The section overall was led by a Sergeant and served a total of 3 60mm mortars. Heavy Machine Guns (M1917A1 water cooled .30 cal machine guns) were served in the Weapons Company rather than in the Weapons Platoon. Additionally, there was a lapse where the capacity for simultaneous squad-level fire and maneuver was not a thing for the Army after the M1 Garand entered service in the late 1930s. The Platoon HQ consisted of the Platoon Commander, Platoon Sergeant, Transport Corporal, 2 Drivers and 2 Messengers. Three rifle squads to a platoon commanded by a Lt. Three rifle platoons to a company commanded by a Capt. Additionally, there was a lapse where the capacity for simultaneous squad-level fire and maneuver was not a thing for the Army after the M1 Garand entered service in the late 1930s. consisted of 1 Platoon HQ, 1 Mortar Section, and 1 LMG Section. By using The Balance Careers, you accept our. With a strength of about 2,200 personnel, the MEU is normally built around a reinforced battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and by a MEU Service Support group. They were armed with the M1903 or M1903A3 Springfield rifle which had been brought back into service at this level because the rifle grenade launcher for the M1 Garand, what would become the M7, was not ready for issue yet. In most scenarios, the company or platoon would be the lowest echelons that would be conducting fire and maneuver at the same time, although there was doctrinal provision for fire and maneuver at the squad level in theory. ). The headquarters had 1 Messenger and 2 Basic Duties, while the Mortar Squads each had a Squad Leader (a Corporal rather than a Sergeant), Gunner, Assistant Gunner, and 2 Ammo Bearers. Company (or Battery): Three platoons are assigned to a Company (sometimes called a battery). The ground combat element (GCE) is the battalion landing team (BLT), an infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, amphibious assault vehicles, light armored reconnaissance assets and other units as the mission and circumstances require. © 2020 Gamer Escape: Gaming News, Reviews, Wikis, and Podcasts. The Operational Chain of command break down is listed below: President - Secretary of Defense - Commanders of Combatant commands. Everyone except for the BAR Man and Grenadier was armed with an M1 Garand. It contained the Company Commander—who typically ranked Captain but could be a Lieutenant—and the Executive Officer—a Lieutenant who acted as a second-in-command and handled rear echelon administrative matters. First rank, fire! The Marine Corps maintains a fourth Marine division and aircraft wing in reserve. From 1942 they drove a 3/4-ton truck and a Jeep, although these were replaced on 4 October 1942 with 2 Jeeps towing trailers.