Cav Dismounts reversed ?

[Akmatov]

Looking at the OOBs for US Army Cav Troops, I'm noticing something that I think is backwards.

For several of the Cav Troops, the Leader element is the dismount section not the vehicle. As I understand it, the leader is the vehicle commander and the dismounts are scouts that dismount and crawl up onto ridgelines and through the trees so the vehicle, with the radios and the scout commander, isn't exposed.

[DRG]

Vehicles die rather spectacularly and take the formation commander with them. When the section commander is the infantry unit there is more chance of it surviving. At least, I think that's the logic for this particular formation

Don

[Mobhack]

DRG said:
Vehicles die rather spectacularly and take the formation commander with them. When the section commander is the infantry unit there is more chance of it surviving. At least, I think that's the logic for this particular formation

Don

Yes - formations with dismounts usually (but not always) have the commander as one of the dismounts. It is up to the OOB designer to decide this, of course.

- the picture that shows on the purchase screen is that of the first unit in the formation
- the sort order in several screens relating to formations is based on the unit class of the first unit
- As a passenger, as Don notes, there is a better chance for the leader to survive a catastrophic explosion, as something better than a crew counter anyway!
- It lets you dismount the command element for foot scouting, and as it is he who can call in arty as well, another reason for having him as a dismount in "cavalry" formations. He is less obvious than a vehicle when sneaking to a wood line to spot for the arty.

Cheers
Andy

[Akmatov]

Thanks, all good reasons. Thanks for taking the time to share.