Jaycee Woods

What is that standard advice, write what you know? Often characters can take a writer where they do not know. I like to use Copilot to help me research such questions as it is fast and direct to my point of uncertainty. In writing a scene, I do not need to train a future expert, just entertain the reader, but I would hope to get some facts right. 🙂

Below is a sample Q&A between myself and Copilot for some point related to my draft novel Boudica and The Butcher, set in a future Second American Civil War. For ease of formatting, I removed the citations Copilot provides for diving deeper and validating the responses.

Question: How many men are in an American infantry brigade?

An American infantry brigade typically consists of 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers. This size can vary depending on the specific structure and mission of the brigade.

Question: Well, what rank would command an America infantry brigade?

An American infantry brigade is typically commanded by a colonel (O-6)12. In some cases, a brigadier general (O-7) may also assume command.

Question: During a war and in a combat zone, is it more likely to be a colonel or a brigadier general?

In a combat zone during a war, an infantry brigade is still more likely to be commanded by a colonel (O-6). However, depending on the specific circumstances and the importance of the mission, a brigadier general (O-7) might assume command.

Question: Yes. How many brigades would a brigadier general typically command?

A brigadier general typically commands one brigade. However, in some cases, they might oversee multiple brigades, especially in larger operations or higher-level command roles.

Question: Working on a scene in which a brevet brigadier general in being dressed down by a two-star superior. What title would a two star have within a larger army? Corp commander?

A two-star general in the U.S. Army holds the rank of major general (O-8). In the absence of a larger army, a major general typically commands a division, which consists of 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers. They might also serve in other high-level staff or operational roles, depending on the context.

In your scene, the major general could be referred to as “General [Last Name]” or simply “General” in dialogue.

Question: What is the typical rank of a corp commander?

A corps in the U.S. Army is typically commanded by a lieutenant general (O-9). This rank is a three-star general, and they oversee a corps, which can consist of 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers.

Question: Within a brigade what are the subdivisions and what rank leads each?

Within a brigade, the subdivisions and their respective commanding ranks are as follows:

1.            Battalion: Commanded by a lieutenant colonel (O-5). A brigade typically consists of 3 to 5 battalions.

2.            Company: Commanded by a captain (O-3). Each battalion is made up of 3 to 5 companies.

3.            Platoon: Commanded by a lieutenant (O-1 or O-2). Each company consists of 3 to 4 platoons.

4.            Squad: Commanded by a staff sergeant (E-6). Each platoon is made up of 2 to 3 squads.

5.            Team: Commanded by a sergeant (E-5). Each squad is divided into 2 to 3 teams.

Question: Would the following make sense: a brigade of 4000 men with 4 battalions and a colonel serving as the brigadier general’s XO?

Yes, that setup makes sense. A brigade of 4,000 men typically consists of 3 to 5 battalions. Having 4 battalions within a brigade of this size is quite plausible.

Additionally, it’s reasonable for a colonel to serve as the executive officer (XO) to a brigadier general, especially in a combat zone where the complexity and demands of operations might necessitate such a structure.

Question: There is a scene where the brigade is divided to attack two separate targets simultaneously. One force is lead into combat by the XO colonel and the other by the brigadier general. Make sense?

Yes, that scenario makes sense. It’s quite plausible for a brigade to be divided into two forces for simultaneous attacks on separate targets. Having the XO colonel lead one force while the brigadier general leads the other is a realistic and strategic approach, especially in a high-stakes combat situation.

Question: I am thinking about adding a scene like the washroom scene in the movie “In Harm’s Way.” In my story, the division commander comes to The Butcher’s camp to berate his subordinate for relocating his forces without orders. While The Butcher attempts to maintain military hierarchy, he gets frustrated; after beating his superior officer into submission, The Butcher tells the division commander that he will kill him right then unless he agrees to following the brigadier general’s orders regarding supplies and logistics for the coming siege of the city. The scene showcases the conflict between a war fighter and a peacetime political general officer. Make sense?

That sounds like a powerful and intense scene! The conflict between The Butcher, a ruthless warfighter, and the division commander, a peacetime political general, can really highlight the stark differences in their approaches to leadership and warfare.

Here are a few tips to enhance the scene:

1.            Setting the Atmosphere: Describe the camp’s environment to set the mood. Is it tense and chaotic, reflecting the urgency of the upcoming siege? Use sensory details to immerse the reader.

2.            Character Dynamics: Show the division commander’s frustration and The Butcher’s cold, calculating demeanor. The physical confrontation can be a turning point, revealing The Butcher’s true nature.

3.            Dialogue: Make the dialogue sharp and impactful. The division commander’s reprimands should reflect his adherence to protocol, while The Butcher’s responses can be terse and menacing.

4.            Internal Conflict: Highlight The Butcher’s internal struggle. Despite his ruthless exterior, there might be a part of him that resents having to resort to violence against his own superior.

5.            Aftermath: Show the immediate aftermath of the confrontation. How does the division commander react? Does he comply out of fear, or is there a deeper, more complex reaction?