Platoon Live Fire as a Platoon Leader: Preparation

Platoon Live Fire is the culmination of months of training and hard work for an Infantry Platoon and serves as the closest simulation to actual combat. Typically occurring at the halfway point of a Brigade’s training cycle for deployment, Platoon Live Fire is the Army’s method for ensuring a Platoon is ready to be an effective component in the overall Company scheme of maneuver. This involves testing a Platoon’s ability to execute battle drills such as React to Contact, Breach a Mined Wire Obstacle, Knock out a Bunker, Clear a Trench, and Establish a Hasty Defense, all in one continuous mission.

As a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, who recently led a Platoon through this certification, I’ve gathered some valuable insights and lessons that I wish I had known while preparing my Platoon for success during Platoon Live Fire.

Commitment to training

The Platoons that performed the best were those that prioritized consistent training and accumulated as many repetitions as possible during their preparation. Despite Platoon Live Fire being six months away, the actual uninterrupted training time often gets reduced to about 30 days due to various taskings and exercises. Therefore, establishing a culture of consistent training early is crucial.

We adopted “The Rule of 3,” where every Monday, as part of our weekly leader’s sync, each Squad Leader briefed my Platoon Sergeant and I on three key training tasks they would focus on for a minimum of two hours daily. This approach not only held each Squad accountable for continuous improvement but also empowered our junior Squad Leaders to take ownership of their Squads’ development. This ownership translated to Squad Leaders making sound decisions without my guidance during Platoon Live Fire.

Empowering Subordinate Leaders

Effective Platoons are driven by empowered Squad Leaders who can make decisions independently. Initially, my Platoon Sergeant and I observed that our new Squad Leaders had the technical skills to fight but lacked the confidence to leverage their experience and make sound decisions for their Squads. We aimed to create an environment where subordinate leaders could take our intent and maintain the initiative, especially since we wouldn’t always be there to guide them during a fight.

While it was straightforward for Squads to execute drills like Knock out a Bunker or Clear a Trench, challenges arose with unexpected obstacles or complex situations. After ensuring the Squads understood how to execute tasks, we focused on training their ability to handle unexpected problems while continuing to push forward toward a desired end state. This took the form of giving them faulty intelligence before they stepped off on a mission, or setting up an unexpected wired obstacle before a bunker. By establishing a commitment to training, we empowered subordinate leaders to think independently, ultimately allowing my Platoon Sergeant and I to anticipate the next steps during Platoon Live Fire.

Understanding Your Role

Platoon Leaders are defined by their ability to synchronize and coordinate their Platoon into a cohesive effort. While preparing the Platoon for Platoon Live Fire, it was easy to overlook the need to prepare myself. During my Infantry Officer Course, an instructor emphasized the importance of being an expert at our level. He stated “I do not need you to be the next General Patton, I need you to be an expert at your level. That means maneuvering your squads, and understanding your weapon systems so when you shoot something you know where those rounds will land”. 

If I could go back, I would have put more time in understanding the capabilities and limitations of my Platoon assets. This includes knowing how to utilize Company and Battalion mortars to get closer to an objective. How long I can realistically expect these assets to suppress an objective, is important when getting the timing of an attack down. As the last mortar round makes impact my Squads should be within range getting effective fire on the objective. Understanding my Platoons timing, allows me as the leader to determine if we need to pick up the pace towards the objective, or if we can relax and conserve our energy/ammo. All of which is imperative when synchronizing assets into one cohesive attack as opposed to one with lulls conducive for a counterattack.

Reflecting on Platoon Live Fire, it’s evident that a Platoon’s performance during certification is often a reflection of the months of preparation. Commitment to training, empowering subordinate leaders, and understanding your role are crucial steps in this preparation. I hope these insights help others as they prepare their Platoons for success.