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Moreover, why focus on the rifle squad, which is only a small part of the total combat organizational construct? This article focuses on the infantry rifle squad (not the different variations for mechanized and Stryker infantry) because it is the basic foundation of the decisive force of the future. So, how relevant are the foundational arguments, facts, and assumptions that generated the infantry squad relative to developments in war, military affairs, and human society since 1946, as well as projections about future war? These developments sufficiently invalidate many of the foundational arguments, facts, and assumptions underpinning the current configuration of and employment of rifle squads to justify needed reorganization and reform. Kotter writes, “The world is now changing at a rate at which the basic systems, structures, and cultures built over the past century cannot keep up with the demands being placed on them.” 3 In the case of the infantry squad, Kotter’s assertion suggests that military professionals and scholars should examine the legacy infantry squad construct for its continued relevance. Brown concurs that the infantry squad has remained fundamentally the same over time with minor changes, writing that “despite new soldier equipment and technological advances we deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, squads operate in the same manner their predecessors did in Vietnam and Korea.” 2Ĭhange expert John Kotter articulates the importance of evaluating and managing organizational systems, structures, and concepts to keep up with the pace of change in today’s world. 1 Though it has evolved some, today’s infantry rifle squad still comprises nine personnel (two fire teams of four led by team leaders who are subordinate to the squad leader).
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Army adopted the nine-man infantry rifle squad over the twelve-man infantry rifle squad it used in World War II based on the discourse and findings of the 1946 Infantry Conference at Fort Benning, Georgia. This article highlights how, and recommends an alternative for squad reform. The structure and organization of our Army, both operational and institutional, may change drastically, and we must be open-minded to that change.ĭiscontinuities in war, military affairs, and human society since the 1940s, as well as projections about future war, sufficiently invalidate many of the foundational arguments, facts, and assumptions that generated the legacy infantry squad to justify reform. We should think of nothing in the past as sacred, except the concept of victory. The exercise allowed the soldiers to practice working with multiple combined arms elements including artillery, air support, and mortars to establish superior firepower on the battlefield. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, participate in a combined arms live-fire exercise 6 December 2017 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.