time be provided by the Oireachtas." "The Forces shall be established as from a date to be fixed by Proclamation of the Executive Council in the Iris Oifigiúil" The establishment of the Forces was on 1 October 1924. This date marks the ending of the initial phase of the National Army and the legal establishment of the Defence Forces as the Irish Free State's military force. However, it was not a new force: the legislation was explicit that the Defence Forces would have the same legality, organisation, personnel, orders and regulations as the 1922–24 force. The Special Infantry Corps was established during the final stages of the Civil War, to reverse illegal land seizures and break the strikes of agricultural labourers in Munster and south Leinster, as well as reversing factory seizures by striking workers. In 1924, a small group of officers, led mainly by former members of The Squad, attempted to resist the efforts to demobilise. This situation evolved into what became called the "Army Mutiny", which, after an ultimatum, was resolved relatively peaceably with recognition of the authority of the Irish Free State's Government. Organisation The National Army's initial organisation was based on the IRA's system of divisions and brigades. In January 1923 a new organisation was established. The Irish Free State's area was divided into nine commands. The nine commands were: Dublin Command Athlone Command Donegal Command Claremorris Command Limerick Command Kerry Command Waterford Command Cork Command Curragh Command The Army Corps were: Armoured Car Corps Artillery Corps Army Corps of Engineers Works Corps Railway Protection, Repair and Maintenance Corps Salvage Corps Army Signal Corps Army Medical Corps Transport Corps Corps of Military Police Air Service Uniforms The National Army officer's uniform was made of dark green serge and worn with a Sam Browne belt. The ordinary volunteer's uniform was a similar pattern, worn with British 1908 pattern webbing. A greatcoat was issued for bad weather. All ranks wore brown boots and leggings. The cap badge and buttons of the Irish Volunteers and the pre-Independence IRA were worn, in recognition of the National Army's origins. Rank markings Rank markings were coloured cloth cuff bands and coloured diamond shaped cloth cap badge backing. General Officers' markings were cloth bands on shoulder strap, collar gorget and cap diamonds. Rank markings were re-arranged on 31 January 1923: Armoured fighting vehicles, aircraft, and weapons Armoured fighting vehicles 13 x Rolls-Royce Armoured