Squad Roles Guide - Leadership

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.