Platoon leader
A platoon leader (NATO) or platoon commander (more common in Commonwealth militaries and the US Marine Corps) is the officer in charge of a platoon. This person is usually a junior officer – a second or first lieutenant or an equivalent rank. The officer is usually assisted by a platoon sergeant [Wikipedia].
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, and 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. 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;
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 [Mission command].
Platoon leader. Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platoon_leader
Responsibilities. Mission command. Retrieved from: https://www.benning.army.mil/Infantry/DoctrineSupplement/ATP3-21.8/chapter_03/RoleoftheStryker/Responsibilities/index.html