Combined Action Platoons

FM 100-20, Military Operations in Low-Intensity Conflict, published in January 1981, provides a wealth of badly needed material on a LIC conflict and a LIC environment. Yet, there is no guide on a type of organization that could operate in a LIC environment or techniques that have been successful in the past. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Combined Action Platoon concept that was utilized by the Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1965 to 1971. The evaluation will attempt to determine if the program was successful, and if any lessons learned, techniques used, or structure employed has application today in a low-intensity conflict environment. Further, the CAP program will-be compared to a LIC environment to determine if it has applicability today, and if there is an interface or link between CAPs and FM 100-20. Finally, the CAPs structure will be examined to see if there is a possible link to a Security Assistance Force, and how a CAPs styled organization could be more successful. The conclusions show that a CAPs-type organization still has applicability today but may be limited where it can be applied.

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