Chapter 36: The High Echelon: The Meeting of the Gatekeepers
Alexandra stood her ground with the gazes of her comrades and superiors pointed at her. In front of the female Officer was the electronic round table that could emit a holographic display of the headquarters' surroundings.
She was the first to speak of the issues she had discovered during the recent crusade.
"The army's fighting and logistical capabilities have no problems."
"However... During the crusade of New Torrington, I notice something crucial in the battle."
"Soldiers of the same unit type tend to gather together to increase their effectiveness. Sentinels go with Sentinels, Grenadiers work together with Grenadiers, and Marksmen scout along with other Marksmen."
"This made me realize that despite the high versatility of each squad. None are efficiently utilized since the military code of Cerberus doesn't work with combined units."
Alexandra's words resounded in the electronic round table, with Duke heavily thinking about it. He understood what Alexandra meant.
The units tend to flock together since their unit type doesn't need combined armaments. A Grenadier can fight as well as the Sentinel, so why put them together?
Specialization also needed quantity to be effectively used. One Grenadier wouldn't be effective against an aberrant horde, but a group would decimate any horde.
"I understand what you mean, Alexandra. Do any of you have more troubles to speak of?"
Duke nodded after a short while of thinking and glanced at the remaining Officers. One of them stepped up. And it was Graham, the 7th Platoon Officer.
"My issue with the current structure is that the squads, platoons, and companies are too big for their own good. While I understand the undeniable importance of versatility and survivability."
"A bloated size can affect the efficiency of a unit group."
"In simpler terms, twelve soldiers for a squad is too much. The same with sixty personnel in a platoon."
Graham's words made Duke unknowingly frown, making the Officers somewhat anxious. Even the seemingly brave Graham had already begun doubting himself.
But in reality, Duke wasn't frowning because of them. Instead, he was astounded by his idiocy. It was an obvious problem, but he never noticed it.
What his Officer said was correct. The size of squads and platoons was too bloated. They couldn't efficiently, swiftly, and safely navigate through the wilderness with their size.
"Hmm... Your words make sense, Graham. I appreciate your input."
The words of the Director made the Officers sigh in relief. This also made them trust themselves in honesty when talking with their Director.
And so, the Officers, one after another, gave their thoughts and troubles during the recent crusade of Cerberus. Duke carefully listened to their words while Aurora stood beside him with her eyelids closed.
She felt proud that her Director was willing to listen to his underlings despite his unrivaled wisdom. It was an act that made Aurora understand that one must listen to be wise.
This will be a lesson she will take to heart in the future.
After a couple of minutes, the Officers concluded their reports about the current military structure of Cerberus.
Duke was in deep thought since some of the issues the Officers had spoken about were things he hadn't realized.
It was understandable since he was merely a civilian before becoming the Director. But that didn't mean he must stay that way.
He wanted to grow as a person who deserved to be the Director of Cerberus. And to do that, he must learn from those who were experienced.
"The problems you have disclosed to me are issues that must be solved to solidify the foundation of Cerberus."
"So, what are your solutions to it?"
Even though Duke sounded like he was asking them for solutions, his subordinates thought of it as something else. In their eyes and ears, he was testing them.
Whether they could think of solutions without his help.
If Duke ever heard of their revering thoughts about him, the only thing he would be able to do was sigh.
Achilles raised his hand and provided a solution to Alexandra's problem of the military structure.
"How about framing a unit-type squad instead of the usual combined squad? This would ensure that each unit type would have excellent efficiency in battle."
"Platoons would also have multiple unit-type squads to make them versatile while not affecting the efficiency of each unit type."
With Achilles's solution, the gears inside the Officers' heads ran in full motion. One after another, they raised their hands and gave their solutions.
"I agree with Achilles's proposition. And the squad numbers should be limited to six, while the platoons will be equipped with eight squads."
"I see where you are going. How about a platoon containing 3 sentinel squads, two grenadier squads, 1 marksmen squad, and 1 medical squad."
"Support platoons should also be included, and I propose a composition of ten squads in the platoon. It will have 3 medical squads, 2 mechanical squads, 2 engineer squads, 1 communication squad, and 2 logistic squads."
"Speaking of platoons, we should consider the company. I believe 4 platoons and 1 support platoon to be enough."
"I also think a clear separation of the infantry, mechanized, and armored division must be made."
The discussion of the Officers went on while Duke listened with a smile. On the other hand, Aurora had a scowl on her face since structural changes would also require adaptation of the logistical network.
However, she could only hide her scowl since this was for the sake of Cerberus and the Director. She understood the need for change, and one must not be lazy while doing it.
The Officer's conversation didn't last long since it wasn't hard to conclude what would change in the military structure of Cerberus.
The first change that Duke agreed to was the specialization of squads.
With the Director's agreement, the squads were separated into SAS, GOS, LRS, SRS, COS, MSS, EAS, AOS, APS, MRS, LOS, and DOS.
SAS[Sentinel Assault Squad(6 Sentinels)].
GOS[Grenadier Ordinance Squad(6 Grenadiers)].
LRS[Long-Reconnaissance Squad(6 Marksmen)).
SRS[Short-Reconnaissance Squad(2 Marksmen, 4 Drone Specialists)].
COS[Communication Operation Squad(6 Communication Operators)].
MSS[Mechanical Service Squad(6 Mechanic Specialists)].
EAS[Engineering Assembly Squad(6 Combat Engineers)].
AOS[Armored Operation Squad(3 Armored Operators, 1 Mechanical Specialist)].
APS[Aviation Personnel Squad(2 Aviation Pilot, 2 Mechanical Specialists, 1 Communication Operator)].
MRS[Medical Response Squad(6 War Medics)].
LOS[Logistical Operation Squad(6 Logistic Staffs)].
And finally...
DOS[Drone Operation Squad(6 Drone Specialists)].
The second one was the existence of multiple separate divisions in the Cerberus Military. At first, this wasn't needed. But with the procurement of the Armored Factory and Air Dock, a division was required.
Under the guidance of Aurora, the three divisions of the army emerged along with another department.
There was the army's Cerberus Infantry Division(CID), the Cerberus Mechanized Division(CMD), and the Cerberus Armored Division(CAD).
The new department, on the other hand, was the Cerberus Air Force(CAF).
Next was the third one, the composition of platoons and companies. At the moment, two companies were in the Cerberus Ground Forces, with the CAF somewhat empty.
The Cerberus Infantry Division's company included four platoons and one support platoon.
A single CID platoon will have 3 SAS, 1 GOS, 1 SRS, 1 COS, and 1 MRS. The CID support platoon consists of 2 MRS, 1 MSS, 2 EAS, 2 LOS, and 1 COS.
The total number of personnel in a CID company was 216 soldiers. It was a far cry from the original 300 soldiers company.
On the other hand, the Cerberus Mechanized Division's company consists of mainly three platoons and one support platoon.
One CMD platoon will have 3 SAS, 2 GOS, 1 LRS, 1 COS, and 1 MSS. The CMD support platoon has 2 MRS, 2 MSS, 2 EAS, 2 LOS, and 2 COS.
This means a single CMD company will have 204 soldiers.
The final one, the Cerberus Armored Division's company, was the lowest in personnel consumption amongst the three CGF divisions. It has four armored platoons and one command platoon.
One CAD armored platoon has 5 AOS. The CAD command platoon only needed 4 AOS, 1 EAS, 2 MSS, and 1 COS.
Totaling the personnel count to 120 soldiers.
The new department, Cerberus Air Force, had no planned groups. At the moment, they were too expensive for the Cerberus Headquarters to operate.
But who knows, maybe Duke could spare some source points for the CAF.
After the meeting ended and the Officers returned to their barracks, Duke glanced at his Administrator and asked.
"Did you record everything, Aurora?"
Aurora nodded and took out the papers detailing the meeting they had gone through in the Strategic Command.
"Four companies will be delegated in the Cerberus Ground Force. Two in the CID, one in the CMD, and one in the CAD."
Aurora reported the needed companies in the Cerberus Ground Force.
"Is it expensive?"
Duke raised an eyebrow while holding the paper given by Aurora. When Aurora heard his words, she shook her head and said.
"It doesn't require much funds since we already have the 600 personnel in our barracks. Perhaps the vehicles of the CAD might cost something, so I will look into it."
Duke sighed after hearing the word Vehicles. Units weren't too expensive, but armored vehicles in the Doomsday Mall were very costly.
"Good, I guess opening my wallet was inevitable."
"Maybe... But who's the one that loves spending his wealth?"
Aurora smirked at Duke, who could only chuckle in dismay.
"There is an opportunity I must take, regardless of how much it steals from my wallet."
To Duke, six months was a lot of time. He remembered his last six months. During that time, he saw civilization collapse into rubble.
He didn't want to wait for half a year for another opportunity. So he made sure not to regret it.
"I guess you're right, Duke."
Aurora softly smiled and stood beside the young Director.
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