From: Barclay, Tom <tomb@b...>
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 20:18:38 -0500
Subject: Attachment levels
A thought occurred to me (no doubt those who know me will consider this novel...). Despite knowing a fair bit about the levels at which various combat assets are attached, my knowledge of the levels at which less in-your-face elements required to support combat are attached at has made building larger formations....problematic. I've solicited advice from our sometimes-resident engineering guru (John A). That covers off the engineers and assault pioneers. But that leaves a number of other folks to worry about. I'd be glad to hear from anyone who had some insight into current (or conjectural) doctrine (and hopefully some idea how many are attached at each organizational level - Company, B'n, higher...). It would be even more interesting to contrast thoughts about these attachments across the national boundaries spanned by this list - I'm sure all armies do not do this stuff exactly the same way. Here's where things get fuzzy, and here are some of my guesses: Snipers: Attached at b'n level, probably 3 or 4 teams, parcelled down to Companies as required or engaging in other operations. Mechanics: B'n motor pool. I'm not sure how many you need to support a modern mechanized formation. I assume they aren't attached at company level, and that infantry help maintain their MICVs. I include electronics and weapons techs in this group too. Clerks: 1 for a company, with CHQ. BHQ - several? Logistics:????? I know there must be a bunch of these. I include tranport, Company Stores and the like here. Must be a few with at Company level and more up at B'n, but I couldn't begin to guess how many. FAO/FAC: Dedicated observer/controller teams. I assume these would be attached at B'n level formally, but attached down to companies or platoons even as required. Probably 1 for every battery at B'n level? EW/Comms : Possibly 1 man per platoon, possibly a couple of teams with CHQ. Definitely some formation attached at B'n level. Air Def: GMS/P-Air with infantry platoons. Company might have GMS/L-Air or even GMS/H-Air if well equipped. Definitely the B'n would have some GMS/H-Air. But how many? And what about ZADs or ADS? Medical: I assume a medic team (2 men) per Pltn. Perhaps a Company Aide Station with an extra medic and a couple of orderlies. Then a B'n aide station with a doctor, a medic, and some more orderlies. Then at Brigade or Division, you have a full MASH unit. Special Forces: If not a dedicated SF unit, these are probably attached at Divisional level (at a guess) and temporarily attached down to battalions, companies, or even platoons as required by mission. Often operate independently. They don't like to rely too heavily on normal crunchies who might let them down. Intel: Definitely some at divisional level. At B'n level? Probably not at company level. And in this, I subsume enemy intel, weather (meteorology), sigint/elint , etc. Arty: Well, I assume mortars for Pltn and Company Levels. I assume light to medium tube guns for B'n (how many batteries would one expect)? I assume heavy guns for Div and MRLS systems, although they may temporarily be attached lower (to companies or b'ns for particular operations). Other trades: Undoubtedly, I've missed some. Press Officers, PR Officers, dentists, and other esoteric trades. I assume most of these don't appear as low as the B'n level and so I'm unlikely to have a concern with modelling them. Plus any I've missed. All feedback welcome.:)