Sharpening the Tip of the Spear: Is the Light Infantry Squad the Right Size for the Future Battlefield?

As the United States Army prepares to redesign the Light Infantry Division, the issue of the correct size and organization of the squad is deserving of study. This monograph examines the issue by conducting three types of analysis. The first is a historical analysis of the evolution of the infantry squad from its inception through its current organization. The second is an analysis of the future battlefield and the capabilities that the future light infantry squad must possess to operate on that battlefield. The final analysis is a comparison of four proposed squad organizations. Four criteria are used for this comparison. Sustainability deals with the ability of the squad to absorb casualties and continue to fight as an effective force. Span of control addresses the ratio of leaders to soldiers. Flexibility measures the ability of proposed organizations to adapt to changing conditions on the battlefield. The final criteria used for the comparison is leadership. This monograph concludes that the current nine man light infantry squad is not the optimum organization for the future.