I looked at this along with the squad and platoon structures with retired SMA Bill Gates and CSM (ret) Jack Hardwick. My driving concern was to give the company greater independent operations capability, especially in an operational environment like OIF and OEF. That meant organic capability to run and sustain a 24/7 tactical operations center and greater organic fire support and direct fire support with heavy MGs and AT. Looked at that way, I saw a need for a heavy weapons platoon at company level and parallel weapons squads in platoons including light (60mm) mortars.

I am not a fan of ultra-light infantry as we have used the term; infantry is light enough without making them paper-thin---you end up adding back in what you took away and than you get into ad hoc organizations for fighting versus how you train.

best

Tom