Ground Combat Study: Summary of Analysis

In the USMC Ground Combat Study we are focused on small unit (squad and fire team) size and organization. Our goal is to use an analysis of historical changes in squads together with an analytic tool to provide the Marine Corps with an assessment of the relevance of these units on the future battlefield. Using CNA-initiated funding, we plan to demonstrate the utility of analyses in one of the USMCs core warfighting areas. We also plan for this study to be the first in our program of research into ground combat and, at a more general level, MAGTF operations. This report reviews our results to date and presents a path for future study. As well see later in the paper, the focus is on using EINSTein as a tool to analyze small unit actions on the battlefield. To briefly summarize, we have completed a historical review of small unit sizes and organizations generating a wealth of data to use in our subsequent analyses of small ground combat units. And, at this point, we are satisfied with EINSTeins ability to get the answer right vis-avisthis historical record. Well explain later what we mean by this statement and why we choose EINSTein as our tool. As a result of these favorable results, we recommend continuing our analyses of small unit sizes and organizations using EINSTein as our tool for examining ground combat.