So, back to capabilities, what would work best for helping soldiers to bludgeon the enemy?
I hate to sound like a dinosaur, but the idea of a battalion with integral combat support assets is probably the answer. The question remains: what capability?
If we think of "shoot - move - communicate" as the essence of what infantrymen need to do, let's have a look at the gaps.
For communicate, we have a signal platoon. They help with the technical pieces required: radios, etc, without taking away the need to grab someone by the collar and say "follow me!"
For move, we have a transport platoon, along with integral vehicles in the mechanised battalions. Yes, they help with the long moves, but in the end, you have to get out, ruck up and walk. If we encounter obstacles, however, we currently need engineers. We used to have pioneers, but they are gone. I argue that the engineers have better things to do than to be parceled out to us infantry for such things as basic search, breaching, etc.
For shoot, we have a variety of weapons, but with some stark limitations. We have no integral indirect fire (aka "Mortar Platoon") and we have virtually no means to take on any enemy armour of any kind. We used to be able to outrange armoured foes (aka "Anti-Armour Platoon"), but since we aren't facing the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany anymore, I suppose that someone decided we didn't need them anymore.
(Oddly enough, TOW missiles were used against the hideaway of Saddam Hussien's sons when they nailed them).
So, which is most needed? I guess it depends on whom you ask. If you ask me, we need them all equally: pioneers, anti-armour (which is flexible enough to provide long range heavy direct fire support) and mortars. Of course, there is a price in PYs, but, I do have a solution in working. (I'm still polishing it, and it'll be a while)
