Platoon Employment and Functions

Here you will learn about Infantry rifle platoons...

Intro

A platoon is a military unit typically composed of 3 or more squads/sections. The platoon organization depends on the branch of service but are usually about 40 strong, with 3 'line squads, a weapon squad and a headquarter section. Some companies have platoons of only rifle squads and an entire MG platoon as maneuver support. PLTs regularly receive attachments such as medics/forward observers.

A platoon is typically the smallest self-contained military unit as well as the smallest unit to be lead by an officer. A platoon sergeant (PSG) is the 2IC and assists the officer. Each squad is led by a SQD LDR and is made up of 2 fire teams. Each fire TM is lead by a TM LDR

PLT Duty Positions

PL
'The platoon leader leads his Soldiers by personal example and is responsible for all the platoon does or fails to do, having complete authority over his subordinates'

PSG
'The platoon sergeant is the platoon's most experienced NCO and second-in-charge, accountable to the platoon leader for leadership, discipline, training, and welfare of the platoon's Soldiers'

WPN SQD LDR
'The weapons squad leader is usually the senior squad leader, second only to the platoon sergeant'. They also control the use of the MG and missile teams.

SQD LDR
'The squad leader is the senior Infantry Soldier in the squad and is responsible for everything the squad does or fails to do. He is responsible for the care of the squad’s Soldiers, weapons, and equipment, and leads the squad through two team leaders'

TM LDR
'TM LDRs are responsible for all his team does or fails to do, and is responsible for caring of the team’s Soldiers, weapons, and equipment'

Grenadier
'The grenade launcher allows the grenadier to perform three functions: suppress and destroy enemy Infantry and lightly armored vehicles with HE or high explosive dual purpose (HEDP), provide obscurants to screen and cover his squad’s fire and movement; and employ illumination rounds to increase his squad’s visibility and mark enemy positions'. They also cover 'dead space' with their high trajectory rounds.

AR
'The automatic rifleman provides the unit with a high volume of sustained suppressive direct fires of area targets. The automatic rifleman employs his weapon system to suppress enemy Infantry and bunkers, destroy enemy automatic rifle and antitank (AT) teams, and enable the movement of other teams and squads'

RFLM
'Rifleman provide the baseline standard for all Infantry Soldiers and is an integral part of the fire team. The rifleman is an expert in handling and employing the weapon and placing well-aimed fire on the enemy'

MG TMs
'MG TMs are responsible for providing suppressing fires at extended distances while the PLT maneuvers on the Battlefield to close in on the Enemy force'

RTO
'The platoon radiotelephone operator primarily is responsible for communication with its controlling headquarters (usually the company) and logging PLT activity during operations'

SQD Marksman
'The squad-designated marksman employs an optically enhanced general-purpose weapon. He also receives training available within the unit’s resources to improve the squad’s precision engagement capabilities at short and medium ranges'

CLS
'The combat lifesaver (CLS) is a non-medical Soldier trained to provide enhanced first aid/lifesaving procedures beyond the level of self-aid or buddy aid. The CLS is not intended to take the place of medical personnel'

PLT Tactical Mission Tasks (TMTs)

These are some of the most common missions/tasks/actions that a PLT can take



PLT ops can be categorized as:

• offensive

• defensive

• 'tactical shaping' operations

PLT Capabilities

PLT actions can be made to:

- Conduct offensive/defensive tasks in all types of environments, day and night
- Seize/secure/occupy and retain terrain
- Destroy/neutralize/suppress/interdict/disrupt/block/canalize and fix enemy forces
- Breach enemy obstacles
- Feint and demonstrate to deceive the enemy
- Screen and guard friendly units
- Reconnoiter/deny/bypass/clear/contain and isolate on both terrain and/or enemy
- Conduct small-unit operations
- Participate in air assault operations
- Participate in airborne operations (airborne only)
- Operate in conjunction with mounted forces/special operations forces
- Participate in amphibious operations

PLT Limitations

PLTs have limited sustainment/support abilities and are heavily tied to COY support for:

• personnel replacement

• food/water

• ammunition

• transportation

• indirect/CAS fires

• intelligence

30K Feet

To understand the platoon, you must first understand the 'Big' Army...



Fire TMs make SQDs make PLTs make COYs make BTNs make BDEs make DIV make CORP make Field Army

15K Feet

To better the PLT, you must start from the 'bottom-up'...

1) Fire Team

The smallest force is a fire team

It generally consists of:

• TM LDR (E-5)
  
• automatic rifleman (AR)
  
• grenadier (M203)
  
• rifleman

The rifleman of each fire TM usually carries an AP/AT rocket

Sometimes the TM LDR will have the M203
The TM LDR usually 'bounds' with the AR to better control his employment



2) 'Line' Squad

2 'fire teams' make a SQD
- a 'simple' Sergeant leads each fire team (E-5)

A SQD is lead by an E-6 and control the 2 fire TMs

3 'line' SQDs; 1 WPN SQD and a headquarter element make a platoon

Each 'line' SQD have the same set-up



3) Weapon Squad

The WPN SQD also has 9 Soldiers but is slightly different:

• generally the most senior platoon SQD LDR (after the PSG)
  
• 2 MG TMs with 4 Soldiers each and a SQD LDR
  
  • MG operator; AG (assistant gunner/MG TM LDR); AB (ammo bearer); rifleman

The 2 RFLM in WPN SQD are CCMT (Close Combat Missle Team) with 'fire and forget' munitions

PLTs...Past to Present

'Blast from the past'...WWII


'Blast from the past'...Vietnam (early years)


'Blast from the past'...Vietnam (later years)


Current dismounted light INF platoon


Current mechanized platoon

Ex of PLTs From Different Nationalities

Russian variant

Although the PLT may change based on each Nation's military METT-TC, it remains similar in nature


UK variant

PLT Groupies

'Habitual' PLT attachmetns include:

• FO (Forward Observer)

• Medic

METT-TC possibilities:

• ENG (breach)

• EOD (ordinance disposal)

• K-9 (weapon/explosive/drug searches)

• Interpreter(s)

• Combat Camera (media exploitation)

Light INF Platoon

1 HHC section
3 line SQDs
1 WPN SQD with 2 MG TMs

Ranger PLT

OEF

1 HHC section
3 line SQDs
1 WPN SQD with 3 MG TMs and a DM with spotter (designated marksman)

Marine INF PLT

"New" Marine rifle SQD

Motorized INF PLT

Stryker ICV - Infantry Carrier Vehicle

***Stryker units have 10-man SQDS***

1 HHC section
3 line SQDs
- 2X 4-man fire teams, a SQD LDR and a vehicle driver (10 Soldiers total)
1 WPN SQD - 2 MG TMs, a vehicle driver and commander but NO AG/AB (7 Soldiers total)

Mechanized PLTs

IFV - Infantry Fighting Vehicles


BFV - Bradley Fighting Vehicle

Most mechanized platoons have 4 vehicles and are organized similar to dismounted light INF

1 HHC section
3 line SQDs
***No 'real' WPN SQD***

Mech PLT:

• 4 BFVs

• 2 elements (mounted/dismounted)
  
• mounted - A/B sections
  
• dismounted - 3 nine-man SQDs with a CCM (Close Combat Munition) and a DM (Designated Marksman)

Employment Varieties

PLTs can be modified based on the objective/task at hand

Example
Raid:

• HHC (PL/RTO)

• ASSLT - 1st SQD

• BREACH - 2nd SQD

• SUPPORT - PSG/Medic/FO/FO RTO)

• SUPPORT - WPN SQD + 2 ARs given from 3rd SQD

• RESERVE - 3rd SQD - 2 ARs taken from 3rd SQD

PLTs in the Offense

The four offensive tasks are:

• movement to contact (MTC)

• attack

• exploitation

• pursuit

5 sequences of the offense:

• gain/maintain enemy contact

• disrupt enemy forces

• fix the enemy unit

• maneuver

• follow through with appropriate action(s)

Control measures in the offense:

• assault position

• assault time

• attack/support by fire

• LOA (Limit Of Advance)

• OBJ

• RPs (Rally Points)

• TOT (Time On Target)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1286024568

PLTs in the Defense

In the defense, PLTs use the following BPs (Battle Position):

• primary - most likely Enemy avenue of approach

• alternate - used when the 'primary' position is compromised

• supplementary - used for a flank or other Enemy avenue of approach

• subsequent - used when the unit relocates during the course of a battle

Defense of a Strong Point - PLTs can be expected to defend a key terrain/OBJ

PLTs must be able to defend using one of the three forms:

• defense of a linear obstacle

• perimeter defense

• reverse slope

Defensive Battle Positions are either:

• hasty

• deliberate

PLTs as a reserve force:
- cover flank/rear of main force
- establish counterattack/blocking position
- create an additional SBF position
- assume mission of attack force.
- replenish main force with personnel
- act as a supporting force (resupply/Aid & Litter etc.)

Control measures in the defense:

• FEBA (Forward Edge of the Battle Area)

• MBA (Main Battle Area)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1286024568
Methods of defense sectioning:

• quadrant method

• priority of target method

• EA (Engagement Area)

• Trigger Line

PL Priorities of Work

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1967117962
Based on the situation at hand, PLTs have different PoW but security remain paramount

PLT Movement

6 methods of maneuver:

• envelopment

• frontal attack

• flank attack

• penetration

• infiltration

Depending on the Enemy threat level:

• travelling

• travelling overwatch

• bounding overwatch

PLT Formations

PLTs base their formations on terrain; visibility and Enemy threat levels

PLT Battle Drills

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1214511937
Dismounted
Battle Drill 1: React to Direct Fire Contact
Battle Drill 2: Conduct a Platoon Assault
Battle Drill 3: Break Contact
Battle Drill 4: React to Ambush
Battle Drill 5: Knock Out a Bunker
Battle Drill 6: Enter and Clear a Room
Battle Drill 6: Enter and Clear a Room
Battle Drill 8: Conduct the Initial Breach of a Mined Wire Obstacle
Battle Drill 9: React to Indirect Fire
Battle Drill 10: React to a Chemical Attack
Battle Drill 11: React to an IED



Mounted
Battle Drill 12: Dismount a BFV and ICV
Battle Drill 13: Mount a BFV and ICV
Battle Drill 14: Execute Action Right or Left While Mounted

Conclusion

A PLT is the smallest unit controlled by an officer and with a PSG as the 2IC.

PLTs generally has a HQ element, 3 squads and a WPN SQD. The WPN SQD provides direct fire support

PLTs can perform limited operations without support but depend on COY/BTN for additional service/support (personnel replacement/mortar/CAS/EW/supplies etc.)

PLTs can operate in both offensive/defensive mission(s) and usually as part of a larger force

[Greybeard]

FO and Call For Fire are separate guides that you can find.
The Army uses ADA (Air Defense Artillery) to defend from air attack. This includes 'Stinger' AA. They are attached to units as needed but are in short supply. Usually at the BTN level, and then the BTN CDR uses them as needed. However, ADA has other AA assets, like mounted vehicles that offer AA defense (missiles and .50cal MG) and are often used for base defense (thermal/NVG/.50 cal MG etc.) for air attack AND ground attack.

[Greybeard]

I see several times I mentioned the composition of WPN SQD, to include the 2 missile carrying Soldiers. However, some of the pictures show/don't show the 2 AP/AT Soldiers (they are NOT 2 CCM TMs, just 2 of the ammo bearers carry missiles and that's the same for mech units)

[Snowy]

The marine corps rifle squad is Consisted of 13 Marines. 1 Squad Leader and 3 Fire-teams that has not changed in ages.

[Star Man!]

Out of date and doesnt go over utilization of PLT FO and CFF

[shock trooper]

Weapons squad is out of date, should be two 240 teams and two close combat missile teams but I'm not sure if that's the same in Stryker or mech infantry platoons.

And @Thumper, the US Army does not issue Stingers to line infantry platoons. The lowest they'll probably be found is at the battalion level, maybe company. The Army has been big on getting better counter-UAS capabilities to maneuver units so that means Stingers available at lower levels, but it doesn't really matter for the infantry platoon.

[ANNEXE]

Great post.

[[AAO] C-Wad]

Very interesting. Great post. Thank you

[Thumper]

So just asking, in the military who would carry the shoulder mounted aa missile like stinger and igla, what level of aa is that.