The Marine Corps will transition to a new infantry rifle squad configuration beginning in fiscal year 2020, service Commandant Gen. Robert Neller announced today.
The new 12-Marine rifle squad will have two new positions -- an assistant squad leader and a squad systems operator. Currently, the Marine rifle squad is composed of 13 Marines, but the new configuration will have 300 percent more fire power, Neller said in a video posted on Twitter.
The firepower increase is due to every Marine in the rifle squad having an automatic weapon. In the current configuration only three Marines have automatic weapons, he said.
Inside the Navy reported in February the service decided to change the fifth-generation rifle squad configuration after completing the first phase of Sea Dragon 2025. The Marine Corps considered a 14-Marine rifle squad, an 11-Marine rifle squad or a 12-Marine rifle squad.
Marine rifle squads are becoming more lethal, agile and adaptable.
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) May 14, 2018
The future 12-Marine squad includes two new positions - an assistant squad leader and a squad systems operator. pic.twitter.com/0F4dWCsNpa