Attention All Hands,



I'm still calling this '2019 Changes' even though they're effective immediately.. these were originally slated to begin in 2019, but they're starting now and will dictate everything we do from 2019 going forward (plus a couple weeks) so.. it still fits.



There have been a lot of changes happening in the Marine Corps over the past year, ones that we have been eager to get on board with. There have also been a lot of changes and happenings in this Unit this year.. not all of them happy ones. 02DEC18 was the last deployment mission of the year, and as always at the end of the year people take the time to evaluate their place within the Unit, their drive, and their satisfaction with the Unit and ArmA. As always at this time of year people take this perfect opportunity to hang it up, or move on to other endeavors. This year is no exception, and over the next few days we know of - and expect - many people taking this route. We may also have a smaller flush after the last ITX of the year. This is normal and natural, if painful.



For those of you who are leaving I want to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for your time here. This Unit is nothing without its people, and every one of you is important to this Unit and you will be missed, no matter who you are. We understand people leave, and it hurts, but we want you all to be happy. If this place no longer makes you happy then go where it does; we'll always be here if you want to come home again.



For those of you who are staying, 2019 has some major and exciting, and some shocking, movements in store.



Rifle Platoons



Structure

The Rifle Platoon is getting a complete face lift. Almost everything about the Rifle Platoon will be changing, starting with our base size: We are returning to a 'base size' of the platoon to be two squads. These means we will dedicate ourselves to filling and performing in the manner of two Rifle Squads, as opposed to three. This will allow us to dedicate focus and resources to the primary two rifle squads and make us not only feel fuller, but truly be fuller. Three squads are a blessing, but a bonus, and will return when the first two primary squads are healthy.



Additionally we are changing the structure of the Rifle Squad. Most of you may be aware of the changes the Marine Corps are currently going through; we will also being adopting those changes. The Rifle Squad of the 15th MEU Realism Unit will be as follows:



Squad #-#

Squad Leader - Sergeant billet

Assistant Squad Leader - Corporal billet

Squad Systems Operator - Lance Corporal billet

Squad Corpsman - Hospitalman billet



Squad #-#-A

Fire Team Leader - Corporal billet

Automatic Rifleman - Lance Corporal billet

Grenadier - Lance Corporal billet



Squad #-#-B

Fire Team Leader - Corporal billet

Automatic Rifleman - Lance Corporal billet

Grenadier - Lance Corporal billet



Squad #-#-C

Fire Team Leader - Corporal billet

Automatic Rifleman - Lance Corporal billet

Grenadier - Lance Corporal billet



Actual specifics of the roles and duties of every billet are still under work, and won't/can't be worked out until we actually put them into practice and see what works and what doesn't. Explanations of what the Marine Corps expects of this new structure can be seen in this video.



Additionally with this implementation we will be shutting down the billet of Platoon Radio Operation/Messenger. This role has historically conflicted with the Company JTAC, and with these changes will continue to face adversity and reduction in responsibility. We are cutting our losses and time sink in this billet and removing it entirely across all sections.



This is an exciting time for the Rifle Squad. We've never seen this type of absolute shakeup and restructure, and you all will be pioneers of a new way of doing things. You will be the first, and the ones setting the standard. Let's make sure we do it right.



Armaments

Those of you who watched the video before continuing reading may start to have some questions right about now. Well I'm here to answer them, in exactly the way you expect:



The M27 will be replacing the M4 as the primary weapon for everyone in the Rifle Squad (except the corpsman). Your long-barreled rifle is back, this time in an automatic fire rate flavor. Platoon HQ, Company HQ, Corpsmen, Weapons Sections, Armor, and ACE will continue to use the M4, but the Rifle Squad will be switching wholesale to the M27
The SAW will be completely removed from the Armory. With every member of the squad now fully automatic capable, it is no longer necessary. This weapon system is also being finally retired in the Marine Corps, and the ones still remaining in armories are sitting unused already.
The M320 will be replacing the M203 in the Rifle Squad, as the M203 is not built for the M27. There is also no underslung variant, meaning the 'pistol' version will be deployed. We expect these will be given to the 'Grenadier' billet.. hence the name.. but this is a squad-level determination (Weapons and Corpsmen who use the M203 on the M4 will still have access to it)
The MAAWS will be deployed to the Rile Platoon, one per squad, on an as-needed/per mission basis as determined by Platoon HQ. The AT-4 and the LAW will be relegated to secondary need/status (like the LAW is currently).
The DMR rifle will be designated as only the M27 going forward. This DMR M27 will be equipped with an 8x scope and a suppressor, and referred to as the 'M38'. This, as well as the M32, will continue to be deployed at one per squad on an as-needed basis.


These are game-changing and exciting changes for the loadout of the Rifle Squad, and I'm extremely interested to see where this goes and how you guys handle it.



Weapons Platoon



This section is a bit harder to write. I came up through Weapons Platoon. I know the pride of the section and what kind of fucking maniacs are down there. Unfortunately this is something that must be done.



4-2 - Assault Squad

The Assault Squad - the 0351 MOS - will be shutting down effective immediately. While there is no 'perfect time' to close a section, this is an opportune time with the current manpower situation in 4-2 and the new Rifle Squad structure change. The 0351 MOS in the Marine Corps has been discontinued (no one is forced out, but they are no longer accepting new Marines). We are making that same change, but more drastically. All 4-2 billets are now closed, and personnel within those billets will need to transfer to a new home. On a seniority-based first-come, first-serve we will be giving the Rifle Squad MAAWS duty to these 0351-qualified e-Marines. This means the most senior 0351s will have first dibs on MAAWS assignment within the squad.



4-3 - Mortar Section

The Mortar Section's existence has always been contentious. Plagued with platform, personnel, and tactical implementation issues, the mortar section's life has never been easy. The member there have always been dedicated to their duty, but we can no longer afford to sink the time, effort, and personnel into a section that does not expand our combat capabilities. Effective immediately the Mortar Section will be closed, and those members will need to transfer to a new home.



Platoon Headquarters

This all leaves Weapons Platoon with only 4-1 - The Machine Gun Section. 4-1 will remain untouched with the exception of the Section Leader billet. This billet's rank will be elevated to Staff Sergeant, and report directly to Company HQ. The Platoon HQ of Weapons Platoon, having only one section, is rendered useless and will be closed.



Reassignments and Openings

This leaves a couple people without homes, and a few new openings as well. 2ndLt H. Taylor has agreed to take the post of Platoon Commander for the Armor Composite Platoon. GySgt Cohrs has requested to remain with Archer 4-1 and will be taking over the post of 4-1 Section Leader.



1stLt McNeely and GySgt Carrido have also taken this time to hang up their boots. This leaves the billets of Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant of Archer 2 open, which we will begin taking applications for now. Look out for additional posts regarding these applications.



If your section/billet has been closed and you are found without a home, you are encouraged to make the jump to the Rifle Platoon. It is from here we draw our strength and begin our fight. This is where you are needed.



A Line in the Sand

I've said this previously: 2018 has been the worst year of the 15th MEU Realism Unit. It will remain that way. I am determined that this will always be the case. We have made a lot of changes, and a lot of cuts. This stops now. There will be no more section closures. There will be no more draw down. This is our line in the sand. The current ordered structure is who we are, and where we will build from. These two rifle platoons with their two squads, the machine gun section, the armor composite platoon, and ACE are who we are. We will not allow anything less than this. The steady bleeding of members, losing recruits, closing sections... it all stops here. From here we only go up. We have a lot of pots on the stove to achieve this, from the changes mandated above, to the resurgence of the Media Team, to a complete overhaul of Basic Training to make it more fun and accessible.. changes are coming. Our resurgence is coming. If you thought we were dying or dead... the kindest way to say it is 'you're wrong', though I have much better words for it not suited to this. We're here. We're not going anywhere. You can either get on board or get out of the way; rest assured if you stand in the way I will get you out of it.



2019 is going to be a big year. Are you going to be here for it, and lay that ground work? That's up to you. We will be. I know I'll be here. I hope to see you there.



We have one more ITX for this year (16DEC18). Let's make it a fun one.



-Col Penny

MEU CO