[AngryJawa]

Silly question:

Why is it that we don't add / mix in a few dedicated M14 (or equal)and 12 ga. shotgun carriers amongst the M4's and SAW's within a platoon?

Seems to me that it would help expand long range and close-in capabilities.

[BushMeister]

The idea of mixing in some longer-range capability (see: Afghanistan's wide-open mountain battles) and quick-reaction short-range capability within a platoon is a good idea, but has problems in implementation.

Those of us who read about 10th Mountain troops in Afghanistan being shelled by mortars from 1000 yards, but unable to answer back with their M-16s and M-4s probably thought it would be nice to have one Barrett M82A1 .50 BMG rifle among each platoon (depending on the mission/terrain), to handle such situations.

For immeditate reaction at short range, a shotgun might not be the right solution, because the attackers are often in cars. A short-barrel weapon firing at least .308 would be nice.