The Fireteam reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Fireteam

A fireteam is the smallest recognized military unit. As an army unit it consists of four to five (4-5) soldiers under a non-commissioned fireteam leader. Often the fireteam is responsible for operating one heavy weapon such as a heavy machine gun or a piece of artillery. Two fireteams form a squad.

The United States Army particularly emphasizes the fire team concept, as do most Special Operations units. Many other armed forces see the squad as the smallest military unit. Some countries armies have a "pair" consisting of two soldiers as the smallest military unit.

A US Ranger fire team consists of 4 soldiers equipped with a personal weapon and special equipment based on position.

• Team leader,
• Grenadier, grenade launcher
• Automatic Rifleman, machine gun
• Rifleman, Communications equipment

The creation of effective fireteams is seen as essential for creating an effective military as they serve as a primary group. Psychological studies by the United States Army have indicated that the willingness to fight is more heavily influenced by the desire to defend and avoid a loss of face among other members of the fireteam and the squad than by abstract concepts.

See also military science.

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