Table of Contents
How do you become a platoon leader?
Thrown into the Deep End: Tips for New Platoon Leaders
- Know Your Resources.
- Know Your Doctrine.
- Know Your People.
- Know Your Role.
- Know Yourself.
- Know Your Time.
- Know Your Peers.
- Know Your Career.
What does a platoon leader do in basic training?
The platoon leaders will each lead, train, and assist with maintaining and enhancing the morale, welfare and readiness of four drill sergeants and 60 trainees. They will be the officers and highest-ranking members of their platoons.
What do platoon leaders do in the army?
The platoon leader is responsible for planning patrol routes, assigning tasks, and positioning and employing the Soldiers under his command. The platoon leader and the platoon sergeant, along with the radiotelephone operator, make up the headquarters section of the platoon.
What rank is a platoon leader in the Army?
A platoon leader (NATO) or platoon commander (more common in Commonwealth militaries and the US Marine Corps) is the officer in charge of a platoon. This person is usually a junior officer – a second or first lieutenant or an equivalent rank. The officer is usually assisted by a platoon sergeant.
What are the duties of a platoon commander?
The platoon leader is responsible for accomplishing the platoon’s mission. He is responsible for positioning and employing all assigned and attached crew-served weapons. He must also know how to employ supporting weapons.
How do you become a squad leader in the Army?
How to become a squad leader in the Army
- Obtain a degree. It is possible to become an Army squad leader with a high school diploma or GED.
- Join the Army.
- Gain experience.
- Get stationed.
- Strong moral character.
- Responsibility, initiative and duty.
- Organization, conscientiousness and thoroughness.
- Integrity, respect and courage.
What rank is a Platoon Leader?
first lieutenant
A platoon leader (NATO) or platoon commander (more common in Commonwealth militaries and the US Marine Corps) is the officer in charge of a platoon. This person is usually a junior officer – a second or first lieutenant or an equivalent rank.
Can a captain lead a platoon?
Specialist platoons, like reconnaissance, or “recce” platoons, that may be attached to a battalion may be led by a captain and assisted by a warrant officer. Some very large specialist platoons will actually have a lieutenant as the second-in-command. In many corps, platoon-sized units are called troops instead.
How many recruits are in a platoon?
While platoons in normal U.S. military parlance denote a group of around 15-20 personnel, each STC platoon is as large as necessity dictates and may often contain 500 or more recruits along with their assigned drill instructors and other personnel.
What is it like to be a platoon leader in basic?
There are many constants and foundational tenants to developing junior officers across billets. But there are also nuances to being a platoon leader in a basic combat training company that requires a tailored approach. Regardless of the unit-type, it is a leader’s responsibility to develop their team and their individuals.
What are some tips for starting a new platoon?
Learn your platoon sergeant’s strengths and weakness, what motivates them to come to work every day (one of mine loved Mountain Dew; I ensured I kept him well supplied). Learn your squad leaders and team leaders; figure out which are your rockstars and which need some improvement. Talk to your Soldiers; what are their goals?
Is your army basic officer leader course overwhelming you?
It can be pretty overwhelming when you sit in on your first training meeting and realize that all the acronyms you learned in your commissioning source and your basic officer leader course have nothing to do with day-to-day unit management. Luckily for you, all the answers can be found in various Army databases.
What is it like to be a military leader?
As a leader, your available time will shrink down to practically nothing. Especially if you are National Guard or Reserve, and have to juggle a civilian job along with being a military leader. Time management is imperative.