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The Infantry Corps 2005 to 2015
“No single area of tactics, technology and readiness ultimately had more critical overall impact (in the late Twentieth Century) than infantry combat.”[1]
1. In the new security environment, every new operation will be different, and almost all will take place in complex environments. Operations may change in successive rotations or evolve within them. No matter how careful the preparation, each operation will include elements and demands that are unexpected. The arm best able to adapt to these constantly changing conditions is the Infantry.
2. In the context of modern warfare, we will strive to defeat the enemy in any way possible. Ideally, we will not have to incur casualties in close combat if we can dislocate the enemy and cause him to surrender without a battle. But, in the end, the infantry soldier must be ready to close with and kill the enemy when no other options are available. Of all the elements of the CF, the Infantry is the only one that can engage in a close fight. The Infantry is capable of conducting operations across the full spectrum of conflict, from peace support to war fighting, in any operating environment.
3. The Canadian Army is in a state of continual change, yet some constants remain. We have historically been an Infantry-centric Army and will continue to be so. Despite this historical norm, the character (although not the nature) of conflict has changed. The Infantry Corps must adapt accordingly. As our enemies withdraw from Western conventional overmatch, and become embedded within the local population, the Infantry’s central part in achieving strategic effect for Canada becomes very apparent.
4. With a population-based threat, it becomes necessary to engage with the population to detect and identify the enemy before destroying him. The unique quality that the Infantry possesses is its inherent ability to conduct human interface at close range while simultaneously maintaining the essential capability to act across the full spectrum of operations. Infantry soldiers can penetrate the psychological barrier of technology to have direct, face-to-face impact on a population. A single infantry soldier provides a balanced, versatile and adaptive ‘thinking package’ of sensor, weapon systems platform, and operator that can personally interact with all elements of a population.
5. To present a common vision from the Infantry Corps of its core competencies and functions as nested in the Army Strategy.
Role of the Infantry
6. The enduring role of the Infantry is to close with and destroy the enemy. This role encompasses the full range of Infantry activities, from the soft skills of engaging with a population to the ultimate act of close quarter combat.
The Infantry's Core Competencies[2]
7. Our core business is to provide fit, well trained, well equipped and well led soldiers and leaders who are experts in infantry operations and adaptable to any situation anywhere along the spectrum of conflict in support of Canadian interests. To be effective in achieving our role, Infantry requirements can be summarized in nine core competencies. These must be developed ahead of all others as they confer upon the Infantry its unique range of capabilities in the all-arms team.
8. Firstly, every infantry soldier must possess the psychological readiness to kill. This includes the mental robustness to face death and thrive in chaotic situations. The infantry soldier must not hesitate when faced with a situation that requires the application of deadly force and must be prepared to effectively address the consequences.
9. Infantry soldiers must be masters of small arms and other personal weaponry, including basic explosives. Like a fine craftsman, the tools of the trade must be mastered to a level of unconscious competence. The requirement for precision demands a high level of marksmanship.
10. Excellent physical and mental fitness is a requirement for all infantrymen. It is the responsibility of every soldier to be battle fit. Commanders also have a moral responsibility to ensure high standards of physical and mental toughness amongst their subordinates. Human interaction ultimately requires dismounted manoeuvre with weapons and equipment in all types of terrain and climate for extended periods of time by day and night. A high standard of physical fitness breeds infectious optimism and offensive eagerness – physically fit individuals are more predisposed to take offensive action, and not to back down from a potentially dangerous situation. Furthermore, a high level of physical fitness mitigates the effects of combat stress and other injuries.
11. Close quarter combat skills are vital for closing with and destroying the enemy. The infantry soldier must master the tactics, techniques, and procedures for combat at close range. These skills encompass non-lethal techniques and unarmed combat and protection measures.
12. The requirement for an infantryman to possess excellent field craft skills is not reduced. The ability to move and survive – to master the intricacies of one’s physical environment – is crucial. ‘Street smarts’ and a hunter’s instincts are both essential.
13. Communications and interpersonal skills have never been so important. The infantryman must not only have the technical and tactical ability to communicate with other military forces, he must also be able to communicate with the population. Here interpersonal (or ‘human’) skills that lead to the development of a rapport with the local population come to the forefront, whether collecting information on a patrol or advising counterparts within an indigenous force.
14. The requirement for all infantrymen to possess situational understanding is more essential now than at any point in history. The intricacies of population engagement demand that all infantrymen strive to develop a full grasp of the situation. Furthermore, the globalization of information has produced the ‘strategic corporal’ phenomenon, demanding that every soldier completely understands higher commander’s intent and therefore possesses an anticipatory appreciation for the possible effects of his actions.
15. Combat Casualty First Aid, in order to save life on today’s dispersed battlefield every infantry soldier must be able to act as a first responder and stabilize combat related injuries.
16. The final core competency is leadership. This attribute has been eternal and must continue to be demanded at all levels. Every infantry soldier must be a thinking, decisive leader. They must be prepared to step up to fill voids in the chain of command and demonstrate leadership when dealing with the local population.
17. Command and Control. An Infantry HQ is able to command and control joint or combined arms operations and be capable of synchronizing the effects of all the elements under its command or sharing its battle space to produce maximum combat power and operational effects.
18. Light Infantry. Light infantry is defined as “a force optimized for military operations in complex environments, rapidly deployable through a variety of means, yet not tied to any one platform.”[3] Light infantry is inherently rapidly deployable by air, sea, land, pre-positioning, or a combination of all. It is scaleable with all five operating functions resident with compatible mobility and protection, albeit with an increased reliance on reach back capabilities (e.g., fires, CSS). The Light Rifle Infantry Coy is the fundamental building block for Light Forces operations.
19. Mechanized Infantry. Mechanized Infantry is defined as "a flexible and integrated fighting system of systems consisting of the LAV III armoured personnel carriers (APC) and its dismounts." This system provides the necessary mobility, protection, firepower, command and control to enables the Infantry to fight, survive and conduct operations independently or as part of a joint or combined arms team. The synergy of the Infantry soldier, the 25mm Cannon and the surveillance suite of the LAV III provide an outstanding day and night fighting capability. The Mechanized Infantry Coy is the fundamental building block for Mechanized operations.
20. Infantry Reconnaissance. Reconnaissance Platoons (Recce Pls) gain information by patrolling (mounted or dismounted) and observing from the ground; indeed, close dismounted recce is a unique infantry skill. Every Infantry soldier is trained throughout his career to conduct patrols and is considered a sensor, regardless of assigned tasks. The experience, unique mindset and advanced field craft skills of the trained infantry soldier make him the ideal member of any TF to conduct close recce (mounted or dismounted). The Infantry Battalions are the sole organizations, which have trained Recce Pls that can be rapidly deployed on short notice. These platoons require mobility similar to that of the employing force, but are not restricted to any specific platforms to complete the mission.
21. The Infantry Recce Platoons will also maintain both a Pathfinder and a precision parachute capability in order to facilitate operations in a mechanized, light, or mixed Task Force in accordance with the Force Employment Concept. Pathfinders facilitate operations in complex land environments as they have the ability to insert anywhere through a variety of methods in order to set the stage for follow-on operations. As such, they are deployed whenever a commander requires the establishment of drop zones, landing zones, beachheads, or austere airstrips prior to the arrival of a main force. The precision parachute capability is just one of the insertion capabilities in the Recce Platoon’s toolbox.
22. Snipers. Sniper groups will deliver precision direct fire at long range. This will allow for precision engagement in complex environment that greatly reduces the risk of collateral damage. Their inherent abilities allow for the gathering of information and other form of targets engagement. The Infantry officer corps will be proficient in the employment of snipers.
23. Sharpshooter. Sections in the rifle company will have a designated sharpshooter equipped with a specialized weapon. Sharpshooters provide accurate, rapid fire with increased stopping power to support his section. This will also help maintain a high level of marksmanship within the corps.
24. Infantry Combat Support. The Cbt Support Coy will assume command and control of external combined arms, specialist and enabling assets, such as ISTAR, Info Ops, Psy Ops, CIMIC, surveillance, recce and fire support and is capable with augmentation of performing as a tasked tailored manoeuvre sub-unit.
25. Combat Service Support Companies. The CSS Coy is the ideal organization to exercise command and control of the integral support of the echelon system for a unit size Task Force. This element must be able to defend itself, as it will provide the flexibility necessary for force projection beyond the confines of a static base camp. Integral and cohesive CSS assets are essential to provide the commander maximum flexibility.
26. Direct Fire Support Unit. The Infantry Corps will man the TUA Company and key positions in the Direct Fire Support Unit. Anti-Armour capability must remain resident within the Bn.
27. Reserve Infantry. Reserve Infantry is essential to the Infantry Corps' success. Our goal is to produce the best Reserve Light Infantry soldiers in the world. They will possess the nine 'core' competencies and receive training to exactly the same standard as Regular Infantry, based on the time available to them, with an ability to close any critical knowledge gaps prior to operational employment. Once trained in basic infantry skills, they can provide Sharpshooters, Dismounted Close Reconnaissance Personnel and Dismounted Light Infantry Platoons and Companies to augment the soldiers and leadership in our LAV and Light Battalions.
28. The operational success of the Canadian Army has always been based on the quality of its Infantry. This will not change. The Infantry must continue to evolve to meet the needs of the Army and the nation. The demands of the contemporary and future security environments will demand Infantry of the highest calibre. Indeed, the strategic success of the Canadian Forces depends on the quality of its Infantry. We will succeed.
Ducimus!
[1] Anthony Cordesman and Abraham Wagner, “The Lessons of Modern War,” (Mansell Publishing, London, 1990) (Volume 1, The Arab-Israeli Conflicts 1973-89), pp 8-13.
[2] The Role of the Infantry in the War of the Snakes, LtCol W.D. Eyre
[3] Approved by Army Council 3 Nov 04 and verified by the Army Terminology Panel 6/7 Jan 05
