Advances in technology and evolution of doctrine provide grounds to review commonly-held assumptions about the level at which combined arms warfare begins. This thesis examines the platoon equipped with the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle to determine if combined arms warfare has devolved to find its current roots at platoon level. This study accomplishes three objectives. First, for background it provides a brief history of the evolution of combined arms. Second, it focuses on aspects of maneuver theory, organization, combat experience, doctrine, and weapons technology to support the conclusion that the contemporary Bradley infantry platoon is the starting point for combined arms warfare. Third, this study contends that the devolution of combined arms warfare is a fundamental process that can be understood only with reference to full context. That is, a consideration of dynamics peculiar to the Bradley platoon is only part of the picture. For the process to make sense, it must account for larger external fundamentals, including the interaction over time among technology, doctrine, theory, organization, and experience.

ADA 274095 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)