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Subject: Best Light Infantry in the World?
S-2    8/26/2005 11:27:05 PM
Let's broaden this broad topic even more. Go from 1939 to present. Justify with examples. Variations on this theme- best mission equipped troops, fieldcraft, training rigor, attacking, defending. Who impresses you, and why?
 
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longrifle       4/24/2007 2:05:09 AM
I thought I'd add this site for anyone interested in the subject matter:

mymilitaryhistorypages.bravehost.com/index.html

Okay, so it's not post 1939.  Enjoy it anyway. 
 
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Mr. Excellent       4/27/2007 1:29:29 AM
Is it possible to attend Ranger school and go reserve?
 
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A_Grunt       5/12/2009 12:42:30 AM
Your either not in the military trying to join the Marines or a Marine.  I hate how Marines talk shit about the Army.  How you guys always fight first.  When was the last time you guys actually fought first?.  Meybe tru in the 1800's .  I dont think your a soldier your probly a Marine trying to claim your a soldier and how much more beter the Marines are.  Marines talk to much.  How is your infantry beter then the Army.  I used to hear Marines say all the time there training is like the Army Ranger school  or a couple of Marines that didnt know I was a soldier telling civilians how they captured Sadam.
 
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JFKY    My vote   5/12/2009 11:10:21 AM
Is for the Ewoks...look what they did with sticks and rocks....it doesn't get much lighter than that!
 
Generally these threads become quite silly so why not start now?
 
And, NO, Adeptus Astertes (sp.?) would not qualify as "light infantry."
 
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tom007       9/9/2009 3:31:37 AM

Well everyone likes to root for their own team but if I put military channel aside and stopped sucking the dick of the military industrial complex I would say Hezbollah. Now this is likely to be unpopular due to their politics and their lack of cool toys but none the less I ask you to be open minded. The more popular choices Royal Marines, Rangers, USMC and the legion are all if the highest quality money can buy but being a part of a military cutler where once service is referred to as a carrier I feel they can?t match the warriors spirit of those where service is divine service. Also as NATO units as any 21st century fighting force they are dependent on combined arms which leads me to suppose can these units really be classified as light infantry or if they were restricted to solely the light infantry components of their arsenals could they still maintain such prowess. Hezbollah though is a military force composed entirely of light infantry with no air, sea or armor support elements. In addition, how many times have any of these NATO Units engaged a modern conventional military force in the last fifty years, much less a superior one and without their support arms? Hezbollah on the other hand just fought a very successful campaign against one of the most modern militaries on earth the IDF. Once again the fought this campaign strictly as a light infantry force against a more advanced circumstances these NATO units have not found themselves in sense perhaps as far back as the great war but no later than WWII.

 
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tom007       9/9/2009 3:33:53 AM

Well everyone likes to root for their own team but if I put military channel aside and stopped sucking the dick of the military industrial complex I would say Hezbollah. Now this is likely to be unpopular due to their politics and their lack of cool toys but none the less I ask you to be open minded. The more popular choices Royal Marines, Rangers, USMC and the legion are all if the highest quality money can buy but being a part of a military cutler where once service is referred to as a carrier I feel they can?t match the warriors spirit of those where service is divine service. Also as NATO units as any 21st century fighting force they are dependent on combined arms which leads me to suppose can these units really be classified as light infantry or if they were restricted to solely the light infantry components of their arsenals could they still maintain such prowess. Hezbollah though is a military force composed entirely of light infantry with no air, sea or armor support elements. In addition, how many times have any of these NATO Units engaged a modern conventional military force in the last fifty years, much less a superior one and without their support arms? Hezbollah on the other hand just fought a very successful campaign against one of the most modern militaries on earth the IDF. Once again the fought this campaign strictly as a light infantry force against a more advanced circumstances these NATO units have not found themselves in sense perhaps as far back as the great war but no later than WWII.

 
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LB    1st SSF   9/9/2009 4:23:36 PM
It's difficult to compare 1st SSF in Italy from 1943/4 to another light infantry force and find better.  Another impressive group would be the Goumier who were key to finally breaking the Gustov line at the 4th Battle of Monte Cassino.  The Gurkha's really do have a wonderful reputation and I believe there are documented cases of enemy units just walking off the line when told the Gurkha's would be assaulting soon- I believe in the Falklands and more recently as well.
 
While US Marines can operate as light infantry a rifle battalion when deployed as part of a MEU is a heavy infantry unit and overall the USMC is a medium weight force.
 
In any case while one might have a soft spot for various light infantry formations over time and I can think of many it's difficult to think of one better than 1st SSF during the Italian Campaign.  What higher compliment has ever been paid to a unit than being nicknamed by the enemy as devils and what unit has lived on as well (most Special Forces units trace lineage to specific 1st SSF units).  That said German mountain and airborne troops in WWII could make a case for best as well as many other units including various insurgents.  The best unit is the one you and your mates would least enjoy fighting which will differ from place to place and time to time.  Whose was a better light infantry unit than 2-14th (10th mountain) at Mogadishu in 1993 and to whom?
 
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Ispose    2 cents   9/10/2009 12:12:52 PM
German Fallschirmjaeger at Monte Cassino.
 
I think the US is hampered by our "Up or Out" policy....why can't the US military accept that if a private or junior NCO wishes to stay at their current rank for 20 years and retire..they should let them. Not everyone is suited for senior leadership positions but having a PFC in your Fireteam whos' been an infantryman for 10 years is a lot of experience that the newer troops can leverage. As long as they can do their job why not let them re-enlist?
Those who exhibit and are willing to take on leadership positions will do so and get promoted...but for those who are content to be a private or junior NCO and are good at it...let them stay.
 
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SCCOMarine       9/11/2009 3:04:47 AM

While US Marines can operate as light infantry a rifle battalion when deployed as part of a MEU is a heavy infantry unit and overall the USMC is a medium weight force.

Whose was a better light infantry unit than 2-14th (10th mountain) at Mogadishu in 1993 and to whom?
 
 
No offense to your post but if your writing that Marine BNs "can" operate as Light Infantry, the MEU "is" a Heavy Inf Unit, and the USMC is overall a medium force, then you don't understand the Marine Corps or its capabilities.
 
There is a difference between a Medium/Heavy Infantry Unit & a Light Infantry Unit that Leverages Medium or Heavy Support to its Tactical Advantage.
 
Marine Infantrymen are 1st extensively trained in Light Inf Tactics.  Marine Infantry BNs "are" Light Infantry BNs who are further trained to Leverage various Platforms to their Tactical Advantage.
 
That MEU that you just labeled "Heavy Inf" can just as easily slip 100 Marines in Zodiacs to conduct Clandestine raids, sabotage, etc. fr/ the sea 20miles deep inland, or send another Comp. 400mi behind enemy lines for a First Strike/Deep Helo Raid, or conduct a Full Scale Mechanized Invasion, & can conduct all these Mission w/ 6hrs Notice.
 
Why??  B/c the USMC is & was since its creation a L.I. Force, it has grown to Leverage Medium Assets due to its unique nature in National Security.
 
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