Light infantry TOEs

[Lastdingo]

Since the rifle squad thread seemed to be popular we'll try this.

For deliberate attacks and raids light infantry units are normally organized into three elements, not including the headquarters: support, security, and assault.

The tried and true light infantry TOE has been three plus one; three identical rifle platoons plus the weapons platoon at company level, or three identical rifle companies plus the weapons company at battalion level.

Would there be any advantage to organizing light infantry units into specialized support, security, and assault elements permanently?

This would mean the organization would be optimized for raids and deliberate attacks. Would that effect the organization's ability to successfully conduct constabulary type operations or defensive operations?

If you organized permanently this way at what level should it happen. Companies with support, security, and assault platoons, or battalions with support, security, and assault companies?

If not all light infantry units, perhaps just the ranger battalions?

I see several problems.

- A dedicated assault element would have a way to large share of casualties in a force-on-force battle. That would lead to loss of cohesion due to morale and replacement issues.

- The three different tasks don't have very different equipment requirements, so by specializing the training and mission you simply ditch the versatility that you can have almsot for free.

- If moving to contact, you cannot be sure that your elements are positioned correctly. The assault element is probably pinned down and the support element without line of sight. Now the security element would have to act as base fo fire or assault element - possible with versatility, but hard with specialization.

- Rangers are often airbonre and therefore often in disorder after landing and with little support. That stresses the requirement for versatility.