In today’s post, I’d like to share some cool Army Platoon Names.
All Army platoons should have a platoon name. Also known as a platoon nickname, the platoon name, or mascot, is a symbol or term that best defines the platoon.
Platoon names are important because they help “identify” the platoon. Having a good name will also improve morale and enable Soldiers to be part of a team with its own unique identity.
While I was in Company Command, we chose the term “Spartans” for our company name. My Soldiers chose this name because it is closely affiliated with proven, strong, and competent warriors. In addition, each one of my platoons had their own unique name. This had a huge, positive impact on unit morale.
You may choose a different platoon nickname based upon the mission of your platoon. For instance, if your platoon is a transportation platoon, several example platoon names could include:
- Roadrunners
- Night Train
- Wolf-pack
- Dawgs
- Demons
- Renegades
- Warriors
- Spartans
Choosing cool team names can be difficult as you’ll want a group consensus. There will more than likely be some team members who aren’t “all in” on the team name. Do you incorporate your location? An animal? A color? These are all considerations to make when choosing a name for your group. ~ Ideas for Names
In my opinion, the actual name of your platoon is far less important than simply having a platoon name. Even if your platoon name sounds different, don’t fret. As long as it is non-offensive and your Soldiers like it, you are good-to-go.
Each time a platoon is called to attention, all Soldiers sound off with the platoon name. The platoon name is also used as the greeting of the day when Soldiers greet their officers and NCOs.
Personally, I’ve found that having a platoon name is a great way to improve unit morale. Plus, it’s really easy to do.
Example Cool Army Platoon Names
Here is a short list of example cool Army Platoon Names, just to get you thinking:
- Warriors
- Renegades
- Hawks
- Raiders
- Bulldogs
- Panthers
- Gladiators
- Giants
- Thunder
- Outlaws
- Bombers
- Broncos
- Eagles
- Spartans
- Hornets
- Cougars
- Rebels
- Lancers
- Badgers
- Mountaineers
- Ramblers
- Griffins
- Stampede
- Rockets
- Dragons
How to Come Up with a Platoon Name
The best way to come up with a platoon name is to take suggestions for platoon names from your Soldiers. Once you have three to five good options to choose from, put it to a vote among everyone in the platoon.
Don’t make the mistake and just pick a platoon name yourself (make a note of that Platoon Leaders). Remember, you want your Soldiers to “buy-in” to the idea. That won’t happen if you don’t get their input and let them choose the platoon name.
Once you establish a platoon name, you should have one of your Soldiers “draw” or “paint” a picture that you can incorporate into your unit coin, letterhead, signs, t-shirts, etc. For example, if your platoon nickname is War-Hawks, you could have one of your Soldiers create a “war-hawk” logo and paint it in your platoon area.
Here is some additional advice.
If you are a new Platoon Leader and your platoon already has a platoon name, don’t be too quick to change it. Seek input from your Platoon Sergeant and other NCOs about whether or not they are happy with the platoon name.
If your platoon likes the current platoon name, keep it. If they want to change the platoon name, change it. If your platoon doesn’t have a platoon name, take a few minutes to brainstorm some ideas. Talk with your NCOs and Soldiers about potential platoon names, and then have your entire platoon vote for the platoon name they like best.
A funny military squad name does not mean your team is incompetent. If anything, it says otherwise; you and your unit are having fun at your job. ~ Find Team Names
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, platoon names are very important.
All Army platoons should have a platoon name to identify the uniqueness of the platoon. If your platoon doesn’t have a platoon name, be proactive and establish one right away. By doing so, you will improve the morale and cohesion within your platoon.
I would love to hear your thoughts about having a platoon name. What are some suggested names you can think of? How did you pick your platoon name? To share your thoughts, just leave a comment to this post down below. Thank you.
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Yep. Platoon names are definitely important to morale. A unit is supposed to work and fight as a unit. The platoon name makes that cohesiveness stronger.
If a new commander comes in and it’s obvious that the platoon is proud of their name, then he needs to leave it like it is. He needs to become a part of that himself and become a proud member.
Spot on Scott!
I love this idea. It really does help build morale and identity. It’s just like why sports teams have names! As for it possibly being a point of division and otherness, I can understand that and am sure that it happens every now and again. However, each Platoon still knows that all together they are in the military, just like every football team knows that even though they’re the Packers and another team is the Vikings, and have a rivalry, they all are still part of the NFL and all play football. Of course, I name everything I possibly can from my car to my computer, and including my kids! It does create a sense of bonding and familiarity and I think that can be so vital in a military lifestyle to success and morale.
In Basic Training I had a real gangsta’ black drill sergeant from Atlanta. He named our platoon Hustle Gang with the motto “Hustle Gang over Errrybody!” Emphasis on Errrybody. We even had our own rap song, and cadence and platoon exercise – the V Ups! Which we got smoked with a lot. But we were high speed and won the High PT Award plus just about every award. A few privates from other platoons actually joined us. Although I won’t miss most of the dumb privates at BCT, I will miss Hustle Gang over Errrybody!
That’s great that you had such as good Drill Sergeant.
I’m going to get booed right off the page here, but I think platoon nicknames can be detrimental to the Army as a whole. Yeah, it’s great to build morale and all that, but that kind of self identity can create a sense of “otherness” to the point where instead of working together, platoons start to compete – not a good thing when we hardly ever get missions that include only members of our own platoon.
We can agree to disagree on this one.
I understand your point, but I must say that friendly competition can be good, as long as it stays friendly. What you are saying Lisa is attached to childish immaturity, and as long as these soldiers all know that it comes to overall teamwork (the Army as a whole) with the platoon and their name being down the list, there is nothing wrong with having nicknames. I believe it builds a teamwork that is good and not bad.
Platoon names can be a great morale boost as long as the platoon supports it. Don't be the platoon leader who comes into a platoon that's got a quality nickname and decide to make their mark by changing the name. It's a ticket to animosity from day one.
I agree that the entire platoon needs to support the name.
Platoon names should be influenced by what platoon you are exp. First platoon is considered red platoon so usually the platoon name starts with r (I.e. renegades, raiders, raven, redbull) second is white. So w is what you have to work with like warlords, walkers, or wardogs. Third is blue so Barrons, bleeders, bigdogs, or blackknights . Fourth is green. Guardians, Giants, or guarddogs.
I have never heard of it explained this way before, but that definitely makes sense.
Having a platoon name is a great way to create teamwork and make everyone feel as if they are part of a family. I agree that it does need to be done in a democratic fashion. If the leader just picks a name, many won’t adhere to it. I also love the part of having an artistic soldier draw up a logo. Teamwork is the whole name of the game, and a platoon name will create teamwork.
By the way, I really like Vikings.
Vikings is definitely a great name.
Rekers could be one
Sounds good to me!
Here are some saggestions:
Punishers
Spartans
Ruff necks
Hell hounds
Cryses angles
Living angles
Great ideas, Terrence. Thanks for the comment.
Here are a few neat platoon names.
Night Stalkers
Legion of War
Renegades
I hope that helps.
Thanks for sharing Margaret.
These are some platoon names I found online.
Warriors
Demons
Night Train
Road Runners
Destroyers
Great ideas, David.
I ran across some addition platoon names that I thought were cool, so I wanted to take some time and share them. Dog Soldiers, War Party, and War Hawks were three of my favorite. The most creative though, is The Dead Rabbits, taken from a new York gang from the 1800’s and derived from an Irish saying “dead raibead” which means “man to be greatly feared”. I think a lot of thought went into that one. I also think that a new platoon leader has a golden opportunity immediately by having his guys come up with a platoon name. He breaks the ice, creates camaraderie immediately, and can gain valuable information about his guys just by observing them complete this simple task.
I like the “War Hawks” the best.
I ran across platoon names for the 1st Battalion 61st Infantry Regiment “Roadrunners” out of Fort Jackson, SC, and I have to say, they are solid on the coolness factor. Here are some of them: Khaos, Undertakers, Berzekers, Black Knights, Legion of Doom, Marauders, Death Dealers, Warlords, Night Stalkers. The Battalion, as well as each company, has a good Facebook page, with the names and some other good info spelled out in a Facebook note. It might fuel some creativity for other platoons struggling with a name.
Thanks for sharing these very cool Army Platoon names, Amy.
My favorite one that you listed was “Warlords.”
I’m a engineer and I’m trying to find a good name for my plt. Any good ideas?
Spec Pender,
A couple cool engineer platoon names might be “Blasters” or “Demolition” (combat engineers).
I hope that helps.
Chuck
Try Stonewall
Stonewall would definitely be a good platoon name. Thanks.
Chuck
I really like the idea of having a platoon name. It creates a sense of identity and family. There is an instant bond, I guess you could say. Your advice about not being quick to change a name if you are a new Platoon Leaders there is already one in place is also sound. No need to step on toes!
It sure does, Leslie. I’ve been in platoons without a platoon name and it was very akward, especially in formation. A good platoon name is worth its weight in gold. Best of all, it’s really easy to pick one.
Chuck
When I was a platoon sergeant, we were the Tuff Guys. I know, I know, but we in the infantry don’t always spell so good. :) The name came from the guys, something they did on their own initiative. We had shoulder tabs made (we wore them under the left sleeve pocket flap, much as many engineers wore the Sapper tab before it became authorized), and the Tuff Guys tab wasn’t just handed out–it was earned. We used it mostly as a tool to recognize outstanding performance by new Soldiers, with those award decisions made by the team and squad leaders. I found it to be a great tool for motivation and esprit de corps.
The “Tuff Guys” concept is a great idea, Daniel. That one program alone probably had more impact on morale and performance in your platoon than anything else.
Chuck Holmes
Having a platoon name is definitely the way to go! It helps you bond as a group and as some of you previously said, provides a sense of identity. It’s the small things that make a BIG difference, especially when you will be spending hours upon hours with the same people while you’re hours away from home.
I couldn’t agree more, Michelle.
Chuck
If I had to choose a platoon name I would have to narrow it down between these:
Northmen
Vikings
…and some traditional ones from military phonetic alphabet: Zulu company, Bravo Company, etc.
Hi Lauren,
The “Zulu” name sounds really neat. Northmen and Vikings would be a cool Army platoon name too. Thanks for the great ideas.
Chuck
Some of my favorite Army Platoon Names include:
Dragons
Grim Reapers
Road Runners
Slayers
Barbarians
I agree with you Chuck that having a name for your platoon is very important. Thanks for sharing.
Matthew
My favorite platoon name on your list is Barbarians. That is such as great name. Thanks for the ideas.
Chuck
I think that is a great idea! In my experience, even if it never has a mascot, a team likes to have a personalized identity. It is a chosen nick-name or a personal inside joke. This probably went a long ways toward building morale, I’ll bet.
So true, Lisa. Having a name is vital. In a way, it gives the team members a sense of identity and something to be proud of at the same time. Everyone wants to be part of something greater than themselves. Thanks for the comment.
Chuck
Here are some great Platoon Names that I can recommend:
Rockers
Heavy Metal
Demons
Assassins
I hope that helps. Thanks for sharing all these cool Army Platoon Names Chuck.
Ridere
Heavy Metal sounds like a great platoon name to me, Ridere. Thanks for the comment.
Chuck
These are some great Army Platoon Names. Our platoon name was the “Mustangs.” We had t-shirts made and a we also had a large drawing in our platoon area with a Mustang on it. We were all proud to be Mustangs!
Good for you, Winonah.
Mustangs is a very cool Army platoon name. Thanks for sharing your story.
Chuck