diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index dced4f568..7010bdd31 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -80,11 +80,18 @@ changelog.txt uses a syntax similar to RST, with a few special sequences:
 ## API
 - ``Gui::any_civzone_hotkey``, ``Gui::getAnyCivZone``, ``Gui::getSelectedCivZone``:  new functions to operate on the new zone system
 - Units module: added new predicates for ``isGeldable()``, ``isMarkedForGelding()``, and ``isPet()``
+- ``Military``: New module for military functionality
+- ``Military``: new ``makeSquad`` to create a squad
+- ``Military``: changed ``getSquadName`` to take a squad identifier
+- ``Military``: new ``updateRoomAssignments`` for assigning a squad to a barracks and archery range
+- ``Maps::GetBiomeType`` renamed to ``Maps::getBiomeType`` for consistency
+- ``Maps::GetBiomeTypeRef`` renamed to ``Maps::getBiomeTypeRef`` for consistency
 
 ## Lua
 - ``dfhack.gui.getSelectedCivZone``: returns the Zone that the user has selected currently
 - ``widgets.FilteredList``: Added ``edit_on_change`` optional parameter to allow a custom callback on filter edit change.
 - ``widgets.TabBar``: new library widget (migrated from control-panel.lua)
+- ``maps.getBiomeType``: exposed preexisting function to Lua
 
 # 50.07-alpha1
 
diff --git a/docs/dev/Lua API.rst b/docs/dev/Lua API.rst
index fe969b751..f9aafe4e0 100644
--- a/docs/dev/Lua API.rst	
+++ b/docs/dev/Lua API.rst	
@@ -1589,6 +1589,24 @@ Units module
 
   Returns a table of the cutoffs used by the above stress level functions.
 
+Military module
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+* ``dfhack.military.makeSquad(assignment_id)``
+
+  Creates a new squad associated with the assignment (ie ``df::entity_position_assignment``, via ``id``) and returns it.
+  Fails if a squad already exists that is associated with that assignment, or if the assignment is not a fort mode player controlled squad.
+  Note: This function does not name the squad: consider setting a nickname (under ``squad.name.nickname``), and/or filling out the ``language_name`` object at ``squad.name``.
+  The returned squad is otherwise complete and requires no more setup to work correctly.
+
+* ``dfhack.military.updateRoomAssignments(squad_id, assignment_id, squad_use_flags)``
+
+  Sets the sleep, train, indiv_eq, and squad_eq flags when training at a barracks.
+
+* ``dfhack.military.getSquadName(squad_id)``
+
+  Returns the name of a squad as a string.
+
 Action Timer API
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/library/CMakeLists.txt b/library/CMakeLists.txt
index 87f869493..92db43563 100644
--- a/library/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/library/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ set(MODULE_HEADERS
     include/modules/MapCache.h
     include/modules/Maps.h
     include/modules/Materials.h
+    include/modules/Military.h
     include/modules/Once.h
     include/modules/Persistence.h
     include/modules/Random.h
@@ -164,6 +165,7 @@ set(MODULE_SOURCES
     modules/MapCache.cpp
     modules/Maps.cpp
     modules/Materials.cpp
+    modules/Military.cpp
     modules/Once.cpp
     modules/Persistence.cpp
     modules/Random.cpp
diff --git a/library/LuaApi.cpp b/library/LuaApi.cpp
index 426c87566..c9bdc3021 100644
--- a/library/LuaApi.cpp
+++ b/library/LuaApi.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ distribution.
 #include "modules/MapCache.h"
 #include "modules/Maps.h"
 #include "modules/Materials.h"
+#include "modules/Military.h"
 #include "modules/Random.h"
 #include "modules/Screen.h"
 #include "modules/Textures.h"
@@ -1812,7 +1813,6 @@ static const LuaWrapper::FunctionReg dfhack_units_module[] = {
     WRAPM(Units, getGoalType),
     WRAPM(Units, getGoalName),
     WRAPM(Units, isGoalAchieved),
-    WRAPM(Units, getSquadName),
     WRAPM(Units, getPhysicalDescription),
     WRAPM(Units, getRaceName),
     WRAPM(Units, getRaceNamePlural),
@@ -1937,6 +1937,15 @@ static const luaL_Reg dfhack_units_funcs[] = {
     { NULL, NULL }
 };
 
+/***** Military Module *****/
+
+static const LuaWrapper::FunctionReg dfhack_military_module[] = {
+    WRAPM(Military, makeSquad),
+    WRAPM(Military, updateRoomAssignments),
+    WRAPM(Military, getSquadName),
+    { NULL, NULL }
+};
+
 /***** Items module *****/
 
 static bool items_moveToGround(df::item *item, df::coord pos)
@@ -3447,6 +3456,7 @@ void OpenDFHackApi(lua_State *state)
     OpenModule(state, "job", dfhack_job_module, dfhack_job_funcs);
     OpenModule(state, "textures", dfhack_textures_module);
     OpenModule(state, "units", dfhack_units_module, dfhack_units_funcs);
+    OpenModule(state, "military", dfhack_military_module);
     OpenModule(state, "items", dfhack_items_module, dfhack_items_funcs);
     OpenModule(state, "maps", dfhack_maps_module, dfhack_maps_funcs);
     OpenModule(state, "world", dfhack_world_module, dfhack_world_funcs);
diff --git a/library/include/modules/Military.h b/library/include/modules/Military.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8ceb987b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/library/include/modules/Military.h
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "Export.h"
+#include "DataDefs.h"
+
+#include "df/squad.h"
+
+namespace DFHack
+{
+namespace Military
+{
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT std::string getSquadName(int32_t squad_id);
+DFHACK_EXPORT df::squad* makeSquad(int32_t assignment_id);
+DFHACK_EXPORT void updateRoomAssignments(int32_t squad_id, int32_t civzone_id, df::squad_use_flags flags);
+
+}
+}
diff --git a/library/include/modules/Units.h b/library/include/modules/Units.h
index 0edebacdc..4fd9246aa 100644
--- a/library/include/modules/Units.h
+++ b/library/include/modules/Units.h
@@ -222,8 +222,6 @@ DFHACK_EXPORT df::goal_type getGoalType(df::unit *unit, size_t goalIndex = 0);
 DFHACK_EXPORT std::string getGoalName(df::unit *unit, size_t goalIndex = 0);
 DFHACK_EXPORT bool isGoalAchieved(df::unit *unit, size_t goalIndex = 0);
 
-DFHACK_EXPORT std::string getSquadName(df::unit *unit);
-
 DFHACK_EXPORT df::activity_entry *getMainSocialActivity(df::unit *unit);
 DFHACK_EXPORT df::activity_event *getMainSocialEvent(df::unit *unit);
 
diff --git a/library/modules/Military.cpp b/library/modules/Military.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b402cc0fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/library/modules/Military.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,291 @@
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <array>
+#include "MiscUtils.h"
+#include "modules/Military.h"
+#include "modules/Translation.h"
+#include "df/building.h"
+#include "df/building_civzonest.h"
+#include "df/historical_figure.h"
+#include "df/historical_entity.h"
+#include "df/entity_position.h"
+#include "df/entity_position_assignment.h"
+#include "df/plotinfost.h"
+#include "df/squad.h"
+#include "df/squad_position.h"
+#include "df/squad_schedule_order.h"
+#include "df/squad_order.h"
+#include "df/squad_order_trainst.h"
+#include "df/world.h"
+
+using namespace DFHack;
+using namespace df::enums;
+using df::global::world;
+using df::global::plotinfo;
+
+std::string Military::getSquadName(int32_t squad_id)
+{
+    df::squad *squad = df::squad::find(squad_id);
+    if (!squad)
+        return "";
+    if (squad->alias.size() > 0)
+        return squad->alias;
+    return Translation::TranslateName(&squad->name, true);
+}
+
+//only works for making squads for fort mode player controlled dwarf squads
+//could be extended straightforwardly by passing in entity
+df::squad* Military::makeSquad(int32_t assignment_id)
+{
+    if (df::global::squad_next_id == nullptr || df::global::plotinfo == nullptr)
+        return nullptr;
+
+    df::language_name name;
+    name.type = df::language_name_type::Squad;
+
+    for (int i=0; i < 7; i++)
+    {
+        name.words[i] = -1;
+        name.parts_of_speech[i] = df::part_of_speech::Noun;
+    }
+
+    df::historical_entity* fort = df::historical_entity::find(df::global::plotinfo->group_id);
+
+    if (fort == nullptr)
+        return nullptr;
+
+    df::entity_position_assignment* found_assignment = nullptr;
+
+    for (auto* assignment : fort->positions.assignments)
+    {
+        if (assignment->id == assignment_id)
+        {
+            found_assignment = assignment;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (found_assignment == nullptr)
+        return nullptr;
+
+    //this function does not attempt to delete or replace squads for assignments
+    if (found_assignment->squad_id != -1)
+        return nullptr;
+
+    df::entity_position* corresponding_position = nullptr;
+
+    for (auto* position : fort->positions.own)
+    {
+        if (position->id == found_assignment->position_id)
+        {
+            corresponding_position = position;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (corresponding_position == nullptr)
+        return nullptr;
+
+    df::squad* result = new df::squad();
+    result->id = *df::global::squad_next_id;
+    result->uniform_priority = result->id + 1; //no idea why, but seems to hold
+    result->carry_food = 2;
+    result->carry_water = 1;
+    result->entity_id = df::global::plotinfo->group_id;
+    result->leader_position = corresponding_position->id;
+    result->leader_assignment = found_assignment->id;
+    result->name = name;
+
+    int16_t squad_size = corresponding_position->squad_size;
+
+    for (int i=0; i < squad_size; i++)
+    {
+        //construct for squad_position seems to set all the attributes correctly
+        df::squad_position* pos = new df::squad_position();
+
+        result->positions.push_back(pos);
+    }
+
+    const auto& routines = df::global::plotinfo->alerts.routines;
+
+    for (const auto& routine : routines)
+    {
+        df::squad_schedule_entry* asched = (df::squad_schedule_entry*)malloc(sizeof(df::squad_schedule_entry) * 12);
+
+        for(int kk=0; kk < 12; kk++)
+        {
+            new (&asched[kk]) df::squad_schedule_entry;
+
+            for(int jj=0; jj < squad_size; jj++)
+            {
+                int32_t* order_assignments = new int32_t();
+                *order_assignments = -1;
+
+                asched[kk].order_assignments.push_back(order_assignments);
+            }
+        }
+
+        auto insert_training_order = [asched, squad_size](int month)
+        {
+            df::squad_schedule_order* order = new df::squad_schedule_order();
+            order->min_count = squad_size;
+            //assumed
+            order->positions.resize(squad_size);
+
+            df::squad_order* s_order = df::allocate<df::squad_order_trainst>();
+
+            s_order->year = *df::global::cur_year;
+            s_order->year_tick = *df::global::cur_year_tick;
+
+            order->order = s_order;
+
+            asched[month].orders.push_back(order);
+            //wear uniform while training
+            asched[month].uniform_mode = 0;
+        };
+
+        //Dwarf fortress does do this via a series of string comparisons
+        //Off duty: No orders, Sleep/room at will. Equip/orders only
+        if (routine->name == "Off duty")
+        {
+            for (int i=0; i < 12; i++)
+            {
+                asched[i].sleep_mode = 0;
+                asched[i].uniform_mode = 1;
+            }
+        }
+        //Staggered Training: Training orders at months 3 4 5 9 10 11, *or* 0 1 2 6 7 8, sleep/room at will. Equip/orders only, except train months which are equip/always
+        else if (routine->name == "Staggered training")
+        {
+            //this is semi randomised for different squads
+            //appears to be something like squad.id & 1, it isn't smart
+            //if you alternate squad creation, its 'correctly' staggered
+            //but it'll also happily not stagger them if you eg delete a squad and make another
+            std::array<int, 6> indices;
+
+            if ((*df::global::squad_next_id) & 1)
+            {
+                indices = {3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11};
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                indices = {0, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8};
+            }
+
+            for (int index : indices)
+            {
+                insert_training_order(index);
+                //still sleep in room at will even when training
+                asched[index].sleep_mode = 0;
+            }
+        }
+        //see above, but with all indices
+        else if (routine->name == "Constant training")
+        {
+            for (int i=0; i < 12; i++)
+            {
+                insert_training_order(i);
+                //still sleep in room at will even when training
+                asched[i].sleep_mode = 0;
+            }
+        }
+        else if (routine->name == "Ready")
+        {
+            for (int i=0; i < 12; i++)
+            {
+                asched[i].sleep_mode = 2;
+                asched[i].uniform_mode = 0;
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            for (int i=0; i < 12; i++)
+            {
+                asched[i].sleep_mode = 0;
+                asched[i].uniform_mode = 0;
+            }
+        }
+
+        result->schedule.push_back(reinterpret_cast<df::squad::T_schedule*>(asched));
+    }
+
+    //Modify necessary world state
+    (*df::global::squad_next_id)++;
+    fort->squads.push_back(result->id);
+    df::global::world->squads.all.push_back(result);
+    found_assignment->squad_id = result->id;
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+void Military::updateRoomAssignments(int32_t squad_id, int32_t civzone_id, df::squad_use_flags flags)
+{
+    df::squad* squad = df::squad::find(squad_id);
+    df::building* bzone = df::building::find(civzone_id);
+
+    df::building_civzonest* zone = strict_virtual_cast<df::building_civzonest>(bzone);
+
+    if (squad == nullptr || zone == nullptr)
+        return;
+
+    df::squad::T_rooms* room_from_squad = nullptr;
+    df::building_civzonest::T_squad_room_info* room_from_building = nullptr;
+
+    for (auto room : squad->rooms)
+    {
+        if (room->building_id == civzone_id)
+        {
+            room_from_squad = room;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    for (auto room : zone->squad_room_info)
+    {
+        if (room->squad_id == squad_id)
+        {
+            room_from_building = room;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (flags.whole == 0 && room_from_squad == nullptr && room_from_building == nullptr)
+        return;
+
+    //if we're setting 0 flags, and there's no room already, don't set a room
+    bool avoiding_squad_roundtrip = flags.whole == 0 && room_from_squad == nullptr;
+
+    if (!avoiding_squad_roundtrip && room_from_squad == nullptr)
+    {
+        room_from_squad = new df::squad::T_rooms();
+        room_from_squad->building_id = civzone_id;
+
+        insert_into_vector(squad->rooms, &df::squad::T_rooms::building_id, room_from_squad);
+    }
+
+    if (room_from_building == nullptr)
+    {
+        room_from_building = new df::building_civzonest::T_squad_room_info();
+        room_from_building->squad_id = squad_id;
+
+        insert_into_vector(zone->squad_room_info, &df::building_civzonest::T_squad_room_info::squad_id, room_from_building);
+    }
+
+    if (room_from_squad)
+        room_from_squad->mode = flags;
+
+    room_from_building->mode = flags;
+
+    if (flags.whole == 0 && !avoiding_squad_roundtrip)
+    {
+        for (int i=0; i < (int)squad->rooms.size(); i++)
+        {
+            if (squad->rooms[i]->building_id == civzone_id)
+            {
+                delete squad->rooms[i];
+                squad->rooms.erase(squad->rooms.begin() + i);
+                i--;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/library/modules/Units.cpp b/library/modules/Units.cpp
index 9a415fb34..a636310e1 100644
--- a/library/modules/Units.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Units.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ using namespace std;
 #include "df/identity.h"
 #include "df/job.h"
 #include "df/nemesis_record.h"
-#include "df/squad.h"
 #include "df/tile_occupancy.h"
 #include "df/plotinfost.h"
 #include "df/unit_inventory_item.h"
@@ -1959,19 +1958,6 @@ bool Units::isGoalAchieved(df::unit *unit, size_t goalIndex)
         && unit->status.current_soul->personality.dreams[goalIndex]->flags.whole != 0;
 }
 
-std::string Units::getSquadName(df::unit *unit)
-{
-    CHECK_NULL_POINTER(unit);
-    if (unit->military.squad_id == -1)
-        return "";
-    df::squad *squad = df::squad::find(unit->military.squad_id);
-    if (!squad)
-        return "";
-    if (squad->alias.size() > 0)
-        return squad->alias;
-    return Translation::TranslateName(&squad->name, true);
-}
-
 df::activity_entry *Units::getMainSocialActivity(df::unit *unit)
 {
     CHECK_NULL_POINTER(unit);
diff --git a/plugins/manipulator.cpp b/plugins/manipulator.cpp
index 6731aa513..b8f6ce706 100644
--- a/plugins/manipulator.cpp
+++ b/plugins/manipulator.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include <modules/Screen.h>
 #include <modules/Translation.h>
 #include <modules/Units.h>
+#include <modules/Military.h>
 #include <modules/Filesystem.h>
 #include <modules/Job.h>
 #include <vector>
@@ -1305,7 +1306,7 @@ void viewscreen_unitlaborsst::refreshNames()
             cur->job_mode = UnitInfo::JOB;
         }
         if (unit->military.squad_id > -1) {
-            cur->squad_effective_name = Units::getSquadName(unit);
+            cur->squad_effective_name = Military::getSquadName(unit->military.squad_id);
             cur->squad_info = stl_sprintf("%i", unit->military.squad_position + 1) + "." + cur->squad_effective_name;
         } else {
             cur->squad_effective_name = "";