Alpinieri

Republican Mountain Brigades
Alpinieri L'Republica Iverica
Active	March 12, 1650
Country	Iverica
Allegiance	Iverican Republic
Branch	Exersito Iverica
Type	Light Infantry, Combined Arms
Role	Mountain Warfare
Size	20,029 Personnel
Part of	Army Mobile Forces Command
Garrison/HQ	Forta L'Pilar
Nickname(s)	L'Plomales (Anglish: The Feather Dusters)
Patron	St. Bernat Monteiou
Motto(s)	Nil non exsequar, nil non dimittam (Anglish: "There is nothing I won't perform, nothing I won't sacrifice")
March	Les Flautes dei Pirenese Veio (Anglish: The Pipes of the Old Pyrenees)
Mascot(s)	Argic Goat
Commanders
Current commander	Gen. Felix Montenol-Estaveio
Insignia
Joint TRIDENT Symbology

The Alpinieri Brigades, or 7th Alpinieri Division (Iverican: 7º Divisioné Alpinieri) is a light combined-arms combat unit of the Iverican Army based at Forta L'Pilar, Léon. The unit specialises in mountain warfare, and is the only known division-sized group of units equipped for mixed mechanised and air assault operations.

Originally founded as the Cassadores Iregulares dei Montanes in 1651, the unit later adopted the moniker "Alpinieri" or Alpine Men, in 1740 during the Iverican Civil War. Though parts of the Alpinieri fought on both Stillian and Tacalan sides of the conflict and were disbanded in 1746, they were reformed just a year later in 1747 under the Nationalist Government. The Alpinieri fought under the Nationalists in both the War for Vostau, and the Verde Sea War. The unit was formally re-founded and expanded into 5 regiments in 1766, after the collapse of the Nationalist Government. The regiments retained much of the rigour, discipline, and traditions established by its prime forebearer. The regiments have since fought in every major ground operation that Iverica has been involved in.

Most recently, the unit was deployed as a peacekeeping force during the Vasqqan Bloody November, in 2019. The Alpinieri were also deployed in from 2018 through 2020 in Afropa as part of Operation Ultra Violet, a counter-insurgency theatre.

History

Formation

Though mountain warfare in Iberic and Narvic customs long predated the formation of the Alpinieri, the Cassadores were nonetheless the both the first rigourosly trained and formal mountain infantry. The Cassadores regiment took its name from the old Iberic Imperial skirmish troops hailing from Léonia, who were themselves known as expert light infantry. The name Cassadores is a common Tacalan and Stillian word meaning, "hunter". The Cassadores are also recognised as the direct progenitor unit of the Alpinieri, being chartered in 1651 to defend mountain settlements against bandits and marauders. Despite their irregular nature, the Cassadores were well-trained and in some periods, well-funded. Though the quality of their arms and equipment often varied, written accounts and amateur sketches of the Cassadores in the late 17th Centuries depict them as a uniformed, and disciplined skirmishing force contrary to the period norm of ad hoc and un-uniformed light infantry irregulars.

In March of 1650, Simón Tueres-Constansso, a Coronel in the Guardia Peninsulares (refounded from the Guardia Expediciónare) was chartered by the Parliament or Camrá Nasional, to form picked men from Ibero-Narvic irregulars from a mix of units hailing from Léon, Nou Navaerre, Aigüestoré, and Nou Stille. Col. Tueres had pointed out several shortcomings in the existing order of battle- primarily that the current manner of mountain-fighting wa disadvantaged by small numbers, low-discipline, and untrained senior officers. Tueres himself had fought opposing Narvic warbands in the Aigüestorés and in the Montaco Cordilleras for 8 years. His observations targeted the existing special but informal companies composed mostly of herders, miners, and hunters hailing from mountainous communities. Tueres, later supported by his superiors, asserted that the Guard would achieve greater effectiveness if these companies were disbanded and reformed into dedicated regiments with both senior and juniour officers experienced in mountain combat.

Cassadores Infantryman, 1730

Though the charter was granted, though Tueres' initial request to form three regiments was denied. Instead, the charter only allowed the formation one single-battalion regiment. Furthermore, Coronel Tueres was forced to make-do with transfers and recruits who hailed from various provinces rather than have recruits from a single province- something he initially protested due to cohesion concerns. In effect, the Cassadores Irregulares were to be the first formally chartered regiment to recruit from varying provincial groups as opposed to the Exersito tradition of keeping regimental recruitment provincial.

Initial performance was poor, with a high rate of dissertion and poor regimental cohesion. Despite this Tueres kept adapting and attempting different measures to build a functional esprit de corps. One defining factor causing social discord in the unit was reported by Tueres as "the clanish rivarlies and prejudices that appear to make the regiment its own worst enemy. I cannot, Saviour help me, reconcile the kuneins I am charged to marry in the company-level". Ultimately, Tueres is believed to have taken the counsel of a juniour Narvic officer, Teniente Miquel Abein Torres-Karstun and permitted the entry of Kourowein War Cult traditions. Though Tueres never mentions permitting this in his memoirs, he also fails to mention any disciplinary action taken to remove the adoption of the Kourowein Cults. Likewise, Tueres' superiors are silent on the matter. Sporadic accusations, hearsay, and derisive comments are sometimes present in various accounts from officers of other regiments, though the earliest mention of this is in 1701 by an unnamed Coronet.

By the 1660's the Cassadores Regiment appears to have become known by period accounts as distinguished and generally respected regiment known for its high skill and resilient spirit. An account from military historian Manuel Pontes-Vargas notes that the Cassadores had built a reputation as the "the most resilient in the peninsula, able to bear cold, heat, and appetite of the Cordilleras whilst never missing their quarry, nor faltering in their vigour and brotherhood". It also around 1661 that the regiment's first informal account of its blooding rituals and use of animal totems are dated to. Modern opinions from Exersito editorials hold conflicting views on the ethics of the Kourowein Cult traditions- which often include scarification, blood-letting, duelling, honour-killing, and the collection of animal trophies as totems.

The unit was renamed "L'Regimente Alpinieri" in 1740. The renaming distinguished the republican loyalist elements of the regiment from Stillian Seperatist forces who had also called themselves Cassadores. The regiment was re-founded as a 5-regiment brigade in 1766, following the collapse of the Nationalist government and subsequent restructuring of the Iverican Army.

Early Modern History

The regiment was deployed overseas for the first time in ?1750? during the Verde Sea War. During the invasion of Kingdom of Per-Aten, the Cassadores acted as screening and skirmishing force for the line infantry. The Alpinieri acquitted themselves as extremely swift and disciplined, even in open terrain. In the battle of !Name! they turned away several thrusts made by Atenist cavalry squadrons despite lacking artillery support. During the Occupation of Per Aten, the Alpinieri served as rangers and were used extensively in putting down Atenist revolts. It was during the Verde Sea War that the Alpinieri developed a reputation in Iberic military accounts as fiercely resilient, maintaining their dynamic skirmish lines even after sustaining horrific casualties. An account from an anonymous juniour officer's journal notes that if the Alpinieri gave ground and lost comrades in the withdrawal, they would seem all the more emboldened to strike back as swiftly as possible. Other accounts link this occurence to the perceived dishonour that losing their comrade's raptor hackles would bring to their spirits— a belief that is apparently rooted in the Kourowein tradition. General dei Brigada Ignacio Ruiss-Poste'Alto notes in his memoirs that, "If an Alpine Man cannot find his brother's feather after a battle, he must then be resolved to take a lock of a dead foe's hair, bind this and hence offer this at the burial of his fallen brother". One record of this practice involves the trophy-taking in retribution for the death of a 3rd Company Corpsman known only in journals as "Papi", the record kept the Regimental Quartermaster notes that he (the Quartermaster) was presented with a cord of knotted-together enemy hair roughly 25 varas, or approximately 21 metres long. The cord was subsequently burned at Papi's cremation.

The Alpinieri were withdrawn from Per Aten in 1766 and were not present during the loss of Iberic-occupied Aten. In 1766, the newly reinstated Camrá Nasional held a re-founding ceremony to disassociate the regiment with the nationalist party. The regiment was also expanded into a brigade and given the charters for an additional 4 regiments.

The Argic Wars

In 1946, personnel from the Alpinieri Brigade were chosen to form the nucleus of a sister Airevieri Brigade. In 1947 the brigade was expanded into a division with 5 brigades in total. The cause for the expansion was justified by the purported increase in aggression from the newly incumbent nationalist governments of Narva and Galicia.

During the First Argic War, the Alpinieri fought Narvic nationalist forces in the Narva-Galician Alps. Though sorely outnumbered, they were credited for playing a key role in neutralising enemy artillery positions. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd brigades suffered nearly 39% casualties in the campaign. In 1949, each brigade was expanded, adding a total of 4 regiments to the whole division, all of which saw action in the 1951 Spring Counter-offensive.

In 1968 the Iverica entered the Second Argic War. In the same year the Alpinieri were deployed to Eastern Korelia, engaging the Russian 9th Mountain Guards Division as part of Operation High-Horse. Throughout the war, the Alpinieri's operations were mostly confined to Eastern Korelia. Eventually the Alpinieri were redeployed in an offensive capacity, during the invasion of Helrus, where they were used as Air Assault infantry.

Operations in the 20th Century

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Current Organisation

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Honours

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Culture

The Alpinieri maintain a esprit de corps distinct from the rest of the Exersito Iverica, oftentimes regarded by historians and outsider veterans as "cultish", and exclusionary. It is hypothesised that this perception, whether real or merely perceived, is a result of the unit's historical ties with Narvic Brotherhoods and War Cults such as the Kourowein of the Wolf. Throughout the regiments' history, various Iberic officers have attempted to excise perceived paganistic rituals by court-martials, though no charge brought to the Attorney-Martial has ever successfully become a formal indictment.

Kourowein Cults

Kourowein cults are Narvic Cult groups that practice traditional Narvic male ceremonies and rites of passage. They are known to practice lifestyles close to those of historical Narvic warrior vocations. Though the practice has Christianised to a degree and has become more transparent due to oversight by law enforcement, the Kourowein are still often depicted in Iberic media as controversial and part of a fringe culture of Narvics.

The Alpinieri are often associated with the Kourowein cults. Regimental traditions and rites of passage almost openly associate with Kourowein traditions. Numerous enlisted and commissioned personnel are also known members of Kourowein groups. Though the Republican Armed Service has never directly acknowledged the relationship, Minister of Defence Ricardo Ibanes has been quoted calling it an "open secret, like your (referring to the audience) nephew's sexuality".

Kourowein involvement in Alpinieri affairs has been extensively studied by institutions of higher education like the Intreimor Academia Militar, which has published studies mostly regarding the praxis as positive for unit cohesion and the formation of a "soldierly mindset". Prolific traditions and rites include the several controversial practices. One example is the pre-graduation trial of tracking, hunting, and killing a large game animal like a hind. Thereafter blessing a pair of raptor feathers, likewise taken from a hunted animal, in the blood of the hind. Another includes the practice of scarification and using scars to form tattoos, which the enlisted often require a freshly graduated recruit to undergo. The Kourowein practice of melees to the death, honour-killing, and other dangerous rituals are likewise a subject of controversy.

The Alpinieri Hackle

The Alpinieri's unit symbol is a feather or Hackle, worn ceremonially and sometimes in combat. The Hackle or Ploma, carries Narvic warrior-symbolism and significance as a totem of swiftness, precision, and lethality of its original wearer. The Ploma can only be considered an Alpinieri Ploma if it is a raptor's wing or tail feather. The feather must either be taken in a hunt or found in the mountains. Each Alpinier carries a feather that he has personally retrieved. It is considered taboo to carry another man's Ploma unless the former owner is dead, or severely injured.

Selection & Training

Selection
The Brigades manage 3 camps with facilities for Alpinieri selection & training. A civilian no-younger than 16 years of age and no older than 30 years of age may volunteer for the Alpinieri. Minors require notarised consent from at least one parent while applicants for officer training require a bachelor's degree, letter of recommendation from their local Comtaté Capitano or Governadorcillo, and must have first graduated from any Exersito Officer's College. Regular applicants of adult age only require a diploma from second-level education for applicancy. Initial recruitment is carried out by Exersito recruiters who may not necessarily be members of the Alpinieri Regiments. All potential applicants must sign an extra consent form warning of the higher-than-usual likelihood of permanent injury, psychological trauma, or death which may be experienced as early as the Qualification Courses. Applicants are also urged to make contingency arrangements for next of kin and to update their emergency contact person's details.

Pre-selection lasts 14 days and involves both Physical and Written Examiniations. A circuit of general intelligence tests and medical tests take place throughout and alongside ruckmarches in high altitudes, and common tasks performed under a variety of environmental factors. Various aerobic and anaerobic tests are also administered, alongside psychological evaluations. The applicant receives a pass mark or fail mark. An applicant may re-apply up to 3 times with a required 1-year moratorium between attempts. If an applicant passes, he becomes known as a candidate.

Alpinieri Selection or Curso dei Qualificasion Alpino, abbreviated to Curso-QA is a gruelling course lasting 18 days. Modules include endurance tests in mountainous terrain, teamwork challenges and psychological conditioning. Throughout the duration of the course, candidate are deprived of sleep, adequate food, and are expected to filter their own water. Illness is common, but candidates may press-on until they are unable to carry out tasks.

Much of the training is carried out in the northern face of the Montaco Cordilleras where there is little foliage to shield from the wind. Temperatures vary from -5 to 18 degrees centigrade in summer months. Windchill is a constant and often severe factor in lowering the perceived temperature. The ground is often rocky and occasionally sharp in limestone trails. Candidate may be asked to run courses with little to no clothing and footwear. Ruck segments are expected to be carried out with at least 30 kilograms of total packed weight. Dexterity and problem solving segments include puzzles undertaken in low light and low temperature conditions, often after more than 24 hours without sleep. Teamwork challenges may include traversing obstacles as a group, bridge-laying, or casualty evacuation tests. Teamwork challenges may also include dragging dead weight like rotting animal carcasses or entire vehicles up slopes with no trail.

Controversial sections of the psychological module involve thrashings, being stripped naked, chased through a mountain trail while naked, and spending nights in pits with only an animal carcass as insulation from the ground. Candidates are also expected to kill and prepare their own meals. Candidates who are unable to secure game are expected to steal or fight another for their food. The candidate is not allowed to speak unless spoken to by an instructor or during teamwork challenges. Excessive cursing, grunting, or noisemaking is punished with thrashings or light flogging. A candidate may drop out from the course at any time by getting on both knees and raising a hand. If he is too exhausted to manage a kneeling postion, he may lay down and refuse to get up. A candidate will also be instantly disqualified if he is unconscious and cannot be roused for more than 5 minutes.

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