BR25195 U.S. Infantryman Standing Firing M1 Garand, 1943-45

In 1891, the U.S. Army defined a rifle squad as seven privates and one corporal. In 1939 it was reorganized into a 12-man unit of three teams: Able, Baker, and Charlie. Able consisted of two riflemen serving as “scouts,” who along with the squad leader,In 1891, the U.S. Army defined a rifle squad as seven privates and one corporal. In 1939 it was reorganized into a 12-man unit of three teams: Able, Baker, and Charlie. Able consisted of two riflemen serving as “scouts,” who along with the squad leader, formed the security element. The Baker element was a three-man Browning Automatic Rifle team: the BAR man, his assistant, and an ammunition bearer. This element formed the “base of fire.” Lastly, designated as Charlie, were five riflemen and assistant squad leader, who formed the “maneuver element,” i.e., flanking and assault movements and reinforcing actions in the defense.