05-07-2012, 05:17 PM
If you could take the bodies from the Weapons Squad and distribute them into the Rifle Sqauds, and place the WPNs SQD LDR E-6 slot in the Platoon HQ as an assistant PSG/PL, it owuld make a lot more sense operationally, however, you run into the same problem we had in Scout Platoons/Sniper Squads with losing the training focus on engaging targets at distance that Weapons Squads undergo during Machine Gunners Leadership Course, and MG-specific ranges.
If you could add 2 soldiers to each Rifle Squad, you would have a 3-man Squad Leader/Recon & Security element, and 2 complete Fire Teams in addition to the R&S element.
Operationally, the Weapons Squad Leader often integrates with the PLT HQ element anyway, with at least one gun team attached to one of the rifle squads, and one gun team with the HQ element under direct control of either the PL, PSG, or WPNS SL to orient that gun team to the situation when needed.
You will usually have a Rifle Squad in the lead, with the PL & RTO trailing them with a gun team trailing the PL, and the PSG, FO, and Combat Medic trailing the last Rifle Squad. An Infantry Platoon is an ungainly beast in the woods and desert, and is very difficult to manage from a leadership standpoint. Larger Squads are really the way to go when maneuvering, and this is often what is done anyway, as long as the Squad has an FO, Medic, and Gun Team with them.
If you could add 2 soldiers to each Rifle Squad, you would have a 3-man Squad Leader/Recon & Security element, and 2 complete Fire Teams in addition to the R&S element.
Operationally, the Weapons Squad Leader often integrates with the PLT HQ element anyway, with at least one gun team attached to one of the rifle squads, and one gun team with the HQ element under direct control of either the PL, PSG, or WPNS SL to orient that gun team to the situation when needed.
You will usually have a Rifle Squad in the lead, with the PL & RTO trailing them with a gun team trailing the PL, and the PSG, FO, and Combat Medic trailing the last Rifle Squad. An Infantry Platoon is an ungainly beast in the woods and desert, and is very difficult to manage from a leadership standpoint. Larger Squads are really the way to go when maneuvering, and this is often what is done anyway, as long as the Squad has an FO, Medic, and Gun Team with them.