Shrinking the infantry squad: Why the Corps wants to fight with fewer Marines

[rangerrebew]

Shrinking the infantry squad: Why the Corps wants to fight with fewer Marines

By: Shawn Snow  
 

The Marine Corps is setting in motion plans to shrink the size of the traditional rifle squad, cutting manpower for the Corps’ most basic building block of combat power from 13 Marines down to 12 — a risky move that the Corps admits could fail.

To compensate for the reduced size, Marine Corps officials say the rifle squads will get more lethal weaponry, more responsibilities, better intel and enhanced support from the company and battalion level.

https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/newsletters/daily-news-roundup/2018/05/21/shrinking-the-infantry-squad-why-the-corps-wants-to-fight-with-fewer-marines/

[Maj. Bill Martin]

I'm less worried about the numbers, and more worried about what it does to the leadership structure of the rifle squad.  Used to be that a Corporal led 3 other Marines, and the Sgt. led the 3 corporals.  Now a corporal will only lead 2 other Marines, and the Sgt. is burdened with two other Marines to lead in addition to his 3 fire team leaders.

Don't like it.