Why would a platoon deploy on its own instead of whole unit?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 20:34:02 -0400

We were recently informed that our platoon was set to deploy, but not the whole unit. What could a group of 25-30 people do without a whole unit?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2020 8:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 20:50:29 -0400

You're likely going to be attached to another unit. My second deployment we had a TOPO section attached to us - from a Guard unit. Only them, not their whole unit. That's not uncommon for a platoon to deploy from a Guard or Reserve unit.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 12 at 2020 9:36 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 21:36:23 -0400

If that Platoon, team, section has a UIC, they can be individually deployed. This is common for units above the BCT level like CSSB subordinate units, HR Company Postal and Tsrength Mgmt Platoons, etc. I commanded a Company with individually deployable 6 and 9 man teams.

As SFC Private RallyPoint Member said, your Platoon will be placed under the control of another larger formation. The tactical relationship could be ADCON, TACON, or OPCON.

What is your Platoon? It may clarify what will happen. How do you train? Are you attached to other units? That is how you would deploy.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2020 5:51 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 05:51:29 -0400

Attachment, my first ADA Battery Unit sent us out on platoon to unit sized mission because that is what a bigger unit or division needed at the time. We deployed to Iraq as CRAM Operators(I believe one of the first) and was then divided into 2 Divisions between the south and north regions of Iraq and then from there split into squads for each FOB and COB needing CRAM capabilities. When we were stateside, 2nd Platoon went on a Border Patrol mission in Arizona, while 1st Platoon trained up for a mission up north.

Being in a Cook Company at the moment it is even more broken down. The Company sends teams of 2-5 cooks to either do rotations, with bigger units for field training, rotations to Germany or Korea or even to cook or assist with the national guard units helping with the riots or COVID, while the rest of us stay behind as rear detachment or assistance on base.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 13 at 2020 8:04 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 08:04:05 -0400

In ODS 01-03/OIF I, my MP Platoon was OPCONed to 2BCT,3ID. We were assigned to HHC 2BCT for UCMJ and administrative paperwork. But that was when Divisions had Division MP Companies and Direct Support MP Platoons.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 13 at 2020 10:32 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 10:32:05 -0400

It's not unheard of for Platoons to operate independently or be sent out to do their own thing.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 13 at 2020 8:23 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 20:23:53 -0400

As a filler for a unit. Haven't seen down to PLT, but have seen CO attached out. Depending on the Unit MOS, I know of USMC ENG being attached out down to SQD and Individual s,