The bulk of American combat soldiers in Vietnam served in rifle companies. As well as the basic grunt work, these workhorses undertook air assaults, and worked with the tanks in mobile operations.
The standard rifle platoon, according to the Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE), was a rarity in Vietnam. Almost every platoon was task-organized based on the number of men available and the mission. Most units left the heavy M67 90mm recoilless rifle behind, although some swore by it when facing bunkers. Other units saved men by assigning M60 machine-guns to each squad, rather than keeping them in a separate weapons squad.