The smallest unit in the Army is the squad, usually consisting of 8 to 12 Soldiers, but could be as small as 4 or 5. The squad is led by a squad leader, ordinarily a sergeant (E5), sometimes a staff sergeant (E6), and often a corporal (E4). [...] Next up from squad is the platoon (note: there is something called a section, but for ease of explanation we’ll just go from squad to platoon). A platoon is normally made up of several squads and depending upon the type of unit, a platoon could consist of anywhere from 40 to 80 Soldiers. The platoon is ordinarily led by a platoon leader and a platoon sergeant. [...] A company is made up of several platoons; anywhere from 4 to 7 platoons. [...] The battalion consists of several companies, usually 5, but sometimes is made up of 4 to 7 companies (my battalion has just 4 companies). [...] The battalion has a large staff of officers and senior noncommissioned officers who do a lot of mission analysis, planning, and resourcing in support of the companies within the battalion. [...] A brigade is comprised of several battalions. Since the Army’s transformation, the brigade has become the focal point of how we do business. [...] Last, but not least, is the division. The Army has 11 active divisions, made up of multiple brigades each. The commanding general of an Army division is usually a two-star, Major General, and he has a Command Sergeant Major assigned. The division plans for and assigns missions to its subordinate brigades. [...]Note: There are echelons above the division, however, as they are not relevant to the discussion I intend to have regarding the Army’s key and not so key positions of leadership, I won’t bore the gentle reader any longer. Next up, The Squad Leader.
The Squad Leader. I don't know what the average age of a squad leader is, but from the soldiers I have had the pleasure of corresponding with, to me they seem incredibly young. And yet, they have a tremendous responsibility. Read on...
As mentioned previously, the smallest unit in the Army is the squad, usually consisting of 8 to 12 Soldiers, but could be as small as 4 or 5. The squad is led by; you guessed it, a squad leader, ordinarily in the rank of sergeant (E5), sometimes a staff sergeant (E6), and often a corporal (E4). For the purpose of this discussion, I will focus my views primarily on the sergeant, aka: buck sergeant, as the squad leader.
The squad leader is the only position that is in both a Soldier’s chain of command, and NCO support channel. He is the first line leader and supervisor of our young Soldiers. There is nothing that happens at the squad level that he is not directly involved in, or aware of; nothing. A good squad leader knows each member of his team inside and out. He knows his Soldiers, what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are, and what makes them tick. He reads the signs that indicate when a Soldier is on the verge of his breaking point, and when he can go further.
The squad leader works right along side her Soldiers, demonstrating what right looks like, then evaluating to ensure her squad members know what right looks like. She’s the first one in to work at oh dark thirty, and the last one to leave in the evening. She stops by the barracks more nights than not, just to check on her Soldiers, knowing she’ll be late for dinner with her family, yet again.
The squad leader has a huge amount of responsibilities, though it may not seem so compared to leaders of larger units. He is responsible for making sure that each member of his squad is trained to proficiency, both tactically and technically. The squad leader is also accountable for all equipment assigned to the squad, and for ensuring his Soldiers have in their possession, maintained in a serviceable condition, all uniforms and equipment issued to them. His greatest responsibility, however, is in knowing where each member of the squad is at all times, always ready to respond when asked, “Where’s Jo?”
And while I'm linking to Sgt. Hook, here is a special request from him:
The battalion to which I am assigned numbers in excess of 500 Soldiers. A little over one half of those Soldires are married and most have children. Your Soldiers aren’t the highest paid professionals in America, and money seems to get tight for many of them during the holiday season.
Each year around the holidays, we usually pass the hat through the ranks asking for donations to purchase Angel Baskets, complete with a turkey and all the fixings for a proper holiday feast. We are of course sensitive to the feelings of our military families in need and go to great lengths not to embarass them, but if their holiday meal can be taken care of, then that’s one or two more gifts that can go under the tree for the kids on Christmas morning. This year is no different, except in that the Soldiers most likely won’t be able to share the holidays with their families next year.
If you would like to contribute to the purchase of a holiday meal for a military family, drop a donation into the Cup and Flower fund as I’m directing all proceeds from now until Christmas towards the purchase of Angel Baskets. Thank you.
Angel Baskets. I like that name. Click here if you can help.
1 comment:
Sgt. Hook is a great link - thanks. When I read "We Were Soldiers" years ago, I had to make myself notes on platoon, squads, batallions, etc. Not being military, these things can be confusing. The fact that these young sergeants have so much responsibility is awesome.
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