Delmarva (1983: Doomsday)

The United Counties of Delmarva, normally referred to as Delmarva, is an American survivor nation located on the eastern seaboard of the former United States. Following Doomsday, nine surviving Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware counties located on the Delmarva Peninsula formed a loose confederation. This led to a formal declaration of independence and the formation of the UCD in 1985. In the twenty-four years since, Delmarva has grown, welcoming other areas to the union who were interested in joining. This has included portions of Maryland and Virginia adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay and part of coastal New Jersey. Although Delmarva does not consider itself a successor to the old US, it sees itself as embodying the same ideals. It does however maintain a neutral stance on political affairs, lending its support on an as needed basis.

History

 * See main article: 

Government
The nation is a unicameral government consisting of three branches, the executive, legislative, and judicial.

Executive
The executive branch is led by a President and Vice-President who are popularly elected by the people to a term of six years. In the event of death, incapacitation, or resignation of the President, the Vice President is the next in the line of succession. The President is limited to only one term; however, they may run again after 12 years. A Vice-President may be elected to the office of the President, but once elected the same limitations apply. Any Vice-President, who serves two-thirds of the remaining term of a President for any reason, will be considered ineligible for office per standing limitations. To be elected, one must be a legal citizen 30 years of age or older. Among the President's scope of power, they may call up the armed forces in a time of emergency for up to three weeks. They are also permitted the line item veto. Under the executive branch, the President administers cabinet posts designed to oversee key areas of the nation affairs. Each cabinet post is headed by a Secretary, appointed by the President and approved by the legislature. They cabinet posts consist of the following: Departments of Defense; Health; Food; Technology & Energy; Finance; Foreign Affairs; Education; and Justice.

Legislative
The legislative branch, known as the National Assembly or Assembly, consists of ten representatives popularly elected by the people for a period of two years by each county, i.e. state, who are members of the UCD, The Assembly is led a Speaker,who is elected by representatives. Under the rules of govermental succession, the Speaker is third in line following the Vice President. Representatives are limited to only three consecutive terms in office, but are allowed to run again after ten years. To be elected, one must be a legal citizen 25 years or older. The power of the Assembly incorporates duties shared by the old US Sentate and House of Representatives. The responsibilities include passing laws, being the keeper of the purse, approving nominations by the President, and declaring war. Under unusual circumstances, the Assembly may impeach the President for treason, bribery, or high crimes and other misdemeanors. However, a 3/4 majority is needed to convict and remove the President.

Judicial
Per the Constitution, the judicial branch consists of three Justices, appointed by the president and approved by the assembly. Consisting of one Chief Justice and two justices, the body meets monthly or on a as needed basis to review appeals by lower courts and render binding legal decisions. Acting as a balance to the executive and legislative branches, the Supreme Court, as it is known, has the power to overturn a law deemed unconstitutional. A Justice is limited to a term of twenty years and may be removed if they become incapacitated and are unable to perform their job.

Bill of Rights
The UCD Bill of Rights, based on the original US Bill of Rights, was established as part of the Delmarva Constitution, to grant specific rights to the people and states. Under the Constitution, additional admendments may be added following a specific approval process. The first twelve admendments are as follows:

1. The Assembly can make no law which respects an establishment of religion or prohibits the free exercise thereof; or prohibit the freedom of speech, the press, the right to peacefully assemble; or petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

2. All persons are considered equal in the eyes of the law irregardless of their color, race, national origin, sex, age, religious beliefs, or disability. Further no law shall be passed by the federal, state, or local government which prohibits or restricts the rights of citizens upon these bases.

3. All citizens deemed to be legal residents under the law and of eighteen years of age, are granted the right to vote in elections and run for public office. No law shall be passed prohibiting this right.

4. It is the right of the people to keep and bare arms.

5. It is the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, which shall not be violated; and no warrants will be issued, unless probable cause, supported by an oath or affirmation and describing in particular the place to be searched and persons or things to be seized.

6. No person will be held to answer for any offense unless upon the presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases involving members of the armed forces, both federal and state, when in actual service during the time of war or public danger. Further, no person shall be subject to trial for the same offense, nor forced to be a witness against themselves involving any criminal case. No person may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; or private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

7. In all criminal prosecutions, all persons are entitled to the right of a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state and district where the crime occurred; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted by the witnesses against them; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in their favor; and have the assistance of counsel for their defense.

8. Excessive bail will not be required, or the imposition of excessive fines; or cruel or unusual punishment inflicted.

9. Persons are assured of a trial by jury in all suits involving common law in which the value exceeds twenty dollars and no fact tried by a jury will be otherwise re-examined in any court of Delmarva other than according to the rules of common law.

10. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be constued to deny of disparge others retained by the people.

11. The Assembly shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

12. The powers not delegated to Delmarva by the Constitution, nor prohibtited by the the states, are reserved to the states respecitvely or to the people.

Flag
Introduced in 1985, the flag of Delmarva is designed to symbolize the new nation's overall attitude and pride. It features a Blue Heron Crane, a native of the Delmarva Peninsula, taking flight against a goldenrod background. As explained by the UCD, the crane represents the new nation taking flight against the dawn of a new day. At the top of the flag is emblazoned the motto "E Pluribus Unum" meaning out many comes one. This symbolizes the fact that seven different counties from three former US states formed the nation and has grown over time to include areas of four states. The date at the bottom of flag stands for the date the Delmarva Constitution was signed, thus uniting the counties.

History & Policies
When the original seven counties established the UCD in 1985, it was born out of an inherent desire to reclaim the safety and security which had been suddenly lost just two years earlier. People, who for the most part had never known great hunger or suffering, found themselves in the space of two hours plunged into a situation in which they lost family and friends; homes; communities; livelihoods; and most of all, a way of life they had always known. Having survived World War III and the initial resulting horrors, they desperately sought to rebuild a similar way of life to replace it. This was in essence the main driving force behind independence and the establishment of the new nation. As a result, the concept of expanding the nation was never a serious thought at the time. Having just survived a horrific war and still struggling to carry on, the last thing on people’s minds was to expand, albeit peacefully or at the barrel of a gun. However, it had been the stated intention of both the Delmarva Confederation and later the UCD, to reclaim the remainder of the Delmarva Peninsula, including those areas of Delaware west of the C&D Canal and of Maryland east of the Susquehanna River, as time and conditions permitted.

Even though Delmarva had no interest in pursuing a “manifest destiny” as it applied to the region, it however did not impact their desire to provide support to their neighbors. In the first terrible weeks following World War III, Delmarva reached out to those around it out of a basic human desire for contact, establishing relations by radio with adjacent areas of Virginia and Maryland on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay and those of southern New Jersey across the Delaware Bay. Although they were able to supply some relief, such as their work at Calvert Cliffs and later Quantico, any overall efforts were affected by Delmarva’s own need to survive. None the less, the seeds for future relations were sown. In the following months, despite their own problems, this desire to help still continued. In fact during his 1986 inaugural address, UCD President Martin said it was one of the aims of his administration to provide help and assistance to nearby communities and explained it would be his goal to create a version of the old Peace Corps and send out expeditions to lend a hand. He stated, “At our core, we are all Americans and citizens of this planet. Whether or not there are survivors elsewhere, and we must believe there are, it behooves us on a basic human level and as good servants of God to provide help to our neighbors if we can do so.” This philosophy could be said to have been born out of two basic thoughts. Having experienced their own trial by fire thus far and still trying to fully emerge, citizens could more than easily understand the suffering their neighbors were experiencing. Second, by helping to improve conditions they were in essence building towards the future by helping to establish a safe and secure region.

Thus it was in the spring 1986, these expeditions, albeit armed, set out mostly by boat to travel to nearby counties to provide aid, including such people as doctors, engineers, and agronomists. What they found were counties struggling to survive, having suffered as bad as or worse than Delmarva. The “Four Horsemen of Doomsday”, as many had taken to calling them, radioactive fallout, disease, starvation, and lawlessness, had run rampant in many areas. Counties with large populations had seen losses of one third to one half; where as those with smaller and more widely distributed populations had fared better. Still, the expeditions did their best to help. The counties were appreciative of the assistance, especially in that it was being offered and not forced upon them. To forge stronger links, given the absence of phones, the UCD delivered ham radios to many communities by which they could communicate with each other and the UCD.

As a result of the good will generated by the expeditions as well as the news of the UCD’s establishment, over time many began to seriously consider approaching Delmarva about joining the new nation. Although the thought of going it alone as an independent entity was enticing to some, the desire for safety and security, the same which drove the creation of the UCD, carried more weight. In the hard reality of the new world, it made more sense to be part of such a group. As it was, before 1986 was over, Calvert County, Maryland, who had the longest connection with Delmarva since Doomsday, would petition for entry into the union. Following the approval of the assembly and the president, Calvert became the tenth member of the UCD in December 1986, thus setting the stage for years to come, as other counties would come forward to formally request entry into the UCD. However, given the low population density for a number of counties, the decision was made for some to merge into larger affiliations.

By 2009, twenty-three years following the creation of the UCD, what had begun as simple desire for stability and security, had grown into a nation of twenty-six counties. Additionally, the UCD maintains control over several unincorporated areas, including Cecil County, MD; Upper New Castle County, DE; and Atlantic City, NJ, with the hope of eventually bringing them into the union sometime in the future once they have a viable infrastructure and a sizable population. A presence is also maintained in parts of Anne Arundel and Prince Georges Counties, MD, which are currently under evaluation as whether they are livable or if viable areas should be absorbed by nearby counties. It should also be noted, the UCD continues to provide assistance as requested or needed by neighboring regions.

UCD Counties
Enclosed below is a list of all members of the UCD and their local capitals as of 2009:
 * 1) Accomack: Accomac  (Founding county)
 * 2) Calvert: Prince Frederick (Former MD county)
 * 3) Cape May: Cape May (Former NJ County)
 * 4) Caroline: Denton (Founding county)
 * 5) Charles: La Plata (Former MD county)
 * 6) Chesapeake: Lancaster (Northumberland & Lancaster Counties, VA)
 * 7) Clark: Bowling Green  (Caroline County, VA)
 * 8) Cumberland: Bridgeton (Former NJ county)
 * 9) Dover: Milford  (Kent County, DE)
 * 10) Dorchester: Cambridge (Founding county)
 * 11) Essex: Tappahannock  (Essex & Middlesex Counties, VA)
 * 12) Fredericksburg: Fredericksburg  (Stafford County & city of Fredericksburg, VA)
 * 13) Kent: Chestertown (Former MD county on Delmarva; reclaimed)
 * 14) King: King William (King & Queen and King William Counties, VA)
 * 15) Lower New Castle: Townsend (Formerly part of New Castle County, DE; reclaimed Delmarva county)
 * 16) Mathews: Mathews (Mathews & Gloucester Counties, VA)
 * 17) Northampton: Eastville (Founding county)
 * 18) Queen Anne's: Centerville (Former MD county on Delmarva; reclaimed)
 * 19) Richmond: Warsaw (Richmond & Westmoreland Counties, VA)
 * 20) Salem: Pennsville (Former NJ county)
 * 21) Somerset: Princess Anne (Founding county)
 * 22) St. Mary's: Leonardtown (Former MD county)
 * 23) Sussex: Georgetown (Founding county)
 * 24) Talbot: Easton (Founding county)
 * 25) Wicomico: Salisbury (Founding county)
 * 26) Worcester: Snowhill (Founding county)

Health
With the loss of electricity on Doomsday, medical facilities were severely hampered in their ability to treat patients. Even when some were able to utilize older gas powered generators to bring back limited power, a great deal of the modern equipment which was being used had been destroyed by the EMP. However, medical treatment still continued and as time went on medical facilities was able to address this problem by locating undamaged equipment or older models which had been in storage to replace them.

1983-1984: The Great Dying Time
Once of the most profound events in early history of Delmarva and has since come to be known by the grim moniker, “The Great Dying Time”, deeply affected the medical community. Beginning within hours of the attacks, people exposed to the nuclear explosions had begun to die; the first deaths coming in the form of injuries such as thermal burns and gamma radiation exposure. However, as time passed, people who appeared seemingly healthy began to sicken and die. Most were refugees who had fled from the northern part of Delmarva or rescue personnel who had been exposed to fallout which had been inhaled or absorbed through their skin. While medical facilities were struggling to deal with the influx of the sick and dying, another lethal threat emerged in October 1983, flu. Whether it was because immunity systems were weakened by fallout, vitamin deficiency, or other factors or it was just a virus mutated by radiation; the flu cut a deadly swath through the Delmarva population, especially in places where large concentrations of people were located. So many people fell ill, that large indoor facilities, such as school auditoriums and gyms and conference centers, were pressed into service as emergency hospitals to handle patients. As fatalities grew, overburdened localities were forced to use mass graves to bury victims, resorting to photographing the dead before they were taken away. It would not be until early 1984, that casualties would begin to drop. The last deaths would not be recorded until April. Throughout all of this, the situation had been staggering to the medical community which was brought to the near breaking point as they struggled to do their best. In a number of cases where people were dying from radiation, approval was given to administer euthanasia. In fact, things were so bad at times, some personnel, overcome with emotion, reportedly committed suicide. The overall toll had been staggering. At least 37% of the population of approximately 570,000 had perished, which included 100,000 from radiation illnesses; 100,000 from flu; and 10,000 from other diseases.

1984: The Creation of the CMA
Nearly shattered, the Delmarva medical community regrouped in spring 1984 determined to make sure they were better prepared for the future. A major problem observed during the crisis was the lack of a central command to direct affairs throughout the peninsula. Members of the entire spectrum of the medical community, including doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists, gathered in Salisbury to discuss the situation. From this the Chesapeake Medical Association would emerge. It would allow for communication and cooperation by medical personnel, regardless of state and county lines, and planning and preparation for future medical needs and emergencies. The first results of the CMA would be seen when the next outbreak of the flu emerged in the winter of 1984-1985. As a result of their work, the flu would claim less than 1,500 lives.

1985-Present
The CMA would play a major role in the push for the formation of the UCD in 1985, using the example of the 1983-1984 crises as proof for a unified government. In 1986, the cabinet post of Health was created under the administration of the first Delmarva President, signifying the new nation’s understanding of the importance of the issue. The most pressing medical issue since Doomsday continues to be illnesses and deaths related to radiation and fallout, such as cancer and infant mortality, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over time, overall radioactivity dropped significantly improving the safety of residents and allowing access to all areas of the peninsula. However, Delmarva’s approximation to heavily contaminated zones still continues to be a major health problem for the foreseeable future because of periodic exposure. Acknowledging this, euthanasia is now permitted under law as a choice for critically ill patients, while at the same time doctors are studying these illnesses to extend and improve life. Additionally, the growing and sale of marijuana is allowed in order to treat those who are ill. As for PTSD, doctors continue to do their best to address this area, as well as those of other mental afflictions, which is especially prevalent among those who survived Doomsday and the next two years. At least one facility has been set aside to care for those to mentally ill to function in society for this reason. Today, facilities ranging from the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes; Milford Memorial in Milford; Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford; Eastern Shore and Dorchester in Cambridge; Peninsula Regional Medical Center and Deer’s Head Center in Salisbury and the Riverside Memorial Hospital in Parksley form the backbone of medical services across Delmarva.

Economy
Prior to Doomsday, areas such as the Delmarva Peninsula, Eastern Shore, Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and South Jersey, which came to form the UCD, had varied economies. Tourism played a significant role, with people flocking to these areas to tour historical and natural attractions, reside in summer homes, or visit such places as beaches, resort communities, and inns. Agriculture, fishing, and the poultry industry, also figured substantially in the economy, along with light manufacturing. Additionally, some residents who lived in the region regularly commuted to jobs in adjacent cities such as Baltimore and Washington, DC.

World War III had an understandably massive impact on the region. The destruction of nearby major urban areas had the effect of not only isolating the UCD, but forcing people to become self reliant in many ways. Since Doomsday, Delmarva has struggled to rebuild its economy and replace those elements lost due to the war, while at the same time being able to provide the essential elements needed to help its population to survive. As of 2010, the UCD economy emerged into seven areas: agriculture, fishing, poultry, animal husbandry, lumbering, manufacturing, and science and development.

Agriculture
Before Doomsday agriculture played an important role in the regional economy, tracing its roots back to when the region was originally settled. When the UCD was first established in 1985, an estimated 2000 farms already existed in the nine founding counties. With the inclusion of new states, that number has substantially increased over time. Some smaller farms which existed before the war ceased to exist because of the death or migration of those operating them or due to the loss of the necessary elements required to operate them. In the post-Doomsday world however, many existing farms have expanded and newer farms have emerged with the assistance of the national and local governments. As of 2010, although the exact number of farms is unknown, it is believed to be close to or over four thousand.

A major problem however, has been the ecological damage inflicted upon the environment (see also fishing) by the war. Fallout destroyed many exposed fields in areas abandoned people due to radiation following the war as well as damaged the natural flora. As Delmarva has gradually reclaimed these areas, it has been forced to initiate major reclamation projects to restore the land to its prewar condition which is expected to be an ongoing mission for years to come. This hard work has already begun to be evident in a number of areas.

Today, the farms of Delmarva produce a cornucopia of agricultural projects, including potatoes, corn, green beans, soybeans, tomatoes, grains, melons, peanuts, peppers, pumpkins, and a variety of fruits. A number of wineries also exist, producing grapes for wine. Cotton is also raised for clothing production, especially for denim. As of 2010, agriculture has become one of the more successful elements of the UCD economy to the point where Delmarva has been able to export surplus supplies to other nations in trade for profit.

Fishing
Pollution, the result of radiological fallout; toxic runoff from zones bombed on Doomsday or destroyed by subsequent fires; and abandoned factories inflicted extensive ecological damage on the Chesapeake Bay water shed, destroying a significant portion of the seafood which was routinely harvested or caught by local fisherman. As a result of this, all fishing is currently banned from the bay because of health reasons. Delmarva has declared itself guardians of the bay and have vowed to do what it can to restore it, however it is expected to take many generations to do so. Fishing still continues though in the adjacent waters of the Atlantic Ocean and aquaculture has also made an appearance, with people raising seafood on inland farms.

Poultry Industry
First appearing in the 1920s and 1930s, the poultry industry had by 1983 come to represent a vital section of the Delmarva Peninsula economy employing nearly 20,000 people. Over two thousand farms produced 12% of the nation’s broilers or 480 million chickens a year and at the time of Doomsday, some 75 million chickens were in various stages of growth. At least twelve processing plants dotted the region with hatcheries, feed mills, rendering plants, and a deboning plant. The four top major poultry companies in the nation had operations in the area, including Perdue Farms whose headquarters was located in Salisbury.

Although the apparatus of the industry remaining intact immediately following Doomsday, it was hit deeply by several factors. The loss of electricity assured automated machinery could not operate and the ability to freeze and preserve dressed chickens for consumption was unavailable. Farms which had been able to grow and supply food for poultry consumption, were forced to direct operations towards growing food for survival. With less food available, and the immediate need to feed starving people, farmers were forced to cull their flocks in order to continue operations. With the progression of time, the industry was able to rebound. However, it was forced to retool many methods. Chickens tended to be shipped alive to their destinations to be killed and dressed locally. The use of antibiotics in chicken feed was phased out and more and more chickens were raised free range versus old style warehouse pens.

Animal Husbandry
Horses are bred and raised for use in basic transportation and by the military. At least a dozen horse farms spread out throughout the region, engage in this industry. Additionally, hogs and sheep are raised on numerous farms for food and clothing.

Lumber
Trees are harvested for both construction and use as fuel. Given the limited number of trees however, the UCD has instituted a policy of conservation and replanting to ensure remain part of the nation for generations to come.

Manufacturing
Manufacturing had a limited presence in the Delmarva Peninsula before the war and as a result, most manufactured goods were shipped in from other areas or the industrial region of New Castle County, Delaware. With the loss of imports along with electricity, manufacturing ground to a halt. Small scale manufacturing powered by humans, such as spinning looms and small welding and construction shops, emerged to try and fill peoples' needs. With the restoration of power in some areas, old food processing and bottling plants were brought out of retirement. With the decrease of radiation over time, teams have reentered the old New Castle County industrial regions to salvage and or reclaim machinery and factories abandoned immediately following the war because of fallout. These operations have slowly allowed the nation to become more self reliant in some items versus having to import them. Over time Delmarva has also resurrected the production of explosives and weapons to ensure their defense, including activation of DuPont factories. As of 2010, manufacturing includes a variety of areas including food and beverage processing, clothing, farm machinery, explosives, and weapons

Additionally, shipbuilding has emerged as a vibrant part of this area of the economy, given the increased need for fishing and the fact many goods and passengers move about the nation via the waterways. Ships are also built for use by the UCD Navy.

Science & Development
The destructive force of EMPs on Doomsday helped to set back scientific research many decades with not only the loss of numerous electronic devices, such as computers, but electronically stored data as well. Nonetheless, as the overall situation began to stabilize in the UCD, the government began to work with companies and local governments in an effort to expand scientific research and development given the tools available. Much of this work was done through the Department of Science & Technology created by the first UCD administration. Much of this work has been centered around universities, colleges, and the old Wallops Space Flight Center located on the eastern shore of Delmarva.

Believed to be the only NASA facility to have survived Doomsday, Wallops had been operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center before the war. Involved in science and exploration missions for numerous government agencies, Wallops was used primarily as a rocket launch site. In addition to the development and launching of various types of rockets, the scientists had also been involved in the launch of high altitude balloons to conduct scientific tests and carrying out aeronautical research. Although much of their electronic equipment was destroyed or heavily damaged by Doomsday, the scientists continued their research, enlarging it to cover numerous areas necessary to the survival and future of the new nation. In 1985, they were joined by scientific refugees from the former Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, MD, setting in motion a transformation of the site into a into massive scientic and devlelopment facility and teaching center. Many scientists seeking residence in the UCD tend to settle in this area. As of 2010, at least 3,000 work at the site, studying everything from agronomy, munitions devleopment, and the long term effects of the Doomsday on people and the environment, to new sources of energy, the restoration and repair of electornics, and the possiblity of someday launching a crude satellite into orbit to monitor the weather.

Military
Like many nations which arose from the ashes of Doomsday across the world, Delmarva quickly formed a defense force to ensure its security. Unlike most survivor nations, Delmarva in its early years was surrounded by water on all four sides and as such did not suffer the same chaos as befell other regions from raiders, bandits, and such. What raids that took place involved those of pirates who attacked shipping or landed on shore to attack farms and communities before fleeing, much like their predecessors of the 1700s.

From its early days, the Delmarva Civil Defense Force (DCDF) was a conglomeration of elements of the National Guard from Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland; active duty and reserve members of the US military, including survivors of the US Naval Academy (USNA); Dover and Cape Charles AFBs; and the US Coast Guard (USCG); retired military; and civilian volunteers. In the first year, total numbers ranged about 2,000 to 3,000. In February 1984, the arrival of survivors of the Quantico Marine Base helped to double this size. However, no overall command structure existed for these forces. With the hope of bringing order, the Delmarva Confederation made the decision to appoint two commanders, one to oversee naval forces and the other ground units. In late 1984 they selected USMC Brigadier General David M. Twomey to lead the ground units and USN Rear Admiral Charles R. Larson the navy.

The two men had the deep respect of many in the armed forces. BG Twomey, the commander of Quantico Marine Base, had evacuated the base and led nearly 7,000 survivors, including 3,500 Marines, to Delmarva in the early months of 1984. Admiral Larson, who was superintendant of the USNA on Doomsday, organized and led the evacuation of most of the staff and cadets of the academy to the nearby Delmarva Peninsula on the evening of war. Although they had been providing some leadership since their arrival, it had not been in a formal capacity beyond their own groups. When the UCD was officially established, President Paul Martin, with the approval of the Assembly, appointed Admiral Larson Chief of Delmarva Naval Operations and BG Twomey Chief of Staff of the Delmarva Army. Both men would be answerable to the Secretary of Defense and the President. Now tasked with more than just organizing the military, they set about laying the groundwork for the future defense of the new nation. This included building military bases, recruiting and training service personnel, and securing or developing equipment.

As of 2010, the Delmarva military stands at about 20,000 men and women. The nation has been forced to increase the size of their military over time due to the expansion of the UCD and to handle new threats including the Virginian Republic. It is currently divided into three branches, the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Delmarva Ground Forces
The Delmarva Army (DA) is currently divided into five areas: cavalry, infantry, armor, artillery and missiles, and Special Forces.

Cavalry

Given the limited availability of fuel for many years following the war, BG Twomey fell back upon his knowledge of the Southern military during the US Civil War making the decision to revise the cavalry. Originally formed as a single squadron of 800 troopers, broken down into four companies of 200 each, the cavalry proved adept at patrolling hard to reach areas, especially along the borders, and carrying out long range reconnaissance. Those who serve are required to know how to fight both mounted and dismounted. Basic weapons include an assault weapon, primarily the AK-47 because of its rugged versatility; a modified saber; an automatic pistol, and sometimes a shotgun. Depending on the size and the mission, units may also be equipped with mortars, heavy machine guns, and or rocket propelled grenades to give them added fire power. As the UCD grew, the cavalry grew as well to meet the new needs. Currently, there are three squadrons, one in South New Jersey; the second on Delmarva Peninsula; and the third in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, with a total number of 2,400.

Army

Delmarva currently fields six battalions of 1000 soldiers each, subdivided into four companies. At least two battalions each are permanently stationed at bases in eastern Virginia and in southern New Jersey because of security risks. The remaining two battalions are spread out among the Delmarva Peninsula and the Eastern Shore. In the event of an emergency, infantry companies are dispatched to provide support to the cavalry. Although classified as soldiers, they are an incorporation of a regular army soldier and a marine.

Armor

Armor is made up of two battalions each, broken down into four companies of 250. They rely mainly on pre-war tanks and armored cars and carriers. The UCD has instituted a small factory in the 1990s to begin replacing some of this aging equipment with newer models. Although they have had some success in this area, production has been slow for various reasons. However, the UCD has been able to purchase some equipment from their trading partners, in particular Brazil. Armor units are spread out among UCD military bases, in particular Eastern Virginia and South Jersey, providing support to infantry and cavalry as needed.

Artillery & Missiles

Delmarva currently maintains five companies, four dedicated to artillery and one to rockets. Each company comprises 200 soldiers. The artillery, much like the DA armor, is pre-war although some has been manufactured. The missile company is mostly comprised of Katyusha Rockets launched from mobile platforms, such as armored tractors or trains. By the late 1980s, the military expressed an interest in exploring the possibility of the production and reintroduction of missiles. Working with scientists from Wallops Research Center, who were able to build upon their own experiences with rockets, the groups hit upon the idea of using the weapon, first introduced in World War II by Russia and known among other things as “Stalin’s Organ.”

Although production was limited due to the availability of materials, they experienced limited success by the early 1990s in time for missiles to make a small appearance in the deadly Atlantic City War. As of today, a number of Katyusha batteries have been built and are in current use by the DA, mostly in Eastern Virginia. They have yet to be used in any major operation. Research and development continues into missile technology and scientists have developed several V-2 type rockets which would be capable of launching a small explosive warhead with limited success. However, they have not made it into the field yet. Like armor, artillery and missile companies are spread out among UCD bases and provide support to infantry and cavalry.

Special Forces

One of the most secretive areas of the military is the special forces, also known as the Falcons or Rangers. They carry out clandestine operations, such as special reconnaissance, infiltration, and raids on enemy targets. The DA is believed to currently maintain two companies of 200, each broken down into eight platoons. They have participated in several noteworthy operations, including the Atlantic City War; the destruction of raiders hiding in the Pine Barrens of central New Jersey; and spying on defensive positions of the Virginian Republic.

Delmarva Navy
The Delmarva Navy (DN) is a significant branch of the UCD military in that the nation is spread out over a large area which abuts or is transected by water. Additionally, it is of critical importance to the economy that vital seaways remain open and secure, given most freight and passengers move via the water. As a result, Delmarvan naval craft regularly patrol such areas as the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, the lower Potomac, Rappahannock, and Delaware Rivers, and adjacent areas of the Atlantic Ocean. They operate out of a dozen different ports, including Cape May, Tappahannock, Cambridge, and Kent Island. The current size of the DN numbers about 6,000.

Since the early days of the nation, the DN has played a major role in combating and suppressing piracy not only in the Chesapeake Bay, but in the major shipping lanes of the mid-Atlantic. Although by the 21st Century, most piracy has been stamped out, it still continues to sporadically occur. Much like the prewar US Coast Guard, the DN also provides emergency assistance to vessels in distress. As of 2010 though, the largest military engagement the DN has played a significant role in was the Atlantic City War in the 1990s.

Naval officers are currently trained at the Delmarva Naval Academy (DNA) near Cambridge, utilizing the same curriculums used at the pre-war US Naval Academy (USNA). Although there has been some discussion about moving operations to the old USNA which was abandoned after Doomsday, no decision has yet to be made by the UCD.

The DN, which combines elements of a brown and green water navy, consists of at least thirty vessels of various shapes and sizes broken into two groups, interior and coastal operations.

Interior Operations

The bulk of the DN, approximately 20 ships, is responsible for patrolling interior bays and rivers. A number of these craft are commercial boats modified and transformed into patrol craft similar to the Swift Boats of the Vietnam War area. High speed boats and former motor yachts were also seized by the DN and converted into warships are also utilized. Armaments vary between craft, but generally consist of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers.

Coastal Operations

Ten vessels, including three frigates and six former US Coast Guard cutters, are responsible for patrolling the Atlantic Ocean coast of Delmarva. In the late 1980s, several expeditions visited the Fort Eustis, Virginia area in an effort to locate the James River Reserve Fleet, mothballed US Navy and commercial ships, and determine if any still existed and if they could be salvaged. The expeditions discovered many had capsized and sank as a result of the Doomsday attacks on the adjacent Norfolk-Newport News area or deterioration due to age and neglect. They were only able to salvage about ten ships and tow them back to the UCD. Two of these ships were repaired and modified over time, entering into service as frigates. The DN has also been successful in constructing a third frigate and has plans on a fourth.

Delmarva Air Force
The Delmarva Air Force (DAF) is small, operating between twenty to twenty five planes. Most planes are small civilian aircraft modified to land on the water. They are equipped with machine guns and have been adapted to carry small amounts or ordinance, approximately two to three bombs. They are used for a variety of tasks, such as reconnaissance, search and rescue, and assisting units in the field.

There are about six pre-war US Navy jet fighters which have been repaired over time and put into service. Although much of their electronic equipment was damaged on Doomsday, they are able to take off, land, strafe ground targets, and launching missiles. They tend to be used in special operations. The DAF also maintains one small transport plane and three helicopters, all repaired over time and made operational.

The use of balloons has also made it into the Delmarva military, primarily for reconnaissance purposes. Although they generally support the army, they fall under the air force.

The largest and most prominent DAF air field is the Patuxent Naval Air Station. Although there are no firm numbers, it is believed no more than 700 people serve in the DAF.

Education
The advent of Doomsday brought about the complete collapse of the public education system in Delmarva and the surrounding regions given various factors. Nearly all of the public and private colleges and universities were located in areas which were destroyed directly or indirectly by Doomsday or abandoned due to fallout. As a result, there are few pre-war learning institutions which were able to survive. Those which did, closed their doors as students and faculty who had nearby families left to be with them. Those who were unable to leave stayed on and worked to transform their facilities into self-contained communities dedicated towards survival and building towards the future

Over the next four years following the war, formal education was relegated for the most part to home schooling. Some teachers traveled amongst communities helping to teach in return for food and shelter. Many children were forced to work alongside their parents to ensure survival, especially so in places where agriculture and farming were significant. The concept of apprentices became commonplace, with the loss of so many people as a result of the war. Adults sought to train younger children, especially those nine and older in trades and professions, which they could carry on to future generations and ensure survival. This included such skills as fishing, the growing of food, raising of animals, production and repair of clothes and shoes, carpentry, metal working, and other basic skill trades. Medical skills were also considered invaluable as was herbalism and the making of drugs.

With the restoration of a formal government in 1986, the UCD made it a major goal to restore formal education and learning. The slow process of restoring public education was initiated throughout the UCD and was made a major cornerstone of the new nation’s basic philosophy. That in order to survive and thrive for the future, education had to be taken seriously. Subjects were geared to basic elements, such as writing, math, and reading; science; skill trades (i.e. carpentry, car repair, metal working); and survival skills. A rudimentary form of military training akin to ROTC was also introduced, although it does tend to be more formal and expanded at colleges and universities. Schools have learned to apply flexible schedules in order for children to be available to help their parents and communities during growing seasons.

Colleges and universities began to reopen as well, with students being required to play a role in the survivability of the campus for their education, such as working farms kept on site, and assisting the adjacent community through outreach programs. In most cases, a student studying a particular subject would also serve as an apprentice to an older adult experienced in the same area or as an intern at a established business or government bureau related to the subject.

As of 2010, a number of colleges and universities exist throughout the nation. They include:


 * Wallops Island Science & Teaching Center


 * Salisbury University in Salisbury


 * University of Maryland, Eastern Shore in Princess Anne


 * St. Mary’s College of Maryland in St. Mary’s


 * Beebe School of Nursing in Lewes


 * Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury


 * Rehoboth Beach Campus of Wilmington University
 * University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg


 * Delaware Technical & Community College Jack Owens Campus in Georgetown

International relations
Delmarva is a member of the