Decanvs

Profile description

Decanvs, commander of a squad (contvbernivm), is usually an experienced soldier who plays a special role in the training and upbringing of those under his care, the so-called contvbernales. He is responsible for their discipline, the atmosphere of service and work, the level of culture, social conduct, military order and training.

Decanvs is obliged to observe military discipline and has specific authority over the soldiers from his tent, especially in taking disciplinary action and distinguishing the soldiers subordinate to him.

As the senior-ranking soldier in the absence of another decanvs:

• he is authorised to order a soldier to stop violating military discipline;
• he is obliged to inform that soldier's superior of this fact.

Required skills:

1. Leading and commanding the squad, including assigning tasks, defining objectives, and holding subordinate soldiers accountable and assessing them.
2. Knowledge of the equipment and weapons used by the squad.
3. Use of individual equipment and weapons.
4. Operation of shared equipment used by the entire squad.
5. Application of training forms and methods enabling the assigned objective to be achieved.

Tasks and duties in the camp

Warning !!! In the camp, the structural division of the organisation that is Leg XXI Rapax is quite different from outside gatherings.

At the event, the Centvrio appoints legionaries who will serve as Decanvi. Ideally, those concerned should be informed of this before the event, both of their own appointment and of the preliminary list of soldiers who will be assigned to their tent.

Such knowledge is very useful, as it allows the Decanvs to prepare much better for his role.

Decanvs, as a functional soldier, has a number of duties connected with caring for his contvbernales, that is the members of the contvbernivm who live with him in one tent. He is responsible for training, maintaining military equipment and gear in working order, shaping proper interpersonal relations, and ensuring that safety rules are observed during the execution of tasks.

Below is the main scope of tasks assigned to the Decanvs under camp conditions.

Legionary equipment

One of the basic duties of the Decanvs is to ensure that those under his care are properly equipped both for the combat part and for everyday functioning in the camp.

1. He determines as early as possible, if possible even before the event, what equipment shortages his men will have, and makes every effort to have them filled.
2. He ensures that shortages are filled both in the combat part, meaning weapons, and in the civilian part, for example eating vessels, a sleeping blanket and other necessary items of equipment.
3. He checks necessarily on the soldier's body the quality and fit of the equipment, in particular:
   • whether armour has a complete set of straps;
   • whether the helmet sits properly on the head and will not move during marching or running;
   • whether the metal parts of the weapons are kept properly clean;
   • whether individual pieces of equipment are suitable for safe and dignified use.

Legionary training

Decanvs is also responsible for assessing the level of training of those under his care and for filling identified gaps as quickly as possible.

1. He determines what training deficiencies his men have, both with regard to:
   • the basics of drill;
   • knowledge of the general choreography of displays;
   • skill in handling weapons.
2. From the beginning of the gathering, he works intensively to bring his soldiers up to standard as quickly as possible in the areas where deficiencies have been identified.
3. Depending on the situation:
   • basic gaps in knowledge and skills among those under his care may be corrected by him independently;
   • more advanced deficiencies, such as training in military group formations, he urgently reports to the appropriate principales in the camp, for example the Magister Campi or Optio, as a need for urgent training of specific soldiers.

Latin

An important element of service in the camp is also basic knowledge of Latin, especially within the scope used during drill, reporting and the daily functioning of the unit.

1. Decanvs checks knowledge of the basics of Latin in the following areas:
   • cardinal numerals;
   • marching and camp commands;
   • names of individual equipment and camp elements;
   • phrases needed for giving reports.
2. If deficiencies are found, he seeks to remedy them himself or reports the need for additional training to the appropriate functionary, for example the magister latinae.

General conduct of the legionary

Decanvs is responsible not only for the military preparation of his men, but also for their proper conduct, order and compliance with the rules binding throughout the entire camp.

1. He teaches and supervises:
   • that soldiers keep order in the tent, especially the proper arrangement of sleeping places;
   • that they maintain order in front of the tent, especially with regard to putting away shields and pila;
   • that those under his care inform him of every departure from the camp and of the probable time of return;
   • that non-historical items are mostly kept outside the camp, for example in cars;
   • that nicotine products are used only outside the camp and only in places designated for this purpose;
   • that they do not consume alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content above 0% during the time of day forbidden by the camp commander; 
   • that they do not use modern devices in the camp, such as flashlights or mobile phones, at any time of day;
   • that they behave with dignity and in accordance with the rules of social conduct binding in Leg XXI Rapax.

Warning !!! Decanvs should respond immediately to all signs of neglecting order, violating discipline, and behaviour that lowers the historical standard of the camp.

Additional duties

In addition to duties directly connected with the equipment, training and conduct of his men, Decanvs must constantly oversee the organisation of work of the entire contvbernivm.

Decanvs especially keeps in mind at all times that he must:

1. always know where his soldiers are.
2. at all assemblies, place himself at the front, but arrive last himself, helping and mobilising his contvbernales to report as quickly as possible as an entire group.
3. mobilise his soldiers to active work and learning.
4. motivate his soldiers so that they perform all duties exemplarily, for the glory of the contvbernivm and the whole of Leg XXI Rapax.
5. fairly assign night and day guard duties, if such a task has been assigned to the contvbernivm.
6. instruct legionaries leaving the camp when they must return at the latest, and then monitor this and react early enough in the event of possible delays.

Reporting

To carry out all tasks assigned to him, the Decanvs has at his disposal a number of other functionaries in the camp, whose assistance he should use. Proper reporting and cooperation with the functional staff are an important element of his service.

1. In the day-to-day functioning of his contvbernivm, he cooperates with other functionaries, in particular:
   • with the Medicvs, in matters concerning the health of members of the contvbernivm;
   • with the Magister Campi, in matters concerning the need for additional training of soldiers, especially in a larger group;
   • with the Centvrio, in matters concerning the organisation of service and the programme for the next day.
2. He continuously passes information to his superiors about the condition of his contvbernivm, observed problems, equipment shortages, training deficiencies and organisational matters requiring a higher-level decision.
3. Decanvs takes part in staff councils and briefings in the morning and/or evening, which customarily take place in the tent of the centvrio.

Warning !!! Decanvs should not leave matters concerning his contvbernivm unreported to his superiors if their nature exceeds his own competence or ability to act.

For discussion and development

1. Complete detailed guidelines concerning reporting, especially the scope of reports submitted to the Medicvs, Magister Campi and Centvrio.
2. Prepare a model scheme of Decanvs responsibility for the contvbernivm throughout the entire event.

External links

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