View Full Version : what is an RCT?
so everyone knows that RCT means Regimental Combat Team, but exactly is that? I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this... I've been on a MEU before so I know exactly what a MEU is...but nobody I know can tell me what AN RCT really is besides what it stands for.
ERR!
jryanjack
08-16-06, 11:35 AM
I believe that an RCT is the ground protion of a MEB - Marine Expeditionary Brigade, same as a BLT is the ground portion of a MEU. Typically an infantry regiment with supporting tanks, artillery, etc.
MillRatUSMC
08-16-06, 12:59 PM
Marine Expeditionary Brigade
The MEB is a mid-sized MAGTF that provides combatant commanders with an extremely flexi- ble expeditionary force. Commanded by a general officer, a MEB is normally built around a reinforced infantry regiment. Its ACE consists of a Marine aircraft group with fixed- and rotary- wing squadrons. The CSSE is a brigade service support group (BSSG) organized to provide the full spectrum of CSS to the MEB. As an expedi- tionary force, the MEB is capable of rapid deploy- ment and employment via amphibious shipping, strategic airlift and/or sealift, marrying with mari- time or geographical prepositioning force assets, or any combination thereof. The MEB is a com- plete fighting force. It is a MAGTF that has been task-organized for the mission and is capable of self-sustainment for 30 days. It can function alone, as a logical follow-on force to the MEU, as part of a joint task force, or as the lead element of a MEF.
My note;
Saw a web page, where a Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) was made up of two Marine Regiments, so the above might not always be the case.
Marine Expeditionary Unit
The MEU is task-organized normally around a battalion landing team, reinforced helicopter squadron, and a MEU service support group (MSSG). Capable of limited combat operations, it provides an immediate reaction capability for crisis situations.
so the difference is that a MEU is based around a battalion and a MEB is based around a regiment?
now i am totally confused.. does the army have AEB's??? and with RCT-5.... I know for a fact that 1/5 2/5 and 3/5 have been nowhere near eachother for awhile... ecept for replacing one another...
jryanjack
08-16-06, 03:40 PM
I have no idea what the army has - however is RCT-5 currently assigned to an active deployed MEB?
fontman
08-16-06, 05:49 PM
The U.S. Army had RCTs during WWII; I don't know about nowadays...
;)
Kegler300
08-16-06, 08:36 PM
RCT also means Reserve Counterpart Training.