Augustus Reich, Lord of Freyport
Augustus Tiberius Reich, Lord Augustus of Freyport, KCR PC RWC is an Aquitaynian politician and armed service veteran, currently serving as the Secretary of State for Defense since February of 2022. A former Royal Marine Grand Field Marshal and Commandant of the Royal Marines from 2016 to 2018, he commanded forces in the Caranad Conflict, Greater Insula Feran Conflict, and the Western Tundra Crisis. Reich also served as the Lord Commander Combatant Command Lorecia from 2014 to 2016, where he oversaw operations in Insula Fera and domestic security operations in Aquitayne, the United Kingdom, and Lorecia.
Reich was given a heridetary position in the House of Lords in October of 2018 following his retirement from the military. After serving on the Armed Services Committee and Foreign Affairs committees, to which he was almost immediately appointed following his investiture due to his professional background, he was appointed as Secretary of of State for Defense by Prime Minister Richard Larrow, on advice from the King, on 18 February 2022. Some critics argued that Reich was appointed to the position due to his family ties to the royal family, but these accusations were fiercely denied by the Prime Minister and the King, who continually pointed to Reich's military background as the basis for his appointment. As Secretary of State for Defense, Reich is also a member of the Privy Council.
Early life
Reich grew up in Telora among the other members of the Aquitaynian royal family. His father, Fabian Reich, a first cousin to the grandfather of the then-monarch, Sugard II, held prominent positions in the Aquitaynian government. Though not a member of the direct line of succession, Augustus was raised among the larger royal family and privately tutored through his primary years. He did not reside, however, at the Royal Palace, but rather at his father's estate, Westing House, located in Freyport. Augustus was known to enjoy the outdoors, and spoke often throughout his childhood of wanting to join the military when he finished school.
Education
Through his primary school years, Augustus was privately tutored at his family estate. After taking his university entrance exams, he was accepted to the University of Telora where he pursued his bachelor's degree in International Affairs. After graduating, Reich applied for officer candidate school and was accepted. After training, Reich attended the University of Carigrad for two years where he obtained his Masters in International Studies and then returned to the Marines.
After Reich obtained the rank of Major, he was given the opportunity to attend the Royal War College where he obtained a second masters degree in Strategic Studies.
Military career
Caranad Conflict
At the beginning of his military career, Reich was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, who were at the timed billeted to Task Force Cardina in coalition support efforts to support the Caranad government in fighting off cartels. Reich was stationed in Caranad cumulatively for just over three years over two deployments, during which he lead patrols through the Pachua Valley from Fort Constatine. It was during this deployment that he was awarded the Elizabeth Cross for his actions during a patrol where over half of his platoon was killed in an especially vigorous and coordinated ambush from cartel forces. It was during this time where Reich honed his infantry command skills and became known as an adept and competent officer, earning him a promotion to First Lieutenant.
During Reich's second deployment to Caranad, he was promoted to the rank of Captain after the death of his (then) current commander. Though initially a battlefield promotion, the rank was finalized six months later on his unit's rotation back to Aquitayne.
2011 Embassy attack
On January 23rd, 2011, Custodies Populii fighters engaged the Aquitaynian Embassy in Paradise City due to the Aquitaynian government allowing muslim worshippers to seek asylum from an ongoing genocide against muslims in the Blackhelm Confederacy. This attack lead to the deaths of 12 Aquitaynian Marines and Foreign Service Officers. At the time, Reich was attached to the Foreign Service as commander of the Embassy Security division. As such, he took a leading role in coordinating quick reaction forces response to mitigate any further attacks. Reich also coordinated the dignified transfer of the bodies and remaining asylum seekers that were inside the embassy during the attack. Reich is quoted as saying "they gave more than they got" in reference to the losses Aquitayne suffered during the attacks compared to the losses of the Custodies Populii.
Reich did come under fire for lax security procedures in the aftermath of the attacks. A formal parliamentary review of the incident was conducted and ultimatley found Reich's leadership was not responsible for how the events unfolded, and that the Marines stationed at the embassy followed all rules of engagement and force escalation procedures to mitigate the loss of life. Despite Reich not being found responsible, an internal comprehensive review of Embassy security procedures was conducted and multiple adjustments and additions were made to Aquitaynian embassies across Astyria. Not long after this incident, Reich was promoted and reassigned as commander of the 1st Marine Division.
2013 Invasion of Pangus
After Reich's promotion to Field Marshal and reassignment to the 1st Marine Division, he was in a prominent position when events unfolded leading to the invasion of Pangus and Prudensia on Insula Fera. Reich was intimately involved in the planning and execution of the invasion, as the Royal Marines made up a large contingent of the coalition forces that were assembled to intercede in the collapse of the Imperial Spartanian Empire, and subsequent unrest from then-warlord group the Heraldan Rebels, which later turned into a counter-insurgency operation. The 1st Marine Division, comprising of around 25,000 Marines, spearheaded the southern invasion of Pangus and made direct progress to the capital, Corvus.
Reich himself was in the first wave of the invasion forces, establishing a beach head and setting his headquarters unit up almost immediately after operations had begun on the island. He continually moved his headquarters unit closer to the front lines as the invasion progressed, and was adamant about establishing the final headquarters unit in Corvus after the city had been secured. When asked about his thought process on these decisions later, Reich stated it was imperative for there to be a sense of security and stability in the capital if occupation operations were to succeed after the invasion. Other commanders followed Reich's lead and also established divisional and brigade headquarters in Corvus, in what would later be known as the Green Zone. These grouped headquarters units would later be collated into the Multi-national Force - Insula Fera.
Greater Insula Fera Conflict
After the initial invasion phase of operations in Pangus and Prudensia had concluded, Reich stayed in the capital city of Corvus to coordinate Aquitaynian operations in the theater. He remained as the Commander of United Kingdom forces in-country for the next year, coordinating counterinsurgency operations. During this time, Reich was promoted from Field Marshal to Senior Field Marshal in 2013. Reich's time as the theater Commander was known for dynamic and quick counterinsurgency operations, utilization of private military companies such as Axalon to suplement troop strength, and was noted as having the highest civilian casualties of any duration of the war. A Parliamentary investigation into these civilian casualties put Reich back in front of the House of Commons testifying on his ability to command as well as his policies and rules of engagement.
These proceedings were highly televised and became a focal point in the 2014 general election, which challenged the then-current Zaier administration's handling of the invasion and subsequent occupation operations. It was reported at the time that some EATA media outlets, such as BCNN, also paid for and ran telivision and internet ads targeting the Royalist Party and its leaders in an attempt to fracture support for the intervention and give the People's Party a stronger change at taking back the House during a particularly popular Royalist administration. Ultimately, the parliamentary inquiry found no wrongdoings from Reich or his command when it dug into the civilian casualties. However, the stain of the proceedings did follow Reich back to his command staff, and though he had strong support within the military apparatus, he was soon promoted and reassigned away from direct combat operations.
Lorecian Combatant Command
After the highly publicized parliamentary hearings into his conduct as Commander of United Kingdom forces in Insula Fera, Reich was moved to what was seen as a less-visible position within the military officer corps. He was quietly promoted from Senior Field Marshal (O-7) to Chief Field Marshal (O-8), and appointed the new Commander of the Lorecian Combatant Command (AQLORCOM). During his time as Combatant Command Commander, he would oversee the overhaul of multiple domestic military installations that hadn't received adequate funding for repair work. He also oversaw one of the largest military training exerises in the last twenty years, Rim of the Coast 2016, which was a military exercise on the island of Ceria comprising Aquitaynian, Riysan, and Cassonian troops. Its estimated about 50,000 people took part in the exercise that lasted for about four weeks.
Western Tundra crisis
In July of 2016, Romberg attempted to annex a somewhat barren piece of land in northern Lorecia. As the current acting commander of the Lorecian Combatant Command, Reich was uniquely positioned as an integral piece of the Aquitaynian political and military response to the situation. After the Zaier administration's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) issued sanctions on Rombergian political and business officials, the Prime Minister and King tasked Reich with providing military response options to the crisis.
The administration jointly enacted a blockade of the Tundra and Aquitaynian Special Forces were rapidly and strategically deployed to prevent any military incursion into the area from Rombergian forces. A no-fly zone was also put into place above the tundra in a highly ciriticized move from other nations that cited urgent medical supplies being needed in the area.
Commandant of the Royal Marines
Reich's organizational skills during Rim of the Coast exercise in 2016, previous combat experience in Caranad and Insula Fera, and his most recent accolades from the Western Tundra, made him the leading candidate to be appointed as the next Commandant of the Royal Marines in 2016. Despite a somewhat split opinion in Parliament during his appointment process due to his previous hearings before them, Reich was approved as the next Commandant and assumed command of the Royal Marines on 20 September, 2016 only 4 months after the start of the Western Tundra crisis.
Reich's time as Commandant saw the draw downs from the Western Tundra as well as Insula Fera following the August Referendum. He shifted the focus of the Marines from immediate warfighting operations to enhanced training regimens, increasing funding for equipment and facility maintenance, as well as starting recruitment initiatives to attract more young Aquitaynians to hit the Corps' recruitment goals. This included a particularly successful television ad campaign that highlighted the role the Royal Marines took in leading humanitarian aid to people in need, rather than combat operations.
Civilian career
Appointment to the House of Lords
Reich announced his retirement from the Royal Marines on 17 June 2018 after 40 years of military service. Reich officially retired on 29 September, 2018 at a retirement ceremony at Fort Aguilar, attended by the King, Prime Minister, and other members of parliament and military leaders. About a week after his retirement ceremony, the King announced that Reich, no longer serving in an official military capacity, would assume his seat in the House of Lords that had bene held by a lesser noble for the duration of Reich's active military service.
Reich was officially sworn in by the King to the House of Lords on 10 October 2018, roughly two and a half weeks after his retirement from the military. Reich stated at the time that he was happy to continue serving his country through the new arena of public office. Reich, naturally, announced as a member of the Royalist Party, and was quickly brought into the party fold. He was appointed to the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees almost immediately in very unusual fashion. Prime Minister Larrow stated when questioned on Reich's quick rise to prominence, that "there is no one better suited to serve on these two committees. Augustus has well over four decades of direct, hands-on experience dealing with these matters and topics intimately."
Secretary of State for Defense (2022-present)
Political positions
Caranad conflict
Speaking at a conference in 2024 at the E10 Council of Nations, Reich spoke about the ongoing conflict in Caranad needing additional support from Aquitayne and its allies if they wanted to see tangible progress in defeating the cartels. Reich noted his personal experience fighting in the country at the beginning of his military career, and noted that not much had changed by the way of troops, materials, and training support for the government. He urged member states to reexamine their approach to the conflict and help stop the systemic flow of drugs out of the country.
Insula Fera
Reich believes the current situation on Insula Fera is the best outcome of many possible plans that were being discussed during the Greater Insula Feran Conflict. He has stated on multiple occasions that he's proud of his role in securing the peace, prosperity and future of the island through his role in coalition interventions after the fall of the Imperial Spartanian Empire in 2013. He has travelled to New Pangus on multiple occasions as Secretary of State for Defense, meeting with president Giacomo Gianni and Army Chief of Staff General Montel Viviani. Reich, through his annual defense budget request, has petitioned Parliament yearly for additional funds and support to New Pangus as they continue to fight off the last of the Heraldan Rebels.
Reich believes that a stable, prosperous New Pangus is critical to the security of Aquitayne's Cape Town holding, but also the security of Symphonia and other TARP member states. Given its proximity to the Blackhelm Confederacy, New Pangus and Cape Town are considered highly important strategic assets to Reich, and he has mentioned on more than one occasion that it is critical to Aquitayne's national security that New Pangus remain at the forefront of the administration's foreign policy efforts.
Blackhelm Confederacy
Speaking at a 2022 conference sponsored by Wright & Apollo in Cadenza, Reich stated he believed the Blackhelm Confederacy's Chancellor, Octavius Eaglebrand, intended to "break TARP apart". Reich has also spoken out against what he perceives to be the Confederacy's expansionist and bellicose policies in Kamalbia and Terre Azure. He is a large critic of the EATA in general, though stays within the government policy of neutrality between ATO and the EATA.
When asked about ongoing operations in Caranad and its close proximity to North and South Kamalbia, and the ongoing issues there, Reich stated Aquitayne was not prepared to coordinate any military operations with the Confederacy or Kobolis. He did say the military was in close coordination with Cassonaise military and government officials as "is standard procedure for our close allies".
Aswick relations
Reich has repeatedly spoken about Aswick being Aquitayne's most staunch ally and friend. He has made multiple trips to the country to meet with his counterparts to continue promoting relations between Aquitayne's government and military forces. Aquitayne and Aswick share a unique relationship and Reich has continued to promote cross training between Aquitaynian and Aswickan troops.
Belka
Reich has stated on multiple occasions that Belka is the greatest threat to peace in Lorecia. He admitted that without support from the Blackhelm Confederacy, it would have been impossible to repel Belka out of Arstotska back to the demilitarized zone along the Aswickan and Arstotskan border. Reich has publicy supported the ongoing peacekeeping operations in the region as well as the continued forward deployment of Aquitaynian military forces to the Aswickan border to act as a deterrent against further Belkan aggression.
Military awards
Reich's military decorations, awards and badges include, among others:
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| 1st row | Elizabeth Cross (Second Class) | ||||||||
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| 2nd row | Urimanus Cross (First Class) | Naval Cross | Order of the Griffon | ||||||
| 3rd row | Gallantry Cross (3) | Naval Meritorius Service Medal | Navy Combat Action Ribbon | ||||||
| 4th row | National Defense Service Medal | United Kingdom Service Medal | Operation United Resolve Campaign Medal | ||||||
| 5th row | Operation Enduring Resolve Campaign Medal | Insula Fera Campaign Medal | Western Tundra Defense Campaign Medal | ||||||
Elizabeth Cross citation
"During a routine patrol on 2 September 1984 in Calatan province, Caranad, 2LT Reich's platoon came under heavy enemy fire from the Tialocha cartel. Completely surrounded and pinned down, 2LT Reich coordinated counterassault actions within his unit despite taking heavy losses. 2LT Reich, after losing his radioman to enemy fire, began coordinating with support aircraft and artillery teams to accurately engage enemy fighters while simultaneously engaging the enemy and setting up a triage station for the wounded. Over the course of three hours, 2LT Reich kept his unit engaged in the fight and coordinated with support elements until QRF forces could arrive. Despite losing over 50% of his men, 2LT Reich maintained his composure under fire and exemplified the core values of the Royal Marines and brought credit upon the Corps and His Majesty."