What Is Scout Platoon

The infantry battalion scout platoon is a specialty platoon comprised of infantry Soldiers with the primary mission of providing the battalion commander information about the enemy and gather critical battlefield information to help the commander and his staff during the planning and execution of combat operations.

How big is a scout platoon?

This organization gives the scout platoon up to six squads, with six Soldiers per squad, for 36 assigned personnel in all scout platoons. (See Figure 2). The six-man squad increases the platoon’s “leader-to-led” ratio and offers a better distribution of leadership across the platoon.

What does a scout platoon leader do?

Scout platoon leaders are (or should be) the subject matter experts on employment of the platoon. They must be integral players during any reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) or counterreconnaissance planning. They know who the strong and weak crews are and limitations of the soldiers and the equipment.