# Arcadian Reforms

Seeing the state of our armies, made up of untrained peasants and having to rely heavily on mercenaries whose loyalty is questionable i propose to the honorable Signo and the court the following reforms to the structure Republic Army of Macedonija and the Frankokratia:

I propose we base our army structure in the heavily succesful structures of the Eastern Romans and the Roman Republic combining both sytems to make up for the others' shortcomings.

First, on the matter of low available recruits and they themselves being untrained to fight and poorly armed. I propose that the office of marshel is given the powers to offer the poor and disenfranchised masses permanent employment for pay as professional soldiers and the opportunity to gain spoils on campaign as well as a further incentive provided after their tour of service is done in the shape of a small alotement of land. This tour of service would be for 20 years of employment with the corresponding wages, the ability to keep their weaponry after their tour is done and the opportunity to keep in the army should they see fit to do it.

We would have a good standing army core of career soldiers, with a contracted employment and standardized training and equipment. Drilling and training will take place all year round, even in times of peace, not just when war threatens to break out. in times of peace and in certain circumstnces during peace as well the army will engage in infrastructural improvements besides their training and drilling, primarily on building roads and the like.

To foster the trust between these recruits and us they will take an oath to the Republic of Macedonija and the Frankokratia ~and their standing marshel or general~ [Removed] in the name of Christ our lord so as to make defections a dishonorable action not only in our eyes but in the eyes of God himself.

We would adopt a system close to that of the Roman Legion using cohorts the total number of fighting men in a full strength legion will again be about 4,800 soldiers. The internal organization of a legion will consist of 10 cohorts of 6 centuries each. The century will consist of 80 men and will be led by a centurion or sarjeant. Each century will be divided again into 10 contubernia led by a decanus. The contubernium will contain 8 legionaries and 2 non fighting camp helpers and or trainees whom will also fight should the need arise. The century will fight as a unit, march as a unit and camp as a unit they will carry with them all the arms and accoutrements required to feed and maintain it as a fighting unit. Each man will be responsible for carrying his own supplies, weapons and several days' worth of rations which will increase the mobility and fighting preparedness of our army.

Every legion will also have two more pseudo leaders in command position in each, a camp prefect whom will be in charge of the infrastructure and siege weaponry of the legion and a military tribune who will be appointed by the court to both acquire experience and report any activities the legion engaged on while on campaign, to corroborate the Marshel's own account.

~The private armies of the nobility in case they should have one, will be recognized as part of the army of the republic and be called upon in time of need, but they will be also be given the honors accordingly. For this they will be organized into the Bucellarii of the Eastern Romans, making the private armies of our nobility fight for the Republic and not only for their own masters but they will be given a place of prominence in the army as beffiting of their higher status and will be given the opportunity to advance their careers inside the army.~ [Removed]

In case of war the defense of the republic will fall to the marshel's office who will assume control of the overall army and strategy for the war but will also respond to the court and signo after the war for any and all actions commited while on command, each marshel will have a second in command as should the worse happen and they fall in battle the chain of command should not be interrupted. In the case we have right now, were there's more than one marshel in office the court would pick one of them to assume overall command with the other one acting as their chief advisor and replacement should they fall in battle.

And thusly my reform proposal ends, should it pass i guarantee the defense of the republic will not be a matter of worry ever again, for we will stand at the ready to fight any and all enemies for the glory and honor of Macedonija.

Signed by

Arcadio Villani, Marshel of Macedonija