Squad Leader
Rifle Platoon Petty Officer
The squad leader is generally a first class petty
The rifle platoon petty officer, generally a first class
officer (E-6). He carries out the orders of the platoon
petty officer (E-6), is the next senior man in the platoon
commander and is responsible to him for the discipline,
and is second in command. As such, he performs all
appearance, training, control, and conduct of his squad
duties assigned by the rifle platoon commander and
at all times. He must pay particular attention to the care
stands ready to assume command in his absence. On the
and maintenance of the weapons and equipment of the
job, he will assist in project supervision. In combat, he
squad. In combat, he has the important responsibilities
assists in all aspects of supevision and control of the
of fire discipline, fire control, and maneuvering his
platoon. The rifle platoon petty officer positions himself
where he can hear the commands of the rifle platoon
squad. He takes a position where he can best observe
and control his squad and carry out the orders of the
commander but far enough away to avoid becoming a
casualty should the rifle platoon commander be hit. The
platoon commander. He controls his squad by voice and
visual commands. The squad leader is primarily a
rifle platoon petty officer is also armed with the service
leader; therefore, he only fires his own weapon in critical
pistol.
situations. He is armed with the service rifle.
Rifle Platoon Guide
Grenadier
The rifle platoon guide is generally a first class petty
The grenadier, generally a third class petty officer
officer (E-6) who performs the administrative functions
(E-4), carries out the orders of the squad leader and is
the rifle platoon commander may direct. He is directly
responsible to him for the effective care, maintenance,
responsible to the rifle platoon commander for the
and employment of his weapon-the M203 grenade
supply and timely resupply of the platoon in combat and
launcher. In combat, the grenadier always moves with
often performs a similar task on the jobsite. He also
or is close to the squad leader. Usually, another E-4 in
maintains the platoon casualty record. While the platoon
the squad is trained to replace the grenadier should he
is moving in training or in combat operations, the rifle
become a casualty. On the jobsite, the grenadier has no
platoon guide helps prevent straggling. He is armed with
special authority unless specifically designated.
the service rifle.
THE RIFLE FIRE TEAM
Rifle Platoon Communicator
The rifle fire team is the basic combat unit of the
and Messenger
rifle squad and is formed around the automatic rifle,
which is an M16 service rifle, with the selector lever
These men are generally constructionmen (E-3);
always turned to frilly automatic. The fire team normally
and during normal construction, they are assigned to
consists of four men, although it may contain as few as
work a crew/rifle fire team. The rifle platoon
three and as many as seven men. All members are armed
communicator and messenger, in combat, provide
with the M16 service rifle. The four basic members are
communications between the rifle company
the following:
headquarters and the rifle platoon commander and also
1. Fire team leader
between the rifle platoon, its squads, and attached units.
The rifle platoon communicator uses radio or telephone
2. Automatic rifleman
communication methods, while the rifle platoon
3. Rifleman number 1
messenger generally travels on foot. Both are armed
4. Rifleman number 2
with service rifles.
Fire Team Leader
THE RIFLE SQUAD
The fire team leader, generally a second class petty
The Seabee rifle squad is composed of a squad
officer (E-5), carries out the orders of his squad leader
leader, three fire teams and a grenadier. Ideally, the rifle
and is responsible to him for the effective employment
squad will contain three fire teams of four men each, a
of his fire team. His primary responsibility is to control
his fire team in combat. In addition, he is responsible for
grenadier, and the squad leader for a total of 14 men.
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