Part of the Federal Councils of Kresimiria.
The Council for Defence (Kresi: Savjet za Obranu) is the federal executive department responsible for the military, national security, and territorial integrity of the Divine Republic of Kresimiria.
Led by the Councillor for War (who often simultaneously holds the rank of Commander of the Army), the Council oversees the Kresimirian Army and the enforcement of mandatory conscription. Historically, it has functioned as the “Iron Fist” of the Republic, playing a central role in the Unification War and the subsequent occupation of District X.
While domestic policing is the domain of the Council for Internal Affairs (CIA), the Council for Defence maintains a heavy presence in the southern borderlands to deter aggression from Boskenmark and combat the paramilitary wing of AFIM.
Mandate and Powers
- Article 12: Designated the Council as the protector of the Republic against “all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
- Article 37: Establishes mandatory military service. Every male citizen (and since 2005, female citizens in non-combat roles) must serve 18 months upon turning 18. There is no provision for conscientious objection, a policy frequently challenged by Republic For All.
History
The Loncar Era (1921–1952)
The Council was shaped by its first leader, General Dominik Loncar. Following the victory of the Centralist Faction, Loncar transformed the revolutionary militia into a professional standing army. He established the University of Dubica-Viskogorje as the primary officer training school and founded Otonik Ordnance to ensure the Republic had a domestic supply of weapons.
The Occupation and The Purge (1950s)
During the “Iron Era” of Chancellor Kresimirovic II, the boundary between the Army and the Police blurred. Under the influence of General Borna Kulas (who moved from Otonik Ordnance to the CIA), the Army was deployed domestically to crush the BRC-21 insurgency. This period saw the militarization of the south, with checkpoints and curfews enforced by soldiers.
The Treaty and Containment (1961–Present)
Following the Treaty of Brod Moravice, the Council’s role shifted. It withdrew from direct policing (handing that role to the Civil Order Force) but maintained a “defensive posture” along the border.
- The “Ghost Trains”: The Council manages the armored supply trains that run through Moraviskameja via Republic Rail, prioritizing military logistics over civilian travel in the south.
Structure
- The Kresimirian Army: A conscript-based ground force. It is equipped with the Kres-55 rifle and heavy artillery manufactured in Cetingrad.
- The Border Guard: A specialized unit patrolling the mountainous border with Boskenmark. They are notorious for their strict enforcement of the “No Man’s Land” policy.
- Strategic Intelligence: While the CIA handles domestic spying, the Council for Defence operates military intelligence, focusing on foreign threats and the capabilities of AFIM’s cross-border smuggling networks.
Controversies
The 1965 War Crimes Trials
Following the peace treaty, several high-ranking officers were accused of atrocities committed during the occupation of the 1950s. While the Appellate Tribunal dismissed most charges due to a secret immunity clause, the trials stained the reputation of the Army and remain a source of grievance for the BLF.
The Council was shielded from the legal fallout of the post-war period by the 1967 State Secrets Act. This legislation retroactively classified the operational records of the Army during the occupation of the south, preventing the Appellate Tribunal from prosecuting senior officers for war crimes.
The Conscription Debate
The Civic Renewal Front (CRF), along with Republic for All, has long campaigned to end mandatory conscription, arguing it is an economic drain. However, the Council, backed by Blue Dawn, Vjetrusa and the Sons of Kresimir, maintains that the draft is essential for “national discipline” and integration.