Light infantry

During the Second Tiberium War, both GDI and Nod used Light infantry. Light infantry were armed only with a M16 Mk II pulse rifle that was effective only against enemy infantry. The M16 Mk II was an automatic rifle developed off of the M16, but fired much faster, though the individual bullets were lighter.

Being rather ineffective, both in firepower and in durability, Light Infantry needed to be used in groups for maximum effect. Unfortunately, this meant that they were very vulnerable to area effect anti-infantry weapons, especially Artillery and Flame Tanks, both of which could destroy a squad of GDI infantry in a very short time.

Light Infantry still had their uses, however. First, Infantry could cross the mysterious veins that would have torn heavier vehicles to shreds, and as such, were somewhat effective at dealing with veinholes, although Disk Throwers were more effective. Furthermore, Light infantry were cheap, and considered expendable.

Drop Pods
However, one of the advantages of light infantry was that they were small enough to be loaded aboard orbital command stations, and then drop podded to any location in the entire world within minutes. This ability gave GDI much needed rapid-response ability, and often allowed it to counter Nod wherever Nod was found.