USMC Information Thread

This is a general forum for all types of posts related to Military models.

Moderators: dnichols, GHQ, Mk 1

Post Reply
ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

Redleg:

Voltigeur is correct, there is no FIST-V assigned to a USMC tank comany. They could have an ANGLICO (FO) team attached, mounted in a Hummer. At one time a USMC tank company included an Anti-Armor Platoon of 8 TOW Hummers. I'll have to check with some contacts on the TO&E.

Semper Fi!

Gary

voltigeur
E5
Posts: 814
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:26 am
Location: Dallas Texas

Post by voltigeur »

At one time a USMC tank company included an Anti-Armor Platoon of 8 TOW Hummers. I'll have to check with some contacts on the TO&E.
When I was in the TOW company belonged to the Tank Battalion. The 3 platoons were assigned to support Infantry Battalion Landing Teams (BLT). Of course as I have mentioned in other post it has been a long time and the Marines are so flexible that you can see almost any task organization.

I was thinking yesterday about starting a "Interpreting TO&E's" thread. It seems that many on the forum get the TO&E's but can't get them to a table top force. Would there be any interest in this? I can contribute a post for 1 to 1 maybe someone can speak to the 5-1 gamers.
I pray for Peace on Earth Good will toward men. Till then one round HE fire for Effect!

ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

Redleg and Voltigeur:

I did some checking over the weekend on a USMC Tank Company. It is similar to the US Army's. This is the TO&E I was given:

Company Headquarters:
HQ Section: 2 x Command Hummers, 1 x Commo Hummer, 2 x M-925A1 5 ton Trucks w/cargo & water trailers.
Maintance Section: 1 x Hummer hardtop, 2 x M-925A1 5 ton Trucks w/cargo trailers, 1 x M-88A1 ARV.
Tank Section: 2 x M-1A1HA

3 x Tank Platoons, each w/4 x M-1A1HA

Attachments:
Anti-Armor Section (from Battalion): 1 x Hummer HMG, 8 x Hummer TOW.
Scout Section (from Battalion): 2 x Hummer HMG w/Scout teams
ANGLICO Team (from Battalion): 1 x Hummer FOV w/team

The tank company is rarely used as a complete unit. The platoons are usually loaned out to the Infantry Battalions as required. I hope that this helps. This all comes from contacts in the USMCR.

Semper Fi!

voltigeur
E5
Posts: 814
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:26 am
Location: Dallas Texas

Post by voltigeur »

Thanks for the information ShortRound.

One question: can your sources verify that there are no command tanks?
I pray for Peace on Earth Good will toward men. Till then one round HE fire for Effect!

ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

I probably should have been a little more clear on the TO&E. The tank section in the company HQ has two tanks, one for the CO and one for the XO. The company first shirt and company gunny will ride in the command Hummers when the CO & XO are mounted in the tanks. Similar arrangement to a Army tank company. I hope this clears things up.

Gary

redleg
E5
Posts: 3864
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:02 am
Location: Riverside, CA

Post by redleg »

That's good info. Thanks, Short Round! I appreciate the help.

Rutgervanm
E5
Posts: 132
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:08 pm
Location: Nederland

Post by Rutgervanm »

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum but have been working on a microscale MEU in 1:1 scale for half a year now. Progress is slow but steady and both the ground component and the air wing are nearing completion.

I have a few questions though. I'm basing a 1:1 Marine infantry company and have encountered a few problems with the HQ unit and the weapons platoon.

They will be for use in the 1990's, so as has been described above the basic infantry platoon (allready based up three of them) consists of three 13-men squads and a 4-men platoon HQ.

So, those infantry platoons are 43 strong and combined make for 129 figures. I'm using a TOE from Thomas his site as a guideline and it states that a full Marine infantry company is 182 men strong.

182-129=53 men/figures left, so on to the weapons platoon. Three 3-men strong mortar teams, six 2-men strong M240 MG teams and six 2-men strong SMAW teams make for another 33 men/figures, so that leaves another 20 men unassigned.

Here, the TOE becomes unclear however. I assumed the weapons platoon would also have a platoon HQ of four men, so then there would be 16 men left for the company HQ.

Is all this correct up until now?

If so, how is the company HQ laid out? Before I had just based another three fireteams of 4 figures and an HQ base also with 4 figures on it, but then I realised that a company HQ would probably have more radios, medics, intelligence officers/scouts and what not?

So, basically the question is: what is the exact composition of a Marine infantry company's HQ?

ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

Rutgervanm:

I got the following information when I started building my own MEU.

USMC Rifle Company

Company HQ: 1 x CO, 1 x XO, 1 x 1st Sgt., 1 x Gunnery Sgt., 1 x Property NCO, 1 x Runner/Driver/RTO. Total:6 x officers & men

Weapons Platoon: 1 x Platoon Leader, 1 x Platoon Sgt. - 1 officer, 1 x man
Machine Gun Section: 1 x Section Leader, 3 x Squad Leaders, 6 x MMG teams w/3-man crews - 22 men
Assault Section (SMAW): 1 x Section Leader, 6 x SMAW teams w/2-man crews - 13 men
Mortar Section: 1 x Section Leader, 3 x 60mm Mortar teams w/3-man crews - 10 men
Weapons Platoon total: 47 officers & men

Rifle Platoon (x3): 1 x Platoon Leader, 1 x Platoon Sgt., 1 x Platoon Guide, 1 x Runner/RTO - 1 officer, 3 men
3 x Rifle Squads each with 13 men - 39 men
Rifle Platoon Totals: 43 officers & men

Company Total: 182 officers & men

This does not include Navy Corpsmen, Forward Observers, or Recon Marines who are attached from Battalion. There could be as many as 8 x Corpsmen, 2 x Forward Observers, and 8 x Recon Marines (1 Squad) attached depending on mission or expected enemy contact. Also, a Marine Rifle Company has no organic Transportation, Supply or Maintenance Sections. These are supplied by Battalion/MEU.

Hope that this helps you out. I'll have to look around for my information on Battalion/MEU headquarters.

Rutgervanm
E5
Posts: 132
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:08 pm
Location: Nederland

Post by Rutgervanm »

That's great information. I would have thought that the company would include it's own integral medics/Corpsmen.

I also see I have some rebasing to do. For my CHQ I put just four figures on a base, but I think it would be more convenient to have six on the same base.

Also, going from Wikipedia, I thought that the M240 machinegun was crewed by just two Marines.

Where would the squad leaders go btw? I know the MG teams themselves would be attached to platoons or even rifle squads, but would two teams be accompanied by one squad leader or something? Wouldn't that be sort of overdoing it?

ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

Rutgervanm:

A squad leader commands 2 machine gun teams. The third man in the M-240G team carries extra ammo and provides security when the gun is deployed. It might seem like over-kill, but you never have enough eyes or firepower when contact is made. In a worst case, the MG squad leader and the 2 extra MG team members could form a 3-man fireteam to cover the platoon HQ. By then, the bullets would really be thick. Hope this clears things up for you.

redleg
E5
Posts: 3864
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:02 am
Location: Riverside, CA

Post by redleg »

Does anybody know what a battalion and/or MEU command post would look like in the field? Just some tentage, or perhaps some HMMWVs or LAVs pulled together? What cells would be included in the CP – Ops, Intel, and fire support?

Also, what do the Marines call their command post? TOC? COC? Something else perhaps?

Thanks for the help.

-Mike

ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

Redleg:

I'll dig around my stuff and see what I can find. I don't know what they call the command post today. I've always called it "the CP". Of course that was 35+ years ago when I wore the uniform. :wink:

Gary

voltigeur
E5
Posts: 814
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:26 am
Location: Dallas Texas

Post by voltigeur »

I seem to remember the puzzle palace. :lol:
I pray for Peace on Earth Good will toward men. Till then one round HE fire for Effect!

ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

Well, here's the information that I have on a USMC Battalion HQ. You'll have to do the math on the number of vehicles (Hummers & trucks) I haven't got that far yet. A MEU has more than 60 Hummers of all types, 30 5 ton M-925 trucks, and 4 Logistical Vehicle Systems (HEMMTs).

USMC HEADQUARTERS & SERVICE COMPANY, INFANTRY BATTALION:

BATTALION COMMANDER: 1 x LTCOL
EXECUTIVE OFFICER: 1 x MAJ
SERGEANT MAJOR: 1 x SGTMAJ
MESSENGER/DRIVER: 2 x PVT
SECTION TOTALS: 2 x Officers, 3 x Enlisted

S-1 ADJUTANT/PERSONNEL SECTION:
S-1/ADJUTANT: 1 x LT
PERS OFF: 1 x CWO3
PERS ADMIN CHIEF: 1 x GYSGT
PERS CHIEF: 2 x SSGT
PERSONNEL CLERK: 1 x SGT
PERSONNEL CLERK: 1 x CPL
PERSONNEL CLERK: 2 x LCPL
PERS CLERK: 2 x PVT
UNIT DIARY CHIEF: 1 x CPL
UNIT DIARY CLERK: 2 x LCPL
UNIT DIARY CLERK: 2 x PVT
ADMIN CLERK: 1 x SGT
ADMIN CLERK: 1 x CPL
ADMIN CLERK: 2 x LCPL
ADMIN CLERK DRIVER: 2 x PVT
CMCC CLERK: 1 x LCPL
LEGAL/ADMIN CLERK: 1 x LCPL
LEGAL/ADMIN CLERK: 1 x PVT
PAY ADMIN MAN: 1 x LCPL
CAREER PLANNER: 1 x SSGT
SECTION TOTALS: 2 x Officers, 25 x Enlisted

S-2 INTELLIGENCE SECTION:
S-2: 1 x CAPT
INTEL CHIEF: 1 x SSGT
INTEL SPEC: 1 x CPL
INTEL SPL/DRIVER: 1 x LCPL
SCOUT SNIPER PLT CMDR: 1 x LT
SNIP PLT SGT: 1 x SSGT
CHIEF SCOUT SNIPER: 1 x SGT
SCOUT SNIPER: 3 x SGT
SCOUT SNIPER: 4 x CPL
SCOUT SNIPER: 8 x LCPL
SECTION TOTALS: 2 x Officers, 20 x Enlisted

S-3 OPERATIONS SECTION:
S-3: 1 x MAJ
ASST S-3: 1 x CAPT
LIAISON OFF: 1 x LT
INF WPNS OFF: 1 x CWO2
ASST S-3/AIR OFF: 1 x CAPT
ASST S-3/FAC: 2 x CAPT
INF OPNS CHIEF: 1 x MGYSGT
INF OPNS ASSIST: 1 x SSGT
NBC DEF OFF: 1 x CWO2
NBC DEF SPEC: 1 x CPL
NBC DEF SPEC: 1 x LCPL
MESSENGER/DRIVER: 1 x PVT
SECTION TOTALS: 8 x Officers, 5 x Enlisted

S-4 LOGISTICS SECTION:
S-4: 1 x CAPT
S-4A/EMBARK OFF: 1 x LT
S-4A/MMO: 1 x LT
LOG CHIEF: 1 x SSGT
EMBARK CHIEF: 1 x SGT
AMMUNITION TECH: 1 x SGT
MAINT MGT NCO: 1 x CPL
SECTION TOTALS: 3 x Officers, 4 x Enlisted

COMPANY HEADQUARTERS:
COMPANY COMMANDER: 1 x CAPT
EXECUTIVE OFF: 1 x LT
FIRST SERGEANT: 1 x 1STSGT
GUNNERY SERGEANT: 1 x GYSGT
TRAINING/PROPERTY NCO: 1 x SGT
ARMORY CUSTODIAN: 1 x LCPL
SECTION TOTALS: 2 x Officers, 4 x Enlisted

COMMUNICATIONS PLATOON:
PLT CMDR/S-6: 1 x LT
COMM CHIEF: 1 x MSGT
LOG DATA CONTROL CLERK: 1 x LCPL

MESSAGE CENTER SECTION:
RADIO TECH: 1 x SSGT
RADIO REPMAN: 1 x CPL
MICRO COMPUTER TECH: 1 x CPL
RADIO REPMAN: 1 x LCPL
TELEPHONE TECH: 2 x LCPL

WIRE SECTION:
WIRE CHIEF: 1 x SSGT
WIRE SUPERVISOR: 1 x SGT
WIREMAN: 2 x SGT
WIREMAN: 2 x PVT
WIREMAN/DRIVER: 1 x CPL

RADIO SECTION:
RADIO CHIEF: 1 x GYSGT
RADIO SUPERVISOR: 1 x SSGT
FIELD RADIO OPR: 4 x SGT
FIELD RADIO OPR: 6 x CPL
FIELD RADIO OPR: 4 x PVT
SMALL SYS COMP SPEC: 1 x PFC
SMALL SYSTEMS SPEC: 1 x CPL
FIELD RADIO OPR/DRIVER: 1 x PVT

TACTICAL AIR CNTL PTY SEC:
TAIR LIAISON PARTY:
FIELD RADIO OPR: 1 x SGT
FIELD RADIO OPR: 1 x CPL
FIELD RADIO OPR: 2 x PVT

FWD AIR CNTL PARTY (x 2 EACH):
FIELD RADIO OPR: 1 x CPL
FIELD RADIO OPR: 3 x PVT

MORTAR SUPPORT SECTION:
MORTAR LIAISON PARTY:
FIELD RADIO OPR: 1 x CPL
WIREMAN: 2 x LCPL
FIELD RADIO OPR: 1 x PVT

MORTAR RADIO TEAM (x 3 EACH):
FIELD RADIO OPR: 1 x CPL
FIELD RADIO OPR: 1 x PVT
WIREMAN: 1 x PVT

SECTION TOTALS: 1 x Officer, 60 Enlisted

SERVICE PLATOON:
PLATOON HEADQUARTERS:
PLT COMDR/BN SUP OFF: 1 x LT
SUPPLY CHIEF: 1 x SSGT
SUPPLY ADMIN MAN: 1 x CPL

SUPPLY SECTION:
SUPPLY WAREHOUSE CHIEF: 1 x SGT
SUPPLY ADMIN MAN: 1 x LCPL
GEN WAREHOUSEMAN: 1 x CPL
SUPPLY ADMIN MAN: 1 x LCPL
GEN WAREHOUSEMAN: 2 x CPL
SUPPLY ADMIN MAN: 2 x PVT

ARMORER SECTION:
SMALL ARMS REP TECH: 1 x SSGT
SMALL ARMS REP TECH: 1 x SGT
SMALL ARMS REP TECH: 2 x LCPL

TRANSPORT SECTION:
MOTOR TRANS OFF: 1 x LT
MOTOR TRANS CHIEF: 1 x GYSGT
MT OPS CHIEF: 1 x SSGT
LOG DATA CONTROL CLERK: 1 x LCPL
AUTO MECH: 1 x SGT
AUTO MECH: 1 x CPL
MV OPERATOR: 3 x CPL
MV OPERATOR: 1 x LCPL
AUTO MECH: 2 x LCPL
MV OPERATOR: 3 x SGT
AUTO MECH: 2 x PVT
MV OPERATOR: 4 x PVT

TOW MAINT SECTION:
ELECTRO-OPTICAL ORD RPR: 1 x CPL
ELECTRO-OPTICAL ORD RPR: 1 x LCPL

DINING FACILITY SECTION:
MESS MGR: 1 x GYSGT
ASSTN MESS MGR: 1 x SSGT
CHIEF COOK: 1 x SSGT
CHIEF COOK: 1 x SGT
FOOD SVC SPEC: 2 x LCPL
FOOD SERV SPEC: 3 x CPL
FOOD SERV SPEC: 3 x LCPL
FOOD SERV SPEC: 4 x PVT
FOOD SERV SPEC: 1 x SGT
FOOD SERV SPEC: 1 x PVT
SUBS SUP CLERK: 3 x PVT

SECTION TOTALS: 2 x Officers, 57 x Enlisted

CHAPLAIN SECTION (all USN):
BATTALION CHAPLAIN: 1 x LT
REL PROG SPEC: 1 x RP3
SECTION TOTALS: 1 x Officer, 1 x Enlisted

MEDICAL PLATOON (all USN):
BN AID STA 1ST ECHELON:
BN SURGEON: 1 x LT
MEDICAL CHIEF: 1 x HMC
ADVANCED HOSP CORPSMAN: 1 x HM1
ENVIRON SAN TECH: 1 x HM1
ADMIN/SUPPLY MAN: 1 x HM1
BN CORPSMAN: 1 x HM2
FMF RECON CORPSMAN: 1 x HM2
BN CORPSMAN: 3 x HM3
BN CORPSMAN: 2 x HN

BN AID STA 2ND ECHELON:
ASST BN SURGEON: 1 x LT
ASST MEDICAL CHIEF: 1 x HMC
ADV HM: 1 x HM1
BN CORPSMAN: 1 x HM1
BN CORPSMAN: 2 x HM2
BN CORPSMAN: 4 x HM3
BN CORPSMAN: 1 x HN

COMPANY MED TEAM (x 4 EACH):
COMPANY CORPSMAN: 1 x HM2
PLATOON CORPSMAN: 4 x HM3
PLATOON CORPSMAN: 6 x HN

SECTION TOTALS: 2 x Officers, 65 x Enlisted

H&S COMPANY TOTALS:
MARINE: 22 x Officers, 178 x Enlisted
NAVY: 3 x Officers, 66 x Enlisted

Not something I will build at 1:1. I'll use my fudge factor. :D

ShortRound70
E5
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:32 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Post by ShortRound70 »

Redleg:

To answer your original question about the looks of a USMC BLT/MEU HQ in the field, I'll check with my contact in the local USMCR unit.

Gary

Post Reply