platoon

A platoon is a military unit that typically forms a subdivision of a company or troop formation, consisting of two to four squads and usually commanded by a lieutenant. The size commonly ranges from about 20 to 50 soldiers, depending on country and branch.

In infantry and other ground forces, a platoon usually comprises three to four squads, and sometimes a dedicated weapons squad equipped with automatic or anti-armor weapons. The platoon is led by a platoon leader, usually a lieutenant, with a platoon sergeant as senior non-commissioned officer; the platoon headquarters may include a radio operator and ammunition bearer.

The platoon operates under the command of a company or troop and coordinates with other platoons through a company commander and staff. In combat, platoons serve as the basic maneuver element and may be assigned a firing plan, reconnaissance tasks, and fire support responsibilities.

The term and its organizational model vary by country and service. For example, in the U.S. Army a rifle platoon typically includes three rifle squads and one weapons squad, commanded by a lieutenant with a senior non-commissioned officer as platoon sergeant. In the U.S. Marine Corps, a rifle platoon similarly comprises three infantry squads, one weapons squad, and is commanded by a lieutenant, with a staff non-commissioned officer as platoon sergeant. In many Commonwealth armies, a platoon has about 30–40 soldiers and is organized into several sections or squads, led by a lieutenant.

The platoon concept has historical roots in 18th- to 19th-century European armies and remains the standard unit in many modern armed forces, adapting with mechanization and combined arms.

The term platoon is also used in culture, most notably as the title of the 1986 film about the Vietnam War.