The purpose of this web page is to discuss the Platoon Sergeant duties and responsibilities.  Serving as a Platoon Sergeant is a tough and challenging job, which comes with an enormous amount of responsibility.  In my opinion, serving as a Platoon Sergeant is one of the most demanding jobs in the Army. 

Normally, a Platoon Sergeant has somewhere between 12-18 years of military service. He or she probably has combat experience, too.  In addition, the Platoon Sergeant previously served as a Team Leader, Squad Leader and/or Section Sergeant.  Therefore, they are a seasoned NCO with plenty of real-world experience.

Listed below are some of the major Platoon Sergeant duties and responsibilities:

·        Individual Training: The Platoon Sergeant is responsible for individual training in his platoon.  This includes Warrior Task Training and MOS related training.  He ensures that each individual Soldier is proficient in his MOS and with basic Soldiering skills.

·        Enforce Standards: The Platoon Sergeant is a disciplinarian.  He enforces all Army standards within the Platoon.  Several examples include uniform standards, appearance standards, professionalism standards, and physical fitness standards.

·        Handle Soldier Issues: Whenever a Soldier has an issue, the NCOs fix the problem.  The Platoon Sergeant resolves Soldier issues that the Team Leaders and Squad Leaders can’t handle.

·        Personnel Accountability: The Platoon Sergeant must know where his or her Soldiers are at all times.  He maintains personnel accountability with his Squad Leader. 

·        Soldier Welfare: Platoon Sergeants are responsible for the welfare of their Soldiers.  This includes their health and morale.  To do so, Platoon Sergeants handle Soldier issues and serve as their Soldiers’ advocate to the Platoon Leader, First Sergeant and Company Commander.  Sometimes this entails working during non-duty hours.

·        Physical Fitness: Platoon Sergeants are responsible to ensure their Soldiers maintain a high level of physical fitness.  They must create effective physical fitness programs for their troops and also stay in shape themselves.  When Soldiers fail to achieve Army standards, Platoon Sergeants must counsel their Soldiers and help them meet the Army standard.

·        Maintenance: Another common Platoon Sergeant duty is to maintain the platoon’s equipment.  The Platoon Sergeant runs the platoon maintenance program.  During Motor Stables, the Platoon Sergeant facilitates PMCS and ensures all equipment receives its scheduled services.

·        Facilities Management: Platoon Sergeants make sure the billets are clean and their platoon area stays clean at all times.
 

·        Soldier Development: Platoon Sergeants must ensure their Soldiers are developed for positions of increased responsibility.  They do this by giving classes, mentoring their subordinate NCOs, counseling Soldiers and ensuring Soldiers receive formal and informal education on a variety of subjects.

·        Administration: In the Army National Guard, Platoon Sergeants handle counseling, awards, promotions, pay issues and countless other administrative tasks for their Soldiers.

·        Details/Garrison Tasks: Platoon Sergeants frequently work with the First Sergeant and Sergeant Major to staff flag detail, installation police call and various other additional duties on a military installation.

·        Prepare Troops for Combat: In my opinion, this is the most important Platoon Sergeant duty.  Platoon Sergeants must ensure their Soldiers are physically and emotionally prepared to deploy to war.  They must ensure their soldiers are trained and proficient on all Warrior and MOS tasks.

In addition, there are many other Platoon Sergeant duties and responsibilities.  In essence, the Platoon Sergeant is responsible for everything that his Soldiers do or don’t do.  As you can probably tell, the Platoon Sergeant duties and responsibilities are very significant.

Learn more about the Platoon Sergeant Duties in my Platoon Leader eBook.