RESPONSIBILITIES

1-126. The increased complexity of the ICV-equipped Infantry platoon requires highly trained Soldiers and leaders. The increase of equipment in the platoon requires more cross training to ensure Soldiers can fill vacancies or shortfalls in critical positions. Increases in the amount and complexity of equipment and the transfer of increased information at every level require platoon members to work closer than ever before

PLATOON LEADER

1-127. The platoon leader leads his Soldiers by personal example and is responsible for all the platoon does or fails to do, having complete authority over his subordinates. This centralized authority enables him to maintain unit discipline, unity, and to act decisively. He must be prepared to exercise initiative within his company commander’s intent and without specific guidance for every situation. The platoon leader knows his Soldiers, how to employ the platoon, its weapons, and its systems. Relying on the expertise of the platoon sergeant, the platoon leader regularly consults with him on all platoon matters. During operations, the platoon leader—

• Leads the platoon in supporting the higher headquarters missions. He bases his actions on his assigned mission and intent and concept of his higher commanders.
• Conducts troop leading procedures.
• Maneuvers squads and fighting elements.
• Synchronizes the efforts of squads.
• Looks ahead to the next “move” of the platoon .
• Requests, controls, and synchronizes supporting assets.
• Employs mission command systems available to the squads and platoon.
• Checks with squad leaders ensuring 360-degree, three-dimensional security is maintained.
• Checks with weapons squad leader controlling the emplacement of key weapon systems.
• Issues accurate and timely reports.
• Places himself where he is most needed to accomplish the mission.
• Assigns clear tasks and purposes to the squads.
• Understands the mission and commander’s intent two levels up (company and battalion).
• Normally dismounts when the situation causes the platoon to dismount.
• As leader of Section A, keeps his crew and wingman informed
• Receives on-hand status reports from the platoon sergeant , section leaders and squad leaders during planning.
• Develops the fires with the platoon sergeant, section leaders, and squad leaders.
• Coordinates and assists in the development of the obstacle plan
• Oversees and is responsible for property management.

1-128. The platoon leader works to develop and maintain situational understanding. This is a product of four elements. First, the platoon leader attempts to know what is happening in present terms of friendly, enemy, neutral, and terrain situations. Second, he knows the end state representing mission accomplishment. Third, he determines the critical actions and events occurring to move his unit from the present to the end state. Finally, he assesses the risk throughout.

PLATOON SERGEANT

1-129. The platoon sergeant is the platoon's most experienced NCO and second -in-charge, accountable to the platoon leader for leadership, discipline, training, and welfare of the platoon's Soldiers. He sets the example in everything. He assists the Platoon Leader by upholding standards and platoon discipline. His expertise includes tactical maneuver, employment of weapons and systems, sustainment, administration, security, accountability, protection warfighting functions, and Soldier care. As the second-in-charge, the platoon sergeant assumes no formal duties except those prescribed by the platoon leader . However, the platoon sergeant traditionally —

• Ensures the platoon is prepared to accomplish its mission, which includes supervising precombat checks and inspections.
• Updates platoon leader on appropriate reports and forwards reports needed by higher headquarters.
• Prepares to assume the role and responsibilities of the platoon leader.
• Takes charge of task-organized elements in the platoon during tactical operations , which may include, but is not limited to, quartering parties, support elements in raids or attacks, and security patrols.
• Monitors the morale, discipline, and health of the platoon.
• Positions where best needed to help the engagement (either in the base of fire or with the assault element).
• Receives squad leaders’ administrative, logistical, and maintenance reports, and requests rations, water, fuel, and ammunition .
• Requests logistical support from the higher headquarters, and usually coordinates with the company’s first sergeant or executive officer .
• Ensures Soldiers maintain all equipment.
• Ensures ammunition and supplies are properly and evenly distributed after the platoon consolidates on the objective and while the platoon reorganizes.
• Manages the unit’s combat load prior to operations, and monitors logistical status during operations.
• Establishes and operates the unit’s casualty collection point (CCP). This includes directing the platoon medic and aid /litter teams in moving casualties, maintains platoon strength level information, consolidates and forwards the platoon’s casualty reports, and receives and orients replacements.
• Employs the available digital mission command systems to the squads and platoon .
• Ensures Soldiers distribute supplies according to the platoon leader’s guidance and direction.
• Accounts for Soldiers, equipment, and supplies.
• Coaches, counsels, and mentors Soldiers.  
• Upholds standards and platoon discipline
• Understands the mission and commander’s intent two levels up (company and battalion).

RIFLE SQUAD LEADER

1-130. The squad leader directs team leaders and leads by personal example. He has authority over his subordinates and overall responsibility of those subordinates’ actions. Centralized authority enables him to act decisively while maintaining troop discipline and unity. Under the fluid conditions of close combat, the squad leader accomplishes assigned missions without constant guidance from higher headquarters.

1-131. The squad leader is the senior Infantry Soldier in the squad and is responsible for everything the squad does or fails to do. He is responsible for the care of the squad’s Soldiers, weapons, and equipment, and leads the squad through two team leaders. During operations, the squad leader —

• Is the subject matter expert on all battle and individual drills.
• Is the subject matter expert for the squad’s organic weapons employment, and employment of supporting assets.
• Knows weapon effects, surface danger zones, and risk estimate distances for all munitions.
• Uses control measures for direct fire, indirect fire, and tactical movement effectively.  
• Controls the movement of the squad and its rate and distribution of fire (including call for and adjust fire).  
• Fights the close fight by fire and movement with two fire teams and available supporting weapons.
• Selects the fire team’s general location and temporary sector of fires in the defense.
• Communicates timely and accurate SITREPs and status reports, including —
  • SALUTE SPOTREPs.
  • Status to the platoon leader (including squad location and progress, enemy situation, enemy killed in action [KIA], and security posture).
  • Status of ammunition, casualties, and equipment to the platoon sergeant.
• Employs digital mission command systems available to the squad and platoon.
• Operates in all environments to include the urban environment.  
• Conducts troop leading procedures.
• Assumes duties as the platoon sergeant or platoon leader as required.
• Understands the mission and commander’s intent two levels up (platoon and company).
• Assists the vehicle commander in maintaining the ICV. 

WEAPONS SQUAD LEADER

1-132. The weapons squad leader leads his teams by personal example. He has complete authority over his subordinates and overall responsibility for those subordinates’ actions. This centralized authority enables him to act decisively while maintaining troop discipline and unity. Under the fluid conditions of modern warfare, he accomplishes assigned missions using initiative without needing constant guidance from higher headquarters.

1-133. The weapons squad leader is usually the senior squad leader, second only to the platoon sergeant, and performs all the duties of the rifle squad leader. In addition, the weapons squad leader —

• Controls fires and establishes fire control measures.
• Recommends medium machine gun employment to the platoon leader.
• Coordinates directly with the platoon leader for medium machine gun base -of -fire effects, and plans accordingly.
• Monitors ammunition expenditure.
• Coordinates directly with the platoon leader in placement of the Javelin-CCMS to best cover armored avenues of approach in the defense and overwatch positions in the attack.
• As the senior squad leader, becomes the alternate platoon sergeant on the ground if the platoon sergeant does not dismount.
• Employs mission command systems available to the squad and platoon.
• Trains his squad on individual and collective tasks required to sustain combat effectiveness.
• Manages the logistical and administrative needs of his squad, such as requesting and issuing ammunition, water, rations, and special equipment.
• Maintains accountability of Soldiers and equipment.
• Conducts troop leading procedures.
• Assists the vehicle commander in maintaining the ICV.
• Assumes control of the vehicle in absents of the platoon sergeant and platoon leader. 
• Understands the mission two levels up (platoon and company).

TEAM LEADER

1-134. Two fire team leaders lead by example and control the movement and fires of the fire team. They  assist  the  squad  leader  in  tactical  control  of  the  squad  and  in  training  team  members  on individual and collective tasks and battle drills. Team leaders provide the necessary local security and maintenance support for the ICV and are responsible for the welfare of their teams. They control fires and distribution of fires for the team by designating and marking targets

VEHICLE COMMANDER

1-135. The vehicle commander is responsible for the employment and maintenance of the ICV. He acquires targets, issues fire commands, and controls vehicle fires. The vehicle commander is primarily responsible for the overall maintenance of the ICV weapon systems and the automotive portion of the vehicle. He is responsible for the weapons training and welfare of the crew. He sends digital SITREPs as requested or when the vehicle makes contact. He navigates, assisted by the Precision Navigation System, and ensures his vehicle maintains position in platoon formations.

VEHICLE DRIVER

1-136. The driver drives the vehicle under the vehicle commander ’s control. He follows terrain-driving procedures and tries to select hull-down positions. He also aids in detecting targets and observing rounds fired. He assists in navigation by monitoring odometer readings and observing terrain. The driver is primarily responsible for operator maintenance of vehicle automotive systems.

GRENADIER

1-137. The grenadier is equipped with an M320/M203Weapon System consisting of an M4/M16 rifle and an attached 40-mm grenade launcher. The M320/M203 allows him to fire HE rounds to suppress and destroy enemy Infantry and lightly armored vehicles. He also can employ smoke to designate targets or screen his squad’s movement, fire, and maneuver. During night and adverse weather conditions, the grenadier also may employ illumination rounds to increase his squad’s visibility and mark enemy or friendly positions.

AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN

1-138. The automatic rifleman’s primary weapon is the M249 SAW. Each Infantry squad has two automatic weapons. The M249 provides the squad with a high volume of sustained long-range suppressive and lethal fires beyond the effective range of the M16/M4 rifle. The automatic rifleman employs the SAW to suppress enemy Infantry and bunkers, destroy enemy automatic rifle and antitank teams, and enable maneuver of other teams and squads. (See appendix B for more information on the employment of the M249 SAW.)

SQUAD DESIGNATED MARKSMAN

1-139. The designated marksman acts as a member of the squad under the direction of the squad leader or as designated by the platoon leader. Although normally functioning as a rifleman within one of the fire teams in a rifle squad, the designated marksman is armed with a modified rifle. He is employed at the direction of the squad leader or reorganized with the other squads' designated marksmen into a platoon sniper section. He is trained to eliminate high-payoff enemy personnel targets (such as enemy automatic rifle teams, antitank teams, and snipers) with precision fires.

COMBAT LIFESAVER

1-140. The CLS is a nonmedical Soldier trained to provide enhanced first aid/lifesaving procedures beyond the level of self-aid or buddy aid. The CLS is not intended to take the place of medical personnel. Using specialized training, the CLS can slow deterioration of a wounded Soldier's condition until treatment by medical personnel is possible. Each certified CLS is issued a CLS aid bag. Whenever possible, the platoon leader ensures each fire team includes at least one CLS.

1-141. The CLS —

• Ensures that the squad CLSs bag and litters are properly packed and stored.
• Identifies Class VIII shortages to the platoon medic.
• Provides enhanced first aid for injuries and participates in all litter-carry drills..
• Uses enhanced first-aid skills in the field until casualties can be evacuated.
• Knows the location of the casualty collection point and the tactical standard operating procedure (TACSOP) for establishing it.

PLATOON MEDIC

1-142. Platoon combat medics are assigned to the medical platoon and are tasked to support the Infantry battalion. Combat medics are allocated to the Infantry companies on the basis of one combat medic per platoon, and one senior combat medic per company. The location of the combat medic is of extreme importance for rapid medical treatment of casualties.

1-143. The company senior combat medic collocates with the company trains. When a casualty occurs, the CLS renders first aid, or first aid is provided through self-aid or buddy aid. The platoon combat medic or the company senior combat medic goes to the casualty’s location, or the casualty is brought to the combat medic at the CCP. The CCP combat medic makes his assessment, administers initial medical care, initiates a, DD Form 1380 (see figure 1-11) then requests evacuation or returns the individual to duty. (Refer to AR 40-66 for details and instructions on completing the form.)

1-144. The Infantry platoon combat medic usually locates with, or near, the platoon sergeant. When the platoon moves on foot in the platoon column formation, the combat medic positions himself near the platoon sergeant. If the platoon is mounted, the combat medic usually rides in the same vehicle as the platoon sergeant. EMT procedures performed by the combat medic may include opening an airway, IV fluids, controlling hemorrhage, preventing or treating for shock, splinting fractures or suspected fractures, and providing relief for pain.

1-145. The Infantry platoon combat medic is trained under the supervision of the battalion surgeon or physician’s assistant and medical platoon leader. The platoon combat medic is responsible for —

• Triaging injured, wounded, or ill friendly and enemy personnel for priority of treatment.
• Conducting sick call screening.
• Assisting in the evacuation of sick, injured, or wounded personnel under the direction of the platoon sergeant.
• Assisting in the training of the platoon’s combat lifesavers in enhanced first-aid procedures.
• Requisitioning Class VIII supplies from the BAS for the platoon according to the TACSOP.
• Recommending locations for platoon casualty collection point.
• Providing guidance to the platoon’s combat lifesavers as required.

FORWARD OBSERVER

1-146. The fire support team is the platoon’s expert on indirect fire planning and execution. The fire support team is the primary observer for all fire support assets to include company and battalion mortars, field artillery, and any other allocated fire support assets. He is responsible for locating targets and calling and adjusting indirect fires. He must know the mission and the concept of operation, specifically the platoon’s scheme of maneuver and concept of fires. He works directly for the platoon leader and interacts with the company fire support team. The fire support team must also —

• Inform the fire support team headquarters of the platoon situation, location, and fire support requirements.
• Prepare and use maps, overlays, and terrain sketches.
• Call for and adjust indirect fires.
• Select targets to support the platoon’s mission.
• Select observation post(s) and movement routes to and from selected targets.
• Operate digital message devices and maintain communication with the battalion and company FSO.
• Maintain grid coordinates of his location.
• Be prepared to back up the platoon leader’s radio on the higher headquarters net if needed.
• Be prepared to employ close air support assets and Army aviation during close combat attacks.