Shared views with other members of the
RUSSIAN INTELLIGENTSIA that serform was
MORALLY WRONG, as well being a factor in
holding Russia back ECONOMICALLY and
WEAKENING the country's 'Great Power
Status.'
Niklai
Milyutin
Brother to
Dmitri
Milyutin.
UNIVERSAL
CONSCRIPTION
introduced.
Could be AVOIDED if medical
evidence provided, or if
students were looking to
complete their studies.
ALL social classes were
liable for military service;
aged 21.
Standard military service
REDUCED to 15 years (6
active, 9 in reserve).
(1962 - 1870) The
RESERVE INCREASED
from 200,000 to over
550,000
+ OFFICER
TRAINING was
radically
improved.
+ MILITARY COLLEGES
established; now
admitted
NON-NOBLES.
+ STAFF COLLEGES were
established, with high
standards offering
accelerated promotion
for graduates.
+ Specialised
schools for the
ARTILLERY and
ENGINEERS.
+ Education
made
COMPULSORY
for commission!
+ CORPARAL
PUNISHMENTS
were less
severe.
+ 'FLOGGING' was
abolished.
+ MILITARY
COLONIES
discontinued.
+ Housed in
BARRACKS
instead.
+ Better
PROVISIONING
and MEDICAL
CARE established.
SUCCESSFUL?
YES
These were
IMPROVEMENTS!
SIGNIFICANT SAVING in government
expenditure! Due to a SMALLER
standing army, supported by a RESERVE
that could be kept mobilised.
An attempt to BREAK
DOWN CLASS PRIVILEGE
and create a sense of
MERITOCRACY within the
army!
Result = a smaller,
more professional,
less brutal and less
class-ridden army!
NO
Those were 'better-off'
and who had influence
were able to find
SUBSTITUTES to take their
place!
OFFICER CLASS
remained
majoritively
ARISTOCRATIC!
Problems of SUPPLY and
LEADERSHIP would
CONTINUE in the future...
Turkey (1877 - 1878)
Germany (1914 - 1917)
Japan (1904 - 1905)
Still heavily reliant on
UNEDUCATED and ILLITERATE
PEASANT CONSCRIPTS; reducing
the effectiveness of TRAINING!
Opposed by the NOBILITY; feared
that their CHILDREN would 'mix'
with the lower classes.
MERCHANTS objected; didn't
want their sons to do
COMPULSORY SERVICE!
A 'fully professional' army posed threats to
the AUTOCRACY! So, many UNTRAINED ROYAL
FAMILY MEMBERS were appointed KEY
MILITARY SERVICES to keep a HIGH
PROPORTION of the NOBILITY among the
commanding officers team!