What is a Platoon? (Origins and Examples)

[@marcelosilveira2276]

I had learned it as “platoon the maximum amount of men a single officer can control in detail amid the battlefield” and a Company as “the men at arms that keep you company, as in, you can recognize each and everyone of them by face and name and know enough about them so as that infiltration would be unlikely, moreover, the friendship developed among such men are likely to motivate each of them to fight harder to protect their friends, were as a force that don’t know it’s members is more likely to abandon their companymates to their own luck by abandoning their positions”

[@jonathanwest6564]

Sociologist find there is a coronation between different primates intelligent and the number of individuals in a "troop." There is science that backs your statement up. Mostly in studying primitive tribes. How many friends can you go camping with (no walls or privacy) for years where there is too many for sitting down and the group solving conflicts.

[@petrusinvictus3603]

Since the History, people are, would be divide!? Divide et conquere.

[@dalentalas]

@Marcelo Silveira: I was just about to comment the same. Can you let me know the source of the quote?

[@marcelosilveira2276]

@@dalentalas Lyndibeige KZbin Channel, I don't remember what source he mentioned though

[@nathancragg6202]

Interestingly, our most primal organizations of around 100-150 are about the highest level you can dictate and he lifestyle of the group without extreme infighting (CO). Once you get to 400 or so, everyone is still in it to keep the group alive but you can start to specialize instead of everyone has to do everything plus their speciality (BN). Once you get above that level, you start reaching competition between groups in a way that can be destructive, at the BN level the competition is more about bettering the group, above BN can be really hard to be competitive without it being destructive to the whole

[@gilanbarona9814]

I led a platoon as a junior officer. I thought of my platoon as the classroom for my education into leadership and military competence. I learned a lot. Thanks for this video.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Sounds like you were a good officer. Nothing better than a junior officer who is there to learn from NCO’s other officers around them.

[@Ironmikeblood]

"You" were good to go, if "You" had a PltSgt worth His 'salt'...🎗

[@gilanbarona9814]

@@Ironmikeblood I had one, and some very good squad leaders as well.

[@notjamesstockdale3563]

6:58 "discipline within the platoon" knife hands time

[@SirCheezersIII]

Too many nightmares coming face to face with a hailstorm of those

[@Gloopling]

Open ranks march half right face front leaning rest position move

[@SSDConker2]

Knife hands to the face good to go?

[@adrianfrift7571]

I worry for the people angry cops arrests

[@Зазакрытойгермодверью]

Yeah, here in Russia the first "job" that awaits the officer recently graduated from the *uchilische* (academy) is commanding a motorized platoon while holding the rank of 2nd lieutenant.

[@alexgustavsson5955]

If you're taking video suggestions, I'd love to see a video about contemporary paratroopers/airborne troops. Cheers!

[@TheNorwegian]

Agree!

[@theregiment7595]

Awesome video - clear, concise, and to the point. Keep up the good work dude.

[@BattleOrder]

Much appreciated!

[@ozzygrunt4812]

Working at a section level right up to Battalion level, I’ve seen a lot of changes in an Australian army platoon formation. Whilst in a platoon, I served in a scout/2IC/Command level with in a section. The Australian army platoon from 1990 to 1997 consisted of Platoon HQ (LT/SGT/Sig) and 3 sections consisting of (CPL/LCPL, 2 x scouts, 3 x assault, 3 x support). This will always stay the same in a basic platoon formation, but every task is different.I.e if we were deploying either on exercise/manoeuvres or operations, we could have the platoon with medics, signal, int interpreters, engineers, artillery FO or even SF. The battalion commander will hand the orders down to different companies daily, company commanders will hand theirs down to platoons then sections. I’m always fascinated with your vlogs mate, keep them coming. Cheers

[@stephanl1983]

Can you make a video about the German Infantry (Light Infantry, Paratroopers, Mountain Infantry) or their Armoured Infantry (Panzergrenadiere)?

[@realQuiGon]

Yes please!

[@thorstenerlenkamp8795]

O yes

[@yousuck785why]

I support this! A video about them would be most wonderful.

[@TrangleC]

Don't hold your breath. It seems the guy has very little interest in anything German, or outright dislikes it. In some videos, I even get the feeling he purposefully avoids mentioning German stuff, like in this video, when he talks about British, American and French platoon structures during WW1, but doesn't even mention what the Germans were doing. I'm actually surprised he mentioned that German platoons often are led by NCOs later in the video.

[@davidburon5592]

8:44 It's curious that in the Spanish army platoon is called sección and section is called pelotón

[@dvazquez5652]

That’s why they’re not a super power... Kidding of course, that’s not why they’re not a super power

[@sonnysantana5454]

​@@dvazquez5652 , america hasn't been a super power since korea ( lost ) Vietnam ( lost )Beirut ( vet lost i was their ) Granada ( won ) Panama ( won ) somalia ( lost ) desert storm ( 22' day air war won - 3' day ground war = won ) war on terror a long roller coaster ride of bad mismanagement results will be debated long after your gone = we haven't been a super power in a long ass time but we are still tops in giving out foreign aid to any one who doesn't actually fight

[@earlgeorge7573]

My first platoon as an Infantry 2LT in Germany was a weapons platoon in a mechanized infantry rifle company. The platoon consisted of 8 individuals counting myself. I was responsible for 10 vehicles. On day 2 of being a platoon leader, I lost 6 of my people for details for tank gunnery on range 80(GRAF). On day 3, I was assigned guard duty for a General Court's martial for an E-7 charged with armed robbery and 2 counts of kidnaping. I had a 4.2" mortar platoon for 16 months. I was the senior person in the platoon(time wise.) My PSG was a SP4 draftee who was senior to 8 other e-4's. You don't get to know everything about a platoon from reading a book or watching a video.

[@Svensk7119]

By this, the El-Tee (don't know what rank you ended with, Mr. George) means that all examples given of modern Tables-Of-Organization-&-Equipment are ideals. Rarely, if ever, are platoons in ideal configuration. There are always people on sick call in any company, there are always people detached to other details (duties), there are always units that are understrength, and there are always personnel in transition. Into the company, out of the company, across the batallion, and into and of that division or brigade. And, at least in times of peace, there're always people who are Short (getting ready to get out entirely). There're other factors, too, perhaps, ones I have forgotten, or not encountered.

[@earlgeorge7573]

@@Svensk7119 you work with what you have. That is what I had. I finished my career as a CPT.

[@jontheno3213]

Last time I was this early armies were still using muzzle loaders

[@BattleOrder]

lol

[@Drew-vv9ef]

Last time I was this early, hmm Idk what to say

[@KenshiroPlayDotA]

@@BattleOrder Last time I was this early, Red Dragon was rearing its head in Battle Order's videos ! Jokes aside, from which army is the FO at 15:25 ? The camo pattern has a color palette very close to Multicam, but the green splotches are too large to be Multicam/Scorpion W2, and it doesn't match the Polish derivative, nor the Slovenian SLOCAM.

[@jesserobinson20]

I asked my wife's grandfather it it was a tough transition when the Army changed over from smooth bore musket to the rifled barrel.

[@terrydouglas5008]

In the US the infantry platoon is the smallest unit commanded by an officer. Usually an infantry officers first command as a 2nd Lieutenant.

[@antwarior]

this has become my most favorite channel for all things army, i love the content and helps me to better win my battles in warno and call to arms gates of hell games, learning how the army works and maneuver can be huge in games as it does in real life

[@not-a-theist8251]

I live in Kassel. Always nice when our contributions to world history are recognized.

[@richardglady3009]

Wow...you pack so much information into this video. I don’t think I even heard you take a breath. Thank you.

[@avice10535]

Good to see how different countries configure their platoons!

[@pyeitme508]

Amazing video dude!

[@BattleOrder]

Thanks a ton!

[@pyeitme508]

@@BattleOrder your welcome and ton you! 😂

[@samgraham2110]

Why would anyone dislike this? They even cite their sources!

[@taemien9219]

"What makes up a modern platoon?" From my experience in the US Army, no two platoons are alike. There's what they ideally are in the books and then there's reality. And obviously its going to have differences based on whether its Ordinance, Infantry, MP, Medics, Signal, etc. For example, my platoon (signal, active duty Army) was detached from our company and assigned to an air national guard squadron for a small deployment. Our commander was an Air Force Major, our Platoon Leader was a CWO3, and Plt Sgt was a SFC. When not deployed our SFC was the Platoon Leader and one of the SGT was acting Plt Sgt There was about two dozen of us. Our assigned weapons were two M16A2s and the rest divided evenly between M16A2s with M203 and M249s. Despite having a smaller size than most infantry platoons, we had a helluva lot more firepower.

[@Kazako83]

Lol imagine the red for unit rolling up thinking “we’re going sever these American’s communication lines” and then getting volley fired by a infantry battalions worth of bullets.

[@marcelthevirginian1656]

Around 9:30 you have music from Day of Infamy. That's great! I heard it in the background, and I was like "that's familiar, where's that from?" Took me second to figure it out. As a DOI fan I'm rather pleased :)

[@gooner72]

All British soldiers have medical training to a very high standard and also have dedicated medics in each infantry platoon. These further trained lads are at pretty much the same level as a civilian paramedic.....🇬🇧🇺🇸✌✌

[@Kazako83]

Similar setup in the US, the platoon medics (68W) are trained to be certified civ-EMTs and we further train some 11Bs (Infantry) to a higher standard above the basic med-training to be a CLS (Combat Life Savers) in case we cannot get to the casualty first. Interesting to see how you guys across the pond do it! ✌️

[@jc1840]

Love the Medal of Honor: European Assault music in the background lol

[@qetiogusliriope7436]

I asked my dad when I was younger. I shit you not, he then introduced to me to Band of Brothers.

[@geoffreyreeks2422]

The natural size of the human herd is between 8 and 12. You have between 8 an 12 friends with whom you keep in regular contact. You have between 8 and 12 relatives with whom you keep in regular contact. You can effectively supervise between 8 and 12 people. Militaries typical establish a section (or squad) as 12 people, so it can take losses to 8 and still be an effective fighting unit. Typically, 4 sections form a platoon, as we do not want to over work the lieutenant, which (let's face it) is a training position for an officer because they were promoted into leadership much before they have the maturity for those positions. It would be better if officers progressed through the ranks. Regards, Geoff. Reeks

[@femboyskitty]

I only have 2 fwiends tho. >w< Even if you count my stuffies I still only have 6 fwiends. :3

[@Doomsday499]

@@femboyskitty thats cute

[@femboyskitty]

@@Doomsday499 Hehe thank you. I got a new stuffie so now I have 7 fwiends!

[@Doomsday499]

@@femboyskitty aww good for you! 🥺

[@dooner4752]

Just want to take a minute and say Thank You for the video. You did alot of research, if all came from paper manuals, vary nice library as well. Keep up the hard work!

[@austinwoods917]

When can we get a video on Rhodesian forces and their organization?

[@orlandocastro7721]

In 🇭🇳 Honduras a platoon is compose Of 25 soldiers of four scuads of 9 soldiers and an a squad is compose of 2 teams of four soldiers each ( alfa ) team ( bravo ) team the team is compose of ( 1) riffle man ( 2) granadier ( 3) riffle man ( 4) machine gunner second Sargents are platoon leaders Staff Sargents are squad leaders and corporals are team leaders !!

[@thecuttingsark5094]

As Brits we continue to this day with keeping Squads (sections) as solely riflemen. We dont integrate weapon systems as well as the Americans. A lack of LMGs, USGLs and DMRs within a section is overlooked because were told that a well trained rifleman can cover these bases, especially with a state of the art rifle like the SA80!!! When reality kicks in (eg Afghanistan) we magically procure Minimis (SAWs) and USGLs out of necessity. Now that’s all mostly over, we’re getting rid of SAWs again! History repeats itself.

[@BattleOrder]

That isn't true. Except for the period between like 1986 and the start of the early 2000s when the L86 was meant to be a SAW, there has always been a mix of belt-fed machine guns, underbarrel grenade launchers and DMRs in the section. There are currently 2 underbarrel grenade launchers, 1 general-purpose machine gun, and 1 designated marksman rifle per section. Even the armoured infantry, who don't have the GPMG, still have the underbarrel grenade launchers and DMR.

[@thecuttingsark5094]

Battle Order well in part yes. But we invented the ‘mad minute’ to cover the lack of semi auto/automatic weapons at section level. USGLs weren’t even in service until desperately needed in the early 2000s. We had the 51 mm mortar, one per platoon, until then. We did have the Bren/LMG until the SA80 was introduced so fair enough. The GPMG is definitely not section level as standard. DMRs? When? I guess the SLR was good enough to fill the role but we’ve never had a DMR at section level like a Dragunov for example. If it wasn’t for Afghan, the USGLs and SAWs would never have seen the light of day. Maybe I’m wrong from a historical perspective, but in the 90s/ early 2000s troops were crying out for equipment and being told skilled riflemen could fill the roles. Your videos are excellent btw

[@BattleOrder]

@@thecuttingsark5094 the GPMG has been section standard since 2018 (and it was the squad automatic weapon from the 1950s to 1986) and there have been L129A1 DMRs in the section for a while now. There were even up to 2 actual DMRs in the section at one point

[@thecuttingsark5094]

Battle Order fair point mate. But DMRs and decent SAWs where not standard until Afghan made it necessary and now it’s finished, they’re disappearing again. The Bren/LMG was section level, not the GPMG pre 86.

[@HanSolo__]

I wish you would include Polish Army in your stack of typical examples used in such cases as this video. It is a modern army. Maybe not a strict avant-garde, but a modest, modern one.

[@ghost25763]

Maybe next film could be about MP or intelligence companies

[@TouThoj07]

Would love to see a video on US Army Unit patch history and why the other branches didn't adopt their own (exept for the marines for a lil while in ww2).

[@MrSheckstr]

It goes back to the 81st Infantry division and world War 1 deciding to put a patch of a wildcat on their service uniform. Initially other units complained about it but General Pershing overrode the complaints and suggested that all other units should also come up with their own distinctive patches. By world war 2 all US army Units had them. As for why other branches didn’t... because it wasn’t their tradition

[@TouThoj07]

@@MrSheckstr ah ok, thanks for the well informed answer.

[@MrSheckstr]

@@TouThoj07 I was gonna expand upon that but forgot and real life got into the way so I just sent it as is. In the navy (shut up village people) long before WW1 and the 81st it was already long standing tradition to have the name of the ship (and orbits number) embroidered upon the band of their hat. At the time there either was no air force or it was the army air Corp (I’m covering a very wide range of time going back to Napoleonic era if not before with my hat comment) and for a lot of that time most marines were assigned as a discipline enforcement unit, the vanguard of a ship to ship or ship to shore assault and as part of a ships gunnery section but invariably even of the had their own officers they were ultimately under the command of a NAVY officer.

[@GigaChad-xw4jp]

You're videos are awesome man keep up the good work

[@BattleOrder]

Glad you like them!

[@arkad6329]

You’re thinking to deep into it. For the US Army a platoon is what the company commander wants it to be. Normally for a line unit it’s about 45 dudes with a LT an SFC/SSG in charge. And to say a LT is in charge... that’s a bit generous. The LT is there to learn from the NCO and file paperwork. It’s rare for him/her to make decisions. For a support unit it gets very messy, because those depend on MOS and how many of that MOS are in the Battalion. For instance 68W’s have their own platoon in an HHC. And rather than assisting medics to the line units they are assigned to a Medical platoon and attached to line units when needed.(there is a big difference between being assigned and attached). Same with maintenance personnel, they are assigned to a maintenance platoon, but attached when a line units gets pushed out. I know it’s very nuanced, but please let people know that IRL unit make up isn’t at all what it says in the manual. (for US Army at least) Reason is, they think they know how the military is set up because they watched a video on KZbin and look like an idiot when they quote said video.

[@Kazako83]

I think the on paper organization seriously matters. I think he’s not overthinking it. I do agree that a lot of units will vary from their on paper designations. Although this is just my personal opinion, but I think that America makes weak officers by relying on SNCOs too much. A lot of countries have longer and more serious Officer Schools than most Lieutenants go through at OCS, and a lot of armies like the Soviet Army heavily relied on enlisted later going to Officer school themselves if they desire leadership. I feel like our system of alluring a bunch of college kids with bonuses, sending them to 12 weeks of OCS and putting them in charge is more like the Soviet reserve school, which was mainly intended for filling in the holes left by a massive ground war with NATO. I also wonder how many SNCOs would survive a serious all out war with a power like the USSR, and how many would be willing to fully help fresh 2nd Lts. How many would try to take up the role that 2nd Lt would fill? Which is all well and good for fighting asymmetric warfare, but executing platoon and company level actions in a large war without attending a military college seems rather scary. Though we absolutely have a better system of enlisted management with SNCOs than any Soviet system. SNCOs are very important.

[@arkad6329]

@@Kazako83 This comment is 3 years old, and what I said in it has nothing to do with how Battle Order makes his videos now. Now he is very good at stressing that flexibility is a cornerstone in small unit organization. I would consider him the standard at delving into unit structure now. As to what you said; Paper organization matters, just not as much on the platoon level. Example: If a soldier was to swap companies; a healthy amount of paperwork is involved. But if a soldier is swapped from 1st platoon to 4th platoon, very little paperwork is involved. That's why I said a platoon is what the Company Commander wants it to be. It's up to that Captain's discretion. So yes, it's very important for the big picture, however not so much ground level. Which is where the platoon operates. I don't see how you can come up with the idea that the US makes weak officers. For one: Your statement that Officer training is not what it used to be, is moot. Because Junior Officers have always been idiots. We have journals of Civil War soldiers complaining about how stupid their LT's were. So stupid Junior Officers are nothing new. And are not exclusive to the US. The Brit's, Germans, and French have a records of dumb Junior Officers during the Napoleonic wars. And 2: the role of an Officer in the US Army is vastly different than one in a Soviet structure. And vary within their job. An O5 in the Medical branch, is not the same as an Infantry O5. Nor should they be. And NCO's are technically Officers, just not Commissioned Officers. NCO stands for Non-Commissioned Officer; AKA an Officer that's not Commissioned. The role of a Non-Commissioned Officer has taken on the duties of past Junior Commissioned Officers. So, Junior Officers don't need the same skillset that they used to. And can more focus on Administrative duties(Something much more important when they promote to a field officer) As to who would win: Nato or the Russians with no Nukes involved... Now? Nato would body the Russians. It wouldn't even be funny. It would just be pathetic. The best tactic the Russians could do to slow down Nato forces; is send in their conscripts to do mass surrenders. Nato units HAVE to process POW's. And a Mass Surrender is a bitch to process.

[@Kazako83]

@@arkad6329 You completely misunderstand what I mean. I’m just trying to have a discussion. If responding to a 3+ year old comment bothers you than just don’t reply. Dumb officers are definitely not a constant. Objectively the American and British derived systems creates weak officers by creating a dual track promotion system. Countries like France and the Soviets focused on Enlisted to Officer promotions instead. Were there some dumb officers? Sure, but they were not a constant talked about thing until recently. They also are majorly a symptom of the Anglo based NCO system. France, the USSR and Germany don’t have this culture of hating junior leadership. There is a massive difference though, in other systems. A medical O5 might not be the same in America, but an Armor Officer, Infantry, Engineering etc all go to the same OCS, which is only 12 weeks after college. They only learn their job afterwards. Soviet Officers (Just as an example, many other nations have longer schools) went to a specialized military college and their training/education was over a year. It’s probably can’t work for a peacetime volunteer army, it really is made for a conscript army designed to be activated in wartime, but it is an interesting alternative. It creates stronger junior leadership at the cost of weaker NCOs. Also I don’t really know where I mentioned Russia. Russia isn’t the USSR and their failures have nothing to do with their training system. If your response to the idea that America could be weaker in on aspect than something else, and your response is to cope about “muh Ukraine” despite it having nothing to do with the conversation.

[@arkad6329]

@@Kazako83 Your "discussion" that a Soviet officer is better than an American officer is dumb. Deposit $200, return to Go.

[@Kazako83]

@@arkad6329 No dude. Jesus. I’m literally just saying the Soviets had better junior officers, and the Americans have better NCOs/enlisted. Take some criticism of a nation without being triggered.

[@RAYDENfilipp]

I very much like the Netherlands' Idea to duplicate platoon commander for vehicles. Given the complexity and breadth of knowledge and responsibility, it really seems better to separate dismounted and mounted one, imo

[@BJU207]

In the mechanised part of the army, there are actually two different platoons. The CV90s 3 in this case, makes up a platoon, with the platoon leader (typically a leutenant but could also be a överfurir (missing english counterpart)). And the mechanised infantery (mekskytte/pansarskytte) makes up their own platoon, where the platoon leader typically would be a Leutenant as well. Just to clear up the "dismuonted commander", as the CV90s platoon leaders job is to have control over the CV90s and the mechanised infatery commanders job is to have control over the mechanised infantry. A typical rifle squad have 1-2 FN mimi or 1-2 FN MAG, also 1-2 Carl Gustaf, since we don't have specific weapon squads as the americans do. In the reserves however each platoon has a specific support squad, where we have 2 FN MAGs and 2 Carl Gustafs, and each other soldier carries AT4s. Good overall job otherwise (Y)

[@Sledgeace]

I like how you don't just talk about the us army keep it up great video Also would like a video on jtacs and tacps British specifically

[@codyjohnson7195]

I like how the Thumbnail was the scene from platoon.

[@heroinboblivesagain5478]

Great video!! The Medal of Honor theme at the start gave me a nostalgia flashback though lol.

[@tyler-jamesdenton1212]

Rifle platoon of the USMC: 3-4 rifle squads (13 men; three 4 man “fire teams” led by a squad leader, typically a corporal.) the fire team leaders are typically Lance Corporals. The platoon sergeant is a Sergeant. The plt commander is a 1st or 2nd LT. Everyone had an M27IAR except for the squad leaders who have the M4 Carbine, with an M203 grenade launcher on the bottom.

[@theoldshooter5631]

I had the honor and fortune to be a platoon leader in three different platoons in the 82nd ABN Div from 2 LT to 1st LT (P). Served with some of the best our nation has to offer and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[@Taurox220]

How'd you luck out and get three platoon leader assignments?

[@theoldshooter5631]

@@Taurox220 Have no clue. Ego says...I was gooooood!...lol.

[@grrergg]

If you're taking video suggestions, pleace make one comparing the different units in Enhanced Forward Presence.

[@IoachimSavianPopovici]

This channel is gold

[@jojopanganiban8625]

Dear Battle Order.. You are exactly the learning flatform I am looking for. I love history and military. And knowing the origins is extremely educational. May I know the origin of each military ranks. Both commission and non-commissioned. I already saw and appreciated your "Lance Corporal" presentation. Looking forward to learning more. Thanks

[@WarMaster0345]

Good video bro thanks

[@BattleOrder]

Thanks mate!

[@WarMaster0345]

No problem mate please make more videos

[@SuccessforLifester]

During my service stint in Singapore, if I can remember correctly, three sections form a platoon. A section has eight man consisting of two NCOs, two M203 carried, two anti-tank weapon carrier and two SAW carriers. The NCOs consist of a commander and a second in command

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@user-dd8vo7or2d Oh what are the roles ?

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@user-dd8vo7or2d Ok thanks !

[@MrSheckstr]

When my combat engineer (heavy) company got reorganized we transitioned all the 60s and .50cal to the headquarters platoon because that’s where motor pool and supply were assigned the other platoons had three squads with two teams each (so the platoon could function as 1,2,3 or 6 roughly balanced units). The M60s were replace by SAWs at a ratio of 2-3:1 so they gave the SAWs to the most senior enlisted without a leadership position and assigned them each one of the least experienced rifleman as an assistant. Depending on the situation were would either attach one to each of the six teams with extras directly assigned to the platoon leader and platoon sergeant, divided into thirds and each third be a third team to each squad OR lined up as a fourth squad under the command of an extra NCO or the most senior gunner. It all depended on the mission or the type of training was expected. It’s been found that heavy weapons range training suffers when they are evenly dispersed but maneuvering training suffers when they are kept a separate unit

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@MrSheckstr 😮. Thanks for sharing.

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

OK, so...that are basically modern day Maniples, as they are now used. I get it. Thanks!

[@ericwilleke6613]

24 medics, a platoon leader, a platoon sergeant an assistant platoon sergeant and 12 ambulances. Ambulance platoon in my day.

[@TheNorwegian]

Two-officer platoons were common in the Norwegian military in the 80s and 90s - typically the platoon commander was a lieutenant (1st lieutenant) and the platoon 2-in-c an ensign (2nd lieutenant). After the reintroduction of a professional NCO corps in the 2000s this may have changed now.

[@keepinitsk8a516]

Appreciate you showing the black soldiers, don’t get talked about enough and movies always depict it as all white men, except wars post ww2

[@realQuiGon]

Awesome video! I really like that you show how different countries do things differently!

[@titusmagnuseinuniversumaus6354]

Peloton could have a double meaning in french; but i am pretty sure the word is used in the Tour de France to refer to the main field (main group) of bicycles. It would make sense in that same way here in a military context.

[@dennisgoins3743]

I'm kinda loving this channel.

[@BattleOrder]

Glad you like it!

[@alancranford3398]

Thanks. I learned something. My own studies of platoon organization go back only to about the American Civil War period and were quite superficial. One of these days I hope that this channel will examine the oldest military organization--the company, lead by its chief (or captain). If done right, that will be several thousand years and a "company" could be only a few--as few as a half-dozen--or as many as a thousand. When incorporated in formal armies (the exact details lost in the past) the companies were often stand-alone units. The Roman maniple was about company sized and incorporated in cohorts. Independent companies had all of their own services--even if it was only the guy holding the company purse. Modern platoons might be larger today than were independent companies of the past--Mark Twain's own Marion's Rangers may have been less than two dozen Confederate soldiers. Generally, companies are limited by Dunbar's Number: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intrinsic-motivation-and-magical-unicorns/201102/whats-your-dunbar-number The smaller mercenary companies without rigid internal organization may be due to the "warriors don't play well with others" meme--"soldiers are only dangerous in large numbers." Organizations from weapon crews, fire teams, squads, sections, platoons, troops, companies, battalions and squadrons exist to coordinate the actions of individuals and network their weapons' strengths while masking weapon flaws--such as grouping multiple muzzle-loading musket men and having them fire volleys by rank as documented in this video on the platoon. Organized and coordinated effort is an invisible weapon. Your story of the platoon is concise and fills in holes in my knowledge. Thank you.

[@baoanhdaica123]

Just when I finished watching Platoon holyyyt shit dude you read my mind

[@richardcox6935]

Standard for an Army Platoon is four 15 man squads, with 4 platoons making up a company. Back in the day. half of a squad was forward deployed with the other half containing the M60 crews. On the memories.

[@lookandlisten2806]

That depends on the type of unit. Like rather it is airborne, air assault, mountain, cavalry, armor, heavy infantry, etc. The Marines are pretty standard with plug and play support.

[@jmanil]

A Marine Corps Infantry Platoon is great to storm any bar in the nation or the world to drink the bar dry and to pick up every woman. A bar fight is the most awesome sight anyone will see. Semper Fi.

[@medes7894]

Awesome video

[@skreaning6170]

Love your content, subscribed!!!!! Keep up the good work bud

[@hvyduty1220]

Just found your channel, love it

[@johnloughner6572]

Also combat engineers like me also participated in combat not just logistics. We make the way for everyone else with special forces. Tip of the spear

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

Gotta love that MoH: European Assault theme in the background.

[@lepmuhangpa]

This comes in scientifically cause a classroom also has around 30 students cause 1 person cannot handle more than that. The company goes up to 150 and is usually less than that cause that's about the maximum number of people you can know at one time.

[@magnuslauglo5356]

Interesting to see how many different ways different armies handle the distribution of weapons.

[@daniels.3062]

Very informative. Thanks a bunch.

[@michaelegotti6439]

Just subbed nice informative channel

[@MaskinJunior]

I would say in Sweden the organization is based of the 8 thing maximum. A Squad can be up to eight people, including the commander. A Platoon consist of up to 8 squads including HQ, than the Company may include up to 8 platoons which is rare since Sweden has such a small peacetime army, up to eight companies in a regiment, and we only have one peace-time battalion. But I doubt we will have eight battalions in our entire army. We also try to keep decisions as close to the ground as possible so the individual soldier knows a lot about the objective and has the authority to make decisions. One key factor, nobody has the authority to declare surrender, it is up to each and every individual solder to decide when the war is over.

[@keaganlindsay]

7:02. Sees the name of Griggs. Gets an immediate flashback of the scene on the bridge.

[@jinroh516]

I feel you man

[@cyrilchui2811]

At 3.2 min it said during American Civil War (1860s) Platoon size is around 47, a company has 2 platoons total 98 men. According to American Battlefield Trust - Civil war Army Organisation in 4 min, which said a Company has 30-50 men, a regiment has 10 Company, comprising of around 300 men.

[@BattleOrder]

98-100 men per company is the official maximum strength. Your source is assuming a company severely understrength which, to be fair, most were. And that 10 companies per regiment is correct for volunteer regiments, while the federal regular army regiments had 24 companies. The official personnel allotment for companies are listed here: www.battleorder.org/usa-inf-reg-1861

[@cyrilchui2811]

@@BattleOrder Thanks for clarification. Just curious, during those days, how would a depleted company deployed compared with a fresh company? less rank? covering less front, or wider apart?

[@stormerz8605]

In Italy warrant officer have a long history of being platoon commanders, so apart from having the officers and troops/enlisted, we also have the category of NCO as a starting point, in the past those that wanted to continue service in the army would go on to become future NCO and so platoon commanders, but new officer aka 2LT/1LT would still be assigned a platoon from time to time, now it has completely changed, Officers that come out of the academy go on to be a company vice commander/commander and rarely get assigned a platoon, those that graduate warrant officer school get assigned a platoon immediately (or vice commander)

[@GabrielGarcia-bf2kn]

That’s so interesting, 2LT leading a company sounds like a real trip

[@stormerz8605]

@@GabrielGarcia-bf2kn they finish the academy as 1LT after 5 years of studies, as 2LT they're still in school studying

[@Pats0c]

Hey Battle Order, I asked a question a little while ago but I wanted to ask another one on the video my question is relevant to. Do you know why the Marine Corps has weapons platoons and why the Army directly integrates weapons into the regular infantry platoons?

[@hopbattlesocc7009]

I believe it is due to the fact Marines have a larger squad compared to the Army. If my math is correct a Marine Platoon would at least be 45 riflemen (15*3), while the Army platoon with has I believe 6 riflemen per squad. It could fall under doctrine as well, Marines I believe are meant to be a raiding force, so at least a company will be deployed to a short frontage compared to an Army Company. Really good question, take my answer with a grain of salt tho.

[@cdnarmymedic]

Since around 2003 Canada has attached medics at the platoon level during high-risk kinetic operations (i.e., Afghanistan), with a senior medic in the Coy HQ. However, given the limited number of medics in the Forces as a whole, doctrine still dictates medics are at Coy level because in the event of large scale conventional warfare there would not be enough medics to provide support at the platoon level.

[@SirCheezersIII]

Curious about the US Regimental Combat Team or the German Kampfgruppe and how that laid the foundation for today's combined arms brigades. Would be interesting to see what diverse influences contributed to the paradigm shift towards that organization away from single branched (infantry, cavalry, armor etc) regiments pre-1939.

[@aleksandrrakowski4953]

in chinese, a platoon, is called "pai", i have never thought of why. now it seems that it is from platoon, or similar terms from latin language. pai in chinese, also means "roll"

[@flyingdice]

Thanks! Great content really insightful.

[@ReaverPrime]

US Military Police units function somewhat differently. We deployed on the company level, rather than battalion or brigade. Our company was 3 platoons. Each platoon was 3 squads. Each squad was 4 fireteams. Each fireteam consisted of 3 or 4 soldiers: team leader, driver, and gunner. The possible 4th would either be a medic, platoon leader, or any extra soldier. That extra soldier would act as assistant gunner, helping with the crew served weapon and carrying extra ammo. MP units are also armed to the teeth. We typically had more hardware than any other unit. Every soldier had an M9 as a sidearm. Squad/Team leaders would have an M4 equipped with an M203 grenade launcher and a shotgun. Drivers carried an M249. Gunners had an M4 along with their mounted weapon (M2, M240, or MK19). Any assistant gunners would carry an M4 and shotgun their team leader would normally have. Everyone was also issued NVGs, a targeting scope/sight (mostly HAMRs or ACOGs), and a sighting aide such as a PEQ-15 visible and infrared laser pointer.

[@MrLeeleeeeeeee]

Would it be possible to see the break down of the GPMG to the Individual Marksman Rifle? The past of GPMG towards the shifts of the Marksman Rifle.

[@Norsemano1921]

China DOES have a Platoon Sergeant as a 2IC now, it's usually a Staff Sergeant or a Master Sergeant Fourth Class （四級軍士長）. It's a new concept and position introduced after the Reform 2017. Also, 3 more NCOs were added to the company command, respectively Company Sergeant, Signal Sergeant, and Medical Instructor. It remains unknown whether or not NCOs were added to the Battalion command but such a thing is foreseeable.

[@MisteriosGloriosos922]

nice video!!

[@aliasalias8433]

Very good

[@BattleOrder]

Thanks!

[@duanium]

I would really like to ask a silly question about spent ammunition shell casings (machineguns, artillery shells, and other munitions... Are these ever recycled ?

[@mrd7067]

The original german words are, how so often missed when translated into english (in the first half of the video). A thing that i found is that things considering military or politics are often (mostly) translated in the worst possible way into english.

[@gamingontotheafterlife7817]

What ranks can be found in a platoon? Is it just from enlisted to junior officers?

[@rockymcallister4258]

@Battle Order should look up Marine ANGLICO to see how we use a platoon at the Brigade level.

[@highchamp1]

Video suggestion What is a Squadron? (Troop) Cavalry, Royal Marines, SAS

[@newfyguy2000]

Can you make a video that discusses the new armored/mechanized infantry company and platoon structure, as it pertains to the formation of the new 19C bradley vehicle crewman MOS?

[@Jebusmike3]

What's the name of the movie shown at 1:56?

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

same i also want to know

[@noodles5438]

Union of Salvation, I never watched it, I just googled Russian soldier shoot rifle Napoleon movie, and found it. I now demand 1,000,000 USD in exchange of this very important information.

[@GabrielGarcia-bf2kn]

Look up “Decembrist Revolt” on YT

[@suryasuresh4475]

Can you make a video on tank warfare . Explaining units like tank troop , squadron etc....

[@Assassine0606]

Great video! Very interesting and well presented as allways. Some minor notes though: at about 16:20 you blend in the distinct words for smaller groups in their respective languages. This is a great idea, but the time each word is on screen could be a little longer. I had to pause the video to fully read them. Additionally, nouns in German are written with a capital first letter (in this case it would be "Gruppe" instead of "gruppe"). But as I said, these are only minor improvements to an already great video.

[@EmersonPUSA]

I know you mainly focus on war and Infantry, Ranks, Artillery, etc. But could you do something on Honor Guard, SDP, etc for the US military? If so that would be awesome

[@republicoflytrovia2159]

I just found this channel, but this seriously needs more subs.

[@kevinyaucheekin1319]

Smallest tatically significant unit that can be commanded/directed in the Battlefield by high command. Normally 40 to 60 men. That also a discrete unit that can operate independently if necessary.

[@resolute123]

2 LTs in a paratrooper rifle platoon. You learn something new every day.

[@BattleOrder]

Shortlived but was an interesting quirk

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

Hehehe...I am a Veteran and I had to click on this to find out the answer. Go Navy!!

[@Marinealver]

Why do Navy Captains outrank Army Captains (and Captains of other branches)? My theory is back in the days (talking Midvale era) Captains was not a rank, but a title of command (Captain of the Guard, Captain of the Company, Captain of the Ship). Eventually as Armies grew and larger than company u its were formed they were headed by an Officer of a higher station (i.e. Major), also ships started to grow but instead of making a new rank, they just had the Billet of Captain take on more responsibilities with a larger ship and increase the number of lefttennants.

[@rockymcallister4258]

Why did we never have the tank of Commodore? It's linguistics.

[@MrSheckstr]

@@rockymcallister4258 hard to answer that when I’m not sure what group is the “we”

[@vagabond4576]

What I hate is media and video games getting the squad and team thing all mixed up.

[@joshy7759]

So I've been working on learning the NATO box unit marks and what they mean, how do I find out what the little triangle cross circle and half circles are? Are those ranks or is that relative position?

[@MrSheckstr]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Joint_Military_Symbology this is a good jumping off point

[@gregbagel791]

Can we get a video with a very generalized look at all echelon types, starting from the largest to smallest in maybe just the US, then another on Britain, etc?

[@NgJackal1990]

A platoon is a group of squads within a company. A squad is a group of soldiers within a platoon.

[@tahahormozan]

Every platoon needs a light mortar system like m224 for suppressing enemy defenders giving cover for maneuver rifle squads

[@hooks4638]

What kind of Rifles are those 3 dudes carrying @7.07?