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. These are: The Mortar Platoon typically operates 8 or 9 mortars each with a crew of 4 plus a Mortar Fire Controller for each detachment of 2 mortars. So back to my original question , can firepower and manoeuvre replace infantry mass, at least for armoured infantry units for the missions they will be used for, while maximizing boots on the ground for protected mobility Battalions which would have a different primary mission set ?? that serves 2 M224 60mm light mortars for indirect fire support. An infantry battle group will typically be commanded by the commander of the core infantry battalion around which it is formed and can range in size from 300 to 1,500 or more soldiers, depending on the nature of the mission assigned. For the rest of reserve infantry I would convert to home defence force non-deployable security force for the UK home base. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. To solve this problem, and to give flexibility through spare seats (needed for terps, picking up dismounts whose wagons are elsewhere and any atts and dets), to build on your idea would it be an idea to give the Pl Sgt and Pl Comd their own wagon each? Again, organisational structure is important. A dedicated anti-armour team can provide overwatch and have a capability to bridge the section-level short-range NLAW and the Jav Platoon which is overworked and undergunned in the current ORBAT. A company has anywhere from a few dozen to 200 soldiers. A colonel is generally in command. I know that the manning requirement is already verging on fantasy but maybe pushing it a bit further could give your battalion valuable additional potency? Thinking about the need to operate from IFVs, Mechanised infantry vehicles (MIVs), from helicopters, and on foot, the first proposal is to standardise all Infantry Rifle Platoons around a common size that provides some degree of flexibility. Bear in mind that you have to fit everybodys kit in thats not just kit to fight but to live from. Ill add defence inflation here, everything costs a fortune and will cost more, all the time do more with less, how much will the reserves get? An armor or air cavalry unit of equivalent size is known as a squadron. The structure outlined translates into an overall battalion size of 32 officers + 658 other ranks or 690 soldiers in total. Regimental Administration Office 6 Javelins for dismounts might be enough if we had them fitted to Warrior turrets or RWS, but we dont. I think this ORBAT with this weapon allocation redresses the balance of infantrymen equipped to assault and those equipped to suppress as well as giving greater flexiblity and lethality by bridging the gap between it and support weapon platoons. This is an excellent weapon. I must ask though Date. To take, and then hold ground is the usual answer. NATO defines a battalion as "larger than a company, but smaller than a regiment" while "consisting of two or more company-, battery-, or troop-sized units and a headquarters. Is putting the GPMG back Into the section enough to ditch 12.7mm or 40mm GMG from a heavy machine gun platoon in the Support Company ? Nagy, Istvan Austrian Cavalry The U.S. Army also created independent tank battalions to attach to infantry divisions during World War II in order to give them fire support. The commander can also accept augmentation of units. I have done a similar analysis and share your view that a companys optimal size is 36, after that we deviate for the following reasons: I have a company size of 180 that includes 4 combat combat platoons and a single combat support group (platoon), This replicates at the Battalion level so a battalion 4 combat companies and a single Combat Support Company. As a bonus I thought that a closer relationship with reserves at battalion might serve as a nice middle ground, with regulars perhaps choosing that as way out of the service as well as for reserves finding it a way in. But war is not about comfort, I know. Maybe Armoured Infantry on Warrior dont need that due to their cannon, maybe Mech Infantry on a Boxer with 12.7mm HMG or 40mm GMG RWS dont need these support weapons, but general purpose Light role do, even if their MRV-P ends up with a 7.62mm RWS, as these are not Armoured fighting vehicles but battle taxis with an MG for self defence. I thought of this after reading your article on assault guns. Technical Quartermasters Department 6.5 grendel or creedmore) for DMR type weapons. Medics require a lot of expensive training and continuous clinical exposure to remain competent, in date, and able to operate in the complex world of modern combat medicine. The question of multi-shot 6 round revolver type 40mm grenade launchers with MV rounds versus the UGL is a good one. I really disagree with the LMG being retired. The wagons overall capability is diminished because youre tasking a soldier to do two soldiers jobs in an incredibly stressful situation the middle of a firefight! The Army is composed of an active duty component and a reserve component that comprises the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. 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. Current divisions include airborne, armored, infantry and mountain divisions. There is a case for a light mortar to be carried by each Platoon HQ. Item No. The order of battle shows 101 German infantry divisions and 139 Soviet rifle divisions. Clambering out of the turret, the other problem I have with this idea of max capacity is that there is no flexibility for transporting additional personnel (for example: terp, MFC, A/Pnr, EOD, blokes whose wagon has been hit, casualties etc) or carrying extra stores. 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. Important figures in a battalion headquarters include: Battalions of other corps are given separate cardinal numbers within their corps (e.g., 101Battalion REME). General Frederick Weyand, from. Officers Mess Staff I would like to see the Hirtenberger 60mm mortars purchased under UOR deployed at least in the Rifle Company HQ, more for smoke and illumination rather than HE. When you constantly need to juggle different group sizes, theres a risk of not knowing whether you have enough boots on the ground to complete allocated tasks. 3 regiments with 3 infantry battalions, plus supporting troops. No, I am asking us to attack the sacred cows of ceremonial roles to put troops in combat formations ! When the German armed forces began their invasion of Soviet Union in June 1941 with . and engineer battalions for each Infantry Division. Whilst I absolutely do not think that that is the right way to go, perhaps a shake up of public duties manning is in order? On the LMG, I am sooo old that the LMG imteained on the in the RN was the 7.62 version of the Bren ! Ok thats a long post so short range air defences, and infantry use of drones later !! Interesting thoughts and ideas covering a few topics. After 1882, cavalry battalions were renamed squadrons and cavalry companies were renamed troops. within a Battalion was designated as a Heavy Weapons Company and it was There are four companies to a battalion and four battalions to a regiment. Bye. So providing extra seats at platoon level should be affordable. The mortar section consists of two Mortar Squads, each with a Squad Leader, Gunner and Ammo Bearer. This can either be decided before hand by the squad, or when contact is made the team that makes contact first becomes the supporting element. is the close combat element of the Infantry Battalion, with this article specifically covering the Rifle Company as it exists in the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). The 60mm Mortar is a tremendous asset we retire at our peril: not only does it have impressive reach and devastating impact (for a man-portable weapon) but the Boss doesnt have to arrse about queuing (should it be cueing?) This means wagons to have space for additional personnel and stores, are all properly crewed and that dismounted mass hits the desired 28 (plus crew 53=15 so 43 total). Of course it is doable but cramming seven blokes in the back is a right palava not only for the troops but for all their kit! While the UKs Warrior previously accommodated three crew plus seven dismounts, after has been upgraded, the need to stow 40mm cased-telescoped cannon ammunition is expected to reduce dismounted section carrying capacity to six. Each company is commanded by a major, the officer commanding (OC), with a captain or senior lieutenant as second-in-command (2IC). 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. 1) What is the total manpower bill of the new proposed battalions compared with the current manpower liability in all infantry battalions? 100th Infantry Battalion. Battalion - A battalion comprised three or more companies and was commanded by a lieutenant colonel. C1: S: 9. Higher levels are concerned with administration rather than operations. Ulrich gives an alternative of all battalions being light role and armoured vehicles being in independent extreme bronegruppa units. To deal with 3 points infantry mass, use of TA, and number of vehicles, which are all interconnected: 1. With the Army embracing other new technologies, such as drones and loading carrying autonomous vehicles, having sufficient technical personnel to operate and maintain them suggests that having sufficient REME personnel is essential. The Netherlands have four battalions that are permanently reserved for the United Nations, for the purpose of peacekeeping duties. A field army consists of two or more corps and is run by a general or lieutenant general. Life would be easier if we had nets so boys could just strap bergens to the outside of the wagon. It is worth noting that the current model of the Army Reserve infantry actually achieves the endstate you seek already: generating an additional rifle company as well as generating an additional section per specialist platoon. Lynx can carry 8 dismounts and would allow us to really increase the mass of the armored infantry withot adding to vehicle numbers in any significant way. Infantry mass do we have to give up on this concept ? Does this need a full battalion or just a Company? The Army overall is about 5000 under authorised strength and an increase to about 7000 under strength does not seem a good change. This set up allows the squad to fire and maneuver at the same time, with one team able to act as a "support" element and the other as an "assault" element. They can conduct independent operations of limited scope and duration and are usually commanded by a lieutenant colonel. I hope so. Four section vehicles each having six dismounts with three crew is 36. This means instead of giving every infantry unit organic protected mobility, i would even take the units that have such now this vehicles and would create own fighting units out of them which are then part of the tank troops. That might work for armoured Infantry or Boxer based mechanized infantry, where the infantry are close protection for armoured vehicles, or their closely supporting artillery firepower. 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. 07 Personnel summary. Significantly, you would reduce the Reserve Infantry from 16 battalions to just 33 rifle coys and so lost not just 15 rifle coys but lost all the support weapons specialists and G1/4/6 troops. During World War II, most infantry regiments consisted of three battalions (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) with each battalion consisting of three rifle companies and a heavy weapons company. The Reconnaissance Platoon usually operates 6 vehicles, with each crewed by four soldiers, or 8 vehicles, with each crewed by 3 soldiers. - light cannon, assigned to AT unit. HQ for direct fire support would also be nice (dont forget those 10 man BAOR sections in their FV432 had a lot more of them). Id integrate a fourth rifle company from the TA into your battalion too, to train alongside it and to be fully conversant with its people and its methodology. Recon The other support company would have the assault pioneers and the 2-3 anti tank platoons. A HIMARS trucker mounted single pod MLRS rocket launcher has only a crew of 3. The figures given for the number of soldiers carried, number of dismounts etc. 300 BLK ). These units are characterized by their lack of integral motorization or mechanization for the entire brigade, and are thus less mobile, but as a result are highly deployable. If its not can we at least work round it by concentrating on fire and manoeuvre? Each have different jobs and roles each of which is necessary to keep the wagon fighting and surviving. If a rifleman receives the proper training and is skilled enough, they may be designated a squad designated marksman. . Unless, of course, you want to really shake up what the AR is for and how it works. So Rifle Sections of 9 soldiers would work well. The basic Are your Pl Comd and Pl Sgt vehicle commanders or are they additional? Company You wouldnt task the Mortar No4 to act as CPO and lay and prep fuses and fire and correct all on his own as a matter of routine, would you? Light infantry Battalion Following the mid-2010s, they typically ride in anOshkosh M-ATV mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle. [32] A regiment consists of between two and six organic battalions, while a brigade consists of between three and seven separate battalions. Also, knowing that, whatever the role or the mission, you have 36 soldiers at your disposal is reassuring, because it the efficacy and potency of the platoon becomes a known quantity. This is why the dismount numbers vary a bench seats however many can fit, a seat is for one. 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. PHILANTHROPY. The three commanders of the U.S. forces during the Vietnam War were: General William Westmoreland, from 1964 to 1968. A nominal structure of 1 + 35 soldiers is proposed. In the latter case, the unit is called an eskadron, which translates roughly to "squadron". The battalion was a standard tactical organization throughout the 20th Century, and overseas deployments were usually done with formations . I was throwing around the idea of top slicing the TA and just plugging companies into existing battalions with the intention that it would enhance their professionalism and that they could pull through the three regular companies as casualty replacements. A lieutenant general is in command. This is vital. It is estimated that a typical Armoured infantry or Mechanised Battalion will operate around 90 IFVs or MIVs and have an additional 60 support vehicles including MRVPs for command and liaison, MAN 44 trucks plus MAN 44 fuel trucks for resupply, and MAN Recovery vehicles. If they are vehicle commanders of two of the four section vehicles then when they dismount their vehicle gunner will have double workload. The basic individual weapon in the light infantry battalion was the M14 rifle, while the airmobile unit was authorized M16 rifles. 1. An infantry battalion, logistical battalion, combat battalion, and the Netherlands Marine Corps all have a battalion structure. Arty - Artillery They usually consist of three or more field armies, with about 1 million to 3 million soldiers. Personnel will primarily be drivers. These mortars can be fired either from anM170 Bipod or by hand. I like your set up for the battalion except for the support company which I think itshould be split into 2. Given the requirement, identify the elements and generic employment missions of a . Teams with special functions may also include officers or warrant officers. With eachJavelin vehicle requiring a driver and commander, t. As noted above, there is no reason why other weapon types and combinations could not also be used. Either way possibly improving retention and a quality of life issue for regulars who may need some acclimatization to civilian life. Contrarily, in my experience the Gaaards are very proud of their role and it forms an important part of their ethos, setting them apart from the rest after all, they havent much else to boast about! 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). A British battalion in theatre during World War II had around 845 men; as of 2012, a British battalion had around 650 soldiers.