Standard, motorized and mechanized infantry

As there are many guides covering various equipment for infantry, I'll try something else with this guide. Instead of covering individual soldiers, it will provide high command, local command and logistics with information on how to utilize and support infantry for the benefit of the war effort. I will cover standard, motorized and mechanized infantry, the three infantry concepts which are easily replicated in the game.

Introduction

It should come at no surprise that infantry has always played a big part in wars. That is not to say that infantrymen are the most important piece of an army, but they are definitely the oldest type of soldier available. Historically, however, their ways of fighting have shifted frequently and history tells us that officers unable to adapt to the changes in tactics and technology most likely spell doom for the men they command. To prevent this from happening, we'll go over the different types of infantry available in Foxhole. Since the game takes place in a WW2-ish setting, the types of infantry are very much the same as in WW2.

Standard infantry

The basics

When I say "standard infantry" I mean the classic soldier using their feet to maneuver to and on the field of battle. In Foxhole, as in real life, while a single soldier may seem fragile, their small footprint makes them surprisingly tough if the player knows what they're doing. Their defensive capabilities are based on field fortifications, being able to effortlessly fight in urban and other environments that are difficult to navigate for vehicles and being stealthy.

Advantages

Infantry is light on logistics. A basic rifle squad requires spawn supplies, one rifle per person and ammo to be operational. By extension, they are quickly mobilized and can spawn close to the front without having to wait for vehicles or expensive weaponry. A wide variety of small arms and crew-served weapons can help a squad respond to different kind of threats and assume different roles.
Is a light vehicle in the target area? Grab an AT rifle.
They also (obviously) benefit from field fortifications and do great in urban environments.

Disadvantages

As much as they're maneuverable on a tactical scale, infantry cannot cover longer distances quickly. As such, redeployment is extremely slow and they are easily flanked by more mobile units. In open fields a squad of infantry can't hold out long against armed or, worse, armored vehicles.

Motorized infantry

The basics

Motorized infantry is infantry that uses vehicles with little to no firepower to move across the map. Battles are still fought on foot, the vehicles are for transport only. Ideally, each squad has their own transport, but logistics can shuttle them if vehicles are in short supply.

Advantages

As motorized infantry is similar to standard infantry, they have mostly the same advantages plus being quicker to redeploy. They make for good rapid response group, being able to bolster foot soldiers where needed.

Disadvantages

The added mobility is bought with a higher logistics footprint. In additional to arms, ammo and spawn supplies, motorized infantry requires vehicles and fuel. When a squad is forced to retreat without vehicles or annihilated, the enemy may steal or destroy these assets, putting a more significant dent in the team's economy.
As they are required to disembark to fight properly and make noise while travelling, ambushes will most likely prove fatal.

Mechanized infantry

The basics

Mechanized infantry uses armored and armed transports for deployment and combat, being able to fight both on foot and in their so called Infantry Fighting Vehicles with the halftrack being an obvious candidate.

Advantages

The major difference between motorized and mechanized infantry is their ability to utilize the firepower and protection of their vehicle. They are much less dependent on field fortifications and boast additional firepower as well as no longer being a strictly soft target, allowing them to break through small arms fortifications.
As their vehicles stay close to them for the most part, they can quickly embark them for rapid redeployment and are better equipped to defend against an ambush.
These traits make them the most versatile infantry unit possible.

Disadvantages

Mechanizing an army on a large scale will put the team's logistic units to the test. IFVs are even more expensive, require much more fuel due to constant maneuvering during combat and need ammo to sustain the increased firepower.
Losing a squad and its assets is generally a disaster and it gets even worse if the enemy manages to steal the IFV and use it again your team.
Again, their noisy vehicles announces their presence to the enemy.

How to support infantry (logistics)

Standard infantry

When playing logistics, your directive (as usual) is taking note of supply usage and requirements. Providing FOBs with spawn supplies, rifles/SMGs and ammo will prevent the front lines from collapsing and allow infantry to spawn on the frontline instead of hiking through god-knows-where. Materials will allow combat engineers or the infantry itself to set up fortifications, adding advanced weaponry will allow your squads to respond to quick changes on the battlefield.
If available, coordinate with high command and squad leaders to know what's needed and where.

Motorized infantry

When you and your fellow logistics units have the vehicles you need and have basic supplies under control, now's a good time to motorize some infantry units. Build vehicles, fuel them, optionally stock them with some ammo and notify high command that a squad can be motorized. If nobody is willing to do high command or, more likely, nobody is willing to listen to them, it may be a good idea to just build a few vehicles and ask around if someone needs a ride.
When you see infantry moving rapidly, crack open a cold one and pat yourself on the back. Thanks to you, your is now prepared to bolster defenses and assaults where needed.

Mechanized infantry

Beware: Depending on how organized your team is, it may very well be better to completely give IFVs a pass and focus on providing new vehicles to motorized units or build tanks if crews are online. Sooner or later some egomaniac is going to jump into that shiny halftrack stocked with ammo, supplies and fuel and use it to transport just himself, leaving it in the middle of nowhere, getting it destroyed or stolen by the enemy. Of course you can lock it, but you'd have to wait for a squad to pick it up and waste your time.

First, make sure you can handle the increased load. A properly trained and supplied mechanized infantry squad can rain hell on enemies, but they'll put a serious strain on supply lines. Coordinate with high command and other soldiers willing to do logistics. After that, it's basically the same thing as with motorization: Build IFVs, notify high command when they're ready and send the squads on their merry way. Also consider building pairs of IFVs and tanks to work together.

Using infantry (high command)

Some words on high command

So, you're willing to do HC. You broadcast it in the chat, you try to coordinate and more often than not, everyone will ignore you.
That's fine and to be expected. Personally, I love you for trying in the first place. Look at it this way: If your team is an uncoordinated pile of bodies, the game will probably be a nightmare anyway.
In this case, try to gather some people and form a squad for you to lead. It's better than nothing. Since you probably know your way around the battlefield, find out what you team needs and try to help. Assist newbies along the way. Build or yoink a halftrack and form a half-decent mechanized unit. Whatever.

Standard infantry

If by some miracle squads report in and ask for orders, get yourself a notepad and jot down the names of the leaders. Also ask for their preferred role and write them down as well.
Got some infantry squads? Good. Now look at the map and search for clues where the frontlines may be. That is where you'll want to station your standard infantry. Tell them to deploy to towns and ask them to do some scouting. If the town is not fortified tell logistics to get some materials there and fortify it. If there's reports about enemies running deep into your land, deploy some infantry to re-establish the frontlines over there. If you have combat engineers at your disposal, dispatch them for assistance, consider constructing an FOB at the point of intrusion and stationing your infantry there.
Basically, treat your standard infantry like the material you build a frontline with. Whether they attack or defend, they are the backbone of your army and even though they are cheap, don't just throw them into hopeless situations. Retreat them in time to keep the squad from falling into disarray and give them the supplies they need. Have some AT weapons ready for them so they don't get pushed out of a town by a single light tank.

Motorized infantry

While coordinating infantry, ask logistics if they have additional capacity with which to build more vehicles. Pick out some squads to motorize and tell them to pick up their new ride.
Now you have a mobile infantry squad! Don't be afraid to redeploy them frequently and use them to bolster defenses and join assaults. Their mobility is their greatest strength and it is your responsibility to exploit it. Keep in mind that they are prone to ambushes, don't pick insecure routes for them to pass through.

Mechanized infantry

Monitor logistics and do not, under any circumstances, ask them to build more vehicles than they can provide fuel and ammo to. Remember that you'll need some armored units as well, those are even heavier on your supplies.
If you can get your mitts on an IFV or three, pick out well coordinated squads that listen to your orders and give them a new toy. They are now a mechanized infantry squad!
Mechanized infantry are a powerful asset. Use them as spearheads, to assist tanks or use them in dire situations. When equipped properly they can deal with nearly anything short of a mass tank assault (and even then they'll be helpful in protecting whatever response you decide to muster).
More than ever, though, don't send them to their doom. They are versatile, yes, but they are not invincible and losing an IFV with ammo and fuel can be a serious setback.