Chapter 1300 - 1218: General Staff Department
The autumn wind was howling, with withered leaves flying everywhere.
The lawn at the entrance of the Holy Seat Mansion was covered with maple leaves, and the rows of sycamore trees at the door were equally red.
Squirrels wandered around the grass shed and stood up to watch when they saw Bernardo approaching.
Due to several incidents last year of Saint’s Grandson’s enthusiastic fans rushing the Holy Seat Mansion, the order of the Holy Seat Mansion was severely disrupted.
Although Horn didn’t think it was a big deal, he still built walls around institutions including the Advisory Council and a quarter of the Mansion Square.
Inside the walls, flower beds and lawns were added, with patrolling guards set up.
In Bernardo’s view, this should have been done long ago.
Stepping into the first-floor lobby of the Holy Seat Mansion, people were still coming and going, with monks hurrying by, carrying documents.
However, since most of the Holy Alliance’s important official institutions were located in the Mansion Square, they didn’t need to travel far.
He walked up to the second floor and headed straight to the office of the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Western Battle Group.
But passing by a new staff’s large office, he paused and turned in.
This large office consisted of eight long tables, each surrounded by four people, with documents piled on the desks.
One young staff member was not working but packing documents instead.
Stepping forward, Bernardo lightly coughed and couldn’t help but ask, "Where are you going?"
Looking up and placing the package on the desk, the young Secretariat staff member, Delawan, shyly smiled at Petier.
"Thank you for your guidance during this time. I’ve volunteered to go serve as an operations staff member in the Western Battle Group."
Horn established the battle group not just by appointing a battle group commander to command the other three battle groups.
When Horn was personally commanding three or four battle groups, he still had to bring a large group of staff and deputies, as well as personal troops.
The same applies to the Western Battle Group.
A battle group commander must bring a professional team to command so many battle groups.
According to Horn’s calculations, a battle group’s staff department requires at least 20 to 30 staff members, led by the chief of staff.
The most important amongst them are the operations staff, intelligence staff, and logistics staff.
Operations staff members, three to four in number, are responsible for formulating marching routes, troop deployment, and operational plans, as well as mapping terrain and tactical simulations.
Intelligence staff members, three in number, are responsible for managing the battle group’s direct reconnaissance teams, conducting intelligence analysis and prisoner interrogations, and liaising and cooperating with local intelligence networks.
Logistics staff members, three in number, are responsible for coordinating supply transport, accommodation arrangements, and the evacuation of the sick and wounded, as well as coordinating the requisition of supplies with local administrative departments.
The chief of staff is responsible for turning the decisions of the battle group commander into action manuals and specific orders issued to the battle commanders.
In addition to the staff department, the battle group also has a General Piety Office, led by the Senior Pastor.
This is naturally to manage all the Military Chaplains within the battle groups.
This brings us to the evolution of Military Chaplains in the development of the Holy Alliance.
Originally, Military Chaplains and scribes were essentially one and the same because most Military Chaplains had average skills and couldn’t perform many functions.
But with the establishment of a high school system by Horn, which provided a lot of talent for Military Chaplains.
Gradually, Military Chaplains finally achieved the initial goals set for them by Horn.
Ideological education, organizational construction, discipline inspection, mass work...
Although the ideological level of the Military Chaplains themselves was not very high, they could at least barely complete Horn’s tasks.
Moreover, in this era, to not be too poor in performance was considered good enough.
In addition, there is also a Clerical Office under the General Piety Office, responsible for daily records of activities and reporting upwards.
With one Military Chaplain assigned to each corps, there are three Senior Pastors per battle group.
Thus, a battle group has roughly 30 to 40 Military Chaplains.
Military Chaplains are responsible for political work, and staff assist in decision-making and ensuring implementation.
However, typically, such places are where people with poor foundational skills or unsuccessful results strive to make their mark, so why was Delawan going there?
Delawan was previously in the dispatch department of the Secretariat, but he was not content with clerical work and eventually chose to further his studies at the military academy.
After returning from further studies, he interned in the Secretariat’s staff office for a year.
Upon learning that the Holy Alliance was about to go to war, he volunteered for the front lines.
"Sir, compared to sitting in an office writing reports, I would prefer to become a general."
Bernardo looked at Delawan with a complex expression.
Since Delawan entered the staff office, Bernardo had been like half a teacher to him.
He originally intended to keep Delawan by his side and had even hinted at it to him.
But whether Delawan was too foolish or too smart, he still chose to go to the front lines.
"Has your application been approved?"
"Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but the orders from the staff office have already been issued."
"There is no longer a staff office," Bernardo said with a complicated look, "The staff office has separated from the Secretariat."
"What?"
"His Majesty has established three major institutions: the General Staff Department, the Military Affairs Department, and the Administrative Headquarters, responsible for the overall coordination, decision-making, and command during wartime."
Others may not realize, but Horn knew how difficult it would be to command 100,000 people, especially on vast lands.
The complex military orders, the slow and unreliable intelligence, the pressures from logistics and local areas...
Previously, with four or five battle groups, Horn personally took charge with accompanying staff, yet nearly had a mishap at the Battle of Grey Robe Hill.
Now it’s twenty battle groups. Once the war starts, several places in all directions may simultaneously be at war.
Gone are the days when a small group of advisors could aid a commander in battle, or a dozen or so staff members could assist a commander in war.
Without the staff, it doesn’t mean they cannot fight.
However, it will be fought very poorly. For an imminent major battle, Horn is not stingy in over-preparing.
Over-preparing is always better than no preparation.
"And you?"
Bernardo laughed heartily, "His Majesty has confidence in me, appointing me as the Minister of the Military Affairs Department. You’ll know the specific functions later."
Delawan pursed his lips, "It seems as if the staff office was set up just for Petier."
As soon as he finished speaking, Bernardo lifted his leg and kicked Delawan in the backside, "Making cynical remarks is a big no-no in the military, have you forgotten after being away for too long?"
Delawan could only chuckle.
In his view, Petier was just a mouthpiece for Saint’s Grandson, and his daily task was merely to convey the Crown’s will; anyone could do it.
As for Bernardo, he was genuinely writing summary reports and planning tactics. Who was the main force was clear as day.
"When you’re in the army, be careful with your words," Bernardo said while patting his shoulder, "Make sure to get along with the soldiers, observe, and listen a lot..."
Looking at Bernardo, who was advising him like a teacher, Delawan said nothing, just nodded heavily.
"Just in time, I need to go to the staff office to see your Western Battle Group’s chief of staff, Socette, I’ll take you to find it."
Delawan was initially surprised but said nothing more, only bowing again.
"Don’t engage in those sentimental gestures, I’m just passing by to deliver a message." Bernardo grabbed Delawan by the collar and lifted him up, "Let’s go."
"May I ask, what message are you delivering?" Due to their close relationship, Delawan half-jokingly asked.
"The Truth Daily should have been printed and published by now. I’ll just tell you directly." Bernardo’s response was unexpected.
However, Delawan knew that Bernardo was quite measured; if he could be told, it could definitely be shared.
With hands behind his back, walking down the long hallway of the Holy Seat Mansion, Bernardo said softly, "The Frontier Land with Falan has embarked the navy and officially initiated a rebellion a week ago. We need to make strategic adjustments."
"The Frontier Land?" Delawan was shocked, "At this time?"