Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaders (2012)
Chapter: Appendix D: Marine Corps Small Units
The Marine Corps considers small units to be at the company level and below. Of these small units, the committee focused on the leaders of companies, platoons, and squads. Although the actual size and organization of these units depend on the type of unit and mission, Figures D.1, D.2, and D.3 provide the organizational diagrams of a typical rifle company, rifle platoon, and rifle squad, respectively.
FIGURE D.1 Organizational diagram of a typical U.S. Marine Corps rifle company. The company commander is usually a captain.
FIGURE D.2 Organizational diagram of a typical U.S. Marine Corps rifle platoon. The platoon leader is usually a second lieutenant.
FIGURE D.3 Organizational diagram of a typical U.S. Marine Corps rifle squad. The squad leader is usually a sergeant or corporal.
