The four rifle company Bn remains the ideal combat structure in the attack and defense. It provides the proper frontage and the reserve company to exploit the break through or blunt an enemy penetration.
The myriad of ways a Bn Commander can employ his unit dwarf the options available with a three Company Bn. Three platoons per company and three squads per platoon give the Company Commander 9 maneuver squads and the Bn Commander 36 squads. The weapons platoon adds medium machine guns, mortars and anti tank capabilities. The HQ company adds 8 81mm mortars and, preferably anti tank weapons and heavy machine guns.
The modern squad should consist of 15 Marines. Three fireteams of four Marines each. A universal observer who also mans the radios , an RPV operator with short range RPVs and the squad leader.
A Bn organized in this manner would consist of approximately 1100 Marines. The versatility of a Bn like this cannot be in dispute. We know from experience that it can function from low intensity guerrilla warfare to high intensity conventional conflict. Yet, it is resisted at every turn? The reasons are many but none related to combat effectiveness. This leads one to conclude that the reasons are tied to other priorities, politics, fiscal restrictions or manning shortfalls. Each are troublesome when the institution is and should be infantry centric.
Bruce! I’m looking forward to the next section, in which the 8 small companies are folded in half to generate 4 large companies, and superfluous officers are given the title ‘XO.’ (And the Americans are amazed!)
The four rifle company Bn remains the ideal combat structure in the attack and defense. It provides the proper frontage and the reserve company to exploit the break through or blunt an enemy penetration.
The myriad of ways a Bn Commander can employ his unit dwarf the options available with a three Company Bn. Three platoons per company and three squads per platoon give the Company Commander 9 maneuver squads and the Bn Commander 36 squads. The weapons platoon adds medium machine guns, mortars and anti tank capabilities. The HQ company adds 8 81mm mortars and, preferably anti tank weapons and heavy machine guns.
The modern squad should consist of 15 Marines. Three fireteams of four Marines each. A universal observer who also mans the radios , an RPV operator with short range RPVs and the squad leader.
A Bn organized in this manner would consist of approximately 1100 Marines. The versatility of a Bn like this cannot be in dispute. We know from experience that it can function from low intensity guerrilla warfare to high intensity conventional conflict. Yet, it is resisted at every turn? The reasons are many but none related to combat effectiveness. This leads one to conclude that the reasons are tied to other priorities, politics, fiscal restrictions or manning shortfalls. Each are troublesome when the institution is and should be infantry centric.
Bruce! I’m looking forward to the next section, in which the 8 small companies are folded in half to generate 4 large companies, and superfluous officers are given the title ‘XO.’ (And the Americans are amazed!)
'2iC', if you please, Sir!
Why indeed…