MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

The Platoon Command Team

Revision Date: 30 November 2010 1

MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Objectives
 Describe duties, responsibilities, and authority of
Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers
and DA Civilians
 Identify platoon leader duties and responsibilities
 Identify platoon sergeant duties and responsibilities
 Determine the actions one must take upon arrival at the
new assignment
 Determine the actions one must take in preparation for
taking charge of a platoon

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Rank Authority and Duty

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

DA Civilians

As members of the executive branch

of the federal government, DA civilians
are part of the Army.

Senior DA civilians establish policy

and manage Army resources, but they
do not have the authority to command.

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Commissioned officers are direct

representatives of the President of the
United States.

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Commissioned Officer Responsibilities

 Commands, establishes policy, plans and programs
the work of the Army
 Concentrates on collective training, which will enable
the unit to accomplish its mission
 Is primarily involved with unit operations, training and
related activities
 Concentrates on unit effectiveness and unit readiness
 Pays particular attention to the standards of
performance, training and professional development of
officers as well as NCOs
 Creates conditions – makes the time and other
resources available – so the NCO can do the Job
 Supports the NCO

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

The Warrant Officer

Warrant officers are highly specialized, single-track

specialty officers, who receive their authority from the
Secretary of the Army upon their initial appointment.

Title 10 USC authorizes the commissioning of warrant

officers (WO1) upon promotion to chief warrant officer
(CW2).
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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Warrant Officer Duties

 Provides quality advice, counsel and solutions to
support the command
 Executes policy and manages the Army’s system
 Commands special-purpose units and tasks-organized
operational elements
 Focuses on collective, leader and individual training
 Operates, maintains, administers and manages the
Army’s equipment, support activities and technical
system
 Concentrates on unit effectiveness and readiness
 Supports the NCO

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

The Noncommissioned Officer

An NCO’s authority stems from the

combination of the chain of
command and the NCO support channel.
Orders and policies that pass through the
chain of command or the NCO support
channel automatically provide the
authority necessary to get the job done.

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

NCO Duties
 Conducts the daily business of the Army within
established orders, directives and policies
 Focuses on individual training and leading
soldiers and teams
 Ensures each subordinate is well trained,
highly motivated, ready and functioning
 Follows orders of officers and NCOs in the
support channel
 Gets the job done

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Duties and Responsibilities of the

Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Platoon Leader Duties

 Sets the example and standards
 Leads the platoon in support of company
and/or battalion missions
 Informs commander of his actions when
operating without orders
 Plans – with the help of key team members
 Requests support for platoon when needed
 Assists the platoon sergeant in planning and
coordinating the platoon’s CSS effort

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Platoon Leader Duties

 Receives on-hand status reports from platoon
sergeant, squad leaders, etc.
 Reviews platoon requirements based on
tactical plans
 During execution, checks the work of the
platoon sergeant and squad leaders
 Ensures soldier’s workload is reasonable.
 Develops and supports his platoon sergeant
and the NCO Support Channel

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Platoon Sergeant Duties

 Executes the daily business of the platoon
within the parameters of orders, directives and
policies
 Supervises the platoon’s administration,
logistics and maintenance
 Oversees training of soldiers on both individual
and collective (team/crew) tasks
 Ensures soldiers needs are met
 Assists in the training of the platoon leader
 Serves as platoon leader in the platoon leader’s
absence

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Platoon Leader Expectations

 Loyalty, honesty and trust; commitment to,
and enforcement of, Army values
 Technical and tactical proficiency
 Take charge attitude
 Sound and timely decision making
 Care of soldiers and concern for their well-
being and professional development
 Sharing of his knowledge and experience
with the Lieutenant without being
condescending or disrespectful

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Platoon Sergeant Expectations

 Loyalty, honesty and trust; commitment to, and
enforcement of, Army values
 Dedicated to the unit, its mission, and the welfare of its
soldiers
 Making training a high priority in the unit
 Flexibility and adaptability
 Forward thinking and planning – set conditions for
success
 Sound and timely decision making
 Excellent oral and written communication skills
 Integrity and candor (forget the politics)
 Willing to listen and eager to learn

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Platoon Leader – Platoon Sergeant

Relationship
 Essential to the effective operation of the
platoon
 Mutual respect and trust
 Purposeful redundancy of responsibilities –the
platoon sergeant must always be ready to step
in and lead the platoon
 Effective communication – the platoon sergeant
must understand the mission and his PL’s intent
and that of the company and battalion; also the
PL must know the morale, readiness, and
capabilities, and of soldiers
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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Preparing For First Assignment

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Preparation - Increase Your Proficiency

 Additional military schools
 Strengthen known weaknesses
 Read! Read all the FMs you can find that
relate to anything in your platoon
 Seek advice
 Go to Platoonleader.org and see what
platoon leaders are saying

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Preparation - Actions
 Prepare a letter of introduction to your
future commander
 Obtain as much information about your
new location and unit
 Call the Company XO – get advice
 Make checklists, a leader’s book, and
other support documents
 Draft a plan to take charge
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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Actions At Arrival To First

Assignment

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Arrival at First Assignment, I

 Make a good first impression
 Show your Commander and Soldiers respect
 Let your platoon sergeant know you want
his/her advice
 Let your platoon sergeant know you support
him/her
 Don’t make changes until you have observed
for a while
 Don’t criticize the previous leader

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Arrival at First Assignment, II

 What is the mission?
 What are the current training or work
projects?
 What reports are required?
 Find out who does what
 Check on handling of classified material

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Arrival at First Assignment, III

 Meet with your new commander
 Determine what is expected of you
 Determine what is expected of your
platoon
 Introduce yourself to the members of
your organization
 Inventory and sign for platoon property
 Meet and talk with the outgoing leader
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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Arrival at First Assignment, III

 Read key documents
 Determine how your mission fits into next
higher headquarters
 Identify the key people outside your platoon
 Determine the resources available
 Determine who reports directly to you
 Determine the current state of the platoon
training and morale

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Practical Exercise
 Make a list of things you can do to
prepare now for your first platoon
assignment
 Make a list of things you can do once you
arrive at your first platoon assignment
 You have 10 minutes to make a list
 You will have approximately 2 minutes to
brief the class
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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Summary

NCOs are the backbone of the Army

To develop a strong working relationship,

NCOs and officers must acknowledge and
understand the similarities and differences of
their respective duties and responsibilities.

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MSL 402, Lesson 10a: Platoon Command Team

Homework

• Review slides for lesson 10b

• Review videos for lesson 10b

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