The Roles and Weapons with the Squad
Hi guys, new member here so first of all just thought I'd say Hi :)
Secondly, I just have a question regarding the makeup of roles and weapons in Infantry squads (specifically, the Army). From what I understand squads are made up of 2 or 3 "fireteams", of which each fireteam consists of:
- A Team Leader with an M16 or M4 rifle.
- A Grenadier with an M16 or M4 rifle with an M203 grenade launcher.
- An Automatic Rifleman with an M249 SAW.
- A Rifleman with an M16 or M4 rifle.
Assuming that's correct, I'm wondering where the other weapons and roles come in to the squad. For example:
- M240 machinegun
- M136 AT4
- M24 sniper rifle
- M16 SDM-R
I thought maybe in addition to the fireteams, the squad might have a "weapons team" or "specialist team" or something along those lines - basically a team that carries heavier and more specialised weapons (like the M240, M136 and SDM-R) to suppress and destroy hard targets.
Also, where do roles such as Snipers (or Advanced Marksmen), Squad Designated Marksmen and Medics come into the squad? Are they separate from the fireteams or do members of the fireteam also take on these roles in addition to their original assigned roles; in effect performing dual responsibilities?
Cheers guys.
It would -- if one wanted to do that. Though
I'm unsure why anyone would wish to do so. Seems sort of pointless to me.
Experiences vary. So do enemies...
Having a great deal of experience with magazine fed ARs in Squads here and there, I've never seen the magic of belt fed as worth the weight, parts problems and potential for misaligned belts, misfires and overheated weapons. Mag fed weapons, both the BAR and the M14E2 put out more than adequate suppressive fire -- and they were totally reliable. Aside from the fact it is quicker and easier to reload using a new magazine, an easily portable belt is only going to be about 100 rounds -- and an Ultimax can hit that. C-Mags aren't perfect but they are getting better; the problem is that no real effort has been made to provide better large magazines
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As someone who has been fired at I can tell you that there is no substitute for putting a lot of lead down range very quickly. Even if you don't hit the target it still has a profound psychological effect on the target. You are going to loose a good bit of that with a magazine fed weapon, plus you won't be able to carry as much ammunition.
I respectfully disagree in part. I acknowledge the truth of the statement when operating against inexperienced or poorly trained opponents but all the wasted ammo in the world will be totally ignored by competent enemies and you'll run out of ammo before they will...
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GPMGs are not the answer either. A GPMG is a supporting weapon. Taking a GPMG on an assault is problematic at best and taking them in for CQC or trench clearing is simply impossible.
Totally agree on that. Did take them occasionally during the SE Asia war games but always tried to avoid it if possible, more trouble than they're worth if you're patrolling and only of marginal use in most circumstances other than a pure meeting engagement or defensive battle. I'd keep 'em at a MG Platoon at Company level instead of in a Wpn sqd. ;)
Thirty would be adequate,
50 ideal -- more would be too heavy and unwieldy and of benefit only if one subscribes to the theory that the more rounds fired regardless of accuracy the better. A proposition I emphatically do not agree with.
The old 60 rd Drum for the Ultimax was okay, the 100 is too heavy as is the C-Mag.
Could I inquire into the basis for this statement?
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Originally Posted by
Jones_RE
...That said, I'm concerned that we're drawing lessons from success that may not be justified. The current squad structure, equipment, and tactics were validated against an enemy force that is on the whole considered to be poorly trained, often badly outnumbered, and incredibly outgunned.
The question applies to most Squads, USMC, US Army, commonwealth armies...