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Militia Deepens Training
"The World is getting dangerous" says Captain
Razar TC, Duchy of Vrassa
May 31, 5520


Militia Demo Squad exhibits Destructive force of Improvised Explosives

Captain Raymond Norton of the Institutionalist Militia has one mission: "To get these men and women ready to defend this Nation if needs be," explains the Captain. He leads a company of infantry who specialize in the use and creation of explosive ordinance from various other materials.

"This world is getting dangerous," said Captain Nortion. "There are all manner of wars happening around Kalistan, and while foreign nations have wisely steered clear of Kalistani territory, we can't be sure that the recent beligerents won't soon set their sights on us. Especially since the Empress has decided that it is in her interest to start claiming titles and so forth. Things like that are sure to draw the attention of people, and it seems that the only thing people know anymore is war. So, we are doing our part to make any war that comes here as costly as possible."

Today, the Militia is learning about the tactic of creating casualties. "We are practicing the doctrine of non-lethality in this particular training evolution," said Captain Norton, as he instructs about 36 men and women who make up this particular company of Militia. They are carrying out their training evolution here at Razar Training Center in Vrassa, where they are also doing squad on squad tactics, conditioning hikes through the foothills on the Vrassan Plateau, and survival training. "Non-Lethal combat doesn't mean the enemy doesn't die. It just takes a lot longer for them to do so, preferably when they are back behind the lines, near their buddies, who can hear them scream for a good 18 hours before they finally succumb to sepsis. But we prefer that because 1) Killing a person takes one person out of combat, while wounding a person will take three: the casualty and his two friends who have to haul him back to the lines and then take care of him, and 2) watching your friend die in front of you makes you less interested in fighting and more interested in shooting the c--ksucker who is ordering you to fight."

Captain Norton covers aiming to wound. "Its a difficult shot to make, and I know you men and women are trained center mass, center mass, but if you aim a little bit lower, and hit the abdomen, that will keep them alive long enough to create a casualty rather than a kill." Captain Norton also covers how to make improvised explosives "... to take limbs off, but not cause a lot of instant death," says the captain. The use of shrapnel, ball bearings, and petroleum jelly mixed with soap shavings is said to be "particularly damaging."

"We want these men and women to know that everything can be used as a weapon in time of need or speed. We're training the militia to get out of the whole habit of thinking that the only thing we'll use in war is a firearm. They have to think outside the box and be creative, because the enemy, if they ever decide that they would like to threaten our country, won't have any mercy on us here in Kalistan."

While there is no particular threat on the horizon, the Captain shares the general overall strategic doctrine of peace through strength. "We know our Empress is committed to maintaining peace, and we appreciate that in her," said Captain Norton. "But we watch as country after country falls into war after war, and we have to think: Maybe we're next. You just never know. Hopefully we won't ever have to use this stuff, but, if we do, Kalistan is ready to become a meat grinder."

While Captain Norton and his demolitions squad blew up some homemade ordinances for the Paper, Norton is already preparing to go to the next stage in the training evolution. "This summer our Company is doing mountain and forest warfare training down at Lhasa. There we are covering claymores and shape charges. And we're learning not only how to disable a man, but also his vehicles with the use of a steel can, a handful of shotgun slugs, a bunch of composition B and a thermite grenade. Part of that involves disassembling dud artillery shells. Its a whole class but we're really looking forward to it." Captain Norton's command is one of 25 currently training with the Regular Army at Razar and will be joining 10 other militia companies in Lhasa this summer.