h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Dear Frank,

Thankyou for replying to me a while ago. I would now simply like to know how many people were in your company. How many were in a platoon and a squad and did different squads have different jobs.


Thank you


Joe

Dear Joe,
What a question! How many drops of water in a bath comes close.
The army does not stand still so a Platoon on any given day could be from 30 down to 15. There would be sick, some on leave, some on upgrading courses, some would be designated for HQ or other outpost jobs then we would have some in the guard room.
In wartime situations there would be dead and wounded as well, it was rare we had a full Platoon in peacetime and we would have composite Platoons for parades and the likes so we would reckon on 75% at any given time.
In a Company there would be specialists, radio, snipers, recon, anti tank. In a Regiment there would be a morter platoon and at times an anti tank (6 pounder in the early days then recoilless weapons)plus a heavy machine gun Platoon.
The basic set up or frame work would be there but there were many variations so you take your pick.
Regards Frank.