[kevin]

As a former Marine, I can say that the fireteam is the basis of which the entire Marine Corps is organized.

I don't know what the organization was during Vietnam. but I can tell you what the Fireteam is all about.

The fireteam consists of 4 members, 1 SAW and 3 M-16s. The youngest member walks point and is trained as a scout. Next comes the assistant gunner. He carries an M-16 and extra ammo boxes for the SAW. The SAW gunner is 2nd in command and the Fireteam leader is a Corporal, w/ M-16 and an M203 Grenade launcher attached. (This is also the basis for Army Fireteams).

This provides a lot of firepower that is easily controlled by one person using just hand signals. Increasing the number of SAWs or Grenade launchers provides too much strain on the logistics train with very little in return. (Multiple SAWs are likely to attract Mortar fire)

3 Fireteams and a Sergeant make a Squad, 3 Squads a Platoon and so on up to 3 Regiments in each Division