Combat Mission Units: USMC Rifle Company in CMSF2

[@usuallyhapless9481]

In other news, I am now also on Patreon: www.patreon.com/UsuallyHaplessVideos It's very barebones for now- until I can work out how to do fancier things- but all you awesome people who have asked about Patreon now have the option ;) No videos are going to be stuck behind paywalls or anything like that, this is simply about giving those who have expressed a desire to support me beyond KZbin the ability to do so, with a few bonuses thrown in.

[@markchorlton60]

That was highly informative. Good to know the difference between the USMC and the US Army Mechised forces.

[@Prederick]

Also, if this game was truly realistic, any map that features Army and Marines working together, they should spend most of their time insulting each other. XD

[@d.c.6065]

They do- C2 links don't work between USMC and Army units in-game, and spotting contacts take 3x as long to transfer between the different units. Nah jk I'm just pulling your leg lmao

[@Prederick]

@@d.c.6065 I know they'd never, but that'd be such a hilarious mechanic to add to the game.

[@donnym3415]

That'd be hilarious

[@Mechanized85]

No please, this is gonna be a shit show and not the good one. Plus, what point is there in spending time insulting but not going to work together?

[@d.c.6065]

Good video! I especially like the part where you explained how they fit into the larger organization of the Marine Corps, wrt their operational and strategic ability. In a tactical simulation like Combat Mission, the choices that dictate the terms of the engagement are often abstracted or left out entirely and it's nice to have them explained.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Yeah, it's nice to have the context that sets the scene for the tactical side.

[@pyrrhusinvictus6186]

Not game-related. The M32 was an organic weapon per rifle platoon, and we usually gave it to a rifleman, not the team leader. That allowed us to bring 9 M203s and the M32 into a fight. The M32 can be reloaded quickly with enough practice, allowing you to saturate choke points, like the entrance to a compound, with 40mm.

[@justinlacek1481]

Didnt the Marines switch to using M27s as standard weapons instead of the M16s?

[@pyrrhusinvictus6186]

@@justinlacek1481 Yes

[@Spectre679]

Caveat w/ regards to Assault Teams @ 9:50; the blast command does in fact work, but only after you select the move order and then select “Blast”. For some reason, selecting “Blast” and then placing the move marker will tell them to move quickly, per the video. A frustrating bug, but not one without a workaround, thankfully. That being said, glad to see the Marines finally got some love, and I’m looking forward to their Black Sea debut… eventually.

[@chapsgames]

I've had pioneers in CMBS that I would give "blast" commands to but they would turn them to "quick" orders. I never could figure out a pattern on why the blast would or would not work.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Oh awesome! Didn't know about that work around- tested it and works fine. Thanks for sharing!

[@Spectre679]

@@usuallyhapless9481 Of course! Happy to help.

[@lokiwhacker]

Yep this true

[@CCOOKE88]

Added note: It's cool that the CLU (command launch unit) on the jav in this game helps for spotting at night. In syria we brought our CLUs to our night OPs. We didn't ever engage armor and we knew we weren't going to, the FLIR imaging and eye piece on the clu are just great for recon and observation. Also Bradley's are air transportable as well

[@Bedbug0317]

The amount of ass the Marines have at the squad level is really unmatched, as soon as contact is taken the overwhelming amount of fire power that is used really makes you think twice before getting into a engagement with these guys.

[@JuergenGDB]

True that. Semper Fi 3/3

[@fraternitas5117]

sure, if you're a goat farmer or uppity sailor needing an attitude adjustment.

[@copter2000]

​@@fraternitas5117What an edgy comment...

[@einfachignorieren6156]

​@@copter2000does it hurt? Hahaha

[@breandank3026]

Really love these unit break downs, they’re so helpful. Hope you keep up with them!

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Definitely will ;)

[@Ryan-lx6oh]

Playing through the Rolling Thunder Campaign currently & am loven this game! Appreciate your commentary Usually Hapless! Keep em coming!

[@timothysmith7364]

I've never thought of their differences between the Army and the Marines in the way that you have described in this video. Such an excellent analysis :)

[@Brille_Zwo]

Hey hapless ! Good video as always. But you should mention that there is a workaround about the breach-order problem with the SMAW-team. And it is a rather simple one too: Selecting the command individually ("quick" in this case) and give it the blast command again. Sometimes you need that extra charges and it would be a shame if they go to waste in their pockets. :D

[@Euan_Miller43]

Those 13 man sections really are lethal in CMSF2

[@nicholasshaler7442]

Have you considered doing a playthrough of the USMC campaign? It is my favorite of all the combat mission campaigns that I have played.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

I have. I'm trying to get some non-US campaigns done before I go back to the Americans though.

[@sirfanatical8763]

@@usuallyhapless9481 I know that you are a busy lad, but please make campaign playthroughs soon like the WW2 cm games. I personally would love to see sommething like this on modern games.

[@EvilTwinn]

Personally, I'm a bit unsatisfied with just company level formations. There's little bits and pieces here, but the big pieces that make a lot of these formations stand out is at the battalion level, which I think merits a lot of discussion. In this case, a MEU provides an interesting combined arms unit which you can plop the rifle company in to see where a lot of the critical enablers come in, many of which would be available in normal usage of the company with only moderate reinforcement. I get that it's a lot more ground to cover, but still, I think it's a critical gap.

[@d.c.6065]

I would enjoy some videos about the larger organizations once Hapless has covered the small ones.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

I know what you mean, especially with the MEU smorgasbord. Covering a whole battalion sized formation with so many options is probably too much for one video- but doing it this way does present opportunities to fill in the gaps later. I've already done the LAVs... that leaves the Abrams, Humvees and AAVs. The Abrams pretty obviously deserves a guide all to itself, but I reckon Humvees and AAVs are basic and niche respectively, so almost all the components are in place for an MEU guide.

[@gdolson9419]

Typically a USMC Rifle company has the support of 2x Sniper teams, 1x .50cal HMG, 1x 40mm Mk 19 AGL, 2-4 TOW HMMWV - with these additions while still not as tactically mobile as your typical CMSF2 mech infantry they do have a some heavy weapons and in particular anti-armor capability (the TOWs). Additionally there is usually an AH-1 or two nearby.

[@JuergenGDB]

@@gdolson9419 Hail to the Vipers on Station! Semper Fi.

[@userequaltoNull]

I'd honestly like to see a PVP battle with a Volksturm-heavy force. I think it could be cool to see irregulars in action in a WW2 setting.

[@jakf101]

Always enjoy watching your unit videos. You always go above standard and create a really detailed visual scene with the in game shots, and as always provide some great tactics and real life comparisons. Wish you could make them more often they are fun to watch.

[@glennhighcoveexploresstuff]

As someone who does similar content for another sim, as well as someone who did a small youtube and podcast until recently, thank you for great content like this, and great work. Your shots and graphics integration, as well as editing, are superb and a model for others doing similar content. I hope you get positive feedback in a way that makes you want to continue covering Combat Mission like this. I think it serves its niche/battleground size well, and the improvements make it a very entertaining but hard sim. Showing the nuances being modeled really does our industry a service. Thank you for this.

[@jamesscott2894]

I know this is for a video game, but this is some serious @BattleOrder quality video! Disregarding the recent past the game's time frame is in, I've heard the modern Marine Squad is replacing those SMAWS with Carl Gustav's, but adding them organically 1 per Squad (so 3 per Platoon, 9 per Company...idk how much ammo, but I'd wager 5-6 rounds like the SMAW) In turn that Co Assault Section I believe they're discussing pushing the Bn Javelins down to them (although I guess the Assaultman MOS itself is going bye bye?) So that would be something like 3-6 Javs per Company (depending on if it is a true 1 for 1 replacement at the Co Weapons Plt), which would definitely help their AT Firepower (Not to mention all the M16s/M4/M249 have been replaced by the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, a version of the HK416, though 6 M249 are still help by the Co to push out when/if needed... I guess if they do a more modern/near future campaign those changes would be reflected)

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Thanks! And yeah, the Marine rifle coy is shaping up to look very different to this

[@maschinenmensch2925]

Great video as always. Tactical mobility really is the soft spot for the marines. I once put my whole squad into an Amtrac and drove on a mine with it...

[@CharlesDSmith-mv7zi]

I just recently “discovered “ you YT series, and I’m very glad that I did. I’ve been playing Combat Mission since the “CMx1 CMBO, and your evaluations are very informative. I have a possible “ERRATA” for you though. First, my military background. I enlisted in the USMC in 1969 and served as an F4 Phantom II Hydraulic/Pneumatics mechanic. I later joined the USMCR in an Infantry unit until 1982. Where I was a Rifle Platoon Sgt, and in a Reinforced Rifle Platoon as a Weapons Section leader responsible for a 60mm mortar Section (three squads of three Marines each), an M60 machine gun Squad (two gun teams of four Marines each), and an Antitank Assault Squad of two Marines (one M72 LAAW and on M202 multi shot rocket launcher). So far that is how you broke down the the Marine Rifle Platoon organization. Unfortunately, the weapons are part of the Company Weapons Platoon, and are only parceled out to the Rifle Platoon as needed by the Company Commander for specific missions. When Weapons are assigned to a Rifle Platoon, that Platoon is a “Reinforced Rifle Platoon.” The Javs are Battalion Weapons Platoon assets (as are the 81mm mortars), and are parceled out to the Company on an as needed basis. There is a possibility that the Marine Infantry Battalion will be reorganized in 2030, but to the best of my knowledge, has not occurred yet. Let me say again how much I enjoy your Vids. You are very good! I hoped my explanation helped.

[@P0rtalgate]

Congrats on 10k hapless, great video as always

[@ccccccc95]

I’m commenting just to plug your channel into the algorithm. Keep up that great content

[@PitterPatter20]

Another day, another UH video. Life is good 😎

[@seankong9733]

This is amazing work Hapless- keep up the great content!

[@Prederick]

One of the things your videos are great for is shouting out how much detail Battlefront really do put into these games. Like, no, they don't look like Company of Heroes, but they do what they're trying to do, and they do it pretty damn well. Not a lot of games can say that. EDIT: Also, these guides are insanely useful and I almost always have to try out a QB after watching one to see if I can put your advice to use.

[@christians.4938]

Babe wake up, Usually Hapless just posted!

[@Lavey1917]

Excellent video, I adore these indepth unit videos specially the ones abaout the infantry formations as you give lots of details about the unit's organization, equipment and most importantly it's relation with other units further up and compared to the enemy units it may encounter

[@broskihuh12482]

I shed a tear of happiness when you upload

[@fuchnorris6277]

yes back to combat mission! can anyone tell me how they went about the 1st Canadian mission in ShockForce2, the one where you have only infantry and must take a small town. any tips are appreciated

[@usuallyhapless9481]

That is a tough mission. Honestly, I think the key is to weigh your objectives properly. You can either take the ground, or minimise collateral damage. You can't really do both.

[@synkronic6473]

One of the aspects I like about the Marine platoon is that the antitank team is separate from the rifle squads, so the squads can be split normally. In the Army, one has to split a squad into a 2 man antitank team and a 7 man fire team (which, for some reason has a SAW gunner as the assistant to the antitank specialist, removing them from the front line, where they are more useful).

[@lt.qwerty6146]

Man i love the unit video series, keep up the fantastic work

[@dinsch]

Well done, thank you!

[@ACC-hs1zq]

The blast command for the assault team actually works but you need to re-set the order by clicking the white dot and then click again on blast order

[@arikcarmi]

Excellent video! Thank you.

[@Duvstep910]

I watch your videos anyway even though I suck at this sim; the knowledge is interesting🤣 Edit: could you do a video explaining tactics/planning one day?

[@holylight5675]

Thank you for the excellent content as always Hapless. Thoughts on adding higher tiers to your Patreon for people who want to support your more, even if they get the same rewards?

[@aanders1990]

He has a patreon?

[@d.c.6065]

@@aanders1990 Yes he does! Just made the announcement yesterday in the community part of the channel :)

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Only since yesterday ;) www.patreon.com/UsuallyHaplessVideos

[@usuallyhapless9481]

@Holy Light56 I'm just dipping my toes into Patreon right now, once I get a better idea of how it works I'll be expanding it.

[@aanders1990]

@@usuallyhapless9481 Good to hear!

[@AugmentationsTV]

Another great video!

[@gunsalot]

Have fought a battle against the marines. Got wrecked. They have a funny looking tracked vehicle that reminded me of a boat.

[@Dankseid-o1u]

It's looks fit it's purpose.

[@Marlon044]

I remember they called us Canadians nuts when he fitted our guys with ELCAN scopes for our squad automatics....now everyone does it ;p

[@TheWizardGamez]

While marine units(non armoured, and non-airborne) dont have a direct bit of mobility attached. they do have many in theater assets. Getting to shore. LAV-25, AAV7, and helicopters. As well as all the (SEAborne)prepositioned stocks of Humvees and other light wheeled vehicles. The marine company job isnt neccessarily even to move that far inland. its to secure a beach and the surrounding key objectives, and then wait for all the other assets to come aground. Thats the main "problem" with the marines. all their future sustainment equipment is 3 miles away and has to be thought over very closely because you dont have time to go back to port when a conflict kicks off(or at least not enough times before your marines are out of ammo and food) point being. If you really think about it. you could just bring along a couple AAV7s and roleplay as an amphibious unit. But why would you do that, when you could get so many more marines

[@hartzaden]

dont forget the javalin is perfectly fine at knocking down buildings if you know you killed all the armor, i have also seen a SINGLE case of them somehow locking on to some poor infantryman and derping him with it.

[@devilin100]

Its more likely they saw him, and said fuck that guy in particular .

[@eaglestrike6408]

What is the cost of the Marine Rifle Company compared to the alternatives such as a German Gebirgsjager, British Armoured Infantry or Syrian Guards Mechanised Company?

[@Dankseid-o1u]

It should be cheaper if you are talking about standard units with their kit, the points are allocated based on available combat power. Both the Gerbirgsjager and Armoured Infantry come with the vehicles carrying additional firepower.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Quick look, everything set to regular: USMC Rifle Coy 2233pts; US Army Infantry Coy 2334; British Light Infantry Coy 2503; German Gebirgsjaeger Coy 2895; Syrian BTR Mech Inf Coy 1289; Syrian BMP-1 Mech Inf Coy 2273; Syrian Guards (BMP-2) Mech Inf Coy 3296 The Marines are the only pure infantry there- everyone else has some kind of motor-/mechanisation going on

[@eaglestrike6408]

@@usuallyhapless9481 how exactly does allocating Marines some LAVs or AAVs work? Are the LAVs and AAVs their own separate companies or something?

[@domfluff]

@@eaglestrike6408 AAVs are a battalion level asset, held in their own dedicated company. They're parcelled out as and when needed, and the doctrine for loading them is literally "however you can squeeze it in". This kind of centralised transport pool is rare, but exists in some other formations - the light infantry focused Infantry Battalion (Berlin) - part of the US Berlin Brigade in CM Cold War has a similar setup, with a shared company of M113s.

[@0EvilLemons0]

can't forget about the P7A1s

[@spiraling6980]

FYI - These days the Marines have ditched the SAW for the M27 Infantry Automatic Weapon (IAR).

[@travistucker1033]

They've also ditched the M16 for the IAR.

[@dudududu1926]

They've also ditched underbarrel grenade launcher for stand alone one.

[@maxquick9360]

Could we see the Syrian sf it’s hard to find any info about it on KZbin

[@DK-pz6qq]

Thank you!

[@VelnixFilms]

Nice video! Never heard of this game tho:)

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Thanks very much! CM only came to Steam recently, so it's been a little off-radar for the last decade.

[@CharlesDSmith-mv7zi]

Having finished watching to the end, I’d like to point out that the Mission of the U.S. Marine Corps is to “Sieze and secure advanced Naval bases.” Most here watching videos of how Marines have been used since the Korean Conflict hav been exposed to (in my humble opinion) horrible misuse by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They should NOTbe used in the same way as Army Infantry. The mission of the Marine Corps is different than that of the U.S. Army. That said, we do as we’re ordered. The Marine company also has access to Amphibious Assault Vehicles that will each transport an infantry Squad, and that has an M2 .50 caliber cupola mounted machine gun. One can see and experience how a Marine Battalion assault is made in the CMSF2 Campaign “Semper Fi.

[@robertkalinic335]

Jesus christ marines, why do you need so many people if they dont even carry ammo for javeline.

[@haplessoperator]

CMSF2 unfortunately seems to observe the static table of organization used when a Marine battalion is stateside and not deployed to combat. Across the board, ammo counts are far too low, nobody's carrying enough grenades, and they don't have the fuckton of up-armored Humvees and MTVRs that get chopped out to the subordinate units from the regiment your battalion is a part of, and they seem to under-issue weapons systems across the board as well. Before a Marine unit forward-deploys, it generally "up-guns" like a motherfucker.

[@TheWebclaw]

@@haplessoperator glad i'm not the only one that noticed that. Thought it beyond odd that the entire squad had about the same ammo load as what one person would carry in a combat load.

[@VunderGuy]

I have a question: is it possible to get WW2 mods for this game working in tandem with the vanilla? As in, could you theoretically make a scenario to test out how effective a marine platoon would be against an entire weremacht company and etc?

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Unfortunately not. Modding can only change textures, sounds and models. So you could, in theory, mod a load of CMSF 2 Syrians to look like WW2 Germans... but their Kar98ks would function as AKMs and they would have Syrian organisation etc etc.

[@gogogomes7025]

Goes to show when they say big army they really mean *BIIIG* army

[@justinlacek1481]

Dont the marines use M27s instead of M16s now?

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Last I looked they were moving in that direction.

[@ernoldlezzequiele3651]

ooooohhhh yes new video !!!!

[@antoniodgreat21]

Hapless, you you should try a probe defense against these guys. It is quite hard trying to match firepower against 129 marines at a time 😆

[@KingZealotTactics]

I wish the controls for these games were fluid and less clunky, and i also wish they had more game settings for performance and what not. One last thing i wish these games weren't so fn expensive lol.

[@trikkinikki970]

Italy battalion when?

[@CCOOKE88]

No backblast clearing lol

[@d.c.6065]

You didn't open with "Ep everybody," unsubbed.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5eol4yQn7GhhMk

[@d.c.6065]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6uWfoN5fL94qNk

[@fraternitas5117]

Understanding Marines as non-mechanized infantry goes a long way in explaining their modern irrelevance on modern battlefields.

[@IceAxe1940]

I wouldn't say Marines are irrelevant on the modern battlefield they still serve a purpose as a quick naval Infantry reaction force towards taking Littoral islands and the such.

[@Grithertime]

Paratroopers would secure the airfield. Joint Forcible Entry. I understand they are not a force in the game, but would be interesting to see an expansion covering the Both the American and Russian Airborne forces and missions.

[@markwillett6589]

ur a funny guy,, sometimes

[@zgSH4DOW]

This "realistic tactical simulation" has them standing in the open, having shootouts 20 feet apart, and constantly spasming between animations What could possibly justify a 20 minute faction overview?

[@blueballz2521]

Fuckin awesome, as usual. Love your stuff.