FIRE TEAM OPERATIONS MISSION STATEMENT In May 1944, Headquarters, Marine Corps standardized the 13-man rifle squad, which has remained the standard unit organization into the 21st century based on its flexibility and effectiveness. The mission for a Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or repel the enemy's assault by fire and close combat. This mission consists of offensive and defensive elements. "To locate, close with, and destroy," refers to the offensive element of the Marine rifle squad while "Or repel the enemy's assault," refers to the defensive element. SQUAD LEADER The potential firepower of a Marine squad is conservatively estimated at 400 wellaimed rifle and automatic rifle shots per minute with an additional 15 rounds from the grenade launchers. The squad composition is:  One squad leader (sergeant)  Three fire teams of 4 Marines The squad leader is equipped with:  M4 service rifle  OKC-3S bayonet  Compass The squad leader takes position where they can best carry out the orders of the platoon commander and control and observe the squad. Squad Leader's Responsibilities The squad leader carries out the orders issued by the platoon commander. Responsibilities include:  Squad discipline  Appearance  Training  Control  Conduct  Welfare of troops  Care, condition, and economical use of weapons and equipment In combat, the squad leader is also responsible for:  Tactical employment  Fire discipline  Fire control  Maneuver THE FIRE TEAM The fire team was created with the advantage of being an independent maneuver element centered around an automatic weapon. Each of the four Marines who make-up the fire team have specific assignments.  A fire team leader/grenadier (corporal)  Automatic rifleman (lance corporal)  Assistant automatic rifleman (lance corporal)  Rifleman (private) Fire Team Leader A corporal often serves as the fire team leader/grenadier. The senior fire team leader will often serve as an assistant squad leader and assumes the duties of the squad leader in the squad leaders absence. Equipped with:  M16/M4 service rifle  M203 grenade launcher  OKC-3S bayonet  Compass The fire team leader is responsible for:  Maintaining communications with the squad leader  Fire discipline and control  Condition, care, and economical use of weapons and equipment The fire team leader takes position to best observe and control the fire team. Normally, the leader is close enough to the automatic rifleman to exercise effective control of fires Automatic Rifleman