1958

The Ethiopian State has begun a process of redevelopment of the national armed forces. The Ethiopian army is as stated before the cornerstone upon which the entire Ethiopian State apparatus functions around. As the only truly national and modern institution it is essential to begin its modernization and expansion. With the increasing rationalization of state institutions and the formation of a new national government, the ability for the state to transform the army has also begun. The armed forces must transition from a small force, kept small to preserve Imperial power, into a large modern army in its own right.

To accomplish this objective the Ethiopian government has undertaken a policy of conscription in which a lottery program will select young men of military age upon turning 18. This process will be quite important as the army offers a chance for adult literacy and a chance to learn important technical skills. Obviously there will need to be discretion in the conscription process to ensure the armed forces are recruiting only those with proper revolutionary and national zeal. This will naturally mean certain ethnic groups may end up with smaller numbers overall in the army. However, this is certain to be a temporary state of affairs as the state will undertake rigorous actions in the future to eliminate foreign brainwashing and great power worship amongst these populations.

Finally, the government while these select men are in military age after a 2 year service period will be periodically called up to do refresher courses in order to maintain a capable reserve force for mass mobilization. This will also feed into the territorial army system.

Above-all these literacy and educational services offered to conscripts will emphasize political education by the Army’s political bureau. Here they shall learn about the unique role of the Derg and the armed forces and the revolution. They shall learn about the dangerous plots of our foes and how great powers, imperialists and racialists intend to overthrow our state and reinstitute serfdom upon the people.

The shape of the new army following recent procurement will be as follows as of 1959:

9x Infantry Divisions

2x Armored Brigades