by Lieutenant Chris Shaw, Small Wars Journal
Adapting the British Light Infantry Section and Platoon Structure (Full PDF Article)
Regardless of what form or resultant outcome the debate of strategic force structures takes both within the United States and subsequently within the NATO and ABCA nations, there will always be a role on the battlefield for the infantry forces of the developed world. The Contemporary Operating Environment (COE) has seen demand for the west's infantry formations rise dramatically. 'COIN operations place a premium', notes the recently released US doctrinal publication Tactics in Counterinsurgency FM3-24.2, 'on boots on the ground.' The necessity to secure and engage a population through sustained and persistent patrolling is most easily fulfilled by a dedicated infantry force. While there no doubt remains a place for supporting arms in the counterinsurgency fight the ease through which an infantry formation can navigate, sustain itself within and persecute offensive, defensive and support operations within the human geography of a foreign culture has made the infantry synonymous with COIN campaigning.
Even if one views future conflict as being characterised by high-intensity, conventional conflict the existence of an infantry arm remains entirely necessary for the conduct of operations across differing types of terrain. The ability of the developed world's infantry to adapt to and assimilate technological and doctrinal innovation in military campaigning will be important to future battlefield success and minimisation of casualties and tactical failure.
Has the infantry adjusted or adapted to the Contemporary Operating Environment? It is easy to argue 'yes'. At the tactical level, the majority of the infantry Battalion's within the developed world are now far better prepared and postured to participate in the '3 Block War' where violence is administered surgically and sparingly. Doctrinally COIN philosophy has taken hold through the vast majority of armies, with 'non-kinetic' effects and lines of operation having gained currency in the military's professional vocabulary. Multi-national exercises such as 'Co-Operative Spirit' held between ABCA nations in Germany last year are now based upon the full-spectrum environment necessitated in the fight against an insurgency, whereas a similar exercise a decade ago would have seen the forces facing a conventional, Soviet-influenced foe.
Adapting the British Light Infantry Section and Platoon Structure (Full PDF Article)
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The infantry platoon and squad could use an upgrade. Standard line squads must be able to act independanly for the platoon. They need to be increased from 9 men to 11,12 or 13 men. This allows for either a two or three fire team break down depending on the mission. Additionaly if allows for a guard to be left in the rear, (you always have to give up one) as well as a WIA or two and still have the ability to feild a 9 man unit and if they are lucky they will have everyone. Once the squad is down to 6 men or less it should be fought as a large fire team.
The platoon upgrade has a couple choices
1. 4 squads, (3 line with one of the squads 100% sapper qualified and have a designated marksman in each fire team), and 1 weapons squad)however the weapons squad is increased in size. All machine gun teams are 3 man, and all AT teams are 3 man. The platoon gets an addition MG team for a total of 3 and the same with AT. The AB in the MG teams is a designated marksman. The AT Team AB is a Greniader with an M-32 GL. Additionally the AT teams have the M-3 RAWS and extra MG available and all are Stinger qualified as well.
2. Go to 5 squads, (3 line, 1 MG and 1 AT). Same as above except the weapons squad is split into a MG squad and a AT or weapons squad.
M-203 are retained and carried by TLs. All personnel are issued a pistol and one or two suppressors per team. Additionaly all rifles are suppressed.
One 12GA breach gun per team. The M-4 is upgraded to the A1 varient and additionaly the all rifleman, TLs, grenadiers, and the PSG have a second rifle in 7.62mm. The terrain, mission and AO will determine, which is carried.
Plt HQ consists of: PL and his RTO, PSG and his RTO, 1 (possiblely 2) medics and FO and RTO and are both qualified as JTACs and for NGF in addition to mortars and artillery.
This tool box concept will work far better as the squads and the platoon can tailor weapon systems to the mission,the threat and AO etc, far better.
"Has the infantry adjusted or adapted to the Contemporary Operating Environment? It is easy to argue 'yes."
I'd argue maybe not - our convetnional units are still too bound to rear bases, ala Vietnam, and lack the tactical mobility, on foot, of our advisary. We seem to try to overcome this with technolog, which either keeps us on roads where IEDs are, or overburdens the infantryman physically, off the road.
We need to toughen-up, and to borrow a phrase: "out guerrilla the guerrilla." I don't see us doing that.