A platoon is formed by at least two squads (usually 3 or 4) and is smaller than a company (typically there are 3 or 4 platoons per company). Most platoons are infantry platoons; some carry other designations such as mortar or heavy weapons platoons.
In the United States Army, a platoon is led by a First or Second Lieutenant, with a platoon Sergeant (pay grade E-7) as his or her deputy.
British Organization
In the British Army, the infantry platoon commander is a Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant, assisted by a platoon Sergeant (who usually actually holds the rank of sergeant). It is usually divided into three eight-man sections. Specialist platoons may be led by a Captain, assisted by a Warrant Officer or Colour Sergeant. In many corps, platoon-sized units are called troops instead.
The word is derived from 17th centuryFrenchpeleton, meaning a small ball or small detachment of men, which came from pelote, a ball.
Platoon is a 1986 Vietnam war film, written and directed by Oliver Stone and starring Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger and Forest Whitaker.
Platoon, while not the first film about the USA's involvement in the Vietnam Conflict, was probably the first to devote its entire storyline to the effect of the war on the common soldier.
Platoon's release was timely; during the mid-80s there was a softening of attitudes towards Vietnam Veterans that had taken over ten years since the war had officially ended in 1973 with the pullout of the last American soldiers.
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