But then the "section" (say squad leader for correct nomenclature) has always had a tough job in the Marines. Anti tank teams, MG teams, engineer teams, a mortar observe, ect.. are frequently part of his load. Most company commanders astutly recognize theat the Lt & Plt Sgt are likely casualties, so the surviving squad leaders have to be ready to fill those billets.

Carl,

 

Please expaned on the "ect" from above.

 

I saw a posting that stated the fire team (both Marine & Army) should go to six in order to support MOUT - assault, support and security force. 

 

I saw a posting from a Marine PLT commander suggesting an asst squad leader and a extra radio man and a 7.62 MG team be added to the squad.

 

New squad org - 33 men

 

Section Leader (or Squad Leader)

Squad Leader (or Asst Squad Leader)

FO

Radio man - 3 men

Fire Team - 18 men

AT team   - 2 men

MG team  - 3 men

ENG team - 4 men

 

 

 

 

 

 This months Gazette has yet another proposal for reorganization of the Rifle Platoon and squad, including   moving the 60mm mortars from company level to one per platoon and putting the M240s at squad level. Cannot say I am a fan.

 

 My concern about al this change is that a lot of it seems geared just toward the Iraq situation but fails to take in to account as Marines they should be ready to fight anywhere. Should we find ourselves in areas like North Korea, the Philippines or Indonesia we may find ourselves wishing we had the old 13-man rifle Squad which when all is said and done is what I think we will find ourselves with. Past Marine attempts to move from this organization like the infamous ten-man squad were less than successful

 

 You might see some changes in Platoon organization with say two rifle squads and a support/suppression squad, which I favor, a bigger platoon headquarters and more independent ability to call and adjust supporting fires.

 

 It is my feelings that the 13-man squad gives you the flexibility to task organize for Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea or a NEO in Western Africa while the smaller proposed organizations are more specialized.

It should also be explained to those who don't know, the Gazette isn't particularly reporting on what the Corps is or isn't going to do but its more of an outlet for both Off and Enl Marines to post their own valid ideas and views, almost a blog Pre Blog.

Any sort of attachment to the company can end up being either assigned to directly to the squad, or enter the squad leaders area of interest/control.  The nature of warfare demands the USMC squad leader know how this affects his mission and understand the basics of what to do with it.  I suspose that no different than in the US Army.

The pumped up squads or platoons outlined above or in the Gazette remind me a lot of the USMC regiments that assualted Iwo Jima some of the previous islands in late 1944-45.  Part of the MMG  assualt engineer sections or teams were distributed to the platoons on a more or less permanent basis.   The USMC rifle regiments preparing for Operation Downfall were begaining to configure their squads like small platoons.  The squads were training regularly with MMG from the company integrated into the squad, and the assualt engineer team was becoming common at the platoon/squad level.   Light weight radios were increasingly available and armored vehicals were everywhere.  In three and a half years of the Pacific war the squad leaders responsibility had gone from eight men with rifles, and maybe a BAR, to nearly sixteen men carrying ip to five diffferent rifle caliber weapons, explosives and flamethrowers, a radio or telephone connection, armored vehical support, and indirect fire support from both artillery and mortars.  

Sorry I was not back to answer the last question directed to me.  

 

 And it continues to this day