Great conversation going here, I am squished onto public transit in 30 c temps in Ontario, so please excuse typos ! Exellent article and I just thought Id add some thoughts. As you say Marcus part time Medics would not know what there about compared to full time regular army medics, I was told this many a time in my time in the TA/Army reserve/ what ever its called this week, a large number of which tend to work in the NHS and Private Health Care and although my abilities to get the shine of my boot to dazzle the sun, the razor sharp creases in my trousers to cut the RSMs eye balls is very poor, I did 12 years of medical training and working in A&E. Welfare Office However, what about this suggestion with platoon manning lifted to 36 as follows: Pl HQ: Pl Comd, Pl Signaller, Pl Sgt, Pl Medic. Boxer and Bushmaster. A battalion comprises two or more primary mission companies which are often of a common type (e.g., infantry, tank, or maintenance), although there are exceptions such as combined arms battalions in the U.S. Army. For what its worth, I think it would be good to have a rotating other-arms presence. An armor or air cavalry unit of equivalent size is known as a squadron. First Army serves as a mobilization, readiness and training command; Third Army, or U.S. Army Central, commands all Army forces for U.S. Central Command; Fifth Army, or U.S. Army North, commands all Army forces for U.S. Northern Command; Sixth Army, or U.S. Army South, commands all Army forces for U.S. Southern Command; Seventh Army, or U.S. Army Europe, commands all Army forces for U.S. European Command; Eighth Army commands all U.S. Army forces in South Korea; and Ninth Army, or U.S. Army Africa, commands all Army forces for U.S. Africa Command. - light cannon, assigned to AT unit Do we need to simplify the rank structures of UK Armed Forces? I think were missing a trick with not using the reserve transition from regular service. This allows each platoon to have a total of four GPMGs and 4 DMRs. If a rifleman receives the proper training and is skilled enough, they may be designated a squad designated marksman. They may be armed with a M4A1 Carbine with a high power optic, Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR), M110 SASS, or newer M110A1 CSASS (as of 2018-9). A company has anywhere from a few dozen to 200 soldiers. The Combat Medic is attached from the Combat Medic Section of the Battalion's Medic Platoon while the Forward Observer and their RTO are attached from the Field Artillery Battalion. This creates a requirement for 1 officer + 44 other ranks. Weapons like the 12.7 mm HMG and 40 mm high velocity grenade machine gun are primarily vehicle-mounted systems. Light Aid Detachment In the United States Army, a battalion is a unit composed of a headquarters and two to six batteries, companies, or troops. They can range from a few dozen soldiers to up to 200. The GPMG requires a No 2 with binos to maximise the guns effect which is not going to be realised by the crow given the big heavy gun in a section. There are pouches hanging off the turret cage. Doing this has massively increased the company in vehicles (+6) and personnel (platoon now being 9+9+9+9+4+4=44 without a Signaller or medic). One concern about the existing structure is that the third rifle platoon in each infantry company is furnished by the Army Reserve. That gives a reduction of 1590 from current strength that could be used for the new bronegruppa. However, two of the infantry regiments were reduced to two battalions each and their supporting artillery battalions had only two firing batteries. It allows Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) to be generated quickly. The British Army has 32 regular infantry battalions, but six different battalion types. Man-portable drones and UAVs could be battle-winning assets. 6 Battalions of Foot Guards (armoured infantry), 6 battalions of The Light Infantry 6 Battalions of The Fusilliers (Mech infantry in Boxer) and 18 Battalions of The Rifles ? This said i think such an general purpose infantry would make much sense especially for the UK despite the higher costs but: i think also, that one of the main arguments with which the author started is a problem here: He said, that the now universal threat of IEDs leads inevitable to the logical result to equip all infantry units with protected (and therefore expensive, heavy, less mobile etc) mobility. Getting rid of minimi/ LMG was a mistake based on the assumption that medium to long range contacts will dominate future conflicts. 3) What about the Royal Marines and the RAF Regiment, which tend to work at company group size? Jed touched upon it earlier, rekindling Think Defences rather outlandish proposal to create a non-deployable ceremonial unit. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/mhvThis video gives an overview on the structure and organization of an US Army Infantry Battalion in 1944. Its more the lack of balance than PD itself. The thing about 36 is that it divides neatly a number of ways 4 x 9, 3 x 12, 3 x 10 + 6, 4 x 8 +4. The basic individual weapon in the light infantry battalion was the M14 rifle, while the airmobile unit was authorized M16 rifles. A United States Marine Corps battalion includes the battalion headquarters, consisting of the commanding officer (usually a lieutenant colonel, sometimes a colonel), an executive officer (the second-in-command, usually a major), the sergeant major, and the executive staff (S-1 through S-4 and S-6). If Warrior was to go, is there a reason for not looking at the KF41 Lynx rather than Ajax? In addition, each section now has an organic 7.62 mm L7A2 GPMG gunner plus a designated marksman with the 7.62 mm L129A1 Sharpshooter rifle. As I say Im just throwing ideas around, not trying to invade Poland. They can conduct independent operations of limited scope and duration and are usually commanded by a lieutenant colonel. [24] Normally a battalion is attached to a regiment of infantry, which is organized, as a general rule, of a number of battalions and the regimental centre battalion. Our Army Structure in Vietnam. In turn each rifle company consists three platoons. Both were organized along similar lines. Losing this space (currently in the Pl HQ wagon) is a big problem. I think its generally accepted that reserves simply cannot be expected to attain or maintain the same level of professionalism as regular soldiers, because its not their day job, so I posit their embedding with regular formations and should the need arise, the two diluting. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. I am also a big advocate of platoons having their own medic and signaller. Ideally infantry should be carried in tracked IFVs or wheeled MIVs, but even light PMVs are preferable to MAN trucks and Land-Rovers that offer no protection. A lieutenant general is in command. Bye. Though I strongly disagree with replacing the Woodentops, it is always good to see non-Guards have a turn. ORGANIZATION OF THE LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY . Three platoons of 36 soldiers would need to be supported by a Company HQ comprised of the Company Commander, Company 2IC, CSM, CQMS, two storemen, two clerks, two radio operators, four drivers, and two runners. 338 MMGs are going to make GPMG SF obsolete. The Assault Pioneer Platoon is usually comprised of 19 other ranks. Infantry platoons will typically be divided between four vehicles as they are at present. SVC - Again, organisational structure is important. Indeed, one was carried until the 51 mm was prematurely retired (because the ammunition went out of production). Platoons moving around the battlefield in MIVs may additionally get the 30 mm M230LF chain gun (the same light cannon used in the Apache attack helicopter). As the job of the Supply Sergeant is to coordinate supply with higher echelons, their duty position is with the battalion trains although they may ride with the cargo truck in a company march. The word battalion came into the English language in the 16th century from the French language (French: bataillon meaning "battle squadron"; Italian: battaglione meaning the same thing; derived from the Vulgar Latin word battalia meaning "battle" and from the Latin word bauttere meaning "to beat" or "to strike"). Guardsmen and women who get very basic training, plus drill. A step in the right direction? Your fantasy FF2020 is pretty much identical to mine, but I want three brigades of each type, for 1 in 3 rotation cycle. The fourth MG platoon in each rifle company is removed as GPMG is returned to other platoons. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Nominally, an extra GPMG and DMR are proposed, but a light mortar or multi-role 40 mm AGL could be carried instead. A standard U.S. Marine infantry battalion is typically supported by an artillery battery and a platoon each of tanks, amphibious assault vehicles, light armored reconnaissance vehicles, reconnaissance Marines, and combat engineers. So that the tanks can seperate from the infantry completly and then act as an force for their own. Under the observation of the Marine Corps. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. So Rifle Sections of 9 soldiers would work well. Have a great day. One of the most significant changes in military structure was the introduction of the United States Colored Troops in 1863, the first official military integration policy. I was wondering how you would fill that gap as a matter of urgency. With this weapon now returned to individual sections, in lieu of the 5.56 mm L110A2 LMG, there is arguably no need for a separate machine gun platoon, especially as platoon vehicles will have a mix of 12.7 mm HMGs and 40 mm GMGs. From the 1960s through the early 1980s, a typical maneuver (infantry or tank) battalion had five companies: headquarters and headquarters company (HHC) and A, B, and CCompanies, plus a combat support company (CSC), with a scout platoon, 107mm (4.2 inch) heavy mortar platoon, along with other elements that varied between organizations. %PDF-1.6 % Light Role battalions had 8-soldier sections. In the most recent issue of Soldier magazine, there is an item headed New Warrior stays on track, in which the proposed new incarnation of the vehicle receives quite a lot of praise , including the statement On paper the platform looks impressive and offers a raft of refinements and upgrades over its long-serving predecessor. These apparently include not only the new 40mm cannon but also enhanced mechanical underpinnings, beefed-up armour and better comfort for the crews. The T/O started out as a chart-like document published by the War Department during WWII, prescribing the organic structure and equipment of units from divisional strength on down to the smallest operational entities . A common structure with an identical headcore for each bataillon and protected mobility for each of it would therefore create an force which in the case of the UK forces would be to small to fight in closed terrain and would not achieve the necessery critical mass there and to the opposite would not have enough fighting power to achieve victory in open terrain against an more tank heavy but despite of its higher fighting power smaller and therefore more faster and agile enemy force. The following is the current organization ofthe. I advocate that dressing up and waving the Colours to the sound of the drums enhances and instils pride and camaraderie tremendously. C1: S: 9. By specifically including them, you ensure that the total number of dismounts is not diluted. This means that you have moved a battalion of Foot Guards out of LONDIST and back into the deployable force thats good, right? Regiment). Fired from multi-shot launchers, these can reliably deliver HE at distance. The different types of light infantry organizations were all consolidated into the one "Infantry" organization in 2007. Individual sections may carry between one and four NLAW disposable ATGMs. An MEB is one of the standard Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTF), is commanded by a brigadier general or major general, and consists of command element, a ground combat element (usually one reinforced Marine infantry regiment), an aviation combat element (a reinforced Marine aircraft group including rotary wing, fixed wing, and tiltrotor aircraft), and a combat logistics element (a Marine combat logistics regiment, which includes naval construction forces [Seabees] and naval medical elements). Each type of brigade ( infantry or airborne infantry) has the same basic organization. In addition to the primary mission companies, a battalion typically includes a headquarters staff and combat service support which may be combined into a Headquarters and service company. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Teams with special functions may also include officers or warrant officers. An infantry battalion, logistical battalion, combat battalion, and the Netherlands Marine Corps all have a battalion structure. While Light Role battalions will primarily operate on foot, they will still need all-terrain vehicles that support them in the field. This would fit the MoD whole fleet management. There are apparently 11 demonstration versions of the Warrior being put through their paces in Dorset. A HIMARS trucker mounted single pod MLRS rocket launcher has only a crew of 3. The motorised (Light) brigade would have MRVP/Bushmaster. Provost Staff Administratively, battalions are subdivisions of regiments. I would also go with an old suggestion from Think Defence to use reduced numbers of RM and Para as enablers for light infantry brigades which would provide the bulk of air assault / heliborne ops and amphibious ops. In between are the intermediate elements of Army organization, including the squad, platoon, company, battalion, brigade and division. An infantry fire team might include two riflemen, one of whom is the team leader; a grenadier and an automatic rifleman, who is used when small reconnaissance or special missions are required. When it comes to ground combat, infantry mass matters. How would an improved/expanded capability be equipped, funded and manned? Theyre usually responsible for planning and directing campaigns in particular geographic areas. - This reduces each company by 20 personnel. For light role battalions the ISTR company with the recon platoon, assault pioneers, sniper platoon, and hopefully a uav plankton. Your email address will not be published. In my world it would be EAGLE 44 and 66 to have commonality in light and medium protected mobility. Such a capability is definitely still needed and there is a strong case to re-instate the 51 mm exactly as it was. MPSA is a jointly-staffed organization, headquartered in the National Capital Region, which serves as the single point of contact with the United States Postal Service and oversees the Military. A company is commanded by a captain with a first sergeant as the assistant. The commander's staff coordinates and plans operations. As I said in a previous comment, IFVs do require all THREE crew to be properly effective. In 1944 an US Army infantry battalion roughly consisted of 900 men. Each Guards Regt have an incremental coy (so 500 troops). With IFVs, MIVs and MRVPs, the British Army will have a range of vehicles that can each carry a full section or 9 soldiers. As we begin to look towards autonomous vehicles, REME support across all battalion types will become more important. CnC can be further rationalised across the whole unarmed force by having a single force structure around 1 HQ, 4 commands, each operating 2 divisions that hold all naval, land, cyber, air, space and command assets assigned to them and having a flatter structure. Tactically, battalions are grouped into brigades. I further agree that 28 is a good number: four six-strong sections and a four-strong Pl HQ has sufficient flexibility, lethality and survivability (it can absorb casualties, something current AI platoons struggle to do). New Zealands cavalry (which would be considered mechanised infantry in the British Army) do this, having 46 soldiers and six NZLAVs per Cav Tp. I know the 60 and LMG are going but if were doing something as radical as new infantry ORBAT then perhaps we can pretend it is done by enlightened headsheds. This is in the interest of reducing the standing commitment to one Guards battalion instead of two. The size of a regiment could range from 1,000 to 5,000 troops. In the brochure it is seven. The Warrior has two benches how many can you squeeze on? If they are vehicle commanders of two of the four section vehicles then when they dismount their vehicle gunner will have double workload. A heavily loaded German infantry unit marching into a new position on the Eastern Front in 1943. I can understand not having an SF Pl in armoured and mechanised battalions because the loss of firepower is offset by 30mm but in light-role battalions it is a battle-winner, especially in the defensive battle! Generally, the RTO sticks with the Platoon Leader to keep them in constant communication with their squads and company headquarters. To deal with 3 points infantry mass, use of TA, and number of vehicles, which are all interconnected: 1.
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