conduct amphibious, riverine, airborne, or air assault operations. A high degree of
training is required to achieve and maintain these capabilities.
b. Besides basic infantry missions, mechanized infantry can in conjunction with
tanks, performs an armor mission.
c. Infantry secures, holds, or controls ground by physical occupation or by the
use of firepower. Infantry can maneuver in adverse weather and over terrain
impassable to armor. The ability of infantry to move in small, inconspicuous formations
in all types of terrain enables it to take advantage of covered routes of approach and
variations of the ground to overcome strong positions, to infiltrate the enemy position, or
to perform long-range patrol activities. Its characteristics make it suitable for use in
operations in developing areas. Without protection, infantry is particularly vulnerable to
the effects of nuclear weapons. It reduces this vulnerability by avoiding detection
through the use of cover, concealment, camouflage, deception, dispersion, and
1-15. ARMOR
a. General. Armor conducts highly mobile land environment warfare, primarily
offensive in nature and characterized by a pre-dominance of mounted combat through
the use of ground vehicles and aircraft. Armor forces include tank-armored cavalry, and
air cavalry units. Armor combat forces are particularly well suited for offensive
operations that capitalize on their ability to close with and destroy the enemy, to exploit
the success of other units, or to exploit the effects of nuclear and chemical weapons.
These forces can concentrate or disperse rapidly over extended distances in combat
ready formations, and their organization for combat and direction of effort can be quickly
changed. Armor habitually applies the combined arms concept; rarely will tank
elements operate without infantry for extended periods. Armor forces can fight in all
phases of war, in all forms of combat, and under adverse conditions of weather and
terrain by organizing combined arms forces to meet specific situations. Armor forces
require a large amount of CSS, principally in maintenance and in supply of ammunition,
b. Tank Units. The mission of tank units is to close with and destroy enemy
forces, using fire, maneuver, and shock effect. Because of their inherent firepower,
mobility, armor protection, and shock effect, tank units can participate in all forms of
operations and all types of maneuvers. Tank units are capable of maneuvering under
fire, destroying enemy armor, exploiting breakthroughs and effects of mass-destruction
weapons, providing organic nonnuclear fire support, supporting infantry, and conducting
combat operations under limited visibility conditions. Tank units can fight in all types of
weather and terrain; however, maneuver is restricted in jungles, forests, and
mountainous terrain. Although the tank units' vehicles and equipment provide excellent
ground mobility, their bulk and weight entail a significant strategic airlift requirement.
MD0002
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