What is the primary role of a rifleman in an infantry squad?

The primary role of a rifleman in an infantry squad is to engage enemy personnel with their individual weapon. This responsibility is foundational to the squad's overall mission, which is to close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver. Riflemen are trained to be proficient in the use of their individual weapons, such as the M4 rifle, and to operate effectively within a team to support both offensive and defensive operations. Their ability to accurately engage targets is vital for the success of the mission, as they not only provide direct fire support but also assist in suppressing enemy forces, allowing for maneuvering elements of the squad to operate effectively.

In contrast, the roles of providing medical assistance, coordinating communication, and operating heavy weapons and artillery, while important in the overall context of a squad's operations, are specialized roles that do not encapsulate the primary function of a rifleman. Medical assistance is typically handled by a designated medic, and coordination of communication is usually the responsibility of the squad leader or a designated communication specialist. Heavy weapon and artillery operations are also assigned to specific personnel trained for those tasks, separate from the standard rifleman responsibilities.