It is vital in any team that everyone has at least a
basic knowledge of how to operate in the roles of their
teammates. Everyone obviously has their preferred roles
and might not think they need to know how to operate an
AT for example because they're always an MG gunner.
However, if for example you team is attacked by a tank and
your AT man is killed, when your squad leader tells you to
pick up the AT, you need to instantly know how to use it,
rather than having no clue and your squad being wiped out.
Squad Leader[]
Directed by the Platoon leader, usually in command of 2
or more fireteams, its his job to relay the platoon
leader's orders to his fireteam leaders and deploy his
troops in the most effective way possible in order to
achieve the objective, for example what formation to
place his squad in, ROE and where to position them. Generally the
squad leader tries to keep out of major fighting,
his fireteams are his weapon, and leaves his fireteam leaders
to 'lead from the front'.
It is also important that the squad leader is able to trust
his fireteam leaders to do their job and not attempt to micro
manage his teams. A squad leader needs to be able to assess a
situation from an objective and identify when he needs to
attack, pull back, hold his position or call for help. The
main priority needs to be keeping himself and his men alive,
as a dead squad is no good to anyone. Finally, a squad leader
needs to ensure that he is constantly aware of what his fire
teams are doing and where they are, as well ensuring they are
properly supplied in terms of ammo, medical aid and fire support.
Fireteam/ Team Leader[]
Directed by his squad leader, usually in command of one
fireteam comprised of around 4 men. The FTL's job is to
follow his squad leaders orders and deploy his men in the
most effective way in order to achieve the objective. He
is responsible for directing the team's fire and positioning
his men in order to achieve maximum safety and effectiveness,
in accordance with the squad leaders orders and ROE. For example the
FTL will decide the best formation to deploy his team in,
whislt making sure that his team remains in the squad
formation overall. A team leader must be able to quickly
and concisely relay all necessary information to his squad
leader and inform him of any new developments on the
battlefield. A FTL is usually equipped with an assault
rifle, possibly with an underslung grenade launcher and
will engage personally in fighting, although his fireteam
are his main concern. Like a squad leader, a FTL must be
able to see when it is time to attack, retreat, hold or
call for help,e he cannot become preoccupied with engaging
the enemy himself. The FTL must also ensure that his men are
properly prepared and equipped before moving into combat.