Spotlight: TUFM

[TUFM]

 

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Figure 1 - The Current Flag of UFM 2023 - (known as the 'Flag of the Union')

 

Figure 2 - The Flag of TUFM 1984-2023 - (Known as the '1984 Crest Flag')

 

 

SPOTLIGHT 1 - THE MILITARY OF THE UFM

The Armed Forces of UFM are split into 3 Distinct categories. The Red Army (Composing Land Forces), The Red Air Force (Composing Air Defence and Delivery) and The Red Navy (Comprising Sea based Forces. Each of these forces administers independently however they are overseen by a permanent Joint Headquarters based in ROBERTOGRAD, TUFM. Seconded to these is an Expeditionary Headquarters which is deploy able overseas. 

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SPOTLIGHT 2 - RANKS OF THE UFM MILITARY

Figure 3 - A Chart of the Ranks of The UFM Military - Click to enlarge

 

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SPOTLIGHT 3 - THE UFM NAVY

Figure 4 - The Cap and Arm Badge of the Red Viking Commando

 

Figure 5 - The Beret and Badge of the Red Viking Commando 

 

The Red Viking Commando are the Marine (Naval Infantry) Element of the Union Army. They operate mainly in a maritime role however all members of the Red Vikings are Parachute Qualified. They work closely with the Parachute Divisions and are considered semi-special forces. Their main tasks in modern warfare are more than simply fleet security and two of the Brigades are capable of projecting in a shock/Light Capability. Their ethos is to seize and hold territory until relived, much in the same vein as the Parachute Division.

Their lineage can be traced back hundreds of years to the Norse and British Marines, with much of the ethos coming from the Royal Marine Commando, but the style and spirit of the Vikings and their expert Maritime ability. There are 3 Red Viking Commando Brigades each containing 3 Battalions. These Brigades rotate in a Bi-annual (once every two year) Roulemont with one being attached to the Parachute Division and the two remaining within their own Division, the 12th (Viking) Division. One of Brigades within the 12th Division is constantly on 'wet' duty - in which the strength is split between the fleet to provide protection for naval vessels.

 

Red Viking Commando Units wear the Emerald Green Beret with their Regimental Cap Badge in dark metal depicting a Viking Long Board surrounded by Viking Shield, in Laurels with the Red Lion above and a cypher across the bottom bering the Words 'Red Viking Commando'. On the blanking patch or Right shoulder is a Scroll in Black and Red (Black and Green for subdued) Bearing the same words and below a Upturned Sykes and Fairburn Commando Knife in shield borrowed from the Royal Marine Ancestors.

Commando are designed a Naval Unit despite being on Army Strength and as such are allowed to wear longer beards which every man within the commando undertakes as a point of pride. Equipment worn is standard except the wearing of a Bearded Axe, either on the opposite side as the Bayonet when in the field, or on the Right Hip when wearing Number 2 or Number 1 Dress. There has been some question as to whether this was suitable for modern operations and was considered inhuman, however a series of studies showed that despite it simply being considered a traditional thing, Kills with the Bearded Axe have been reported as recent as 2019 during anti-piracy patrols within the Haven.

The Commando have no formal motto, an informal saying of 'bardagi ríkir' which is from the norse meaning 'Battle Reigns' and which is used in the context of saying that nothing is more important than the fight.

As of January 2021, No2 Red Viking Commando is part of the 6th Parachute Division based as Gulford Barracks in Georgiagrad. No1 Red Viking Commando is on Naval Roulemont (Wet Duty) Operating throughout the fleet from Port Stanley and No3 Red Viking Commando is based at Brennan Barracks just outside the Naval Station.

 

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Edited January 4, 2023 by TUFM
updated logo

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 9 - REPLACEMENT WEAPON SYSTEM FOR UFM ARMED FORCES

ARMFORD COMMUNE - FEBRUARY 16th 2021.

The Secretariat of Defence this morning announced an immediate replacement and modernisation program for the ageing L1A3 Self-Loading Rifle. The L1A3 was introduced into Service for the Former Albion and Asar Colonies in the Early 1960s during the Colonial Period. During Unification in the late 1990s it was adopted for use in the State as a whole and was used right the way through the revolution until now. It has undergone three major refits in its time the most recent being an update Barrel and weight reduction of the Receiver at SATUS in 2013. The FN FAL (which the L1A3 is based upon) was the workhorse of many NATO countries however the need for a shorter, lighter and overall more modern Weapon system has expediated this program.

An opportunity to utilise the L85A3, SCAR (Both L/H Variants) and the HK417 and all three weapons were brought in for trials by the Small Arms training and Development Company, part of the Red Corps of Engineers based at Curran Ranges, Norse Union.

The L85A3 was found to be a competent weapon system, though it faired slightly worse in cold weather trials and its Bullpup design was not popular with Servicemen not familiar with the system. The HK417 faired well in all tests, however the Weapons Length was questioned. Whilst shorter than the L1A3, it was still longer than required and its weight was slightly heavier than the other options. The SCAR-H in its 7.62mm Round Variation was found to be the most suitable. Slightly lighter than the HK417 and L85 A3 and with the Stock folder, much shorter at only 711mm. It faired extremely well in Trials in all conditions and an agreement has been signed with FN Herstal in Belgium to License build the SCAR-H under the UFM designation L21-IBR (or simply, Individual Battle Rifle) and this program will commence in May 2021. In the meantime, 50,000 SCAR-H have been ordered to be delivered as soon as built by FN itself and Spotlight understands that enough rifles to equip two Divisions have already been delivered and a weapons replacement program will begin in Mid-February 2021.

This will not be the end of the road, however for the L1A3 Weapon system. At present, there are approximately 1.2 Million L1A3 Weapons in various states, Issued to elements of the Red Army, Air Force and Navy. These weapons will be withdrawn from Front-line general issue and will be held with Reserve and Cadet units until March 2022, when the IBR will completely replace them. The Weapon system will then be held in mothballs for a further 5 years before disposal and selling off. 2 L1A2s will be held for every Rifle Section however, as a Designated Marksman Weapon due to its extreme Accuracy. The L1A3 SLR and L21 IBR both use the NATO 7.62x51mm Cartridge and as such can interchange ammunition. A surplus of parts and useable weapons will be kept, ranging in/around the 50,000 weapons mark. The rest, as already Single shot only, will be sold to the civilian Market or used as part of the DNAS (Developing Nation Acquirement Scheme).

Figure B1 - Conceptual sketch of the 7.62x51mm L21 Individual Battle Rifle

 

 

Figure B2 - The L21 IBR with ACOG Scope - As delivered from SATUS

Edited January 4, 2023 by TUFM

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 9 - CAMPAIGN AND SERVICE MEDALS

With the joining of the Ampersand alliance in 2019 and the subsequent moved to Bourbon Street, Servicemen and Woman of the Armed forces, Relief Services and Emergency Services became Eligible for Campaign/Service Medals issued by the alliance. At the time of writing these are the following Campaign medals shown in a Court mounted medal Rack. 

From Left to Right:

The Apophis Engagement Medal: 

Awarded for Service in the defensive war against the Alliance 99942 Apophis (99A). 

 

The Last Ride Medal:

A Global conflict which took place between May 2nd and 20th 2021. This was the last Conflict with the Quack Sphere.

 

The Duckhunt Medal:

A Global Conflict which occured between October 30th and December 14th 2020. this resulted in The defeat of the Quack Sphere. TUFM Units fought alongside Ampersand Units in the Northern Theatre.

 

The Ten-Day Medal:

The Ten-Day War was a Global war that was fought between August 21str-31st 2020 During which units from the Ampersand Alliance took up Arms as part of the Swamp/Hedge Accord. 

 

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There are four Medals issued form the first Bourban Street Campaign and their details are to follow. 

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2023 by TUFM

[Indger]

lol

Isn't it ''Non ducor,duco'' ? 🤣

[TUFM]

Well spotted. I'll have it changed!

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 10 - CAP BADGES OF THE UFM ARMED FORCES

The UFM Forces are split into 3 Distinct Arms as per most modern Armed Forces - Army, Navy and Air Force. 

The Cap badges are displayed below and in the coming months, more detail into each will be added. These are representative drawings and coloured pictures and renderings as well as photos of originals will also follow.

Most Regiments and Corps of the UFM Forces draw their heritage from the Colonial era - A large proportion being of Anglo (British) or Norse (Scandinavian) origin, as the Russian Colony did not field a separate Colonial force. Certain Units do however take on the Russo (Soviet Russian appearance, however these are not proportionate). 

Due to the UFM policy of not displaying crowns due to their association with non-democratic single rule, any previous unit badges or crests (specifically the Anglo-Norse ones) have had their crowns replaced by the triple tiered Armford Castle which became a symbol of revolt after its storming during the revolution. 

 

Edited January 4, 2023 by TUFM

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 11 - RELEVANT LEGISLATION UPDATE

The National Identity Act 2023. 

S1. The Current National Flag of the Union of Free Men, established Circa the 1984 Revolution is to be replaced by the Tri-Star Variant approved by Government in 2022. 

S2. The original flag will be known as the 1984 Crest Flag, and the 2023 Flag known as the Flag of the Union. 

S3. The 1984 Flag is to be retained as the Crest and Seal flag of the Union and will remain in use in that capability. 

S4. All state flown flags will fly the Flag of the Union from April 2023. 

S5. The 1984 Crest Flag will remain over Central Government buildings, such as secretariats. 

S6. The Flag of the Union will be utilised for full national use and will appear in all other capabilities replacing the 1984 Crest Flag.

S7. The Colours of the Crested Flag are not to be amended or changed unless on a military uniform for the purpose of subduing prominent colours.

S8. During peacetime, Where Flags of more than one nation are flown together, the flags should be of approximately the same size and no one flag should be flown higher than the other. 

S9. During periods of Hostility, The Flag of the Union may be raised above the flag of any hostile or neutral nation, however the height should be approximately to that of other allied nations displayed together.

S10. A person is guilty of an offence if he intentionally damages or destroys the flag of the union, the 1984 Crest flag, or any item prominently displaying such, or is reckless in his action as to whether they may be damaged or destroyed. A person convicted under indictment will be liable be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of no more than 12 Years. 

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The Necessity to change to a less authoritarian flag came about with the general softening of Socialist attitudes. Whilst retaining its original Left-Wing Colours and being much easier to recognise. The Two Vertical stripes represent the North and south Union Sounds, channels between the three prior Colonial islands which are represented centrally by three, five pointed stars. 

 

Fig D1. The New Union Flag (Fluttering and as a Graphic).

Edited January 5, 2023 by TUFM

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 12 - FOOD IN THE UFM

How do Freemen do food?

 

Broadly speaking, food in the Union of Freemen takes its lions share of influence from Western Europe. Though especially in the former Russo-Territories it may have an eastern flare, the majority would not be out of place in any westernised country. Though fast food has seen an emergence in the past 6 years with chains being allowed since the untightening on enterprise, the most common way to eat is a communal dining facility, known as a Galley. A Galley is a large facility that batch produces and serves meals for anyone requiring them. People can go in for lunch, purchase a meal to sit down and eat and also purchase an evening meal which they can then take with them and eat at home. The Galleys are heavily subsidised and are not allowed by Law to make direct profit, anything made financially must be repaid back into itself ensuring that they use high quality ingredients and are friendly, warm places.

One major difference however is the lack of Chips (commonly referred to as fries in countries with a large US influence) eaten at home. Two distinct varieties are available as fast food options, being fries (thinner, crisper and usually served with Hamburgers) and Chips (fatter, creamier inside and generally served with battered fish). Potatoes are usually served mashed, roast or boiled and most world-wide fast food restaurants have adapted to this preference – for example, McDonalds within the UFM will serve both fries, or a serving of smaller roasted potatoes.

Generally, food is hearty and uses good quality ingredients. Commonly used spices include the usual salt, pepper, garlic, Paprika, ginger and cinnamon. Condiments are common, with Tomato Ketchup, Brown Sauce (UFM is the largest consumer of HP sauce outside of the UK) English Mustard, Tomato Relish being used regularly. A native condiment, Tarry sauce has a barbecue flavour and is sweet, with a tangy flavour and is used as both a marinade and sauce – there are various brands available.

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 12 - BREAKFAST

Breakfast is considered the main meal of the day, especially during the harsh winters. A Union Breakfast (or Full union breakfast) is similar to a Full English Breakfast containing Bacon, Eggs, Beans (baked or pinto) tomatoes, sausages and toast or break, usually served with a bowl of Pate and tea or soup.

A Union Breakfast

 

A common quicker meal than this is the Half Union breakfast, which is simply sausages and fried eggs. Eggs and bread is also a common meal, especially amongst non-meat eaters, however Union chickens generally lay eggs with a much redder and richer yoke. Occasionally paprika is added to eggs and bread to give it more of a flavour.

Eggs and Bread - Note the Paprika Sauce.

Burgoo is also commonly eaten for breakfast. This is usually either Bacon, or belly pork, cut and fried in a Tarry Gravy and then placed over a buckwheat porridge or rice and often served with an egg on top. This meal is easy to batch produce and is common in the military, especially when deployed. Cereals are also eaten regularly, though a hot breakfast is generally preferred when the weather is cold – Hot porridge is common and is flavoured with Honey or Raspberry/strawberry jam.

Beef Burgoo

SPOTLIGHT 12 - LUNCH

Lunch is usually taken lightly, with large amounts of people eating at Galleys or fast food (though due to the price fast food consumption remains steady whilst the use of Galleys continues to dominate and grow). Specific Union lunch food would consist of sandwiches or Slabs.

 

A slab is a sandwich, usually containing Roasted meat such as beef or pork, but the outer layer is akin more to a flaky pie crust than bread. This is usually served with a honey mustard or Tarry sauce.

Beef Slab

 

Another traditional lunch or snake is called family pie. This is a small single serving cold water pastry pie with a flaky lid, which contains Chicken in a tomato sauce, and a fried or baked egg on the top.

Family Pie

Edited February 15, 2023 by TUFM

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 12 - DINNER

Dinner is served in the early evening. This is the main communal meal of the day and is usually a very hearty rich affair. Common meals include a Roasted meat – which is usually eaten on weekends (with unwritten tradition of Beef on Saturday, Lamb on Sunday) and another roasted meat such as chicken, turkey or goose or maybe pork in the middle of the week.

Roasted Lamb with trimmings

Left over or over produced meat stocks are then used to furnish meals for the following days. Beer or Ale Pie is extremely popular, especially when made with Dank, a traditional Union Stout.

Dank Pie

This is usually beef, cut into smaller strips and sauteed with onions, celery and carrot before being reduced in a Dank Sauce and then cooked into a cold water pastry with a flaky decorated lid. This is usually eaten with mashed potatoes and peas.

 

Stew is another favourite and is usually made with Dank. 

Beef and Dank Stew

SPOTLIGHT 12 - DESSERT

Dessert is eaten and compared with a lot of other UFM staples is relatively low key. Ice Cream is consumed, especially in the North where it keeps easier – The favourite flavours being Chocolate and Cream and Mint Chocolate.

Chocolate and Cream Ice-Cream

Cripple, is a Toffee and Chocolate cake made from tapioca flour which is very dense in shape, but light to eat and is popular along the younger generation.

Cripple Cake

Semla (said Semlar in its native form), from Scandinavia is very popular, and is a shoe pastry roll, served with thick cream and in a bowl of hot milk.

 

Semla with hot milk

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 12 - SUPPER

UFM is still a big consumer of a fourth meal. Especially in Winter when the average calory usage is higher. This is traditionally Eggs and bread – or Bread and Jam. Generally speaking, toast is not as preferred as bread and butter, and a government scheme has sought to give every family a Compact bread maker, meaning most UFM kitchens will have a sink, microwave, stove, fridge and bread maker as standard.

Bread and Jam - Sometimes the Jam is baked into the bread.

 

Eggs and bread

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 12 - NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

Hot beverages are pretty similar as the Western European Counterparts. Tea is drank significantly more than coffee (though both are drank). Tea is consumed the English way, with milk (usually fresh, though condensed when necessary) and is usually not consumed after dinner.

A Cup of tea - This is usually made strong but then a lot of milk and sugar is added.

 

Milk is consumed a lot, not just with children and can be fortified by adding a spoon full of sugar.

Milk - Full fat and fortified with either sugar or a spoonful of vitamin extract.

 

This is usually consumed with Supper however it is still very common to see people drinking from a bottle of milk in the same way that in many countries people will drink from a bottle of a soft drink. Coca Cola is the most popular soft drink in the UFM and makes up approximately 50% of all sales of soft drinks. Sarsaparilla is very popular and is available on tap in most pubs. Tropical style soft drinks with flavours such as guava, pineapple, mango etc are very popular.

A Glass of Suparfahrrar, a popular brand of Sarsaparilla.

SPOTLIGHT 12 - ALCOHOL

On tap beers are the most popular alcoholic drinks within the UFM, however depending where you are this can broadly shift to Mead and Sweet beers in the North, and Vodka and lager in the Centre. Ales, Stouts and Bitters are very popular across the Country and intervention programs mean that street drinking is almost unknown. The most common beer is called ‘drank’ and is brewed in Armford Commune. It is a sweet yet mild Beer, dark in colour and somewhat thick.

A Pint of Armford Dank

Guinness, Spitfire, Flowers are commonly consumed, and a beer now rare in England known as ‘Mild’ is Common in the North. In the Central island, Vodka is drank more commonly, though not to excess. 

Revolution Vodka - A Premium Vodka in an ornate bottle. 

 

A criminal offence committed whilst under the influence of alcohol is aggravated under the Consumption Act 2001 – meaning a harsher sentence and compulsory rehabilitation before parole scheme

[TUFM]

SPOTLIGHT 15 - THE CORPS OF FOOT GUARDS

 

 

Edited April 5, 2023 by TUFM