[natehale1971]

Originally Posted by Raellus

I forgot to make mention of the civilians. The local civies would play an important role in the cantonment system. They would help in the planting and harvesting of crops, brewing of fuel, washing and mending of uniforms, reloading of spent brass (where the appropriate machinary and military grade are available), building of defensive works, etc.

In exchange, the occupying military would provide protection and law enforcement, medical care, training for the local militia, technical and engineering support, etc.

This exchange of labor/service for military protection is very much like the feudal system of the early Middle Ages. I like to call it neo-feudalism.

This is all in theory. Civil affairs and psyops would become crucial to winning the locals' "hearts and minds". If occupying troops behave badly or fail to reciprocate the effort and service of the local civilians, things could get ugly.

I can see Civil Affairs and Psyops personnel assigned all the way down to the Battalion Level in such a setting. While they might not be a large section (possibly about 12 men and women if that large), they would end up becoming very important in the 'hearts and minds' aspect of the Cantonment system.