Suppose ... that a single "Federal" European Army would have to be created?
Suppose ... that a single "Federal" European Army would have to be created?
What is the model that we should follow ? We have a number of countries that have an impressive military history and proud military traditions. What can we learn from who and how would the Federal Armed Forces best be made to look and work ?
A couple of ideas:
We would have to make the distinction between a national (thus for instance a British army) and a federal army. One could allow each nation to maintain a couple of regiments and a couple of squadrons and ships for home defence (according to their budget and population size) and make it function in the same way as a National Guard unit does in the United States. With the main difference that a European Parliament does not have any control over a national army (which only answers to it's national government) and thus cannot mobilise it or send it overseas. For that the express permission of the national parliament will be needed. So in the case of war when a Europe-wide mobilisation is announced it would be f.i the Dutch government that would mobilise the Dutch armed forces and put them (where needed) at the disposal of the federal war effort or keep them for home defence.
Well.. on to the Federal Armed Forces. In order to make it difficult to have men deployed abroad (so they won't serve the financial elite) will it become a principally citizen army.. and that means the introduction of the draft. Able-bodied men (and unmarried able-bodied women) that have reached the age of 21 will be called up for a period of 18 months to undergo basic training and be made acquainted with military life. Of course conscientious objectors will be exempted from service but will be called up for alternative service for a period of 18 months or be allowed to choose a non-weapons branch.
For those that are not willing to serve in a Federal Armed Forces there should be a legal provision that attempts will be made to enlist them in their national army for the same amount of time if that country still employs the draft (and if it has the capacity. In the Dutch Army there would only be some 20.000 places during peace time). If not it's tough luck and the person will serve in the Federal Armed Forces regardless.
The language of communication in the Federal Armed Forces will of course be English and units will be (where possible) mixed. So it could well be that a Latvian and an Italian will serve side by side under a French Lieutenant and a Greek Captain.
When it comes to the uniform of the land army-- there should of course be differences in the uniform when it comes to the climate in which they serve and uniforms should of course be camouflaged. But an idea for a summer uniform would be this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...at-uniform.jpg
With the beret (for everyday use) being replaced by a slouch hat or a montana peak so it will differ in look from the national army. On the slouch hat or a montana peak the federal army emblem and a regimental emblem could be used.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...slouch_hat.png.
But what would be good (preferably European-made) weapons for such an army ?
