The historical arc of Light Infantry (as compared to "heavy" infantry back in the days of military formal wear on the battlefield) was greater mobility - especially over rougher terrain types; greater precision targeting and firing; greater dispersal to make better use of concealment and cover; and in their highest form - command and initiative were pushed lower down the command ladder so that these troops could be effective even when not in line of sight of the general, colonel, major, etc. So we want to keep and even improve their mobility, provide additional precision fire with the ability to offer heavy fires when needed, reduce their battlefield visibility including minimizing anything that might mark their location, continue training that supports the exercise of initiative at all levels combined with maintaining an essential comms capability when they need to reach back up the chain of command.
The historical arc of Light Infantry (as compared to "heavy" infantry back in the days of military formal wear on the battlefield) was greater mobility - especially over rougher terrain types; greater precision targeting and firing; greater dispersal to make better use of concealment and cover; and in their highest form - command and initiative were pushed lower down the command ladder so that these troops could be effective even when not in line of sight of the general, colonel, major, etc. So we want to keep and even improve their mobility, provide additional precision fire with the ability to offer heavy fires when needed, reduce their battlefield visibility including minimizing anything that might mark their location, continue training that supports the exercise of initiative at all levels combined with maintaining an essential comms capability when they need to reach back up the chain of command.
The Marine Corps is the last service that still trains with actual mules.