05-07-2012, 04:47 PM
This is the Infantry Squad Organization Structure I encountered in every light infantry and airborne unit I was in. The crazy thing is that this structure is based off the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which I never set foot in.
![[Image: figA-6.gif]](http://orbat.com/site/toe/toe/usa/figA-6.gif)
Here's an old school TO&E from what appears to be the WWII era:
![[Image: rifle_squad.gif]](http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/images/ww2/handbook/rifle_squad.gif)
![[Image: US-Army-Rifle-Squad.gif]](http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/US-Army-Rifle-Squad.gif)
For a dismounted Infantry Squad, I do prefer a unit that can be divided into 3, with no less than 4 soldiers per sub-unit (Team size). This allows you to conduct ambushes, gives you more ability to maneuver while sustaining the fight, as well as maintain a solid fighting capacity with casualties. The 9-man Squad is one man away from becoming ineffective, since the entire team needs to casevac the injured, taking their focus away from being able to support the other team.
In WWII, they had 1 BAR gunner for fire support. Now each Squad has 2 SAW gunners, and Squads are often augmented by a gun team from the Weapons squad, which adds a lot of firepower, but hinders maneuverability significantly.
I'm not sure how Designated Marksmen are officially incorporated into the Squad & Platoon, since the feedback I've gotten is that Team and Squad Leaders have performed that role in units that didn't understand the DM concept, due to sub-standard leadership at the PSG and PL levels, even though the Infantry has sanctioned the DM concept, to include running official DM courses and pushing the issue at doctrinal levels.
Either way, the LMG is the weak point, in addition to too few soldiers for an Infantry Squad. An LMG with an increased capability that is lighter weight would negate the need for augmenting the squad with a GPMG in 7.62, and make the squad more maneuverable if the LMG weighed in at 11lbs or less, unlike the 23lb+ SAW.
Here's an old school TO&E from what appears to be the WWII era:
For a dismounted Infantry Squad, I do prefer a unit that can be divided into 3, with no less than 4 soldiers per sub-unit (Team size). This allows you to conduct ambushes, gives you more ability to maneuver while sustaining the fight, as well as maintain a solid fighting capacity with casualties. The 9-man Squad is one man away from becoming ineffective, since the entire team needs to casevac the injured, taking their focus away from being able to support the other team.
In WWII, they had 1 BAR gunner for fire support. Now each Squad has 2 SAW gunners, and Squads are often augmented by a gun team from the Weapons squad, which adds a lot of firepower, but hinders maneuverability significantly.
I'm not sure how Designated Marksmen are officially incorporated into the Squad & Platoon, since the feedback I've gotten is that Team and Squad Leaders have performed that role in units that didn't understand the DM concept, due to sub-standard leadership at the PSG and PL levels, even though the Infantry has sanctioned the DM concept, to include running official DM courses and pushing the issue at doctrinal levels.
Either way, the LMG is the weak point, in addition to too few soldiers for an Infantry Squad. An LMG with an increased capability that is lighter weight would negate the need for augmenting the squad with a GPMG in 7.62, and make the squad more maneuverable if the LMG weighed in at 11lbs or less, unlike the 23lb+ SAW.