Pentomic - Organization

Organization

The official name of this structure was ROCID—Reorganization of the Current Infantry Division. However, it was generally known as the Pentomic Division. The Pentomic structure was a reaction to the perceived threat of Atomic weapons on the modern battlefield and a chance for the Army to secure additional funding.

Previously the US Army had fought World War I with the "square" organisation, every unit having four subunits. Prior to American participation in the Second World War the organisation was changed to "triangular"; with every unit generally having three subunits.

The standard infantry division was seen as being too clumsy in its fixed organization. Units were organized in a system of "5's". A division was organized with five battle groups, each commanded by a colonel. Each battle group consisted of four line (rifle) companies, a mortar (4.2) battery, and a Headquarters company with signal, assault gun and recon platoons. Each company was commanded by a captain. Artillery battalions were organized with five batteries—four were howitzers, the fifth was a mortar battery. The addition of "Davy Crockett" rockets with atomic warheads brought the army into the atomic age.

The pentomic division very closely resembled the wartime 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions which had each fought with five parachute or glider infantry regiments. Their regiments were smaller and more austere than the regular infantry regiments of the infantry divisions. This was no accident as the top leaders of the army at this time were all airborne Generals—Ridgway, Taylor, and Gavin. The armored divisions were not affected as their three combat commands were considered appropriate for the nuclear battlefield.