No type of infantry is more closely associated with high intensity conflict than mechanized or
armored infantry, and perhaps no conflict would have been more intense than a Fulda Gap showdown
in the 1980s. The 80s saw a lot of changes for the U.S. Army's maneuver forces, from new small
arms to the introduction of the M1 Abrams and M2 Brradley. In this video we're going to cover
the evolution of the U.S. Army Mechanized Infantry platoon and squad during the 1980s, including their
equipment, organization and how the introduction of the Bradley changed things. And if you liked it
make sure to check out our Patreon where you can support what we do and get access to exclusive
perks, such as our stickers at the Sergeant-tier. American Mechanized Infantry of the 80s were
carried in two vehicles: the M113 armored personnel carrier (APC) and the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
The M113 was the standard carrier from the 1960s, while the first Bradleys deployed to Europe in
1983 under the 3rd Infantry Division. By the end of the Cold War, U.S. forces intended for defending
West Germany were equipped with a mix of M113s and M2 Bradleys. In the Central Army Group, the 3rd
Armored and 3rd Infantry Divisions were Bradley equipped while the 1st Infantry, 4th Infantry,
8th Infantry and 1st Armored Divisions, as well as the separate 194th Armored and
197th Infantry Brigades had M113s. In the Northern Army Group meanwhile, the 1st Cavalry and 2nd Armored
Divisions had Bradleys, while the 5th Infantry was M113 equipped. And, if we look at the
8th Army in Korea at the same time, the 2nd Infantry Division's 1st and 2nd Brigades each
had one M113-mounted Infantry Battalion supporting one Tank Battalion. This was the extent of U.S.
mechanized forces in the Pacific. But onto the units themselves. As of 1977, the standard mech
infantry platoon consisted of a Platoon HQ and 3 Infantry Squads. Each element had its own APC.
When fighting mounted, the platoon was essentially one single mounted element. However, when fighting
dismounted, the platoon was split between a mounted and dismounted element. The Platoon HQ included a
Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Radio Operator (RATELO), APC Driver and Assistant Platoon Sergeant who
acted as the machine gunner on the track. Although part of the HQ, the Platoon Sergeant actually rode
in one of the Rifle Squad's APCs. The platoon also had a Forward Observer, Forward Observer Radio Operator,
and a Medic attached when on deployment. The Platoon HQ also had a pool of 3 or 4
M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missiles and 2 M60 medium machine guns to reinforce its squads.
Each squad in turn consisted of 11 personnel split into a Maneuver Team and a Carrier Team. The
squad included a Squad Leader, a dismounted Team Leader, 1 M60 Machine Gunner with an Assistant,
2 Grenadiers, 3 Riflemen, a Track Commander/ .50 cal gunner for the APC and a Drive. Exactly how
these men were organized depended on the situation, but at a minimum the Track Commander and Driver
always stayed in the APC, leaving a max of 9 dismounts. The majority of the men were armed with
M16A1 rifles, except for the machine gunner who always had an M60. Although manuals don't mention
it we assume that the squad members permanently assigned an M60 would also get a sidearm, which at
the time would be an M1911A1. However, men assigned the M60 ad hoc, like rifleman getting the platoon's
spare M60, might not have gotten a sidearm. Moving on though, the Grenadiers were armed with the M203
grenade launcher on their rifles and usually 3 or more M72 LAAWs could be issued on a
situational basis. Up to two squads could also man the additional M60 machine gun held the Platoon HQ,
which would eat up two additional riflemen. For AT capability, some or all the squads could also have
a Dragon Gunner replacing a rifleman. So, when fully reinforced, all dismounts were either leadership
or manned key weapon systems. On the dismount, the organization was ad hoc. Teams could consist of
anywhere from 3 to 5 men depending on the manning. One configuration that i've seen described
by veterans was Heavy Teams and Light Teams, where the Heavy Team had the Squad Leader, M60 machine
gun team, a Grenadier and Rifleman, and the Light Team had a Team Leader and the rest of the squad.
Most doctrinal publications show the Team Leader at the head of the squad with a Light Team while
the Squad Leader is shown at the rear in a wedge with a machine gun. But, if under strength, the
squad would move in one wedge under the squad leader. Should the platoon be lacking in NCOs,
they'd prioritize giving the squad an NCO Track Commander rather than furnishing a second dismount
NCO. This was likely because of the already relatively small squad size on the dismount, as
well as the more independent responsibilities of the Track Commander. This organization was amended
in 1985 taking into account the downsizing of divisions and new equipment. The platoon
HQ was downsized from 8 men to 7, while squads were downsized from 11 men to 9.
On the Platoon HQ's track, the main change was the removal of the Assistant Platoon Sergeant. In lieu,
one of the Assistant Squad Leaders took over the duty of manning the track's .50 caliber machine gun.
Meanwhile in squads, the Carrier Teams remained largely the same,
but the dismount team was shuffled, then consisting of a Squad Leader, Assistant
Squad Leader, 2 Automatic Riflemen, 1 Grenadier, 1 Anti-Armor Specialist and 1 Rifleman/Sniper.
Whether the Squad Leader stayed mounted or dismounted would depend on the situation,
but the Assistant Squad Leader was always meant to dismount. Doctrinally, the addition of the Automatic
Riflemen coincided with the adoption of the M249 SAW. However, units wouldn't get it immediately.
Until they did, 2 men would operate in M60. Even by the Gulf War, Mechanized Squads would still
typically run 1 M60 and 1 M249, because M249 deliveries were prioritized to the light infantry.
The Anti-Armor Specialist meanwhile was the Dragon Operator and the platoon's most potent
anti-tank capability, in addition to the 3 M72 LAAWs or new M136 AT-44s issued to the dismounts.
But, whether the Dragon was taken out depended on the leadership's judgment of the situation, and
sometimes just one squad would be designated as the Dragon squad. And lastly, the Rifleman
Sniper was aspirationally meant to be equipped with a telescopic sight on their carry handle.
However, I haven't seen this explicitly mentioned in either the actual squad manuals
nor veteran accounts, so they were likely just a rifleman in practice. The M16A1 still would have
been the standard service weapon in 1985. But after 1986 units, would also start being armed
with the updated M16A2. Evolving from the M113 squad, the new M2 Bradley squads were similar,
but modified due to the more limited dismount capacity and a much superior mounted fighting
capability. Platoons still consisted of 1 Platoon HQ, 3 squads and 4 vehicles.
The Platoon HQ remained largely the same except for the vehicle crewing. During mounted operations
the Platoon Leader (PL) acted as Bradley Commander for the HQ track and a Master Gunner acted as vehicle
gunner. However, when the Platoon Leader dismounted the Master Gunner would shift to take over the
vehicle commander spot. in his place, one of the Assistant Squad Leaders sat in the vic would
shift to take over the gunner spot. In Bradleys 2 and 3, the Squad Leader (SL) would be the one to act as
Bradley Commander, while the Platoon Sergeant (PSG) would command Bradley 4. Unlike the M113, Bradleys
would always have 3 crew members present. This left a 6-man rifle team as the dismount element,
led by either the Squad Leader or Assistant Squad Leader. By default in the doctrine, Squad Leaders
would be the ones to dismount, while the Assistant Squad Leaders took over command of the Bradleys.
As a result, Squad Leaders were armed with M203s. Other than leadership, the Rifle Team consisted
of 2 Automatic Riflemen, 1 Grenadier, 1 Rifleman/Sniper and 1 Anti-Armor Specialist.
This ould be the state of the Bradley squad until 1993, when they transitioned to a platoon
with two 9-man squads complete with fire teams. If you enjoyed this video check
out this video on the U.S. Army's modern armored cavalry. Its heaviest reconnaissance capability
equipped with Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles. We'll see you over there!