Editing Platoon (section)

{{short description|Military unit size, usually composed of two or more squads or equivalent units}}
{{about|a type of military unit}}
[[File:UMC Platoon 20 1945.JPG|thumb|Platoon of [[marines]] from the [[United States Marine Corps]], 1945]]

{{army units}}
A '''platoon''' is a [[Military organization|military unit]] typically composed of two to four [[squad]]s, [[Section (military unit)|sections]], or [[patrol]]s. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the [[Military branch|branch]], but a platoon can be composed of 20–50 troops,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/platoon-military-unit | title=Platoon &#124; military unit &#124; Britannica | date=24 August 2023 }}</ref> although specific platoons may range from 10<ref>communications platoon (USA headquarters and headquarters company [HHC], airborne, air Assault, and light infantry battalions)</ref> to 100 people.<ref>Maintenance platoon (USA HHC mechanized infantry/combined arms battalion)</ref> A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned officer]]. The [[platoon leader]] is usually a [[junior officer]]—a [[Second lieutenant|second]] or [[first lieutenant]] or an equivalent rank. The officer is usually assisted by a [[platoon sergeant]].

Rifle platoons normally consist of a small platoon headquarters and three or four sections (Commonwealth) or squads (United States). In some armies, platoon is used throughout the branches of the army. In a few armies, such as the [[French Army]], a platoon is specifically a cavalry unit, and the infantry use "section" as the equivalent unit. A unit consisting of several platoons is called a [[company (military unit)|company]] or a [[Artillery battery|battery]].

{{TOC limit|limit=3}}