[daferg]

I hope this thread does not cause heartburn to developers or others. I was recently deployed with a stryker unit and thought I could compare how the strykers in real life compare to the game. Nothing I discuss violates OPSEC or reveal critical TTP's. I was the machinegun squad leader in a rifle platoon. I will compare the game to real life in no real order:

As stated above, I was a machinegun squad leader. The forth squad leader is normally the 'weapons squad leader' but not in a stryker unit. The javelins were in each squad and the rifleman in one team was the designated javelin gunner. The other rifleman is your squad designated marksman. In the game the javelins are all in the forth squad and the M240B's are left out. I have seen other units in the game have ATGM in a rifle squad. I would like to see this and have two M240B teams in the forth stryker.

The stryker uses the RWS to engage targets(.50 cal and MK19) in all variants except the mortar and recon strykers. These have an M2 mounted on a pintle and they have to 'free gun' it. The RWS is an amazing system and I have seen it engage targets at incredible ranges in all types of weather and visibility. It has gyros and can engage on the move. The game gives the fire control a low rating. I would like to see this number increased a great amount. Perhaps 30 or higher.

Every stryker I have been around in combat had at least on additional weapon on a mount. The squad leaders hatch has a pintle for another weapon and there is always gunners out the back hatches. I would like to see a 240B listed as a secondary weapon for at least the Infantry carrier type.

The stryker listed in the Lt Mech Platoon Bn Support is supposed to be a recon type. It has recon soldiers assigned to man it. The sighting system(LRAS) on this vehicle is far superior to anything else out there. It is not used to engage but to just observe. The game has its vision listed as 40 but I think 50 or 55 is much closer to the truth.

Mortar strykers come in two types. The company has two vehicles with a mounted 120mm and a dismounted 60mm mortar. The battalion mortar platoon has 120mm mounted and 81mm dismounted. The game does not reflect this. I would like to see the mortar carriers have a carry capacity large enough to carry these dismounted mortar crews.

A stryker company has its own organic snipers(two-two man teams). The game does not reflect this. I would like to see snipers in the pre-built stryker company along with their own forward observer team.

The MGS (stryker with the 105mm cannon) is reflected properly in the game. It is not used on the front line and when it is used it gets blown up. MGS's are best used for battalion HQs photo ops.

I would like to see medic stryker (MEVs)used in the game. They would serve no purpose for the game but would look cool. In fact the M113 ambulances and 4 litter Humvees would be a nice addition. Like I said, no purpose for the game but it would be nice to role play a little with them.

I am not asking for a new upgraded patch to be released in the next few days to reflect these changes. I thought it would give someone some interesting reading.

ferg