RE: Platoon Leaders in SG2

Glover, spake thusly upon matters weighty: 

> In the SGII rules book, the Organisations covered generally have four
> full squads (FSE has five, one of which contains a Platoon Commander.
In
> most modern armies of today a platoon usually consists of THREE
fighting
> squads and a smaller command element. Brits, Aust, Soviet are all like
> this. What you are descibing is more like an individual character.
> Remember that a COMMAND squad is meant to do that; command. The NAC,
NSL
> and ESU command squads command but are large enough to fight in
defence
> or add firepower in an attack if necessary.

I believe (when I was in CF Infantry Reserve) we used (at least 
locally) an organization of three sections (didn't call them squads) 
to a platoon. Typically each section was about ten guys (varied 
depending on available strength). And then there was a platoon 
weapons det that consisted of about another 8 guys. We had each 
section led by a MCpl or Sgt, and the platoon was lead by a Sgt. or a 
Warrant Officer (a bigger better Sgt. to those used to American 
ranks). The Platoon was commanded by a 1Lt. or a 2Lt. depending on 
what officers were available. 

Although the point of the command squad is to command, I'd point out 
a couple of things: 
1. It tends to immobilize the squad. That means the commanders tend 
to not lead from the front, or even close to it. In real life, I 
found our platoon officers didn't lurk way at the back. Now, you can 
acheive this by not giving any orders and moving, but then what's the 
point? Maybe if the Platoon Commander was allowed to move with the 
squad, and the squad was lead by the Platoon Sgt (something that I 
saw a lot of anyway....), then maybe you wouldn't get the 'lead from 
the rear' syndrome that the rules tend to encourage. In real life, 
this is bad for morale. (I know I wouldn't be in a hurry to follow 
orders from a stay-behind....). 
2. We rate our leader with a leadership level. We should (or could) 
also rate the 'next in command' (usually the Warrant/Sergeant for the 
platoon) too. Then if the officer was killed, there'd be a quick 
chain-of-command replacement and no confusion. 

Plus generally, I noticed our LT and our Warrant used to move around 
between the sections (or position themselves at opposite ends of the 
platoon) to give better Command Control. Having them grouped in a 
squad might not make sense. In a way, they behave more like 
indiviudals than a squad. 

Opinions? That's just my 0.02 and it isn't particularly suggestive of 
any particular course....

Tom.	
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