Light Division

[Leon]

Just wondering if anyone could clear up a few things for me. I know the light division consists of LI and RGJ. How are these two regiments distinct then from armoured infantry or mechanised infantry batallions; is it just the vehicles/kit they use, or are they used for different purposes or is it fairly random depending upon what brigade they're attached to? Or is it just historical? Are there any other regiments that are used in the light role? What would a platoon consist of?

So many Qs...any answers much appreciated.

Cheers

[RobT]

Just wondering if anyone could clear up a few things for me. I know the light division consists of LI and RGJ. How are these two regiments distinct then from armoured infantry or mechanised infantry batallions; is it just the vehicles/kit they use, or are they used for different purposes or is it fairly random depending upon what brigade they're attached to? Or is it just historical? Are there any other regiments that are used in the light role? What would a platoon consist of?

So many Qs...any answers much appreciated.

Cheers

These days i think its just more historical than anything. The Green Jackets pretty much developed modern warfare to what it is today. The Light soldiers were the "Crack" ones back in wellingtons days, bit like the SAS/SBS/PARA/RM's of today.

I know that the Parachute Regiments Secondary role is as Light infantry.

[GARRYOWEN]

Was it not because they were light on their feet and the amount of paces they marched compared to other infantry regiments. The Gurkhas, LI and RGJ march at I think it is 116 paces per minute compared to a slower rate of the rest of the army.

[RobT]

Leon, check out

http://www.lightdivision.co.uk/

http://www.army.mod.uk/lightinfantry/cu ... /index.htm

All your info there

[Lt_George]

All battalions in the Light Div march at 140 paces per minutes, do their drill from the at-ease position, and wear rifle green uniforms. The "Light" part is of little significance now, what with 1LI in Paderborn as Armoured Inf. 2LI are returning to the UK (Edinburgh actually) in about 3 weeks, to be roled as a jungle warfare battalion.

[4z5]

Light Infantry are just that - light.

They go into battle with their webbing. no warriors or saxons, just what they have on their back.

[tyke172]

That used to be the case, look at the post above!

[friendlyfireaintfriendly]

The light infantry are a normal army infantry division minus all the armour and vehicles etc this means they are rapidly deployable in some magic number of transports.

[df2inaus]

Friendlyfire,

The light infantry are a normal army infantry division minus all the armour and vehicles

Lt_George's post summed it up best. Do some more research and you'll find that battalions in the Light Division will rotate roles, including armoured (Warrior AFV) like every other battalion in the Army.

[Des]

The Royal Marines used to be split into two. RM Artillery and RM Light Infantry. They took over the Commando Role towards the end of the WWII. I think I read somewhere that with the invention of Some type of heavy machine gun forced all Infantry units to become Light Infantry. So now the only difference is with the name and the historical stuff about paces per minute on the parade square. I may be wrong on some of the above. Just trying to recollect stuff I read years ago.

[Cav-Lad]

It todays day and age there is no differance what so ever between the Light and Heavy Infantry except when it comes to drill. Watch the LI or Green Jackets march then you will see. Not only is it faster but all the drill movements are different as well.
They rotate between light, mechinised and armoured (Warrior) just like everyone else.
It's just about keeping traditions which the Army is good at. For example they wear green beret's and green 2 dress when the rest wear brown. In fact everything is green just like good old 'Sharpe' at the battle of Waterloo.

Cav-Lad

[Pasha]

Cav-lad,

The No2 dress for RGJ is the same shade of khaki as the rest of the army. The only difference is that like other rifle regiments, they wear black buttons instead of brass. The Li (I believe) wear silver buttons.

Both Regts have a dark "Rifle Green" No 1 uniform as well as Mess Dress, with the same colour buttons as they wear on their 'ginger suits'. The Brigade of Gurkhas and RIR have similar 1's and 2's as the RGJ. The Gurkhas alone amongst the old Indian Army troops, became Riflemen rather than Sepoys after their performance alongside the 60th Rifles (now 2/RGJ) during the Indian Mutiny.
Regards mate!

Pasha

[Cav-Lad]

Cheers mate. I got it wrong.
It was probably no 1's I saw some of them in, but this was afew years back.
Anyway nevermind.
Cheers
Cav-Lad

[R.G.J.]

The Light Div mainly stands out from the rest because of it’s history. We were the first to wear Jackets of russet green & Brown (not red & white tunics), were the first to adopt the Baker Rifle (as apposed to the Musket) and have been awarded more Victoria Crosses than any other Regiment. (59… I think).
They were called light Infantry due to the fact that they only carried the basics e.g Rifle, ammo, water/food & a blanket, which meant they could move faster into battle 140 paces to the minute (160 at the double)
Today’s Light Division is not much different from most other Regiments…Apart from the Green Jackets are exempt from standing during the National Anthem (something to do with protecting the Queen during a mutiny)
And they think like an engineer and fight like a Para.
Below are some of the jobs you’ll find in Battalion
MORTAR CREWMAN Number in the Battalion: 50 Skills. Acquired: Computer literacy.
ANTI-TANK MISSILE OPERATOR Number in Battalion 60.
ASSAULT PIONEER Number in the Battalion 12. Skills Acquired: Use of power tools, use of explosives, waterman ship and water purification. (lucky bastards & God need only apply)
RECONNAISSANCE PLATOON Number in the Battalion: 20. (gain respect from the rest of the Batt & loose all spare time)
SIGNALLER Number in the Battalion: 20. Skills Acquired: Computer literacy, telecommunications level 2 NVQ.(learn BATCO & become fat/bald or both)
DRIVER Number in the Battalion:150. Skills Acquired: Driving skills, road haulage level 2 NVQ. M.T. >see above (minus the BATCO)
STOREMAN Number in the Battalion: 30. Skills Acquired: Distribution warehousing level 2 NVQ. Accounting skills. (get as ish coffee mug surgically attached to right hand)
SNIPER Number in the Battalion: 6. Skills Acquired: Self-reliance. (see Assault Engr (minus the lucky bastards)
MEDIC Number in the Battalion:5. Skills Acquired: First aid, resuscitation. Accounting and documentation. (easy life)
REGIMENTAL POLICEMAN Number in the Battalion: 5. Skills Acquired: Security guarding level 2NVQ. (Friday night falling plates)
INTELLIGENCE SECTION Number in the Battalion: 3. Skills Acquired:Analysis, computer literacy. may find 1 sculking at the back of an N.I patrol muttering about Mk 15’s and prigs.
BUGLERS Number in Battalion: 12. Mess tin blowers (avoid Minden platoon at all costs)
PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTOR Number in the Battalion: 5. Skills Acquired: Sport and recreation level 2 NVQ being requested. S&M boys
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER Number in the Battalion: 164 Junior NCOs, 42 senior NCOs. Skills Acquired: Management

[COMBAT WOMBAT]

Think like an engineer and fight like a para? Exapnd on that plz, it sounds very interesting