[-Waffenampt-]

I can remember sitting down for the First time infront of the Computer and testing a new game called "Wolfenstein 3D." starting the first level in the prison, I killed the Normal "Slower moving, not so Smart" Riflemen with one or two shots, then the "Slightly Smarter and Faster" SS Officer with 4 or five hits.... I think we need to get over this feeling that a Normal Rifleman is a slow witted moron with a rifle and a uniform, and his leader, a Officer is much smarter and faster, harder to kill and more deadly armed.

This system seems, to my knowledge, used in almost every game, whether it be a simulation, a arcade or action shooter. I think that this game, Medal of Honor, should be viewed more or less as a simulation due to it's high detail. Therefore, this dated concept of "Higher the Rank, the more intelligence" should be drop kicked out of the window to be run over in the street.

A better system to use is a random ability. Also, the more Dangerous the weapon the character has, the more deadly he is. A K-98 or M1 Rifle are both excellent battle rifles, with deadly accuracy and a powerful cartridge it can be used to good effect be a trained soldier in the combat area. A Mp-40 or Thompson Submachine Gun are excellent closer quarters and street fighting weapons, they both pack a powerful punch at close range at full automatic fire. a Mg-42 Machine Gunner is a Main Firepower for a German squad, himself and his No.2 Gunner can dominate a battlefield if properly trained. Same goes, all bit it different for a American .30 Cal Browning Machine gun crew. And Even more limited in the BAR Gunner, one per American Squad acting as the base of fire.

Rank is a Issue for the Issuing and dispersion of these weapons. For example a German Squad of Normal strength is 12 to 8 Soldiers.

Leading this squad is a Gruppefuhrer or Squad leader. He is normally a NCO (Unteroffizer for Heer (army) SS-Unterscharfuhrer for Waffen-SS) and is Armed with a Mp-40, 6 Magazines in his two Pouches on his belt, Binos, Map case and a Pistol and Bayonet.

He is then Followed by his Squad MG-team, Two sometime three men who are reasonable for crewing the Machine Gun (Either a MG-34, or MG-42). The No.1 Mg Gunner (sometimes called the Richtschutze) is from a Private to a Senior Corporal. He is armed with the MG, a Pistol, and carries one 50 round belt loaded into his machinegun and maybe a couple 100 round belts around his neck. His No.2 Gunner Carries two to three Ammunition boxes with 300 rounds linked each, plus a 100 round belt or two around his neck. He also is just armed with a pistol. The No.3 Would most likely be armed with a rifle and another ammunition can, and sometimes if he was in the Machine Gun Kompanie, he would be carrying the Laffete 42 Tripod on his back.

The MG Team was the main Firepower of the Squad, meaning instead of the MG supporting the Riflemen, the Riflemen supported and Protected the MG.

Then come the Riflemen, Each with his K-98 Rifle, a few Handgrenadies Etc. They where normally very well trained and knew their weapons well. Sometimes they would be carrying extra belts for the MG Team.

Lastly the Truppefuhrer (Or Assistant Squad Leader) would follow, He too like the Squad leader carries a Mp-40, 6 Magazines in his two Pouches on his belt, Binos, and a Pistol and Bayonet. He is incharge of the riflemen and works under the orders of the Gruppenfuhrer.

In the Above layout, there is not a smarter, faster, or better soldier divided by rank. Just Personal Skill and psychical fitness. The normal Rifleman should be just as capable as any squad leader or any other human being.

Cast away this feeling of Rank means Intelligence. I cant think of how many shake and Bake LT's where just blasted and their soldiers under them survived...Alot OCS did for them compared to their Country farmboy subordinate.