The Ministry of Defence is hereby founded with the purpose of defending Austenasia and all its residents.
The Ministry of Defence will be led by the Minister of Defence. The Ministry of Defence will direct and fund the Austenasian Army, which will be led by the Field Marshal. [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 1]
The first Minister of Defence will be Lord William Kingsnorth, Duke of Royton, KOR, KCA, DSC.
The first Field Marshal will be HIH Crown Prince Jonathan. Upon his resignation, dismissal or death, the position of Field Marshal shall be held by the General thought most deserving by the Emperor (see Law 8 of this same Act.) [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 3]
All Barons are hereby ordered to recruit soldiers from their Towns. Every Town will have at least one platoon, each one with no more than 10 soldiers. Platoons of a Town will be under the command of the soldier of that platoon thought best by the Baron of that Town. That soldier will hold the rank of Sergeant. [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 4]
Every Province will have at least one battalion, each one with no more than four platoons. Battalions of a Province will be under the command of the Sergeant in that battalion thought best by the Count of that Province. That Sergeant will then hold the rank of Lieutenant. [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 4]
Every Duchy will have at least one regiment, each one with no more than three battalions. Regiments of a Duchy will be under the command of the Lieutenant in that regiment thought best by the Duke of that Duchy. That Lieutenant will then hold the rank of Major. [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 5]
Every Region will have at least one division, each one with no more than three regiments. Divisions of a Region will be under the command of the Major in that division thought best by the Archduke of that Region. That Major will then hold the rank of General. [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 6]
If a Sergeant of a platoon thinks that a Private is deserving of an award, then he can recommend that soldier to the Baron of that platoon’s Town to promote him to the rank of Corporal. A platoon can have no more than two Corporals. [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 4]
If a Lieutenant of a battalion thinks that a Sergeant is deserving of an award, the he can recommend him to the Count of that battalion’s Province to promote him to the rank of Sergeant Major. A battalion can have no more than two Sergeant Majors. [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 4]
If a Major of a regiment thinks that a Lieutenant is deserving of an award, then he can recommend him to the Duke of that regiment’s Duchy to promote him to the rank of Captain. A regiment can have no more than two Captains.
If a General of a division thinks that a Major is deserving of an award, then he can recommend him to the Archduke of that division’s Region to promote him to the rank of Colonel. A division can have no more than two Colonels.
All divisions are collectively known as the Austenasian Army, under the command of the Field Marshal and ultimately the Minister of Defence.
This is the hierarchy of military ranks, lowest first: [This law has been changed – see Act 140, Law 8]
Private
Corporal
Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Colonel
General
Field Marshal
Soldiers in the Austenasian Army are hereby permitted to use force in carrying out their orders to protect the Empire. This is not the crime of assault.
Recruits into the Austenasian Army must be:
Able-bodied and willing.
Must not have committed the crimes of murder, manslaughter, assault, armed robbery, treason or rebellion. [This paragraph has been changed – see Act 96, Law 1]
Must not have committed any other crime for at least 5 years beforehand. [This paragraph has been changed – see Act 96, Law 1]
When being recruited into the Austenasian Army, all new recruits must say the following oath:
“I, (name), swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear allegiance to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Terry the First and his successors, and that I will defend His Imperial Majesty in person, Crown and dignity against all enemies, and that I will observe and obey all orders of His Imperial Majesty, his successors, and of the generals and officers set over me. So help me God.”
The David Cross is hereby made the joint highest medal which can be awarded. It is equivalent to the Terry Cross. Only the Emperor can award the David Cross (DC). It is awarded for acts of the greatest heroism, courage or self-sacrifice in the name of duty by soldiers of the Austenasian Army during warfare.
Act 75, Law 6 does not apply for the Ministry of Defence. It will be given tax grants despite being run by Lord William.