[FReepaholic]

I thought a platoon was led by a lieutenant.

[MeanWestTexan]

The Platoon is commanded by a commissioned officer (Lieutenant, O-1/O-2) and assisted by a Platoon Sergeant who is a Sergeant First Class (E-7).

In this case, you’d probably have 2-3 squads in the platoon.

Anywhere from a dozenish to maybe 50 soldiers.

(All the numbers just depend on what is going on.)

[sheana]

Was just asking hubby about this. He said the same. Captain is in charge of a company, Lieutenant is in charge of a platoon and a platoon is NEVER split. Either they all go or none go.
He says either Obama is lying or whoever told him the story is lying.

[edpc]

Generally, a lieutenant leads the platoon with an NCO as his second in command. A Captain would lead the company with a 1st Sgt as his second in command.

The story is anecdotal and fits his template for Iraq being a distraction. This captain and Harry Reid's friend "Tommy" are probably the same person.