rifle company good afternoon, gentlemen! this class is an introduction to the us army infantry rifle...

RIFLE COMPANY

Infantry Battalion

WPNSWPNS PLT

Rifle Company

• Was historically the largest unit which could be commanded by the voice of one man

• Tactics now spread a company too far to be commanded by commander’s voice, but company is still the largest unit where a single man can control the whole unit

• The company is the closest thing a soldier has to a home in the army

• The company is a soldier’s family• The commander should know every

man’s name• To understand how a company is

supposed to work, you must understand how close-knit it is supposed to be

• The company is the soul of the army

Rifle CompanyOrganization

Rifle CompanyHeadquarters

• Command Group: – Company Commander—Captain– Executive Officer—First Lieutenant– First Sergeant—Master Sergeant– Communications Sergeant—Staff Sergeant– Bugler– Orderly– Messengers (2)

Company HQ Personnel and Duties

• The Company Commander has absolute responsibility for everything his company does or doesn’t do—discipline, tactics, ordnance, supply, administration, and training. He can delegate authority, but not responsibility.

• Has to lead by example. In the Army as well as in the hobby, the commander’s most powerful weapon is force of personal example. It’s hard to gain the respect and loyalty of the troops, easy to lose it.

• Should know all his men, and know their health and morale

• Must always be aware of the tactical situation, anticipate and plan for prospective missions

• Always called “the Old Man”, regardless of age


• The Executive Officer assists the Old Man

• BUT—his area of responsibility is focused on making the company run

• Handles administration, supply, and maintenance – so the Old Man can focus on the combat mission.

• Keeps constantly aware of the tactical situation and plans, since he is only one life away from taking command.


• The First Sergeant runs the company administration and keeps the NCOs sharp

• His finger is always on the pulse of the company

• His advice to the CO is priceless • Soldiers should always have an eye out for

the Top Sergeant. He will never let any lapse pass without correction.

• The CO is responsible for everything that happens in his company, but a good Top Sergeant will cover the Old Man’s rear by flawless administration and by shaping up weak NCOs.

• Not a tactical leader, unless everything is going to hell in a hurry


• Communications Sergeant is in charge of setting up and troubleshooting telephone and radio nets

• He monitors the daily changes in the Division SOI (Signal Operating Instructions).

• Ensures that everyone knows sound and visual signals

• Receives and dispatches messengers• Makes sure the CO never misses a

message!


• Bugler in garrison or camp signals formations, work tasks, and all other activities as directed by the CO and First Sergeant.

• Trained as an observer• In combat, serves as an observer• Assists CO in observation,

command, and control


• Orderly is the personal assistant of the CO.

• Trained as an observer• In combat, serves as an observer

or messenger• Accompanies the CO wherever he

goes, assists in observation, and serves as CO’s bodyguard


• Messengers (“runners”) carry messages between company and battalion if needed.

• On establishing a combat position, the company sends one messenger to battalion to wait there for any messages.

• (Messages between platoon and company are carried by platoon messengers.)

• Administration Group:– Supply Sergeant– Mess Sergeant– Cooks– Cooks’ helpers– Company Clerk

Rifle CompanyHeadquarters


• Supply Sergeant ensures the company has everything it needs (and sometimes more)

• He must be expert at Army supply procedures

• Continuously updates himself on the constantly shifting supply and ammo points so he knows where to requisition supplies and ammo

• Supply sergeants have a reputation for lighthearted larceny. As long as it is for the good of the company and not personal gain, the Old Man will overlook such nefarious activities.


• Mess Sergeant is the god of the mess hall

• In combat, makes every effort to feed the troops hot food, not K rations

• As long as the food is good, no one messes with the mess sergeant


• Company Clerk works directly for the First Sergeant. His job is to get hammered daily by the Topkick.

• Main function is personnel administration• The clerk may have a lowly position, but

he is responsible for some important things highly necessary for troops’ morale:– Pay– Mail– Awards and decorations– Leave and R and R orders– Correct and timely processing and reporting

of assignments and promotions

Rifle Platoon

HQ

Rifle Platoon HQ

• Platoon HQ Personnel– Platoon Leader– Platoon Sergeant– Platoon Guide – Messengers– Basic Privates

Rifle Platoon HQPersonnel and Duties

• Platoon Leader– Is a second lieutenant– Leads his unit from the front, by example– Learns faster if he listens to his Platoon

Sergeant, who has a major job of teaching new officers

– Usually even if he listens to the Platoon Sergeant, may not last long in combat. One study said the average life of a 2d LT under fire was 15 minutes.

– Dogfaces in the platoon usually don’t inquire much about the new looey until he shows he is good enough and lucky enough to stay around for awhile.


• Platoon Sergeant– Nominal rank is Technical Sergeant, E-7– Is the assistant platoon leader, advising

and assisting the platoon leader in leadership and control of the platoon

– In combat, takes a position wherever he can best assist in observation and control of the troops—usually somewhere on the flank or rear, kicking ass and taking names

– In setting up a defensive position, usually places the MGs, mortars, and rocket launchers, and assigns sectors of fire

– Takes the place of the platoon leader if he is absent or a casualty


• Platoon Guide– Rank is staff sergeant, E-6– Functions as a kind of assistant

Platoon Sergeant– Assists in observation and control

on the march and movement to combat

– In establishing a defense, places the rifle squads and assigns sectors of fire

– Replaces the Platoon Sergeant if he is absent or a casualty


• Messengers– Carry messages between platoon

and company HQs– When establishing a defense, one

messenger goes to company HQ to await messages for the platoon; the other messenger waits at platoon for messages to the company


• Basic Privates– Standing by to serve as

replacements for casualties– Called for by tactical doctrine, but in

combat would prove to be a rare luxury for the commander

Rifle SquadPersonnel and Duties

• Squad Leader• Assistant Squad Leader/Antitank

Grenadier• BAR Gunner• Assistant BAR Gunner• Riflemen (7)


• Squad Leader– Has rank of Staff Sergeant, E-6– Is responsible for the discipline, appearance, training,

control, and conduct of his squad– Enforces rules of hygiene and sanitation, – Ensures weapons are cleaned and serviceable– Arranges for feeding of his men – Constantly monitors and reports on men’s morale and

health (especially condition of troops’ feet)– Constantly monitors and reports on the ammunition

status of his men; requests resupply from Platoon Leader when needed

– In combat, leads one fire team of his squad, usually to provide base of fire

– Designates targets, and trains other members of his squad to designate targets

– By voice command or signals, controls the fire of his squad


• Assistant Squad Leader– Has rank of Sergeant, E-5– Performs duties as assigned by the

Squad Leader– Leads second fire team of his squad– Takes the place of the Squad Leader if

he is absent or a casualty– Carries M1903 bolt-action rifle with

grenade launcher attachment and sight, for firing antitank grenades

– On order, fires on enemy tanks and vehicles

– Can also fire .30-’06 rifle ammunition


• BAR Gunner– Carries Browning Automatic Rifle– Provides automatic fire for close-in

fire support and enemy fire suppression in the assault

– In the defense, provides automatic fire on group targets or enemy crew-served weapons


• Assistant BAR Gunner– Carries extra ammunition for the

Gunner– Hands the gunner ammunition

while firing– Takes over as Gunner if original

Gunner is absent or becomes a casualty


• BAR Ammo Bearer– Carries extra ammunition for the

Gunner– Goes to company ammo supply

point to get more ammo when needed

– Takes over as Gunner if original Gunner and Assistant are absent or become casualties


• Riflemen (7)– Provide basic fire and maneuver as

ordered for the squad and platoon in the attack

– Serve as scouts– Observe and fire as ordered in the

defense

WPNS

LMG

60mmmortar

Weapons Platoon

LMG

60mmmortar

PLT HQ

Weapons PlatoonPersonnel and Duties

• Platoon Leader• Platoon Sergeant• Messengers• Transport Corporal• Drivers


• Platoon Leader– Has rank of Second Lieutenant– Is usually newly commissioned and

has capabilities and limitations the same as new rifle platoon leaders

– Controls the fires of his sections when practicable, or delegates control to his platoon sergeant or section leaders

– Keeps up to date on Commander’s fire plan and prospective missions

– Monitors ammunition status and requests resupply as needed


• Platoon Sergeant– Has rank of Technical Sergeant, E-7– Has same background, capabilities, and

limitations as Platoon Sergeants of Rifle Platoons

– Marches at rear of Platoon to prevent straggling

– Observes and monitors situation to rear and flanks of platoon

– Supervises ammo resupply– Controls fire of section as ordered by

Platoon Leader– Assists Platoon Leader in observation

and control of fire


• Messengers (runners)– Same duties as messengers of Rifle

Platoons– Carry messages between platoon

and company HQs– When establishing a defense, one

messenger goes to company HQ to await messages for the platoon; the other messenger waits at platoon for messages to the company


• Transport Corporal– In charge of the weapons carriers

(3/4 ton trucks)– Supervises first echelon weapons

carrier maintenance– Supervises security of weapons

carriers– Gets ammunition requisitions from

Platoon Leader or Platoon Sergeant and ensures ammo is delivered in a timely manner


• Drivers– Drive weapons carriers as ordered– Perform first echelon (drivers’)

maintenance on weapons carriers– Keep aware of locations of company

and battalion ammunition supply points

Machinegun SectionPersonnel and Duties

• Machinegun Section Leader– Has rank of Staff Sergeant, E-6– Leads his sections in route and

approach marches– In combat, employs sections according

to orders from Platoon Leader or Company CO

– Assigns locations for squads within the section location

– Assigns targets or sectors of fire to squads

– Monitors ammunition status and ensure ammo replenishment by ammo bearers

Mortar SectionPersonnel and Duties

• Mortar Section Leader– Has rank of Staff Sergeant, E-6– Leads his sections in route and approach

marches– In combat, employs sections according to

orders from Platoon Leader or Company CO

– Assigns locations for squads within the sections location

– Assigns targets or sectors of fire to squads– Monitors ammunition status and ensure

ammo replenishment by ammo bearers– Observes rifle platoons and relocate

mortar squads according to changing action and situation of rifle elements

Rifle CompanySummary

• This block of instruction has given you a brief overview of the Rifle Company, its place in the bigger organization plan, the key personnel in the rifle company, and their duties.

• Keep your class handouts and study them until you have a good basic grounding on company duties and functions.

• Review before you come on your next event, with emphasis on the duties you will be performing for that event.

Rifle CompanySummary

?

Any Questions?

Rank and Command

The following authorized ranks are prescribed for each level of command. Leaders in these positions might not hold the maximum authorized grade at a given moment, but this represents the intended distribution. Rifle squad: Staff SergeantPlatoon guide: Staff SergeantPlatoon sergeant: Technical SergeantPlatoon leader: LieutenantCompany Commander: CaptainBattalion Commander: Lieutenant ColonelRegimental Commander: ColonelDivision: Major GeneralCorps: Lieutenant GeneralArmy: GeneralArmy Group: General

Unit/Size Symbols

Unit/Branch Map Symbols

Military Police

rifle company good afternoon, gentlemen! this class is an introduction to the us army infantry rifle...

Documents