Hey,

Silly question, but I'm asking mostly out of curiosity.

If I recall the TO&E for a US Army squad (from the Force on Force) book is as follows:
1x Squad Leader M4

Fireteam 1
1x TL M4
1x Gren with M4/M203
1x Gunner with SAW
1x Rifleman M4

Fireteam 2
1x TL M4
1x Gren with M4/M203
1x Gunner with SAW
1x Rifleman M4

etc...


Here is my question. In browsing my US Army in Iraq Osprey book, the front cover shows a Staff Sgt. carrying an M4/M203 combo...does that mean one the squad has an additional M4/M203 combo or does the Staff Sgts (squad leader) replace one of the M4/M203s in the squad itself?

It probably doesn't matter, I ask out of genuine curiosity more than anything else.

Thanks!
Brian

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Thanks!


GOD BLESS!
Brian

Traditionaly the team leader was assighned the M203 . It was found (common sense) that his main responsibility was to direct the actions of the Team so he normaly swapped his 203 with the rifleman/asst saw gunner. That said an Infantryman simply will not pass up picking up additional firepower . It is also likely that in afganistan where engagement range is longer and the enemy more adept at using cover the addition of a second 203 would be advantagious. also as the new UBGLs and the direct attack Grenade launchers become availible why not hold on to that 203 for the extra bang..By the way (my last combat experience was 2005 and is dated ) we used the old M79 as we thought it was more precise then the 203 but had both for the extra bang......Mikey

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"All Men for the rights of Every man, every man for the rights of all Men"

Really? Even in the US military there is someone that thinks M79 is still a valid GL?

You'll find that the US military rarely throws away anything quickly. Very few, if any, of these "new" M14s that have been popping up for years now are actually new production for instance. Some infantry unit in Afghanistan also reissued the M67 90mm recoilless rifle recently. You can find a fair number of examples of such things over the years if you look for them. The reissue of the M79 to US Army and USMC units is just on.

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Visit the Historical Accuracy Fail Blog

The M79 is a more accurate launcher than the M203 and is still used by US SOF and conventional forces for that very reason. It's still very much a 'valid' grenade launcher.

Also think of the reintroduction of the LAW into service for direct, explosive fire support. Sadly keeping warehouses full of storage is a matter of money. Germany got rid of many of its surplus weaponry, including tanks, handweapons and light vehicles.

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ad astra per aspera
liber et infractus

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." –- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

Germany got rid of so many things that I doubt we are able to handle any future conflict. We don't even give what we actually DO have in stock to those that would need it in Afghanistan. Oh I forgot.. why would we? Its not a war after all for those in Berlin.

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Sgt. Screams 28mm/20mm/15mm Wargaming Blog (Modern, Sci-Fi)

"Those in Berlin" are not my government. They are administrators, not leaders. In this economic crisis, this can end bad.

_________________
ad astra per aspera
liber et infractus

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." –- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)