Before I begin my essays (for lack of a better word) on the Army’s key, or not so key, leaders, I think it important to outline for the gentle reader just how the Army is organized as it may help make sense of ramblings yet to come. So, without putting up a confusing organizational chart, or getting too deep into the levels of command, I’ll attempt to break it down as simple as possible for you.
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). For the purpose of our discussion, I will focus my views on the sergeant, aka: buck sergeant, as a squad leader.
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. The platoon leader is most often a Lieutenant (O1 or O2), but I’ve seen at times Captains (O3) leading some of the larger platoons. The platoon leader is not alone however, as there is a platoon sergeant assigned, usually at the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7), though sometimes a Staff Sergeant (E6) has the reigns.
A company is made up of several platoons; anywhere from 4 to 7 platoons. The company commander is usually a Captain (O3), though there are some companies who require Majors (O4) to be in command, and some companies that just don’t have a Captain available, so they stick a Lieutenant in command. Each company also has a First Sergeant (E8) assigned as the senior enlisted Soldier of the unit. The First Sergeant is one of the most important positions in the Army. Companies are formed by capability and most companies have unique missions.
The battalion consists of several companies, usually 5, but sometimes is made up of 4 to 7 companies (my battalion has just 4 companies). Leading the battalion is a Lieutenant Colonel (O5), aka: “light colonel,” and a Command Sergeant Major (E9), aka: “pain in the ass.” 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. Most brigades are led by a “full-bird” Colonel (O6) and a Command Sergeant Major (E9) and are comprised of several battalions. Today’s brigade is 99% self sufficient and capable of conducting operations anywhere in the world.
Last, but not least, is the division. The Army has 11 10 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.
UPDATE: As the ever astute Signaleer kindly pointed out, there are only 10 active divisions in the Army today (the 24th ID inactivated this past August), and 8 National Guard divisions, but I’d like to point out to the RTO that there is nothing “lowly” about being a Buck Sergeant, nothing at all.
Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 0731 zulu | | Permalink
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