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http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.4308111.1089903978.QPadasOa9dUAAESlMZk&modele=jdc_34
KevinB should like this direction.
12 man squads, 1 man per squad qualified to call for Fire Support, Patrolling culture, independent action, up to 50 miles between Command and Platoons, train for several jobs and re-equip the individual rifleman.
Equip The Man, Not Man The Equipment: Commandant Debuts Distributive Operations Concept
(Source: US Marine Corps; issued Aug. 26, 2005)
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. --- Since the beginning of the global war on terror, there have been significant changes in the way Marines fight. New technology and tactics put Marines one step ahead to gain the edge over their enemies.
A new tactical concept that will eventually train, equip and empower small unit leaders to act confidently on the mission is currently in experimental stages.
The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, recently spent two weeks in classes and hands-on training conducted by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, using this new concept.
The concept states, "We are harvesting a generation of junior officers and noncommissioned officers who are fully prepared to assume much greater authority and responsibility than is traditionally expected at the small-unit level." The operation gives increased decision making powers to small units, trained to a higher standard than ever before.
"Distributive Operations is an approach that will create an advantage over the opposition through the planned use of separation and coordinated interdependent, tactical actions enabled by increased functional support, as well as by enhanced combat capabilities at the small-unit level," said John D. Manley, public affairs officer, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.
The Corps developed distributive operations in response to the rising global threat of terrorists and insurgents.
"Marines fighting the Global War on Terrorism confront adversaries that are adaptive, decentralized and elusive," the concept states. "In order to maintain our dominance on the battlefield, it is essential that we continuously adapt our methods of warfighting while remaining a flexible, combined arms force."
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee signed the concept for the operations in July and since then the Warfighting Lab has been developing combat initiatives that will apply to the Corps' maneuver philosophy.
"Although the concept was signed and is an official commander's intent, the concept is currently under experimental status. Right now we're in our second month of an estimated 18-month experimentation phase prior to completion," said Manley.
The concept proves that Marine small-unit leaders are often capable of making and implementing decisions despite their rank, said Manley. Concept applications provides rifle platoons, squads and fire teams the freedom to operate more independently.
In urban fighting, small units often find themselves out of communication with the rest of the battalion. They need to be able to perform many of the functions usually performed at higher levels, such as calling for fire support.
To conduct distributed operations the Corps will have to improve education, training and equipment of Marines in small combat units.
"It will require installing a patrolling culture similar to what Marines did in Vietnam when squads patrolled the area far from the rest of the battalion," states the concept.
One man in each squad would be trained to call fire support. As of now only three Marines in each battalion are trained for such duties. Enlisted personnel would perform tasks once restricted to officers.
Reducing a squad from 14 to 12 Marines with the extra riflemen moving to Alpha and Bravo command groups would downsize the platoon. The command groups help run the platoon.
Along with the concept of training a Marine to do several jobs is supplying the Marines with the proper gear. A "rifleman's suite" of issued equipment is also specified and includes an M-16A4 rifle with a collapsing stock more suited for urban combat, day and night rifle scopes, a bipod for improved marksmanship, a flash suppressor for better location concealment, a better bayonet, a personal radio to allow squad members to communicate over short distances without shouting, and a compass and global position system device.
A flaw noticed during the war was the communications problem seen by ground units. Marine commanders were as much as 50 miles apart from their platoons. As the area of operations became isolated, commanders needed more stable communication ability.
1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, is the first unit to experiment the concept and Manley says after their training, the Warfighting Lab will train with a unit from the 5th Marine Regiment in order to perfect the operation.
Although still in its infancy, this concept integrates a new doctrine. The force structure, training, equipment and small-unit leader development will provide commanders with a deadlier weapon-an empowered and confident Marine.
"We will preserve our tradition of being most ready when the nation is least ready," said Hagee. "While this mission is our number one priority, we also have the responsibility to prepare for the future."
-ends-
KevinB should like this direction.
12 man squads, 1 man per squad qualified to call for Fire Support, Patrolling culture, independent action, up to 50 miles between Command and Platoons, train for several jobs and re-equip the individual rifleman.
Equip The Man, Not Man The Equipment: Commandant Debuts Distributive Operations Concept
(Source: US Marine Corps; issued Aug. 26, 2005)
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. --- Since the beginning of the global war on terror, there have been significant changes in the way Marines fight. New technology and tactics put Marines one step ahead to gain the edge over their enemies.
A new tactical concept that will eventually train, equip and empower small unit leaders to act confidently on the mission is currently in experimental stages.
The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, recently spent two weeks in classes and hands-on training conducted by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, using this new concept.
The concept states, "We are harvesting a generation of junior officers and noncommissioned officers who are fully prepared to assume much greater authority and responsibility than is traditionally expected at the small-unit level." The operation gives increased decision making powers to small units, trained to a higher standard than ever before.
"Distributive Operations is an approach that will create an advantage over the opposition through the planned use of separation and coordinated interdependent, tactical actions enabled by increased functional support, as well as by enhanced combat capabilities at the small-unit level," said John D. Manley, public affairs officer, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.
The Corps developed distributive operations in response to the rising global threat of terrorists and insurgents.
"Marines fighting the Global War on Terrorism confront adversaries that are adaptive, decentralized and elusive," the concept states. "In order to maintain our dominance on the battlefield, it is essential that we continuously adapt our methods of warfighting while remaining a flexible, combined arms force."
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee signed the concept for the operations in July and since then the Warfighting Lab has been developing combat initiatives that will apply to the Corps' maneuver philosophy.
"Although the concept was signed and is an official commander's intent, the concept is currently under experimental status. Right now we're in our second month of an estimated 18-month experimentation phase prior to completion," said Manley.
The concept proves that Marine small-unit leaders are often capable of making and implementing decisions despite their rank, said Manley. Concept applications provides rifle platoons, squads and fire teams the freedom to operate more independently.
In urban fighting, small units often find themselves out of communication with the rest of the battalion. They need to be able to perform many of the functions usually performed at higher levels, such as calling for fire support.
To conduct distributed operations the Corps will have to improve education, training and equipment of Marines in small combat units.
"It will require installing a patrolling culture similar to what Marines did in Vietnam when squads patrolled the area far from the rest of the battalion," states the concept.
One man in each squad would be trained to call fire support. As of now only three Marines in each battalion are trained for such duties. Enlisted personnel would perform tasks once restricted to officers.
Reducing a squad from 14 to 12 Marines with the extra riflemen moving to Alpha and Bravo command groups would downsize the platoon. The command groups help run the platoon.
Along with the concept of training a Marine to do several jobs is supplying the Marines with the proper gear. A "rifleman's suite" of issued equipment is also specified and includes an M-16A4 rifle with a collapsing stock more suited for urban combat, day and night rifle scopes, a bipod for improved marksmanship, a flash suppressor for better location concealment, a better bayonet, a personal radio to allow squad members to communicate over short distances without shouting, and a compass and global position system device.
A flaw noticed during the war was the communications problem seen by ground units. Marine commanders were as much as 50 miles apart from their platoons. As the area of operations became isolated, commanders needed more stable communication ability.
1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, is the first unit to experiment the concept and Manley says after their training, the Warfighting Lab will train with a unit from the 5th Marine Regiment in order to perfect the operation.
Although still in its infancy, this concept integrates a new doctrine. The force structure, training, equipment and small-unit leader development will provide commanders with a deadlier weapon-an empowered and confident Marine.
"We will preserve our tradition of being most ready when the nation is least ready," said Hagee. "While this mission is our number one priority, we also have the responsibility to prepare for the future."
-ends-
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