Who would really be the first fighting force to be sent in?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:20:14 -0400

It has been a while seen there has been some military service banter. I have often heard that since I was a younger that the Marines were the first to fight. Much later I was exposed to the Army, to which I would join, and the Airborne. Logically you would tend to believe Airborne units would really be the first one there.

What would you say?

Alibi: Then when I joined the Army I realized the Air Force were really the first ones to fight.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Oct 29 at 2017 10:24 PM

LTC Orlando Illi — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:24:46 -0400

Ask the 75th RANGER Regiment about Urgent Fury and Just Cause. If you want to reach out and touch someone - send the best light infantry in the world

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 10:25 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:25:35 -0400

Special forces maybe for the purposes of gathering intelligence as well as organizing a guerilla force. After that rangers sound like the next likely unit to secure insertion points for and key installations this will most likely include SEAL teams as well. After this pending on the area the first conventional forces will be a combination airborne army units and marine Corp forces which all depends on the area of battle.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 10:28 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:28:46 -0400

Situation dictates... Diplomacy is always the first to fight... and fail... this is our first instrument of national power... then Information (hopefully more than just a twitter battle or other social media)... followed by Economic force.

Response by TSgt Robert Allen made Oct 29 at 2017 10:29 PM

TSgt Robert Allen — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:29:21 -0400

Usually they employ the Air Force and or the Navy first; then send in the ground forces in a large battlefield scenario. This way the enemy count has been decreased before the ground forces are sent in. The worse case scenario is when there are combatants and non combatants that are co-located. In that scenario, the Marines usually will be first in followed by the Army with air support by the Air Force. Of course the Navy gives the Marines a ride and the Air Force gives the Army a ride.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 10:36 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:36:56 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Send in the Marines from a readily available Marine Expeditionary Unit.

https://www.marines.com/video-pages/what-is-a-marine-expeditionary-unit.html

what-is-a-marine-expeditionary-unit.html

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 29 at 2017 11:02 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 23:02:55 -0400

Depends on the kind of war. If the government feels like we can just get the people to overthrow whoever, then the green berets would be the first on the ground to train the civilian populace. If that is not the plan, then you would have to look at the geography of the place we are going into and what the type of war would be. If it is a smaller force that is on a coast, I can imagine amphibious Marines would conduct the first landing. Is it a guerilla force of unknown strength though? In that case, the army may be deployed first due to the size and ability to meet large forces head on. Airborne units are great, but they would not be deployed on their own to start a fight; that would mean almost certain death for an airborne unit. They would have to be deployed in conjunction with another force in order to get attention away from the dropping airborne probably behind enemy lines. If you really want to think about it, Air Force and Navy would probably the first to "fight." Utilizing bombers and ship based cannons to rain hell onto an enemy force prior to the land invasion would be their first mission.

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Oct 29 at 2017 11:06 PM

AN Christopher Crayne — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 23:06:21 -0400

I would think that the Navy and Airforce would be the first to fight. Then ground troops.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Oct 29 at 2017 11:07 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 23:07:37 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member It all depends and on the size and scope.... Ranger Battalion most likely, or an Airborne BCT. Or, both. But, it is all METT-TC

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 12:19 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 00:19:55 -0400

Its right there in the Army Song. "First to fight.."

Response by TSgt Robert Allen made Oct 30 at 2017 12:21 AM

TSgt Robert Allen — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 00:21:44 -0400

On 19 March 2011 I was at an undisclosed location in SW Asia and saw bomber after bomber after bomber headed to Libya. "We" also imposed a no fly zone over the entire country with Air traffic controlled through the "eye in the sky".

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Oct 30 at 2017 12:31 AM

SPC Kevin Ford — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 00:31:51 -0400

Back in the ‘80s three divisions were on rotation as the rapid deployment force: 10th Mountain, 7th Inf (Ft. Ord) and the 82nd IIRC. They were tasked to be able to go anywhere in the world and be ready to fight within 72 hours. I don’t know if that made them “first” on the ground, but that certainly made them likely first to arrive in force.

That’s probably all changed by now.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 30 at 2017 1:25 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 01:25:58 -0400

During the Cold War..........We always sent in this guy first (Mr Pither) from the USAF.......to see what would happen to him first. Then sent in the rest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYV-qYeWPkk

Monty Python - Execution in Russia (funny sketch!)

Or shall we say failed execution in Russia?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 2:49 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 02:49:54 -0400

Sir, I'd have to re-check the history books but I don't think the Marines have been first in any conflict since the Barbary War and maybe Grenada. There's an argument about Airborne vs Amphibious landing.

For Afghanistan wasn't it CIA and Rangers in first?

Response by SSG James Behnke made Oct 30 at 2017 6:57 AM

SSG James Behnke — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 06:57:38 -0400

SOF are generally there long before any of the traditional military units, IMO. So... probably Army (Rangers or Green Berets).

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 30 at 2017 7:37 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 07:37:04 -0400

In the world of combined arms combat and with the each of the services having many capabilities it is hard to say who would be first in. It would depend greatly on the mission and the plan.

It is safe to say we may have special operators in earlier than anyone else for reconnaissance and other covert activities. Certainly, depending on the target, Naval gunfire would come in early as would air assets from carriers or from more distance bases for heavier bombers.

When we decide to put troops on the ground, we have lots of options depending on the mission. MEU's are all over the globe and can have Marines on the ground in a few hours. For larger operations Ranger battalions and Airborne assault might come into play.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 8:03 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 08:03:15 -0400

Depends what you mean by fighting force. In any situation...ANY situation that presents itself today, you can be guaranteed that the first US force to be in a hostile country is from the Special Forces Community. SEAL, SF, Delta, other units to be left unnamed. Assuming that they are taking action and not just flying over the place. Now, if you count just flying over the place, then you likely will have some form of Air Force reconnaissance going in before the insertion, so then they would be the first. Unless you count Space Command...because they have been looking at said hostile country for the last 24 months building intelligence. If you get back to effects on the ground though...then it's in the SOCOM community.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 30 at 2017 8:47 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 08:47:30 -0400

Would it have to depend on the mission and location?

Air Force may be the first to fight but not necessarily the first ones on the ground (except maybe Combat Controllers to set up a forward Air base).

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 30 at 2017 9:13 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:13:57 -0400

Depends on the mission, delivery and extraction methods available and enemy situation. Looking back through history there is no "one size fits all" answer.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 30 at 2017 9:33 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:33:13 -0400

Sir read COL Williams- forces used will depend on METT- therefore until mission designation it would be up in the air as who goes 1st

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 30 at 2017 9:43 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:43:21 -0400

Why is 3rd MARDIV conspicuously absent from the graphic? We’ve been continuously forward deployed since the 50’s

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Oct 30 at 2017 9:45 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:45:00 -0400

It is scenario-dependent, but if we're talking a MTW with a near-peer, first across the line will be small numbers of SOF to set the scene for USAF B-2, F-22 & F-35 to open some lanes.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 30 at 2017 9:58 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:58:38 -0400

Mission dictates.

Aside from the bomb-droppers as you took note of, for ground forces, if the Marines are the best weapon to wield in a given conflict in a given area, than they'll be the first boots on the ground. If the Army is better suited to first step into the breach, that's who goes. Rah-rah slogans aside, there's no set rule on who must be first to fight. Use the best assets available.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 30 at 2017 11:30 AM

SP5 Peter Keane — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:30:42 -0400

Gyrenes go in first, then the Army bails them out.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 11:59 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:59:24 -0400

Well, actually in Vietnam, we had ODA teams on ground in advise assist,and train role, and the other tasking was collections. These teams were there from the beginning in 1954 in small amounts, also had small Engineer teams from Navy called STAT teams. These teams worked with and supported ODA teams. The other thing these teams started doing in early 60's was working with contractors and building roads, Bridges, water Wells and basic Civil needs to prep the way for combat troops.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 30 at 2017 1:08 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:08:13 -0400

The real answer is always dependent upon the detail of where and when, and what is the best force for the mission...with that said, normally in the modern World you will find Army being sent in first in most occasions.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Oct 30 at 2017 1:16 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:16:08 -0400

In actuality, it’s whoever is closest will get the call to go in first. They may not be the best choice but it will be the fastest.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 30 at 2017 1:28 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:28:39 -0400

I sincerely hope its us retired guys. Our kids are grown up, moved out and have families of their own. We fight constantly with our wives so we are battle hardened veterans who can stare danger in the face until she retreats to the kitchen and we can change the channel to a DIY channel instead of the Hallmark channel. So yes I think I am ready.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 30 at 2017 1:42 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:42:05 -0400

Sir, your response gives sight to an air campaign, but the word "IN" to me indicates a ground operation, just the way I am built I guess. In a small mission/conflict, it is a myriad of SOF which we all know is usually a joint mixed force, so all of them. However, in a land campaign, usually the Marines as they were in 2002 and 2003 occupying some land expeditionary prior to our arrival. Thing is that USA SOAR was there concurrently, but when you are the Dark Horse, a lot of folks just don't know you are there.

It basically depends on the operation and intent of the mission. All DoD entities fight for this piece of the pie (budget) with their individual and team selling points.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 30 at 2017 2:00 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 14:00:38 -0400

Navy is almost always the closest, and therefore, first up.

Response by Capt James Stewart made Oct 30 at 2017 3:08 PM

Capt James Stewart — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 15:08:39 -0400

On the two occasions that I was personally in combat involving "invasions" (for lack of a better term), the first time the effort was to coordinate simultaneous landings by Marines and Green Berets. The second time it was Marines, Rangers and Seals.

Response by SPC Kevin Pora made Nov 1 at 2017 12:28 AM

SPC Kevin Pora — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:28:55 -0400

101'st imo...