The equipment lists are general guidelines, and represent a basic go-to load in the event that no more specialized one is selected; it assumes a generally temperate climate. Loadouts will change somewhat if troops are operating in different climates or if undertaking extended patrols or assaults where regular supply access cannot be relied upon. There is also an element of "Reality vs Expectations" going on, which I elaborate on afterwards.
Additionally, this will serve as the backdrop that explains how this element is written up in terms of Mass Combat - something that +Mark Langsdorf has lately been writing on, reminding me that I had intended to integrate its methods into some of my campaign work. Originally intended to be part of this article, I believe it is best served as its own piece - this has gotten far too wordy!
If nothing else, this might be a neat list of battle-rattle. For whatever reason, Blogger will only allow these images to be so large - click them to see a bigger version. I will include a link to an Excel version at the bottom.
(Tip: Open them in a new tab, since my "Shadowbox" function doesn't work, in spite of a template being in place for it!)
Let's begin.
The Global Defense Initiative's Mechanized Rifles
GDI's infantry forces are primarily mechanized. While the organization operates dedicated light infantry in the form of paratroopers and air assault infantry, the heavy infantry riding to combat within armored personnel carriers are by far the most numerous. The mechanized infantry forces support GDI's primary offensive platforms - tanks - as well as operate on their own as mission requirements dictate.Mechanized infantry formations are organized up to the Division level, but for this article we will focus on the organization of small units - individuals, squads, and platoons. These will be the elements most likely to actually feature in any real way within a game session, so it seems logical to begin there.
The Mechanized Infantry Platoon
A mechanized infantry platoon consists of three mechanized rifle squads, one platoon command squad, and one platoon weapons squad. At full strength, a Mechanized Infantry Platoon consists of 42 infantrymen, five APCs and 10 vehicle crewmen.The Platoon Command squad consists of four men, and has an attached APC that falls under the platoon sergeant's command. They are platoon command and control, issuing orders in line with the strategic and tactical objectives handed down from the company commander.
The Platoon Weapons Squad consists of five men, and has an attached APC that falls under the sergeant's command. They support the platoon primarily as a heavy anti-armor team, but also by offering the squad's only naturally dismounted medium machine gun.
Each rifle squad consists of 11 men, and each has an attached armored personnel carrier that falls under the squad leader's command. They are the primary maneuver elements of the platoon, tasked to seize objectives, hold ground, and to close with and destroy the enemy.
When a mechanized rifle unit is underway on board a carrier, SOP dictates that field packs be stowed on mounts along the side of the carrier, wherever possible. Packs can be stowed aboard, but it does little to contribute to passenger comfort!
Force Structure Chart
Individual Standard Load
There is a great deal of commonality in the load carried by all of the individual members of the platoon, regardless of their role. Instead of repeating these portions of equipment for each role, we will first build a model that represents the common basics, which we will then build off of it. This applies only to the dismount elements - vehicle crewmen have their own list independent of this, and is detailed further below.At the most essential, each soldier carries (or is issued) the following:
The Platoon Command Squad
The platoon command squad is a four man team that forms the command and control nexus for the mechanized rifle platoon. It consists of a Platoon Leader (O-1), a Platoon Sergeant (E-7), the Platoon RTO (E2-E3), and an auxiliary Anti-Armor Rifleman (E2-E3). This unit plans and oversees the tactical execution of orders handed down from company command, and handles communication between the platoon and company command.Platoon Leader - Second Lieutenant, O-1
The primary task of the platoon leader is to interpret or implement orders from company command and to coordinate their platoon assets and squads to achieve the desired objective. They are ultimately responsible for the conduct, upkeep, and morale of their entire platoon, and are in charge of ensuring maintenance tasks are undertaken and standing orders observed. They are the primary communicator between their squads and the company commander, via the platoon RTO and/or vehicle mounted radio on board their carrier.
A Platoon Leader's field load is modified with the following:
Platoon Sergeant - Sergeant First Class, E-7
The primary task of the platoon sergeant is to assist the platoon leader in the interpretation and implementation of orders from company command. Additionally, they are in charge of executing orders from the platoon leader to the platoon command squad, arraying its limited manpower where needed - this includes the squad's carrier.
Modify the Platoon Sergeant's load with the following:
Platoon Radio Telephone Operator
The platoon radio telephone operator facilitates communication between the platoon leader and the company commander. Rifle squad team leaders communicate to their squad leaders, and the squad leaders communicate directly to the platoon leader; it is usually through the RTO that the platoon leader contacts the company commander. The RTO is in charge of operating both the man portable squad radio systems as well as the long range vehicle mounted radio on the platoon lead carrier (if any).
Modify the Platoon RTO's loadout with the following:
Anti-Armor Rifleman
The platoon command squad's Anti-Armor rifleman is to provide short to medium range, direct-fire anti-hard target fire. With the 66mm LAW, the individual is capable of engaging light and most medium vehicle targets with ease, and is capable of engaging certain heavy armored targets with proper positioning. The 66mm is also the preferred method of engaging built-up targets with overhead cover, such as bunkers or occupied buildings.
An Anti-Armor Rifleman's standard load is modified with:
The Platoon Weapons Squad
The platoon weapons squad is a five man unit consisting of two, two-man heavy weapons teams and a weapons squad leader. While there may be some occasional operational differences in exact weapon selection, a mechanized infantry platoon's weapons squad will typically consist of one medium machine gun team and one anti-tank team. Each team has a gunner and an assistant, though they are (nominally) interchangeable and trained to the same standard; the difference mainly lies in who is tasked to carry which elements of the weapons system.Weapons Squad Leader - Corporal, E4
The primary task of the weapons squad leader is to interpret orders from the platoon leadership to determine how to deploy and employ his weapons teams, or to implement direct deployment requests dictated by platoon leadership. They are responsible for their squad's conduct, morale, and material upkeep, and also co-ordinate the actions of their carrier except in the event that it has been given over to the platoon sergeant.
A Weapons Squad Leader should augment his basic load with the following:
Anti-Tank Gunner
The primary task of the Anti-Tank gunner is to employ their "Dragon" wire-guided missile launcher to destroy enemy heavy armor or heavy emplacements. They are issued and are responsible for the launcher unit for the missile launcher system. Ordinarily only the day or night sight is carried, but for long missions both may be taken and the unused example stored on the troop carrier. In addition to batteries, the night sight requires coolant bottles - both of these have a two hour duration, each.
To his basic load, an Anti-Tank Gunner should include:
Note: Some months after publication, I wrote an article on the M47 Dragon in GURPS, which may conflict with the above.
Assistant Anti-Tank Gunner
The primary task of the Assistant Anti-Tank gunner is to aid the weapon system's gunner in destroying enemy tanks and heavy emplacements. They will spot targets for the anti-tank gunner and carry additional rockets to their fighting position.
The Assistant Anti-Tank Gunner should expand his basic load with:
Medium Machine Gunner
The primary task of the Medium Machine Gunner is to employ the platoon's machine gun to support both attack and defense. While the squad's carriers provide ample volume of fire, this gunner provides a machine gun that is capable of heavier fire than a rifle squad's Support Rifleman is capable of producing, but without the mobility and concealability concerns of a 13 ton vehicle.
In addition to the basic load, a Medium Machine Gunner should bring:
Assistant Machine Gunner
The primary task of the Assistant Medium Machine Gunner is to support the machine gunner in the employment of his weapon. The Assistant will spot targets, carry additional barrels and belts of ammunition, and carry the weapon's tripod.
The Assistant Machine Gunner will need to procure:
The Mechanized Rifle Squad
The mechanized rifle squad is a unit of 11 heavy infantrymen that form the bulk of a mechanized rifle platoon's population. A full strength platoon will have three rifle squads, which are each assigned an armored personnel carrier with which to work in close conjunction.A mechanized rifle squad is lead by a sergeant, and comprises two teams lead by corporals. The squad leader is not a member in either of these teams and serves to coordinate them and the carrier in dismounted operations.
A rifle squad's teams are symmetrically equipped, and each will consist of five designated roles. In addition to the team lead - typically a corporal - a rifle squad will have one Grenadier, one Assault Grenadier, one Anti-Armor Rifleman, and one Support Rifleman.
Squad Leader - Sergeant, E5
The primary task of the squad lead is to interpret orders from the platoon lead and to coordinate the actions of his two rifle teams and his carrier to meet the stated objectives. In action, they may remain within close proximity of all three of his elements, or he may be removed from some, opting to advance with the rifle teams or remain with the carrier during dismounted operations. Squad leaders also handle communications between their squad and the platoon leadership.
They are ultimately responsible for the squad's conduct, completion of objectives, morale, and their material upkeep.
Squad leaders are overwhelmingly E5 Sergeants, with infrequent instances of E6 sergeants or E4 Corporals leading them when manpower issues arise.
A Rifle Squad Leader's basic load should be expanded with:
Rifle Squad Team Leader - Corporal, E4
The primary task of the rifle team leader is to interpret orders from the squad lead and coordinate the actions of his four other squad members to meet the stated objectives.
A Rifle Squad Team Leader should improve his basic load with:
Grenadier
The primary task of the Grenadier is to provide short and medium range (out to 400 yard) grenade launcher fire. They form the base of fire for the squad's dismount elements, projecting cover- and concealment-ignoring 40mm explosive grenades. In very close quarters - such as assaulting a house - they also serve as in a breaching role, utilizing special non-explosive, door-breaching shells. During room clearing operations, grenadiers are to load shot rounds into their launchers.
In order to fulfill his role, a Grenadier's basic load should also include:
Assault Grenadier
The primary purpose of the Assault Grenadier is to provide close order fragmentation grenade support in the event that it would be unsafe, unwise, or impossible to employ the squad's 40mm grenade launchers or 66mm LAWs. An Assault Grenadier is essentially a rifleman issued additional hand grenades (and hopefully has a good throwing arm), and is in the strictest sense the only member of a mechanized rifle squad authorized to deploy the impact-fuse variant of issue hand grenades.
An Assault Grenadier should also take:
Anti-Armor Rifleman
The Anti-Armor rifleman is to provide short to medium range, direct, anti-hard target fire. With the 66mm LAW, a squad is capable of taking out light and most medium vehicle targets with ease, and is capable of engaging certain heavy armored targets with propertechniques . The 66mm is also the preferred method of engaging built-up targets with overhead cover, such as bunkers or occupied buildings.
An Anti-Armor Rifleman will require:
Support Rifleman
The primary task of the Support Rifleman is to provide rifle fire in support of the squad's assault or defense. While every member of a mechanized rifle platoon possesses a rifle other than the Grenadier, the Support Rifleman is set apart by the issuance of a lightweight bipod for their GAU-3. In field operations, they form the squad's most mobile base of rifle fire, utilizing the bipod to enhance overall accuracy and effective range. The 45 round magazine of the GAU-3 is considered adequate for a light squad support role, and the lack of extra weight associated with other squad support weapons allows them to easily keep pace with the rifle squad and perform better in close-quarters engagement than an ordinary machine gun would permit.
The Support Rifleman is going to be issued:
Individual Role Assignment
Roles designated in a rifle squad are ideally assigned along the lines of individual ability demonstrated in Basic Training. For instance, an individual selected for additional training on the Light Anti-Armor Weapon would, ideally, be assigned to carry the LAWs, and one selected for extra training on the Grenade Launcher would be issued one - these training sessions are noted on the soldier's record. Reality is less perfect, with replacements cycling in to the platoon from the reserves pool, other outfits, or direct from Basic without an exact match for the squad's needs being the norm. As a general rule, newcomers to the platoon's rifle squads tend to be assigned Assault Grenadier or Support Rifleman roles (incumbents being "cycled up"), while newcomers to the weapons squad tend to be assigned as assistants to the machine gun or rocket team.
While individual squad members do have an official billet for the roles, not every platoon leader maintains the pretense, and not every squad will be able to obtain items required to meet the on-paper theory of squad composition. Units often obtain as many extra light anti-armor weapons and grenades as they can (spoken on below) such that the roles of "Anti-Armor Rifleman" and "Assault Grenadier" become less distinct, and many units simply disregarded the user of the GAU-3 as a light support weapon and discontinued their use in that role - if they ever had them to begin with.
On the Lack of Medics
Some may find it odd that a front-like combat platoon such as this does not feature a designated medic. During inception, GDI initially provisioned for a medical specialist to be attached at the platoon level (with several additional field medics assigned to Battalion surgical units for ad-hoc distribution to unit, engaged in heavy contact. However, they were met with several concerns.Firstly, the convention remains that combat medics and medical vehicles be unarmed. While technically capable of carrying weapons so long as they are purely for self-defense and defense of the wounded, the realistic outcome of armed medics is that they become high-priority targets. Even without a weapon, marked medics still draw an inordinate amount of small arms fire when spotted by foes not concerned with international conventions.
In an attempt to circumvent this, GDI elected to establish a training standard for First Aid skills in combat infantry that should provide vital life-saving skills to improve the odds of an injured soldier either returning shortly to the fight, or surviving long enough for CASEVAC units to arrive with more advanced medical capabilities.
Field wound treatment protocol depends on the environment. If the unit is expecting contact with armor, the squad's Assault Grenadier (or assistant machine gunner in a weapon's squad) is tasked with being primary casualty attendant. If the Assault Grenadier is unable to fulfill this task, it falls next to the Support Rifleman, and finally the squad leader. If no armor is expected, then the squad's LAW-specialist becomes first designated individual.
Standard operating procedures call for the utilization of the casualty's own first aid kit - if accessible (get an idea of some contents here). For lighter wounds, the shoulder-mounted bandage may suffice. To assist the attendant, GDI medical kits are designed with the modern battlefield in mind, and feature two additional tourniquets, anti-infection agents, and tools leaning towards treating bleeding wounds (if there is ever enough interest I can itemize this kit out sometime).
More day-to-day medical concerns (such as foot care, pain management, or other non-combat wound treatment) are ordinarily checked into by a rifle squad's team leader, the platoon sergeant, or the weapon team leader. Severe emergencies - such as chemical weapon exposure or later Tiberium poisoning - require immediate CASEVAC. Individuals are not authorized to perform care on indigenous populations except in cases of extreme emergency.
While somewhat successful (GDI did put effort into providing quality medical care supplies), ultimately this practice was less than ideal. At the very end of the war, embedded medical specialists were attached at the platoon level (organized out of battalion-level medical units), though by the nominal end of the war most platoons were still without.
Platoon Armored Personnel Carriers
A platoon's carriers form an important part of the unit's firepower, bringing additional machine guns and far-projecting smoke launchers for the squad's benefit in combat. A majority of GDI's mainline combat APCs are of the M113A3 variety, though the organization has made some modifications upon their adoption. Exact configuration varies based on the exact mission requirements, though some overarching principals govern vehicle loadouts, largely tied to what kind of squad is on board.
When a mechanized rifle unit is underway within a carrier, SOP dictates that field packs be stowed on mounts along the outside flanks of the carrier, wherever possible. Packs can be stowed aboard, but it does little to contribute to passenger comfort! When dismounting before approaching an objective, packs will usually be relocated to the interior of the carrier if they are not being carried by the infantrymen.
In combat situations, the carrier is expected to remain in close proximity and support the squad with its weapon unless local circumstances make it impossible to do so. Though organized at a higher level and embedded within a platoon, crewmen and their vehicles are still a key part of the unit and fall under their element's leadership.
Platoon Command Carrier
The platoon command carrier is assigned to the platoon command squad. Its primary role is facilitating long-range communication when required. In action, it usually falls under the direct command of either the Lieutenant or the Platoon Sergeant. As it carries fewer than the typical 11 man complement, some of the additional space is turned over to storing spare ammunition, and stretchers (lightweight litter, HT221).The command carrier is largely a standard M113A3, but with the following altered features:
Weapons Squad Carrier
The platoon's weapon squad is issued a carrier upgraded with equipment to support the anti-tank team. Additionally, the vehicle is authorized to mount a wider variety of weaponry.
Rifle Squad Carrier
The essential basic armored personnel carrier for Global Defense Initiative, the rifle squad's carrier is intended to work in close conjunction with squad. In the field, it falls under the command of the rifle squad leader. While typically light on options, it's never-the-less a much appreciated boost in firepower as well as mobility.
Platoon Armored Personnel Carrier Crewmen
Much like with the members of the rifle platoon, we took a look at the training and basic deployment theory behind APC crewmen in a prior article. While their primary offensive and defensive equipment is the troop carrier itself, crewmen never the less do have some assigned equipment items worth mentioning. Some items technically considered part of their kit - such as shovels, tools, axes, and mattocks - are more rightly referenced in the vehicle's official entry. This does not build off of the standard common load shared by the infantry, as vehicle crewmen are far more lightly equipped.In the event that the tactical situation requires the carrier's weapons to be employed dismounted, the vehicle crews are responsible for their operation. Their loadout looks much like the following:
Equipment Summary
Almost all of the troops are armed with either the GAU-3 rifle variant, or the GAU-3/C carbine - the latter for the heavy weapon teams and higher level leadership individuals. Medium machine gunners and Grenadiers go without - MMGs should not engage in close quarters, and a Grenadier's launcher can double as a shotgun for building entry. Vehicle crews - not ordinarily leaving their armored wombs, are issued the more compact GAU-3/S, free of any extras like slings (which snag on things inside of a vehicle when you are in a mad dash to exit) - as these weapons are intended for self-defense, they are light on ammo and short on range and power, in spite of being the same weapon platform.
The use of Kevlar body armor, helmets, and ballistic goggles are supposed to be the rule in infantry units (though never quite seemed to meet reality as will be addressed later), though not ordinary with the vehicle crews, which make do with just communication helmets. Dismounts have individual gas masks and hoods for NBC situations - full NBC protection would be issued when the intent is to operate in known contaminated or soon-to-be contaminated areas - the purpose of issue masks is for emergency situations where NBC contact was not expected, the goal being to retreat to the carrier and await situation recap. Ideally. Vehicle crew make use of the vehicle-mounted filtration systems connecting to individual masks.
Individual communications equipment is limited, with the intent of helping units maintain strict radio discipline. The leaders of teams and squads can radio communicate, with squad leaders ultimately reporting to the platoon leadership, who then reports to company command. In situations where the platoon is a significant distance from the company leadership, the platoon lead's carrier can be used to amplify the signal. Vehicle crews utilize an internal intercom for communication inside the vehicle and internal radio for contacting each other vehicle or to platoon leadership.
Navigation equipment is the domain of the platoon leadership, consisting only of a local topographical map, a lensatic compass, and a GPS receiver.
Optics are limited distribution. Binoculars are issued to squad and platoon leadership, and night vision optics are only issued to team, squad, and platoon leadership individuals (largely for cost and supply reasons). Scopes for rifles were not in consideration at the time, not being the norm in most national military forces. Towards the latter part of the conflict, a modified version of the GAU-3 was issued with integrated optics was issued to the platoon's "Designated Marksman", a position added to the weapons squad in 2001.
Remaining field equipment is relatively sparse for a standard load, with an eye for limited duration vehicle assisted combat. For longer duration maneuvers away from a forward operating base, soldiers may be issued shelter halves and additional rations, and occasionally some situational-dependent items such as language cards, grooming kits, bug spray, or NBC protective equipment.
Soldiers may take personal items, so long as they are not intended to supplant issued equipment, and aren't firearms. Personal items take many forms such as novels, pocket knives, mutli-tools, photos, and the like. Depending on supply, they may carry extra ammunition for their weapons or for those in their unit (though issue magazine cases are usually not given in above-standard numbers).
Theory versus Reality
The above presents a doctrinal theory that represents the proscribed norm for this type of unit. Reality, however, is different. Here are a few ways in which a squad may find its loads deviating from the on-paper norms:Knives
Part of GDI's initial material grant included a mixture of M7 and M9 bayonets. These interfaced with the M16 series of rifles that included them, and were intended for use as utility knives more than close combat weapons. GDI deleted hand-to-hand combatives training in both Basic and most infantry schools after their 1997 reorganization blitz so training in the use of the bayonet was largely discontinued and the blades undistributed. Some units still issued them for their utility aspect, however - usually the M9 for it's multi-purpose saw/wire cutter elements - HT197. Rising numbers of field-service soldiers outpaced supply, and the new GAU-3 never had a production bayonet to mount on it. It was generally decided to not requisition additional bayonets and instead permit battalion quartermasters to request purchase their choice of utility knives.
By 1999, some M7 and M9 bayonets remained in battalion inventories but remained largely unissued. Some battalions kept supplies of various multi-tools (HT26) for issue, though this was not always the case and many units required individuals to supply their own; many individuals procure their own anyways, as battalion examples run the gammut of quality and are often Cheap (B274). Most non-combat utility cutting was being performed with simple box cutters or utility knives (HT25).
Rifles
While the GAU-3 series was intended to be the standard-issue firearm replacing the various 5.56mm-firing rifles GDI initially had in inventory, production of these weapons never really caught up to the numbers required to equip every member of GDI's combat forces until well after the conflict drew to a close. Indeed stocks of AR-15 type weapons remained available even while the GAU-3 was being phased out decades later!To represent units or individuals that have not been issued GAU-3 family weaponry, instead issue them M16A2s in place of any GAU-3, and optionally an M4/M4A1 Carbine or the XM117 "Commando" (the "GAU-5") in place of the GAU-3/C or /S. These weapons can be found on HT119. Vehicle crews are likely to be the ones shorted, and instead of 5.56mm weaponry often were given surplus stocks of M3 submachine guns (HT125).
Hand Grenades
On paper, the Assault Grenadier gets priority on full loads of grenades. The number of grenades (smoke or frag) actually carried varies from as few as one per man to as many as they can carry (blurring the real distinction between an assault grenadier and any other member). Smoke grenades were often omitted or reduced in number by the regular members of the squad due to their size and relative bulk. During the conflict, some units were fortunate enough to receive stocks of more modern M67 grenades (HT193), while others were forced to draw on captured Nod stocks (typically these are obsolete Mk IIs and derivatives - HT191).
Grenade Launchers
While the multiple grenade launcher is the nominal standard issue, it suffered similar issues in procurement to the GAU-3 family rifles and not enough units were available throughout the conflict to equip every grenadier with one. While most combat infantry units did receive sufficient stock, sometimes the M16A2-mounted M203 launcher or M79 (HT142) was used as a stand-in. Occasionally, units would actively request the M203 in lieu of the MGL, as the attached M16A2 rifle dealt with most body-armored foes far more effectively than the shot shells MGL-wielding Grenadiers were expected to use in close quarters engagements. Sometimes a mixed approach was preferred, with one Grenadier utilizing the M203 while the other was given an MGL.Weapons Squad Loadout Changes
In events where no enemy armored vehicles were expected, it was common for a platoon weapons squad to dispense with the Dragon TOW launcher and procure a second machine gun (with full accoutrements) instead - if available. Similarly, if an area of operations was known to have a high concentration of enemy armored units, the reverse was true and platoons may be issued an additional launcher (if available) at the expense of the machine gun.Because most of the carriers bore the same machine gun that a weapons platoon uses, it was common for part of a carrier's armor-piercing ammunition supply to make its way into the hands of the machine gun team. Similarly, in close assaults or situations where the machine gun is inoperable, the crew's personal weapons often found their way into the hands of the former machine gunner.
Rifle Squad Loadout Changes
While GDI doctrine broke an 11 man rifle squad down to two teams with five dedicated roles, units with significant combat experience tended to lose strict distinction between men in reality, most commonly on the Anti-Armor Rifleman, Support Rifleman and Assault Grenadier. Often, experienced units would split the M72s up between these individuals to both minimize potential equipment loss in the event of a catastrophic hit on the soldier carrying the launchers and to increase the potential firing positions for that weapon. If at all possible, both of these individuals could be given two (or more!) launchers to carry - not always a possibility, but often practiced when extra stock can be had.
The Support Rifleman is, in theory, an individual carrying extra magazines and a light bipod for the GAU-3. Units without the GAU-3 typically did not bother with the bipod at all, and even those with them tended to disuse them after much combat exposure. The GAU-3 did not perform as well as well in a support weapon role as initially desired, and the bipod represented yet one more thing for the soldier to carry. Anyone in the unit would carry as much ammunition as they could get away with anyways, further blurring the distinction.
Similarly, the "Assault Grenadier" blends into the same "general rifleman" role we see with the anti-armor and support riflemen. Confidence in the impact fuse grenades was mixed and thus were not frequently selected for use - some units swearing them off completely! A grenade carrier was offered for the extra assigned hand grenades (web gear ordinarily carrying four maximum), but actual stocks of them were not always available so soldiers often resorted to cramming them into modified M16 cartridge pouches or hanging them off of their web gear. While the standards call for most infantrymen to receive two hand grenades, soldiers would attempt to obtain more.
It is also not uncommon for members of the unit to carry extra machine gun ammunition in the event they need to operate an extended distance away from the carriers, often drawn from the vehicle's supply when quartermasters were not allowing additional belts of ammunition.
Not all units - even those with significant combat exposure - undertook these changes. Some particularly strict officers refused to break from doctrine, while others who may otherwise have instead found a certain degree of comfort in the certainty of having specialized individuals for whatever task may be at hand - everyone knew who was to perform what when the challenge arose, leading to confidence in the ability of individuals so trained.
Body Armor
From inception, GDI had a difficult time obtaining sufficient stocks of Kevlar body armor for its troops. Helmets were available in abundance and the needed units for combat troops was met from both extant member-state stores as well as new production contracts. Initial equipment grants from the United States included a few thousand sets, but the procurement of more vests was a slow process. At the outbreak of the war (and for much of the duration), most direct combat units did not have sufficient quantities of vests to outfit all of their members. Indeed, new stock were prioritized for light infantry units over the heavy.
Starting in early 2001, GDI undertook a massive "Troop Surge" primarily in Europe and Africa which furthered shortages in body armor sets. Spares were purchased from other nations and GDI-backed production ramped up but many units often had to do without sufficient stock. Some units were able to repurpose various captured Nod or other examples, while others where fortunate enough to be permitted individual private procurement of commercial examples (which had mixed success). Less fortunate units simply economized by issuing modern Kevlar armor to officers and squad leaders (if available), with various older types (usually based on nylon) sourced from various national inventories found their way to the enlisted. In the closing months of the conflict, additional stocks became available as member nations began to obsolete their own stocks in favor of new designs, and production contracts began to catch up with demand.
Troop Carriers
In the event that the Dragon missile launcher was mounted to the platoon weapon squad carrier, the vehicle commander is dismounted and the Dragon gunner put in charge of operating the weapon (and the carrier's machine gun when required). The vehicle commander and assistant gunner either performed security for the vehicle, or assisted in the reloading process.
Frequently, mechanized rifle platoons were simply not issued a dedicated carrier for their weapons squad. In this occasion, they were shared in with the platoon leadership squad instead. These variably featured the support equipment for the M47 Dragon (shortages), disabling use in the mounted role and requiring troops carry additional batteries on nighttime operations.
As a result of the 2001 Troop Surge, insufficient numbers of carriers were available to outfit all infantry units with dedicated examples, even with new procurement contracts. Ersatz transportation was provided by heavy duty trucks, similar to most Nod infantry units.
More Information About the Equipment
For more information about articles of equipment above that I have expounded upon in articles, see the following:- GAU-3 Rifle
- M16A2 Rifle
- M26 Series Fragmentation Grenades
- PASGT (Body Armor)
- ALICE Load Bearing Equipment
- M113 APC
If you would like a spreadsheet of all this equipment, I have hosted it under this link on Google Drive.
Closing
That should just about do it. This is something of a bookend for the last several related articles. This is probably the last GDI-related article I will work in for a while, so that I can turn my attention towards more Nod-focused material, plus some more general equipment and vehicles (yes, more vehicles coming!). I'll start with something roughly analogous to what we see here. We'll revisit GDI again with some light infantry and special operations forces sometime in the near future.
Originally, this was a much larger document but through revision with a member of the Discord server, I have greatly improved the length and ease of read. If I've done this right, this article has given you a sense of how a GDI Mechanized Infantry Platoon is comprised, and how each of those elements are composed and equipped. It should also give you an idea of the different roles within a squad and the basic expectations in combat for each are. It still is a lengthy read, and I don't fault you for having skimmed most of it! Charts didn't come out as well as I'd have liked, either...
I am liable to update this article, from time to time, as I realize I've forgotten some bit of kit or another or create dedicated profiles for what are currently generic equipment types. In the mean time, this is squad equipment as I envision it for GDI Mechanized Rifle platoons.
A shout out to the denizens of the GURPS Discord server, who have put up with my questions, drafts, and revisions these many months. Their assistance helped correct or confirm some of the assumptions that have made this short series possible. Bonus points to +TheRyujinLP , who has read and given input on every single article in the run; they even went so far as to read the equipment file line by line and offer up numerous edits from typographical to technical. I don't even think I read the whole thing!
Thanks for reading!
Cheers!
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