US Platoon + Squads

[PureMassacre]

Hi,

Could some one please post the standard structure of a platoon, ie. what weapons the soldiers are given and what squad they are placed into. Also the structure of a standard squad would be helpful.

If someone has the structure of platoons + squads for the 101st, that would be even better.

Note: This is current squad/platoon structure.

Thanks

[Ian H]

It doesn't really belong here, for which I apologise, but would anyone mind posting the similar British Army/ RM structure, as I've heard conflicting reports of strength, equipment etc.

Thanks in advance

[MSG Dman]

US Army Light Infantry Squad:

9 Men Total

Squad Leader - M4 Rifle
A-Team Leader - M4 Rifle
Grenadier - M4 w/M203
Automatic Rifleman - M249 SAW
Rifleman - M4 Rifle
B-Team Leader - M4 Rifle
Grenadier - M4 w/M203
Automatic Rifleman - M249 SAW
Rifleman - M4 Rifle

For a platoon, there are 3 of the squads above. Add 2 M240B Machine gun teams, a Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant and an RTO - 34 total men

[James]

USMC Rifle Squad (c. 1997)

13 Men total
Squad Leader - M16

3 Fire teams, each with:
Team leader - M16
Grenadier - M16/M203
Automatic Rifleman - M249
Asst. AR - M16

USMC Rifle Platoon -
3 Squads +
Platoon Leader
Platoon Sergeant
Radio Operator
Corpsman

43 pairs of boots on the ground.

In the USMC, a Rifle company has 3 rifle platoons, a weapons platoon, and a HQ element. Our MMGs (M60/M240), mortars, and assault guys were in the weapons platoon.

[crazyman]

since you asked about AASLT, take the light infantry as above, and add a wpn squad leader, and a pair of anti-armor teams, total 39 soldiers.

[Dave the Dawg]

Regarding a US Army light infantry platoon, note that besides the 34 men MSG Dman identifies, a platoon will also typically have attachments. These may include 1-2 antiarmor teams (another 2-4 men), a medic and an artillery forward observer (FO).

For the UK: http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0029.html

Notes:
(1) In Mechanised and Light Battalions a fourth 'Manoeuvre Support Section' with two GPMGs in the light role, is carried in the existing platoon transport. Sustained Fire Tripod equipment for the Man Sp Sect GPMGs are carries by the CQMS. The 51mm Mortar men from platoon HQ are grouped with this fourth section, which is commanded by a Corporal but controlled by the platoon HQ .

(2) The whole platoon with the exception of the LSW (Light Support Weapon) gunners are armed with IW - SA80 (Individual Weapon).

(3) The APC could be either Warrior or Saxon and possibly AFV 432.

(4) Platoons in Armoured or Mechanised Infantry Battalions are armed with the LAW 80 for anti-tank operations. The LAW 80 is issued to other types of infantry battalion when a tank threat exists.

(5) All riflemen in the platoon carry a rifle grenade sight, which can be attached to the SA80. In combat each SA80 user is also issued with two 'Bullet Catcher' rifle grenades. This grenade is simply pushed onto the end of the barrel and an ordinary 5.56mm round fired into it. The grenade absorbs the bullet without damage and is projected towards the target up to 150m away.

Also, from the Devons and Dorsets website: "A rifle Platoon consists of 4 sections. Three are made up of riflemen armed with the SA80 assault rifle, Light Support Weapon (LSW), anti tank rockets, grenades and other specialist equipment. The fourth section is called the manoeuvre support section and consists of 2 medium machine guns called the "General Purpose Machine Gun" or GPMG for short. This weapon has a range of around 1100 metres and provides a huge weight of fire for the rifle sections."

[Haiw]

Isn't the UK platoon layout gonna change with the (possible, not sure if it's gonna happen or not) introduction of the Minimi & underbarrel grenade launchers?

[oldsoak]

I think the idea is to replace one SA80 in each fire team with a Minimi and give the Section I/C and 2I/C uglies ( UGLs ). The LSW's will be used as a marksmans weapon. Tell you what - ask Royal, Sabre or Mark Tigger - they have much better info than I on this.

[Ian H]

Thanks for that.

One more : Is the crew for the Warrior/Saxon taken from the infantry section carried (ie. losing 3/2 dismounts), or are they from a seperate unit?

If I remember right, somewhere on the MoD website it says that each four man fire-team will have one each of Minimi, UGL, L86A2 and L85A2, and presumably a couple of LAW80 as well. I also read somewhere that the UGL would replace the platoon/troop level 51mm mortar, but this maybe wrong.

[PureMassacre]

Thanks, what would a medical squad consist of?

[German_American]

Anyone have any ideas of what a platoon would look like around 2008 or 2010.

[marktigger]

as far as I'm briefed the section for the UK is as above

As I'm not infantry i'm not the authority on how a dismounted warrior section works. The theory was 1 of the turret crew dismounted but the practice is they work with 7. In some cases Bn's are so short they in peacetime have no one in the back.

[wiggle]

US Army Military Police Squad

Sqd Leader M4 w/M203 *Shotgun Could be given to any member of squad
Team Ldr M4 w/M203
Driver M249
Gunner M4 with mounted .50 or Mk-19 or both with Eagle Mount

3 Teams to a Squad / 3 Squads

LT has his own team PSG with whoever
M9 Berettas for all

[Spearin]

Thanks Dave for that chart of the British Sections, I was looking for just that!

[crazyman]

ok since it's been mentioned..whats a "UGL"? i could guess, but i'd rather just get a proper answer