BEN%SPCVXA.BITNET@pucc.PRINCETON.EDU (Ben Cohen) (04/22/91)
From: Ben Cohen <BEN%SPCVXA.BITNET@pucc.PRINCETON.EDU> Hello, On 30APR91, I'll be reporting for BCT with an initial post of 10th Mtn Div (Light Infantry), and I'm wondering what the difference is between light and heavy infantry (both in TO&E and mission(s)). Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Thanks, Ben Cohen Bitnet: Ben@SPCVXA Saint Peter's College Internet: Ben@spcvxa.spc.edu Jersey City, NJ USA UUCP: ...!rutgers!njin!spcvxb!ben
major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) (05/02/91)
From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
The main difference between Light and Heavy infantry is how you go
to work. :-)
Basically, Light Infantry is "foot mobile" - trucked around the rear
areas in 2 1/2T and/or 5T trucks. Then "walk" to your objective.
Many Light Infantry units train heavily in air assault tactics using
the helicoptor as the taxi - deep inserts (AirLand Battle concepts).
The 10th 'Mountain Division' is light infantry with special training
for "mountain warfare". When I left the 7th Light Infantry Division -
there was talk of requiring all officers to be "Ranger" qualified for
assignment with the 7ID. I don't know if that was implemented or not.
We did train and deploy for training in amphibious operations (Florida),
jungle operations (Panama - the 7th performed very well in the Panama
expedition), winter operations (Alaska), and semi-mountainous (Korea).
The 7th deployed to Germany on a Reforger Exercise to test the operational
capabilities and survivability of Light Infantry on the European battle
field.
"Heavy" Infantry is 'Mechanized'. They ride to work - in Bradley Fighting
Vehicles. They support or are supported by lots of tanks. A Mechanized
Division consists of 6 Mech Inf battalions and 5 Tank (Armor) battalions.
An Armored Division consists of 6 Armor battalions and 5 Mech Inf Bns.
(by MTOE)
The significant difference is in the infantry squad. The light infantry
squad is 'pure' infantry. The mech inf squad replaces some infantrymen
with a driver, and 'track' commander, and a TOW/Dragon gunner.
Equipment for the light infantryman is whatever he can carry on his back
with a 50lb rucksack. Equipment for a mech infantryman is whatever he
can 'packrat' inside, on top of, strapped on, tied down, hang off of -
his 'track'.
Mech Infantry has lots of mechanized stuff to support, fix, fuel tracked
vehicles - light infantry mobility is restricted to wheeled vehicles.
Mech Inf has self-propelled ("mech") artillery - light infantry has
wheeled artillery.
Light infantry moves at about 3 kilometer per hour. Mech Infantry can
"haul ass and bypass".
I spent 6 years in Mech Infantry. 2 years in Light Infantry (including
long range recon) - as a combat intelligence officer. I prefer to ride.
mike schmitt
("If you ain't Cav, you ain't........)