The fire support elements of the rifle companies are the weapons platoons, the 60-mm mortar platoon of the headquarters company, and the weapons platoons furnished by the construction/rifle companies. Their purpose is to provide the companies organic machine gun and mortar fire support and an antitank defense with the antitank weapon (AT4).

THE WEAPONS PLATOONS

Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta companies each have a weapons platoon composed of a platoon headquarters, two machine gun squads, and an antitank squad.

Weapons Platoon Headquarters

The weapons platoon headquarters consists of the platoon commander, platoon petty officer, ammunition technician/guide, a communicator and a messenger.

WEAPONS PLATOON COMMANDER.- The weapons platoon commander is generally a chief petty officer (E-7). He is responsible for the training, combat efficiency, discipline, administration, and welfare of his platoon. He also sees to it that his platoon members proceed correctly when carrying out preventive maintenance on their weapons. The weapons platoon commander makes sure they use their weapons and equipment economically. All of his other responsibilities are similar to those discussed for the rifle platoon commander. He is armed with the service pistol.

WEAPONS PLATOON PETTY OFFICER.- The weapons platoon petty officer is usually a first class petty officer (E-6). His responsibilities and duties are identical to those of the rifle platoon petty officer. He is armed with the service pistol.

AMMUNITION TECHNICIAN/GUIDE.- The ammunition technician/guide is also a first class petty officer (E-6). He not only has the responsibility of supplying the platoon and keeping the casualty list but he also must be highly skilled in the operation and maintenance of the machine guns used by his platoon. He must be familiar with the many types of ammunition used by the machine guns, its safe use, and its effect upon the enemy. The ammunition technician/guide's other duties are similar to those of the rifle platoon guide. He is armed with the service rifle.

COMMUNICATOR AND MESSENGER.- The communicator and the messenger, both usually constructionmen (E-3), perform the same basic duties as their counterparts in the rifle platoon. They are armed with the service rifle.