Squad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The word squad has many different applications in military and other organizations.
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[edit] Fire Service
In the fire service a squad is an engine company with a complement of rescue tools.
In some parts of the United States, A ground ambulance is called an "Emergency Squad". While in others a Police patrol car is known as a "Squad Car".
[edit] Military terminology
In military terminology squad refers to a small military unit (led by a non-commissioned officer) that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition, including the Australian Army and the Canadian Forces Land Force Command, this organization is referred to as a section. In most armies a squad consists of eight to twelve soldiers, sometimes as many as fourteen, and may be further subdivided into fireteams.
[edit] Organization
In the United States Army, a squad is composed of two fireteams of four or five soldiers each. In the United States Marine Corps, a squad is typically composed of three fireteams of four Marines and a squad leader who is a junior non-commissioned officer.
[edit] Leadership
A squad is led by an NCO known as a Squad Leader. His second in command is known as an Assistant Squad Leader. In Britain and the Commonwealth, these appointments are known as Section Commander and Section 2 i/c, respectively.
Typical ranks for squad leaders are:
- U.S. Army: Sergeant
- Canadian Forces: Sergeant
- British Army: Corporal
- German Army: Unteroffizier
[edit] Employment
In combat, a squad covers a frontage of about 100 meters in open terrain when attacking, and can effectively defend a position of 100 to 200 meters in radius.[citation needed]
[edit] Other military uses
In the Canadian Army, the term "squad" actually refers to a portion of a drill movement.
[edit] Irish war of Independence
In the Irish War of Independence 1919-21, "The Squad" was a small clandestine unit of the Irish Republican Army in Dublin set up by Michael Collins which was used to assassinate Police and British Army Intelligence officers. The unit was nicknamed the "Twelve Apostles". See Twelve Apostles (Irish counter-intelligence organisation).
[edit] See also
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