Ground Combat Element
Based heavily on the U.S.
Marine Composition, the MEU is the basic MAGTF that is continuously afloat and forward deployed. The MEU can be thought of as both a self-contained operating force capable of missions of limited scope and duration and as a forward-deployed extension of the MEF. MEUs routinely receive special training before deploying that result in their being designated "special operations capable." To receive this certification, the MEU undergoes an intensive 26-week, standardized pre-deployment training program that includes an exercise and a final evaluation.
The MEU is organized with the corporal in charge of the fireteam, sergeant in charge of a squad, a platoon sergeant and lieutenant in charge of the platoon, and a captain and major in charge of a company. There is an emphasis in the Manokan Navy at both the field and command position of shared responsibility and group oriented activities. Tactical flexibility is key, and command is not particularly rigid in the field, with the leader with the best idea usually in charge. Leaders are expected to work together as a team, rather than simply as individuals commanding men, as is the rest of the military. This shifts the burden of control on to the group and on to the individual soldiers, however rank can still be used. In a way, the most basic foundation of the unit can be thought as a field leader, with good experience, and a clerical leader with good management skills. While the best officers have both practical field experience on the ground and good clerical skills, with in general the duties assigned to each group possessing a considerable degree of overlap, each unit has their own specifically assigned roles. The platoon sergeant tends to lead the platoon directly in the field, where as the lieutenant tends to be more in the back and based on raw management, communication with command and making sure resources are maintained. The Captain leads the riflemen company in the field, where as the major leads the whole company, including the more specialized weapons companies, such as the sniper or mortar teams and often handles the more managerial duties (I.E. paperwork). A Lt. Colonel leads the several riflemen companies in the field, where as a true Colonel or General leads the entire MEU, and a general leads multiple MEU's.
The entire military operates with completely self sustainable MEU's, providing air support, armor and artillery at the battalion level without any need for approval by command. Despite the emphasis on self sufficiency, roughly 50% of support forces "rotate" as needed, with extra air power (such as from a full sized aircraft carrier), cruise missiles, artillery or tanks utilized as is seen fit from the highest ranking members of the military. In this way there is both Battalion and even company level access to specialized weaponry and equipment, but a central commands that "lends" it's forces when necessary. This allows for both direct engagement by smaller infantry forces without needing to work up the chain of command to provide indirect support (such as artillery or air strikes) and the loaning of larger military forces to where it's needed on the front lines. There are essentially two forms of aircraft, naval forces and so on; migrating and static. Static forces stay with the MEU in nearly all circumstances, where as migrating forces provide assistance as needed. This allows for complete sustainability in the field, but not so much rigidity that it becomes practically impossible to operate in the field.
Although each MEU (SOC) is task organized, a typical MEU (SOC) includes:
-A standing CE.
-An infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, reconnaissance, engineer, armor, assault amphibian units, and other detachments as required.
-A reinforced helicopter squadron with transport, utility, and attack helicopters; a detachment of vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL - AV-8 Harrier) fixed wing aircraft, and other detachments as required.
-A task-organized CSSE.
-Sustainment for 15 days.
-The MEU (SOC) GCE is formed around an infantry battalion and typically includes:
1181-Three rifle companies: 580 (144)
-Weapons company: 147
-Artillery battery: 108 (6)
-Light armored reconnaissance platoon: 48 (16)
-Assault amphibian platoon: 48 (16)
-Tank platoon: 32 (8 )
-Combat engineer platoon: 40
-Missile Section: 40
-Reconnaissance platoon: 48 (16)
-Scout sniper platoon: 30 (6)
-Shore fire control party: 60
The rifle companies (191 Marines) contain three rifle platoons (46 Marines each) and a weapons platoon (47 Marines). The weapons platoon is comprised of a machine-gun section, a mortar section, and an assault section. The rifle platoon is comprised of three squads (13 Marines each) with three fire teams (4 Marines each). The weapons company has a mortar platoon (69 Marines), an anti-armor platoon (50 Marines), and a heavy machine-gun platoon (28 Marines).
Basic Marine infantry organization does not change when the battlefield is moved into an urban area. However, infantry units may be task organized or reinforced down to squad level in order for small units to fight and win in the violent, three-dimensional MOUT battlespace.
