Who commands a platoon?

• A. Company Commander
• B. Squad Leader
• C. Battalion Commander
• D. Platoon Leader

Answer: (D)

The main concept here is who leads a platoon. A platoon is commanded by the platoon leader, who is responsible for planning and directing the platoon’s missions, issuing orders to the squads within the platoon, and coordinating with the company leadership. This role is typically filled by a lieutenant (often a 2nd or 1st lieutenant) and is supported by a platoon sergeant who handles day-to-day operations and discipline.

Think of the hierarchy: a squad is led by a squad leader, a platoon by a platoon leader, a company by a company commander, and a battalion by a battalion commander. The platoon leader’s job is the link between the company command and the individual squads, ensuring that the platoon operates as a cohesive unit during training and combat tasks.