Leadership

• The Most Essential Element Of Combat Power Is Competent And Confident Leadership.

• Leadership Provides Purpose, Direction, And Motivation In Combat, And Training.

• While Leadership Requirements Differ With Unit Size And Type, All Leaders Must Be Men Of Character; They Must Know And Understand Soldiers And The Material Tools Of War.

• To Earn The Respect Of Our Soldiers, We Must Always Lead From The Front; Leading With Knowledge And Actions.

Leadership

ThePlatoon Leader

Duties And Responsibilities

Leadership

ThePlatoon Leader

• He Is Responsible For All That The Platoon Does Or Fails To Do.

• This Includes The Tactical Employment, Training, Administration, Personnel Management, And Logistics Of His Platoon.

• He Does This By Planning, Making Timely Decisions, Issuing Orders, Assigning Tasks, And Supervising Platoon Activities.

• He Must Know The Platoon’s Men, It’s Weapons, And How Best To Use Them.

• He Must Also Know How To Use Supporting Weapons.

Leadership

ThePlatoon Leader

• The Rifle Platoon Leader Commands Through His Squad Leaders And Platoon Sergeant.

• The Rifle Platoon Leader Employs His Platoon To Support The Company And Battalion Mission.

• He Does This Based On The Mission Assigned To Him By The Company Commander, The Intent Of The Company And Battalion Commanders, And His Estimate Of The Situation.

• In The Absence Of Orders, He Takes The Initiative To Accomplish The Mission.

• When This Is Done, He Informs His Commander Of His Actions.

Leadership

ThePlatoon Leader

• He Makes His Plans With Help From His Platoon Sergeant, Squad Leaders, And Forward Observer.

• He Will Position Himself Where He Can Influence The Most Critical Task For Mission Accomplishment.

• Usually This Position Is With The Main Effort.

• When His Platoon Needs More Support To Do It’s Mission, He Asks For It From The Company Commander.

Leadership

ThePlatoon Sergeant

Duties And Responsibilities

Leadership

ThePlatoon Sergeant

• The Platoon Sergeant Is The Second In Command (In A Platoon Sized Element With A Combat Patrol Mission).

• The Following Checklist Outlines The Normal Duties He Is Expected To Perform:

a. Actions During Movement And At Halts.

(1) Take Actions Necessary To Facilitate Movement.

(a) Supervise Rear Security During Movement.

(b) Supervise, Establish, And Maintain Security During Halts.

(c) Navigation - Know Where You Are!

(2) Perform Additional Tasks As Required By The Platoon Leader And Assist Him In Every Way Possible (Control And Security).

Leadership

ThePlatoon Sergeant

b. Actions In The Objective Area.

(1) Assist The Occupation Of The “ORP”.

(2) Supervise, Establish, And Maintain Security In The “ORP”.

(3) Supervise The Final Preparation Of Weapons And Equipment In The “ORP” Per Guidance From The Platoon Leader.

(4) Assist The Platoon Leader In Control And Security.

(5) Supervise The Reorganization And Redistribution Of Ammo And Equipment.

Ensure Accountability And Status Of All Personnel Is Maintained, To Include WIA's And KIA's.

(6) Perform Additional Tasks Assigned By The Platoon Leader.

Leadership

ThePlatoon Sergeant

c. Actions In The Patrol Base.

(1) Assist In The Occupation Of The Patrol Base.

(2) Assist In Supervising The Establishment And Adjustment Of The

Perimeter.

(3) Maintain Security In The Patrol Base.

(a) Keep Movement And Noise To A Minimum.

(b) Supervise Camouflage And Perimeter Preparation.

(c) Periodically Inspect The Perimeter And Ensure Sectors Of Fire Are Assigned.

(d) Ensure That The Designated Personnel Remain Alert And That

Equipment Is Maintained In A State Of Readiness.

(4) Requisition Supplies, Water, Ammo, And Supervise Their Redistribution.

Leadership

ThePlatoon Sergeant

(5) Supervise The Priorities Of Work And Ensure Accomplishment.

(a) Security Plan.

(b) Maintenance Plan.

(c) Hygiene Plan.

(d) Messing Plan.

(e) Water Plan.

(f) Rest Plan.

(6) Perform Additional Tasks Assigned By The Platoon Leader And Assist Him In Every Way Possible.

Leadership

TheSquad Leader

Duties And Responsibilities

Leadership

TheSquad Leader

• The Squad Leader Is Normally The Third Man In The Chain Of Command (In A Platoon Sized Element).

• The Following Checklist Outlines The Normal Duties The Squad Leader Is Expected To Perform:

a. Actions Throughout The Mission.

(1) Sets The Example By Personally Adhering To Establish Standards And Procedures.

(2) Obtain Status Reports From Team Leaders And Submits Reports To Platoon

Leader / Platoon Sergeant.

(3) Makes Recommendations To The Platoon Leader And Platoon Sergeant When

Problems Are Observed.

Leadership

TheSquad Leader

(4) Ensure Tasks Are Accomplished By Delegating Tasks To Team Leaders And By

Establishing A Priority Of Tasks In Accordance With Orders Received From The Platoon

Leader.

(5) Uses Initiative In The Absence Of Orders.

(6) Follow The Platoon Leader’s Plan.

b. Actions During Movement And At Halts.

(1) Rotate Heavy Equipment And Difficult Duties.

(2) Ensures Platoon Leader Is Notified When Rest Halts And Water Replenishment Is Required.

(3) Maintains Proper Movement Techniques While Monitoring Route, Pace, And Azimuth.

(4) Takes All Actions To Prevent Breaks In Contact.

(5) Checks Personnel At Halts.

Leadership

TheSquad Leader

c. Actions In Objective Area.

(1) Ensures Special Equipment Has Been Prepared For Action At The Objective.

(2) Maintains Security And Control During Conduct Of The Assault.

(3) Obtains Status Reports From Team Leaders And Ensures Ammunition Is Redistributed.

d. Actions In The Patrol Base.

(1) Ensure Patrol Base Is Occupied According To The Platoon Leader’s Plan.

(2) Ensure Personnel Cover The Entire Sector. Make Final Adjustments, If Necessary.

(3) Recon And Security (R&s) Team Is Sent Out In Front Of Assigned Sector.

(4) Ensure Priorities Of Work Are Being Accomplished And Report Accomplished Priorities To The Platoon Leader/platoon Sergeant.

Leadership

TheSquad Leader

(5) Adheres To Time Schedule.

(6) Ensure Personnel Know The Alert And Evacuation Plan, The Locations Of Key Leaders, ORP’s, And Alternate Patrol Base.

Leadership

Leadership

Leadership

Leadership

Leadership