Officer, 17th century

Officer, 17th century is a support infantry unit in Cossacks 3, available in the Barracks, 17th century. They are the generic version of the Officer 17th family.

Background
As Europe began to form regular armies, the old feudal system was changed and replaced by a new centralized organisation. Knighthood gave way to cavalry; separate feudal squads were replaced with detachments of cavalry and infantry with officers in command. Strict subordination was established in order to structure military service as efficiently as possible and to allow for supreme control. The number of officers was limited, and long service was not a sufficient condition for an officer's promotion - a vacancy was also required.

The European military organisation was as follows: A Swedish regiment, for instance, consisted of 8 companies (4 companies per battalion); an infantry company comprised a captain, one or two lieutenants, one or two ensigns, 5 corporals, 3 musicians and 140 private soldiers (about 150 men in total). The Swedish cavalry was divided into regiments of 3 squadrons each (12 companies). Each company included 124 private soldiers, one trumpeter, two captains, two lieutenants, two cornets, a standard cadet, two quartermasters and five corporals. A Russian infantry regiment of this time comprised 1,348 units: 3 staff officers, 40 chief officers, 80 corporals, 27 musicians, 24 craftsmen, 8 clerks and barbers, 86 cabmen and 1,120 private soldiers. A Russian dragoon regiment consisted of 5 squadrons (about 1,200 men in total), 38 staff officers and chief officers, 80 corporals, 920 privates and 290 non-combatants. The number of officers in subdivisions determined the battle value and control of the forces. An officer's weapons comprised a sword with a gilded hilt, two pistols, and - throughout most of Europe - various kinds of halberds. They could also wear armour or a cuirass (without kneesocks or leg-guards). Their uniform was decorated with expensive fabrics and golden embroidery. The officer corps comprised nobles only - it was very difficult for an ignoble to rise that high in the ranks.