Platoon

Platoon is the English name for the military train, ie, consisting of a certain number of soldiers smallest tactical combat unit. Even in English-speaking form several trains ( platoons ) are generally a company ( company). The Soldiers are assigned by an officer, the platoon leader, commanded, which in turn is responsible to the company commander and platoon leader in the U.S. mostly in the U.S. Marines and in most armies of Commonwealth countries, however platoon commander is called.

Platoon The word comes from the French term peloton, which also refers to a small unit in the French army since the 17th century. This term is taken from French pelote ( " ball ", really small pile, from Latin: pila, " ball ", originally " hairball " ) back.

U.S. Platoon

A platoon is in the U.S. Army from 16 to 40 soldiers, divided into two to four squads, one squad (German group) of eight to ten soldiers is formed. A rifle platoon of the United States Marine Corps usually consists of 39 soldiers ( three squads, each divided into three fire teams of four Marines plus paramedics, Zugfeldwebel and platoon leader ). A platoon of U.S. Navy SEALs is also called " Boat Team " and consists of only sixteen specially trained elite soldiers (three officers ).

Is lead a platoon in the Army and the Marine Corps by a Second or First Lieutenant, who is supported by a " platoon sergeant ", which is often on a Sergeant First Class.

British platoon

In the British Army, a platoon is divided into three groups ( troops called ) divided into eight man. British platoon is led usually by a Second or First Lieutenant or a Captain, either assisted by a platoon sergeant and a warrant officer or a Colour Sergeant.