A fireteam or fire team is a small modern military subordinated element of infantry designed to optimize "NCO initiative", "combined arms", "bounding overwatch" and "fire and movement" tactical doctrine in combat. Depending on mission requirements, a typical "standard" fireteam consists of four or fewer members: an automatic rifleman, a grenadier, a rifleman, and a designated fireteam leader. The role of each fireteam leader is to ensure that the fireteam operates as a cohesive unit. Two or three fireteams are organized into a section or squad in co-ordinated operations, which is led by a squad leader.
A Georgia National Guard fireteam armed with M4 carbines during a military exercise.
Royal Anglian Regiment soldiers during a lull in operations in Afghanistan in 2014; their numbers and equipment correspond to a British fireteam of the period (Left to right: L110A2 LMG, L85A2 with L123A2 UGL, L85A2, L129A1).
US marines on patrol in Afghanistan, 2009; their numbers and equipment correspond to a United States Marine Corps fireteam (left to right: M4 carbine, M16A4 rifle with M203, M16A4 rifle, M249).
An example of fire and maneuver in actual combat. Here, during the Battle of Okinawa, a US marine on the left provides covering fire for the marine on the right to break cover and move to a different position.
A grenadier was historically an assault-specialist soldier who threw hand grenades in siege operation battles. The distinct combat function of the grenadier was established in the mid-17th century, when grenadiers were recruited from among the strongest and largest soldiers. By the 18th century, the grenadier dedicated to throwing hand grenades had become a less necessary specialist, yet in battle, the grenadiers were the physically robust soldiers who led vanguard assaults, such as storming fortifications in the course of siege warfare.
17th century grenadier throwing a hand grenade. The concept of throwing grenades made its way to Europe during the mid-17th century.
Swiss grenadiers from different regiments by the artist David Morier, c.1748, British Royal art collection. Note the mitre caps and the brass match case on the shoulder-belt
The British Army's Guards Division continue to wear the bearskin cap with its full dress uniform, a custom associated with the Grenadier Guards defeat of the French Imperial Guard in 1815.
18th century Prussian grenadier mitre caps (Grenadiermütze).
