Can you take Company command without ever being a Platoon leader?

2021-06-15T16:18:50-04:00

I'm aware that being a Platoon leader is very important and helps a lot in the future when you become a Company Commander but is being a Platoon leader a requirement prior to taking a Company Command?

Response by MAJ Christopher Daily made Jun 15 at 2021 6:53 PM

2021-06-15T18:53:23-04:00

The short answer is yes. I worked with a junior CPT who only had time working in a small shop. He was the only CPT available with no inbound, outgoing CDR was picked up for by name assignment and had to leave quickly. Motor pool/E CO command in aviation BN. Not cool. I also ended up doing his FLIPL investigation and spending a massive amount of time helping him find lost equipment around the BN and figuring out where his COEI item inventories were...... the previous commander had NONE and his supply NCO admitted it. PLT time matters.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2021 7:31 PM

2021-06-15T19:31:22-04:00

Yes, you can command without PL time. (I have never been at the platoon level.) There is an expectation to "work your way up" but it is not regulation. If you go into command early in your career, be sure to read regulations, inventory everything (based on NSN), and ask questions - don't blindly sign because a command signature is required.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2021 8:49 PM

2021-06-15T20:49:34-04:00

Yes, not all MOSs have Platoon Leader positions available to them. However, I would think that a LT would need to be KD complete before they could go to CCC and subsequently take command. In the artillery, KD positions include fire direction officer and fire support officer, so we can become KD complete without ever being a PL.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 15 at 2021 8:50 PM

2021-06-15T20:50:56-04:00

No, you do not have to have been a platoon leader. AR 600-20. It’s based on rank and seniority.

Could you? Yes. Should you? Yikes, steep learning curve. Do you have to? Yes.

"2–5. Command of installations, activities, and units
a. Responsibility. The senior regularly assigned Army officer present for duty normally has responsibility for the command of units, platoon level and above, except as shown in paragraphs 2–8a, 2–15, and 2–16."

Where this gets fuzzy is an HHC coded for an O3 or an HHD coded for a 1LT by MTOE/TDA. In practice, the HQ Staff is separate from the HHC/HHD proper.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2021 9:01 PM

2021-06-15T21:01:45-04:00

Be sure you don't take command until:
1) You are an actual CPT
2) You have finished CCC
3) You have taken the Pre-Command course

There's no rush. Otherwise the USAR wouldn't be taking 4 years to promote 1LT's to CPT.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2021 2:43 PM

2021-06-16T14:43:02-04:00

No, you don't need to be a platoon leader/XO to take Company Command per Army Regulation. However, it's always good to have some form of company level experience before take command or the learning curve would just be too steep. I've seen some LTs who went to BDE/DIV HQ as their first assignment and got coaxed into taking command without knowing what they got themselves into...not pretty.

I remember the first active duty unit I was in the BN had a rule of no 2LT XO and no 1LT CO. Make a lot sense. You need TIG to learn the craft to be successful at Command.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2021 6:35 PM

2021-06-17T18:35:20-04:00

It’s part of our professional development. Most CO Commanders don’t take command until they’ve done time as XO or BN Staff.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2021 9:44 PM

2021-06-23T21:44:40-04:00

DAPAM 600-3

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2021 11:31 AM

2021-06-25T11:31:33-04:00

Depends on your MOS. For Military Police, being a PL is mandatory KD time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2021 5:33 PM

2021-07-11T17:33:58-04:00

Depends on your AOC. If your AOC makes PL time apart of the KD schedule then you most Likley will not be promoted or assume command. It's a part of your development as a commissioned officer.