TO&E of world militaries

[karensman08 10]

I am starting this thread because I have had great difficulty finding curretn small unit (platoon down to fireteam) task organization and equipment compositions for militaries around the world (both BLUFOR and OPFOR).

I am very interested in this because I like to create realistic joint operations missions in the Armaverse. However, whenever I do an internet search to get this info, it is often contradicting, outdated, or at levels above the tactical scenerio. I would love to learn about platoon to squad compostions for light, mechanized, and motorized/wheeled infantry; and tanks.

about the only TO&E I am familiar with is the US Army's standard rifle platoon:

PLT HQs

PLT LDR - M4 & M9

PSG - M4

RTO - M4

Rifle SQD (3x)

SL - M4

TL (2x) - M4

SAW (2x) - M249

GR (2x) - M4 w/M203

RM (2x) - M4 (maybe designated marksman w/modified M4)

WPN SQD

SL - M4 (also have seen M14*)

MG (2x) - M240

AG (2x) - M4

AT - M4 & Javelin

Asst. AT - M4

*technique used to help fire direction of M240s b/c of similar round and trajectory

[Frostburg 10]

All my experience comes from U.S. Marines Infantry Companies.

Here is how it works.

For the headquarters Platoon,

Company CO carries an M4 and an M9.

XO carries also an M4 and M9

Company 1st Sgt carries an M4.

Company Gunny carries an M4.

Company Police Sergeant carries generally

an M16A4.

Company Training NCO also carries an M16A4.

For the rifle platoon:

Platoon Commander carries an M4 and M9.

Platoon Sergeant carries an M4

The platoon is made up of three squads each

with three four man FireTeams. Each squad is

headed by a Squad leader. A Corpsman

usually accompanies each squad on combat missions.

The Squad Leader carries an M4.

Within the Fireteams.

The Fireteam Leader carries an M16A4 with M203.

The Rifleman/Assistant FireTeam leader carries

an M16A4.

The M249 SAW gunner carries the SAW.

The Assistant SAW gunner carries an M16A4. He

also carries additional ammo for the SAW. Occasionally

he also carries the spare barrel for the SAW, however,

this does not always occur.

Ammo for the SAW is either a full 100 round drum magazine

or a reduced 50 round (nutsack).

A SAW gunner will generally carry as much ammo as he feels

necessary. I don't remember accurately, but I remember

my SAW gunner in Iraq regularly carrying up to 10 100 round

drums.

Many SAW gunners today put ACOGs on their SAWs.

Standard loadout for all Marines carrying an M16 or

M4 is atleast 6 magazines, however many

do carry many more magazines if they are expecting heavy

combat.

Manuals state that the

standard load for an M16 magazine is 30 rounds, but

many Marines only load 28 in order to reduce pressure

on the magazine spring and thus avoid feeding problems.

The Corpsman generally carries an M4 and M9 plus his

medical gear.

This is generally the way things are normally done

in the Marine Corps, however, sometimes exceptions

are made.

I have seen rare instances where non-FireTeam Leaders

in FireTeams are equipped with M203s.

Within the U.S.M.C today, all Marines generally

equip their M16 or M4 with an ACOG and attach

their iron sights to their gear. Many Marines however

can choose to procure any sight for their assault

rifle/carbine of their choosing. I've seen Marines

equip their weapons with EOtech holographic sights.

That however, is a personal purchase that the individual

Marine chooses to make on his own.

All Marines carrying M203s generally carry either HE or HE/DP

40mm grenades. Standard loadout for them is generally 6 40mm

grenades, but that can change too.

Generally one Marine per squad is designated the RTO.

The RTO carries whatever his standard loadout is for his

position in his FireTeam plus a radio with an extra battery.

I have known some squadleaders opt to carry the radio themselves,

but in my opinion, that is a deathwish.

Within the platoon, the designated marksman generally carries

a SAM-R(Spelling?) with several magazines of match grade

hollow point ammo.

M67 hand grenades are also given to Marines in a platoon according

to commanders discretion.

Smoke grenades and flares are also generally given to squad leaders or

fireteam leaders.

If shoulder fired rockets are needed for a mission, generally one

of the Marines from the fireteam generally excluding the SAW gunner

will carry either an AT-4 or LAW.

Occasionally one Marine within a squad will also carry

a Benelli tactical semi-auto shotgun in addition to the

rest of his weapons and gear if heavy action is expected in a

MOUT or CQB environment.

Other times one Marine in a squad will also carry an M32

6-shot grenade launcher.

All Marines carry NVGs during any combat op.

Generally on deep or long patrols one Marine will also be the

litter bearer carrying a litter.

In MOUT or CQB environments, one Marine will also carry

a breaching kit, either explosive or non-explosive. The shotgun

can also be used for door breaching.

Most weapons are equipped with both a surefire and some

sort of PEQ device. Modern ones are capable of both

IR and red dot lazers each capable of creating a dot of the

shape of the users choosing, ie: circle, triangle, dot, star, etc.

Most Marines use 3 point slings on their SAWs. The Marine Corps

generally issues all Marines with M16s or M4s some crappy 3 point

sling if they have enough slings at all, so most generally purchase their own 1 point sling for their M16 or M4.

Body Armor loadout varies with the specifics of the AO. I won't

go into detail because this is a public website that anyone can access,

but it really isn't a huge secret.

Many Marines often also equip their M16s or M4s with a broom stick

handle, but I don't feel that this accessory is necessary.

Today many broom stick handles also contain a pop-out bipod.

There are accessories even for magazines and charging handles.

Personally due to my own training, I feel that most of the accessories

are unnecessary. With the exception of very long range engagements iron

sights work fine. 1 point slings do make things much easier.

Many Marines also either get issued, or buy their own drop pouches in

order to speed up mag changes. I don't care how fast you are

at mag changes, this is definitely a useful accessory.

Most Marines in a Weapons Platoon are generally issued an M4.

Many 31s also get m9s.

Ofcourse I don't think I need to specify the main armament of

weapons platoon. From Mk19s to 81mm mortars, you probably

already know all that.

I am sure there is alot that I missed though.

---------- Post added at 02:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:49 AM ----------

Another thing I forgot to mention.

In MOUT and CQB environments, many SAW

gunners are given "PARA-SAWs" which

are SAWs with shorter barrels and collapsable

stocks.

These are actually not lighter than normal

SAWs, but they are shorter and more maneuverable.

[karensman08 10]

Frostburg,

Thanks for the input! I was beginning to think that this might become a dead thread.

Anyways, I was wondering, how does the Corps structure in their LMGs (M240), anti-tank weapons (Javelines, SMAWs)? And are LAV platoons/squads structured much differently?

[raynor 0]

This is something I have read before on The Firearm Blog-

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/06/01/combined-arms-at-the-platoon-and-company-level/

Goes over current US Army Infantry company/platoon organization.

[rangerpl 13]

I read some Soviet manuals a while back that detailed the amount of equipment issued to every unit from the most basic squad right up to the full Motor-Rifle Division. They were valid for the late 1980s as far as I know (the T-80U was mentioned in there and that didn't enter service until '85)

I'll try to dig them up for you.

[Frostburg 10]

RangerPL,

While this is not always the case, most of the information

published in the Govt manuals are not always accurate.

Atleast in the Marine Corps, alot of the shit you see

in manuals is wrong. Or atleast not practical.

Many times there is a different way in which actual USMC

Infantry Units conduct business.

I'm not saying you cannot rely on them, but they are

best as an outline of general guidelines, however, not

always the most practical.

I don't know about the Soviet ones though.

karensman08,

There is quite a different structure for the other infantry elements

such as Weapons PLT or Weapons Company(we 11s call them "socks")

Generally within each Infantry Battalion, there is one

Weapons Company which provides heavy weapons support

to the traditional infantry element.

Within each line company there is one Weapons Platoon

who supports the Rifle Platoons.

Generally a Weapons Platoon in a regular infantry company

is divided into thee "sections". A section is what weapons plt guys

call a "squad".

Each section is composed of each of the three main weapons MOSs ie,

0331/Machine Gunners, 0341/Mortarmen, 0351/Assaultmen.

I'll give you a quick run down of each.

The Machine Gunners provide support by fire(and fire ONLY) for various

assaulting and maneuver elements(us 11s again). They also man the medium and heavy

machine guns on various posts. An 11 is also trained to do this.

The weapons that they specialize in are the M240G, Mk19, and .50 Cal

Machine Gun.

The Mortarmen fire both the 60mm mortars and the 81mm mortars. However,

use of the 81mm mortars is generally done by Weapons Company, not the

individual Weapons Plt. That is pretty much self explanatory.

The Assaultmen, are basically the Infantrymen who specialize in explosives.

They provide breaching support for us 11s so that we can get into buildings.

They also employ the SMAW in order to take down buildings/structures

or enemy armor. They also use explosives for whatever the commander

needs them to do.

Due to their role in assisting in explosive breaching, they work closely

with us 11s for when we need to make entry into a room either through

a fortified doorway, or preferably when there are heavy enemy defenses

in a room, through a wall.

Despite the fact that USMC manuals still list them, Javelins

are not really used by the Marine Corps all that often or at all.

While I was in, we were mostly using AT-4s, LAWs, and SMAWs.

I am or at least used to be familiar with all the Weapons jobs with the exception of working a mortar tube.

All 0311s are required to know the other Infantrymens jobs. Most of them

are also familiar with our jobs.

There is also another Weapons MOS that stems from the 0351s. It's

an 0352. We call 'em TOW gunners. This job probably doesn't need

a description.

The weapons plt guys almost never work all together.

They are generally detached from their platoon and sent to assist

rifle squads or platoons on each of their various operations.

So a squad of 11s might get a 240g and an assaultman to support them

when conducting an urban raid.

Another MOS that frequently supports us when in the AO are Combat Engineers. They are not Infantry, but they generally come with us to

do anything that deals with explosives. They provide breaching support and blowing up caches that we locate.

Generally most assaultmen don't like combat engineers because they feel

that they are taking away their jobs.

Combat Engineers don't like EOD for the same reason.

I've done some work with AAVs and LAVs, but that is along time ago.

I'm sure you know what an AAV is so I wont go into that. Most

of the time when 11s conduct an assault with an AAV, it is either a

beach landing or some other assault. How this works is very easy.

A squad of 11s will ride in the AAV while the AAV is moving to the objective.

The AAV is armed with several weapons. I don't remember what, I think

a 240, grenade launcher and maybe other things.

There are also two long slits at the top of the AAV for 11s to pop out and

provide fire if they need to.

Marines don't really do a whole lot of ops with armor. We pretty much

sneak around the AO on foot and locate and kill the enemy.

Even in a major assault, our supporting assets are much less. That's

just how we have always done things and most 11s like it that way.

The bigger you are, the bigger footprint you leave.

Anyways, there is tons more, but it is getting late and I have

to get ready for class.

Cya

[karensman08 10]

RangerPL,

Anything that you can find that is at least realtively current would be great. I am really hoping to find rifle platoon and squad structures for Russia, UK, Germany, and France.

Frostburg,

So AAVs and LAVs are not MTO&E'd to infantry companies?

Where in the US Army, you will have BNs that are specifically bradleys or strykers. The squad structure does not change much, just add the driver and TC(gunner) with their vehicle to the squad. As for mortors and snipers, I have had them at my company level before, subordinate to our Company HQs PLT; however, the majority of these assets fell under under a mortor PLT and scout platoon in the BN's HHC. as for the heavy guns (.50cal, MK19, TOWs, and majority of BN's javelins) they were located in an anti-tank company (traditionally, D Co.).

[rangerpl 13]

I can't guarantee that my materials are going to be current as they are from the Soviet Army in the 1980s.

RangerPL,

While this is not always the case, most of the information

published in the Govt manuals are not always accurate.

Atleast in the Marine Corps, alot of the shit you see

in manuals is wrong. Or atleast not practical.

Many times there is a different way in which actual USMC

Infantry Units conduct business.

I'm not saying you cannot rely on them, but they are

best as an outline of general guidelines, however, not

always the most practical.

I don't know about the Soviet ones though.

That may be true for the United States, but the RKKA's officer corps wasn't known to deviate from established doctrine very much, unlike Western armies where commanders had more freedom.

[karensman08 10]

RangerPL,

Hence the following famous quote:

"One of the serious problems in planning the fight against American doctrine, is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine..." - From a Soviet Junior Lt's Notebook

[Frostburg 10]

RangerPL,

Hence the following famous quote:

"One of the serious problems in planning the fight against American doctrine, is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine..." - From a Soviet Junior Lt's Notebook

Actually this isn't entirely true. In Marine Infantry, we are for the

most part required to read and understand our manuals. We do

infact get tested on their contents.

However, most commanders as well as veterans understand that

much of what is found in manuals is incorrect or impractical, so

we follow modified strategies that have been tested and proven

for decades.

However, in the USMC there is an expression, "Semper Gumby" which

means always flexible. Marine Corps training is and doctrine

is designed to teach Marines the fundamental principles of how

things are done, and how to bend or change things appropriately

for each given situation or enemy.

---------- Post added at 06:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 PM ----------

RangerPL,

Anything that you can find that is at least realtively current would be great. I am really hoping to find rifle platoon and squad structures for Russia, UK, Germany, and France.

Frostburg,

So AAVs and LAVs are not MTO&E'd to infantry companies?

Where in the US Army, you will have BNs that are specifically bradleys or strykers. The squad structure does not change much, just add the driver and TC(gunner) with their vehicle to the squad. As for mortors and snipers, I have had them at my company level before, subordinate to our Company HQs PLT; however, the majority of these assets fell under under a mortor PLT and scout platoon in the BN's HHC. as for the heavy guns (.50cal, MK19, TOWs, and majority of BN's javelins) they were located in an anti-tank company (traditionally, D Co.).

Can you rephrase this question? I have never heard of MTO&E in the USMC.

Maybe I have and have forgotten, but I doubt we use that.

[karensman08 10]

MTO&E is Modified Table of Organization and Equipment, it may be just an Army term, sorry about that. But a unit's TO&E dictates authorized and required numbers and types(MOS) of personnel as well as equipment to meet the unit's designated mission.

This is the documentation that "big Army" is looking at to fiind and fill shortages or identify excess. It is also what lays out how a given unit is structured (i.e. the standard rifle squad: 1xSSG (SL), 2xSGT (TL), 6xSPC or below (rifleman, SAW, GR)). It will also lay out what kind and how many of each pieces of equipment are authorized to the given unit.

Therefore, the title of this thread. :D

[Frostburg 10]

No, AAVs and LAVs are not normally TO&E to Infantry Battalions.

All Infantry Marines are "trained" to conduct assaults using AAVs

because they are amphibious vessels, but that is not really how Marines do things.

There are a few specific LAR units.

That being Light Armored Reconnaisence Units.

Those are 0311s/0313s assigned to ride and conduct recon to be employed

with LAV-25s.

There are not many of these units.

Like I said, Infantrymen in the USMC are expected to do things on foot.

Boots on the ground.

The only time we ever ride in vehicles is when we are simply being

transported a long distance from point A to point B.

If we are conducting an op such as patrol or other combat maneuver

such as an assault. We move on foot. Easier to sneak around the AO

and less susceptible to high explosive devices or getting pinned

in a kill zone.

[nkenny 1051]

A very interesting and good rundown Frostburg and Karensman08. Are there anyone with knowledge of the basic skeletal framework TO&E of hatever constitutes the current cutting edge of Russian infantry units?

Just as a point of comparison mind you.

-k

[Frostburg 10]

One thing I forgot to mention.

If you are talking about a Marine MEU, then Infantry do get

additional assets.

For example, for the three main line companies of a BLT in a MEU,

each company trains in a different form of assault.

For example, one company might be "boat company."

Those Marines insert into their target area via those big black

boats called Zodiacs.

Another company comes in via AAV.

And another company comes in via helicopter, either rappelling down

or fast roping.

I was in the 24th MEU(SOC) and my company trained in

helicopter insertions.

We all do however, train in the other companies methods of insertion.

With that being said, even when a MEU(SOC) deploys, we still mainly

do things on foot. We use those methods of insertion mentioned above

only if the mission calls for it.

[Frenzi_ 18]

Soviet Motor Rifles in the 70s:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33890816/DIA-Soviet-Motorized-Rifle-Company

---

(90s?) Finnish Jaeger...

Battalion - http://web.archive.org/web/20080821203529/http://koti.welho.com/amustone/org/

< Company - http://web.archive.org/web/20070328092703/http://koti.welho.com/amustone/org/prik90jk.html

(Google Translate is our friend :p)

(2000s?)

Platoon - http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9013/jaegerplatoonorganizati.jpg

Finnish Infantry Regiment 1941 - http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3742/regiment.jpg

Edited May 14, 2013 by Ferenczi

[karensman08 10]

Ferenczi,

Thanks for the input. I have had some real difficulty finding current info on the Russian military as well. The best i was able to find was a US Army manual dated in the 1980's (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/100-63/Ch3.htm), for the most part very similar to what you have.

However, today I came across an interesting article discussing the reorganization of the russian military to something more similar to the modular brigades like what the US Army has gone to.

http://defense-and-freedom.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-russian-brigade-to.html

Still leaves the question what the organization at the platoon level and below looks like.

Edited September 29, 2011 by karensman08

[-Snafu- 77]

There's this TO&E Yahoo group. I haven't checked it out since I don't have a Yahoo account but it might be useful.

[fingolfin 1972]

I'll post what I could find regarding the platoon organization during the 80's. Most of the information comes from various books and forums so there's no guarantee it's absolutely correct...

First the British Army

Rifle Platoon

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Commander (1st or 2nd Lieutenant) with Sterling L2

- Plt. Sergeant (Sergeant) with L1A1 SLR

- Signaller (Private) with Sterling L2

- Mortar Gunner (Private) with 2inch Mortar

Three Rifle Sections each with

Rifle Group

- Section Commander (Corporal) with L1A1 SLR

- AT Gunner (Private) with Carl Gustav and Sterling L2

- Asst. AT Gunner (Private) with L1A1 SLR and Carl Gustav rounds

- Rifleman (Private) with L1A1 SLR

- Rifleman (Private) with L1a1 SLR

Gun Group

- Second-in-Command (Lance Corporal) with L1A1 SLR

- Gunner (Private) with L7 GPMG

- Asst. Gunner (Private) with L1A1 SLR and ammunition for the GPMG

Note: During the Falkland War some units used M79 grenade launchers and Bren light machine guns as an addition to the L7 GPMG.

US Army

Rifle Platoon

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Commander (1st or 2nd Lieutenant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Plt. Sergeant (Sergeant First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and Radio

Three Rifle Squads each with*

- Squad Leader (Staff Sergeant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

Fire Team Alpha

- Fire Team Leader (Sergeant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Automatic Rifleman (Specialist E-4) with M16A1 fitted with a bipod (later M249)

- Grenadier (Specialist E-4) with M16A1/M203 (later M16A2/M203)

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

Fire Team Bravo

- Fire Team Leader (Sergeant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Automatic Rifleman (Specialist E-4) with M16A1 fitted with a bipod (later M249)

- Grenadier (Specialist E-4) with M16A1/M203 (later M16A2/M203)

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

Weapons Squad

- Squad Leader (Staff Sergeant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

Two Machine Gun Teams each with

- Gunner (Specialist E-4) with M60

- Asst. Gunner (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and ammunition for the M60

- Ammunition Bearer (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and ammunition for the M60

Two Anti Tank Teams each with

- AT Gunner (Specialist E-4) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and Dragon ATGM

- Asst. AT Gunner (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and Dragon missiles

Attachments

- Forward Observer (Sergeant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- FO's Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and Radio

- Medic (Specialist E-5)

* Each squad carries 3-4 M72 LAW without dedicated operators.

Mechanized Rifle Platoon (H-Series)

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Commander (1st or 2nd Lieutenant) with M16A1

- Plt. Sergeant/M113 gunner (Sergeant First Class)*

- Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A1 and Radio

- M113 Driver (Specialist E-4)

Three Mechanized Squads each with**

- Squad Leader (Staff Sergeant) with M16A1

- M113 Gunner (Sergeant)

- M113 Driver (Specialist E-4)

- Machine Gunner (Specialist E-4) with M60

- Asst. Machine Gunner (Private First Class) with M16A1 and ammunition for the M60

- AT Gunner (Specialist E-4) with M16A1 and Dragon ATGM

- Automatic Rifleman (Specialist E-4) Rifleman with M16A1 fitted with a bipod

- Automatic Rifleman (Specialist E-4) Rifleman with M16A1 fitted with a bipod

- Grenadier (Specialist E-4) with M16A1/M203

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1

Attachments (ride in the Plt. HQ's M113)

- Forward Observer (Sergeant) with M16A1

- FO's Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A1 and Radio

- Medic (Specialist E-5)

* The Platoon Sergeant is part of the Platoon HQ, but he rides in a squad M113. The gunner from the squad M113 will take his place on the Platoon Leader's M113.

** Each squad carries 3 M72 LAW without dedicated operators.

Mechanized Rifle Platoon (J-Series)

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Commander (1st or 2nd Lieutenant) with M16A2

- Plt. Sergeant/M113 gunner (Sergeant First Class)*

- Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A2 and Radio

- M113 Driver (Specialist E-4)

Three Mechanized Squads each with** ***

- Squad Leader (Staff Sergeant) with M16A2

- M113 Gunner (Sergeant)

- M113 Driver (Specialist E-4)

- AT Gunner (Specialist E-4) with M16A2 and Dragon ATGM

- Automatic Rifleman (Specialist E-4) Rifleman with M249

- Automatic Rifleman (Specialist E-4) Rifleman with M249

- Grenadier (Specialist E-4) with M16A2/M203

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A2

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A2

Attachments (ride in the Plt. HQ's M113)

- Forward Observer (Sergeant) with M16A2

- FO's Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A2 and Radio

- Medic (Specialist E-5)

* The Platoon Sergeant is part of the Platoon HQ, but he rides in a squad M113. The gunner from the squad M113 will take his place on the Platoon Leader's M113.

** One M60 machine gun is carried in the squad's M113, but has no dedicated operator.

*** Each squad carries 3 M72 LAW without dedicated operators.

Mechanized Rifle Platoon (on M2 Bradley)

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Commander (1st or 2nd Lieutenant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Plt. Sergeant/M2 commander (Sergeant First Class)*

- Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and Radio

- M2 Gunner (Specialist E-5)

- M2 Driver (Specialist E-4)

Three mechanized squads each with** ***

- Squad Leader (Staff Sergeant) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- M2 Commander (Sergeant)

- M2 Gunner (Specialist E-5)

- M2 Driver (Specialist E-4)

- AT Gunner (Specialist E-4) with M16A1 (later M16A2) and Dragon ATGM

- Automatic Rifleman (Specialist E-4) Rifleman with M16A1 fitted with a bipod (later M249)

- Grenadier (Specialist E-4) with M16A1/M203 (later M16A2/M203)

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

- Rifleman (Private First Class) with M16A1 (later M16A2)

Attachments (ride in the Plt. HQ's M2)

- Forward Observer (Sergeant) with M16A2

- FO's Radio-Telephone Operator (Private First Class) with M16A2 and Radio

- Medic (Specialist E-5)

* The Platoon Sergeant is part of the Platoon HQ, but he rides in a squad M2. The Commander from the squad M2 will take his place on the Platoon Leader's M2.

** One M60 machine gun is carried in the squad's M12, but has no dedicated operator.

*** Each squad carries 3 M72 LAW without dedicated operators.

The Bundeswehr

Jaeger Platoon

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Commander (Leutnant) with MPi-2

- Plt. Sergeant (Feldwebel) with G-3

- AT Gunner/VW Iltis (Typ 183) Driver (Schuetze)* with G-3 and Milan ATGM

- Marksman (Schuetze)* with G-3 ZF

- Marksman (Schuetze)* with G-3 ZF

- 2ton LKW Driver (Schuetze) with G-3

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3

Three squads each with

- Squad Leader (Unteroffizier) with G-3

- Machine Gunner (Schuetze)* with MG-3

- Marksman (Schuetze)* with G-3 ZF

- Marksman (Schuetze)* with G-3 ZF

- AT Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3 and Leichte PzF-44

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3 and HK69A1 Granatpistole

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3

- Rifleman (Schuetze) with G-3

- 2ton LKW Driver (Schuetze) with G-3

* In real life probably these soldier would have had higher ranks like Gefreiter or Obergefreiter.

Panzergrenadier Platoon

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Commander (Leutnant)* with MPi-2

- Plt. Sergeant/Marder Commander (Feldwebel)* with MPi-2

- Marder Gunner (Gefreiter)* with MPi-2

- Marder Driver (Panzergrenadier)* with MPi-2

- Marksman (Gefreiter)* with G-3 ZF

- AT Gunner (Gefreiter)* with G-3 and Schwere PzF Carl Gustav

- Medic (Sanitaetssoldat)*

Two squads each with

- Squad Leader (Stabsunteroffizier)* with G-3

- Marder Commander (Unteroffizier)* with MPi-2

- Marder Gunner (Gefreiter)* with MPi-2

- Marder Driver (Panzergrenadier)* with MPi-2

- AT Gunner (Gefreiter)* with Milan ATGM**

- Machine Gunner (Gefreiter)* with MG-3

- Marksman (Gefreiter)* with G-3 ZF

- AT Rifleman (Panzergrenadier)* with G-3 and Leichte PzF-44

- Rifleman (Panzergrenadier)* with G-3 and HK69A1 Granatpistole

* I could only guess the ranks since I had no official StAN for this one.

** Officially every squad operated one Milan ATGM, but as far as I know this was not achieved before the end of the 80's. So probably only one of the squads got one.

The Nationale Volksarmee

Motorized Rifle Platoon (on BMP-1)

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Leader (Leutnant)* with MPi-KM **

- Plt. Sergeant (Feldwebel)* with MPi-KM **

Three rifle squads each with ***

- Squad Leader (Unterfeldwebel)* with MPi-KM

- BMP-1 Commander (Unteroffizier)* with Makarov PM

- BMP-1 Gunner (Gefreiter)* with Makarov PM

- BMP-1 Driver (Schütze)* with Makarov PM

- Automatic Rifleman (Gefreiter)* lMGK (RPK)

- AT Gunner (Gefreiter)* with Makarov PM and RPG-7

- Asst. AT Gunner (Schütze)* with MPi-KM and RPG-7 rounds

- Rifleman (Schütze)* with MPi-KM

- Rifleman (Schütze)* with MPi-KM

* I could only guess the ranks since I had no official documents for this one.

** Plt. Leader normally rides in the 1st Squad's BMP-1 and Plt. Sergeant in 2nd Squad's BMP-1.

*** Each squad carries a RPG-18 without a dedicated operator.

NVA Motorized Rifle Platoon (on BTR-60/70)

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Leader (Leutnant)* with MPi-KM **

- Plt. Sergeant (Feldwebel)* with MPi-KM **

Three rifle squads each with ***

- Squad Leader (Unterfeldwebel)* with MPi-KM

- BMP-1 Commander (Unteroffizier)* with Makarov PM

- BMP-1 Gunner (Gefreiter)* with Makarov PM

- BMP-1 Driver (Schütze)* with Makarov PM

- Automatic Rifleman (Gefreiter)* lMGK (RPK)

- Automatic Rifleman (Schütze)* lMGK (RPK)

- AT Gunner (Gefreiter)* with Makarov PM and RPG-7

- Asst. AT Gunner (Schütze)* with MPi-KM and RPG-7 rounds

- Rifleman (Schütze)* with MPi-KM

- Rifleman (Schütze)* with MPi-KM

* I could only guess the ranks since I had no official documents for this one.

** Plt. Leader normally rides in the 1st Squad's BTR-60/70 and Plt. Sergeant in 2nd Squad's BTR-60/70.

*** Each squad carries two RPG-18 without dedicated operators.

The Russian Army during the 90's (closest thing to the Soviet Army I could find...)

Rifle Platoon

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Leader with Makarov PM

- Plt. Sergeant with AK-74

Three rifle squads each with *

- Squad Leader with AK-74

- Automatic Rifleman with RPK-74

- Automatic Rifleman with RPK-74

- AT Gunner with Makarov PM and RPG-7

- Asst. AT Gunner with AK-74 and rounds for the RPG-7

- Grenadier with AK-74/GP-25

- Grenadier with AK-74/GP-25

- Rifleman with AK-74

- Rifleman with AK-74

* Each squad carries two RPG-18/22 without dedicated operators.

Weapons Squad with three Machine Gun Teams

- Squad Leader with AK-74/GP-25

- AT Gunner with Makarov PM and RPG-7

Machine Gun Team

- Machine Gunner with PKM

- Asst. Machine Gunner with AK-74 and ammunition for the PKM

Motorized Rifle Platoon (on BMP-1/2)

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Leader with Makarov PM*

- Plt. Sergeant with AK-74*

- Marksman with SVD/AK-74*

- Medic with AK-74*

Three Motorized Rifle Squads each with **

- Squad Leader/BMP-1/2 Commander with AK-74

- BMP-1/2 Gunner with Makarov PM

- BMP-1/2 Driver with Makarov PM

- Automatic Rifleman with RPK-74

- AT Gunner with Makarov PM and RPG-7

- Asst. AT Gunner with AK-74/GP-25 and RPG-7 rounds

- Grenadier with AK-74/GP-25

- Rifleman***

* The Platoon Leader and Marksman ride in the 1st Squad’s BMP-1/2, the Platoon Sergeant in the 2nd Squad’s BMP-1/2 and the Medic in the 3rd Squad’s BMP-1/2.

** Each squad carries a RPG-18/22 without dedicated operator.

*** Some squads may have a second automatic rifleman in lieu of the rifleman.

Motorized Rifle Platoon (on BTR-60/70)

Plt. HQ

- Plt. Leader with Makarov PM*

- Plt. Sergeant with AK-74*

- Marksman with SVD/AK-74*

- Medic with AK-74*

Three Motorized Rifle Squads each with **

- Squad Leader with AK-74

- BTR-60/70 Gunner with Makarov PM

- BTR-60/70 Driver with Makarov PM

- Automatic Rifleman with RPK-74

- AT Gunner with Makarov PM and RPG-7

- Asst. AT Gunner with AK-74/GP-25 and RPG-7 rounds

- Grenadier with AK-74/GP-25

- Rifleman***

* The Platoon Leader and Marksman ride in the 1st Squad’s BTR-60/70, the Platoon Sergeant in the 2nd Squad’s BTR-60/70 and the Medic in the 3rd Squad’s BTR-60/70.

** Each squad carries a RPG-18/22 without dedicated operator.

*** Some squads may have a second automatic rifleman in lieu of the rifleman.