M OTOR T RANSPORT P LATOONS

3-53. The motor transport platoon contains a platoon leader, platoon sergeant, squad leaders, and drivers. The motor transport platoon provides the personnel and equipment the company requires in order to fill vehicle task requirements. The platoon provides supervision and technical guidance to truck squads in the execution of motor transport duties.

Platoon Leader

3-54. The platoon leader is responsible for overall accomplishment of any mission directed by the commander, normally including hauling cargo and personnel. The platoon leader is responsible to ensure the commander’s intent and end-state are met in completing assigned missions. The platoon leader is responsible for the training, discipline, health, welfare and morale of his Soldiers. Most importantly, the platoon leader is responsible for the

Chapter 3

3-14 ATP 4-11 5 July 2013

overall readiness of his platoon. He is also responsible for the proper use, care, maintenance and accountability of individual and organizationally assigned equipment.

3-55. The platoon leader supervises the platoon training and operations. They also conduct inspections on vehicle preventive maintenance checks and services and consistently maintain accountability and availability of assets and personnel. The platoon leader is responsible for supervising platoon personnel in convoy operations and enforces discipline and control as the convoy commander. They ensure drivers are practicing safe driving techniques and will perform preliminary investigations when platoon personnel are involved in accidents. The platoon leader also enforces environmental laws and regulations.

3-56. The platoon leader should emplace standards and practices to ensure a high degree of readiness is achieved and maintained, as the platoon can be deployed as a separate entity to the company. The platoon leader should make certain the platoon’s ability to function autonomously. Inspections of platoon member’s individual clothing and equipment for serviceability and accountability are conducted as required. They maintain records of individual readiness, to include overall health and physical readiness, and will maintain individual qualifications. If deployed separately, the platoon leader may be required to integrate the platoon into a new unit, or function in a capacity similar to the commander. In such a situation, the platoon leader is responsible for the administration, operations, supply and security of the platoon. The platoon leader should also be encouraged to act on initiative to exercise those command and leadership qualities required of the position.

Truck Platoon Sergeant

3-57. The platoon sergeant is the assistant to the platoon leader, and is the senior NCO in charge of the platoon. The platoon sergeant assists in training the platoon and supervises both its tactical and technical operations. The platoon sergeant coordinates the duties of the squad leaders, and directs the drivers of the platoon in truck and convoy operations. The platoon sergeant coordinates platoon operations with other platoon sergeants and the truckmaster. The platoon sergeant also trains, supervises, inspects and validates training, driver maintenance and vehicle loading techniques. The platoon sergeant is responsible to manage squad training and operational activities. The platoon sergeant provides guidance on military regulations and civil laws pertaining to motor vehicle operations, including training, to the platoon leader. The platoon sergeant is responsible for coordinating with the maintenance sergeant for the repair of vehicles that need service beyond the platoon’s capability, and is required to inspect vehicles to ensure the performance of driver maintenance. The platoon sergeant coordinates administrative requirements for the platoon and maintains visibility of employed platoon assets and personnel. The platoon sergeant enforces and trains all Soldiers on safety rules, driving techniques, environmental laws and regulations. The platoon sergeant also is responsible for the use, care, and accountability of assigned equipment, including the accountability of vehicle basic issue items. During operations when the platoon is deployed separate of the company, the platoon sergeant assumes all administrative duties usually performed by the first sergeant.

Squad Leader

3-58. Each truck squad is assigned personnel to operate assigned vehicle platforms. Squad leaders are responsible for their assigned Soldiers and responsible to the platoon leader and platoon sergeant for their training, discipline, and performance. They train and direct squad personnel in driver maintenance, correct loading techniques, safe driving practices, and supervise the maintenance of equipment. They report vehicle deficiencies beyond their squad’s capacity to the platoon sergeant for corrective measures. Squad leaders develop individual training that directly compliments and relates to the platoon collective tasks and the company mission essential task list. Squad leaders maintain visibility of employed assets and personnel and are responsible for the use, care and accountability of their squad’s equipment. Prior to missions, squad leaders ensure each Soldier is familiar with route, destination and mission, and supervise mission execution.

Distribution Platoon Leader in the Forward Support Company

3-59. The distribution platoon leader in the FSC is responsible for training, discipline, morale, health and welfare of their platoon, and to provide direct transportation support to their maneuver battalion. The platoon leader provides mission command of his platoon and is responsible to manage the transportation and distribution of Class II, III, IV, V, and IX to the supported battalion, and manages transportation assets, including material readiness and logistics package operations. The distribution platoon leader provides retail

Motor Transport Units

Class III (B) to the supported battalion and Class V unit distribution to battalion maneuver units. The distribution platoon leader is responsible to receive and issue Class V from the BSB ammunition holding and transfer point to the supported battalion. The platoon can conduct simultaneous Class III and Class V retail support. The platoon leader also provides order, receipt, and issue capability for classes II, III(P), IV, and IX from the distribution company. The platoon headquarters is not augmented with dispatchers and the FSC does not have a truckmaster; therefore, the platoon leader is responsible for their roles and can delegate as appropriate. See paragraphs 3-49 and 3-51 for more details on the truckmaster and dispatcher, respectively. However, the platoon leader is assigned a material control specialist to assist in the receipt, issue and constant accountability of all pertinent classes of supplies.

Material Control Specialist

3-60. The material control specialist is assigned to the distribution platoon headquarters and assists in the overall accountability of classes II, III, IV, V and IX. The material control specialist will establish and maintain stock records and other necessary documents to verify inventory, material control, accounting and supply reports. The Soldier can help load, unload, inspect, verify, segregate, palletize and store incoming supplies and equipment to facilitate the platoon’s mission. All other duties are at the discretion of the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant.