The Perfection of Drill

Department of HumanitiesPsychology/Sociology Section

For: Chief EngineerSubject: The Infantry Platoon

During the indoctrination period, we learned many tasks whose only sole purpose was to make us pay attention to detail. One of the most important details comes in the form of the formation. Regardless of if it's squad or platoon level, the formation must be kept at all costs. This helps to ensure not only our precision when executing D&C (Drill & Ceremony), but also when we are on the battlefield. Here, the rigors of the drill are evident.

While once out on patrol, it became evident as to how important the drilling was. Our platoon was ordered to patrol the perimeter of one of our minor objectives. A group of skirmishers tried to harry our wedge. Armed with light crossbows, the wedge quickly shifted to allow our exposed flank to react while the other half of the wedge closed in to bring their own weapons to bear. The result was a ten-man front (we had lost two in an earlier battle of the week) firing in timed movements that made short work of the enemy. Needless to say, they withdrew after taking nearly one-third of their numbers in casualties.

One of our goals during the indoctrination was to learn how to plan platoon-level tactics and squad-level missions. We quickly learned how to establish sectors of fire (to ensure we didn't kill each other), movement procedures, defensive strong points and methods of attack.

I remember one of our attack plans that worked brutally well came in the form of a pincer attack. Through the supposed scout information we had "received", we divided the platoon into three parts: main body frontal attack (two squads), and the two "pincers" in the form of squads sent to take the flanks of one of our rival platoons and squeeze them into a tight mass that would keep them from being able to counter our attack. At least two-thirds of their force was destroyed. Needless to say, our DIs (Drill Instructors) were impressed.

Since maintaining formation isn't always possible, we learned when it was tactically sound to disperse our forces to conceal our numbers as well as to keep out of sight from any potential weaponry watching the area. This also works well amidst the uneven and broken terrains. Acheron's cubes are pitted and cluttered enough in some spots that the tactics of warfare change from en masse to guerilla, making skirmishers extremely valuable in these twisted terrains.

In assignment, I had been placed in a light infantry unit. Light infantry wear little to no armor and rely on weapons of speed for close in-fighting techniques. For ranged attacks, they rely on light crossbows and short bows. The speed and flexibility of the light infantry allows the unit to initially shock the mass of a formation and distract them while other, heavily armed forces close in on their flanks or come from behind to stiffen the ranks.

Heavy infantry employ light plate armors, large shields and piercing weaponry for skewering enemy troops. The heavy infantry closes in to take advantage of the confusion instilled by the light infantry or skirmishers. Thus, pressing their advantage, the foot units can decimate their enemy through such hard tactics.

The last foot unit, the skirmishers, is designed to harry enemy scout forces while protecting their own. Skirmishers are deployed over a wide front to mask the main body's actual lane of approach. The disadvantage to this comes in the form of their numbers being spread so thin. The main weaponry of the skirmishers varies. They employ a multitude of missile and thrown weapons for their main armaments and fall back upon the buckler and sword for their melee weapons. Skirmishers are highly mobile and wear padded armor at best.

So, I have now covered the broad area of intermediate and advanced infantry tactics. Next, I shall cover mounted tactics from what I know.

Calix Arvandus, Shaper 2.