Garfunkel: I like your 5 ton per man concept! Will definitely take that into account.
The trouble with PW vs CAP vs AC is that all PW are single-fire, while CAP are 6-shot-per-round, and AC are 3 round. With that in mind, it doesn't make much sense to use even PWI as MG analog since they lack the sustained fire necessary to provide suppression. If an MG goes "plink!" its not doing its job. Decided on MG - CAP specifically for the rate of fire
Also keep in mind the real-world Marines still use 40mm Mk-19 Automatic Grenade Launchers as crew-served anti-personnel systems, often classified as heavy machine guns. Actually, that would fit the HCAP fire rate far better than your stereotypical "I press this, bullets go WEEEEEE, bad guys hide!" MG.
Here, found a citation from retired Navy Seal Stewart Smith who apparently freelances these days.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/marine-corps-enlisted-job-descriptions-3345316"The Marine Corps Infantry Machine Gunner — MOS 0331 — handles large machine guns in direct combat. Also known as 31’s by their infantry platoon mates, these heavy machine gunners specifically handle the 7.62mm medium machine gun, the 50 caliber and 40mm heavy machine gun, plus their support vehicles."
Got a few solid templates in progress including a prototype Mechanized Infantry Regiment and a stab at a Fire Support Base or FOB, depending on how big it gets.
Just about done with the 2nd pass on naming and arming all available units up to super-heavy multi-role "Liberty" main battle tanks sporting simultaneous HCAP, Autocannons, and heavy AT; the "Unity" medium tank destroyer with medium AT and either HCAP/M-AC; the "Assassin" LR Mobile Artillery and static battery emplacement variant; and the Munin Motorized Recon (FFD on a light chassis). Also, for the fun of it, I've parked the Commander's Personal Vehicle (light HQ) in every major template for the sheer RP value. This is what I get for watching Van Damme movies as a kid, remember that one about escaping a Russian gulag by knocking out an officer and stealing the Commandant's rolls royce, or whatever it was?
Trying to give different element sizes the right flavor distinction. Infantry AA sounds weird since actual infantry would use MANPAD AAMs like the FM-92 Stinger, though douche-with-a-MANPAD and literal AA turret-mounted Technicals have been used among actors with limited armament availability. Nothing quite like stripping and effectively welding some old-school towed artillery or a light aa to the back of a truck, or just riding around with an RPG/TOW in the back seat.
The idea behind using technicals is to simulate grassroots Colonial insurgency against both Human and Xeno dominion. This IS America we're talking about. Personally my mother is Brazilian and dad second or third generation Dutch-American, Army DS, served in Vietnam. Between both countries, plenty
Sure, the military will get here when they get here, and police may occasionally put up a token resistance, but we all know a Texan with an RPG in his basement, or my crazy Floridian buddy who runs a citizen militia with enough guns to supply a battalion or three... Or guys like my older brother who put in their years then became a civilian LEO while weekending with the National Guard. Ain't much against heavily-armed aliens but we all make a choice and live with it.
LOL I've met too many crazy bastards like myself who would balls-deep an alien invasion for the sheer magnificence and nihilistic futility of it all. Adds a whole other dimension of RP for ground combat.
My main focus, as is yours, is to tell a great story. As in all my writing, the focus is on Human psychology, behavioral patterns, and a delicate balance between community and individual perspective.
Hopefully by the third pass I'll have a properly presentable ground force, but I'm sure a 4th pass will iron out the kinks in my terrible designs
