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Matthew Mappin Instructor: Malcolm Campbell English 1102 9/24/2013

Unfair Advantage Technology, it changes everything in the world. It has grown substantially for thousands of years. Technology affects our lives in transportation, medicine, day to day living, war, etc. Technology has impacted warfare to the point where some of the weapons we dont even have to put into soldiers hands to control. The United States has the worlds most powerful military due to our training, men/women, and technology. We have mostly turned to smaller units and higher technology for warfare since the Vietnam War. But how has technology influenced small unit tactics? That is exactly what I am going to explore. Through research and first hand communication from experts I am going to help you see how much technology has impacted small unit tactics. Small unit tactics mostly involve eight to nine man teams, designed to carry out specific missions quickly while still being able to provide plenty of firepower. (LT Thomas DiTomasso, US Army Reserve). Small unit tactics originated mostly during the Vietnam War, guerilla warfare was the key to missions necessary to disrupt enemy activity. These small units were equipped with new weapons designed with higher capacity ammunition and were easier to move around. The Colt CAR-15 Commando (XM177) carbine, for example, was designed in 1966; the gun is a smaller version, at just 28 inches, of the AR-15 of the United States Military used by the common soldier in the Vietnam War. ("Colt CAR-15 Commando (XM177) (1966)") The Colt Commando was technically a sub machine gun chambered in the same round (5.56) as the standard AR-15 rifle. The commando was used in jungle, close quarters combat. Being only

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twenty eight inches in total length, the Commando was an effective technology for small units to carry for close quarters battle with the same effect of the standard AR-15. With the creation of the Commando, the M4 is now the favorite of United States Military for small unit tactics. It is virtually the same gun with changes on the inner part of the gun with higher technology in weight and the firing system of the weapon. Vietnam proved to be the era of small unit tactics taking control, thus making smaller and lighter weaponry more appealing to the types of missions taking place behind the scenes. The Vietnam War introduced new technologies that we have updated more for todays warfare. One of the most beneficial devices still used today, extensively, is night vision. Night Vision was first invented in WWII by the Germans but was not widely used until the Vietnam War by the Americans. (Baglole) Night Vision optics gives small units the distinct advantage at night. Night vision effected small units in Vietnam greatly to where missions at night were like taking candy from a baby. Prospecting this cunning edge technology, Command Sergeant Major Tony Duncan of the United States Army says, Night vision has been one of the most profound advantages we have ever had on the battle field. Small units will always be equipped with night vision. Its simple, we own the night. Now we fight terrorists during the day, and once night comes, they hide as deep as they can to escape our technology, they just cant come close to matching us. The use of night vision in the United States Military has made us a fear factor in todays warfare. Specialty units such as Marine Recon, Army Special Forces, Navy Seals and Air Force Combat Control have made night vision their go to device in a lot of missions these specialty units undergo. (LT Thomas DiTomasso) With the research of night vision, I was introduced to another beneficial technology the United States military has specialized in, thermal imaging. Thermal imaging technology provides

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the ability to see and target opposing forces through the dark of night or across a smoke-covered battleground. ("History of Thermal Imaging") Thermal imaging has the effect on small unit almost like night vision does but with a twist. As I have already mentioned, night vision makes the nighttime into day. Thermal imaging does the exact same, but while turning night into day, thermal imaging highlights personnel with body heat. Thermal imaging benefits small units to the max, night vision did that before, but with the technology of thermal imaging, its almost like shooting fish in a barrel. says Command Sergeant Major Duncan. With small units only having about eight to nine men in the middle of nowhere, you need all the advantages you can get. Now I know what youre thinking, you just contradicted yourself, how can we have thermal imaging and night vision on personnel at the same time? Heres how it works, helicopters, UAVs, and planes are mainly equipped with thermal imaging, while a small unit goes out on a mission, the US military is always in sight of them and has backup and support waiting. Having a UAV, helicopter, or plane waiting and watching with support and thermal give the small unit information they can see on the ground that the unit can now expect from the relay the team gets from communication from the air. (LT Thomas DiTomasso) This advance in technology puts what Command Sergeant Major Tony Duncan said, We own the night, into huge perspective and helps the small units accomplish their missions flawless and without a sweat.

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Works Cited

"Colt CAR-15 Commando(XM177) (1966)."www.Militaryfactory.com. www.Militaryfactory.com, 20 Feb 2011. Web. 24 Sep 2013. <http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=39>.

Baglole, Joel. "Night Vision Devices - Seeing In The Dark."usmilitary.about.com. usmilitary.about.com. Web. 24 Sep 2013. <http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyweapons/a/nvg.htm>.

Lieutenant Thomas DiTomasso of the United States Army Reserve, 6 years experience

Command Sergeant Major Tony Duncan of the United States Army, 29 years experience

"History of Thermal Imaging." Bullard. Bullard Company. Web. 24 Sep 2013. <http://www.bullard.com/V3/products/thermal_imaging/history_of_thermal_imaging.php>.