History of Squad in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 6, 2025

In military terms, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer. It is larger than a team but smaller than a section. In the U.S. Army, a squad typically consists of eight to fourteen soldiers and may be subdivided into fireteams. This organizational structure is fundamental to military operations.

1920: Enlisted Rank Structure Simplified

In 1920, the enlisted rank structure was simplified, establishing seven grades ranging from master sergeant to private. Staff sergeant was created as a new rank title.

1920: Rank of Lance Corporal Abolished

In 1920, the rank of lance corporal, which the Army had in varying numbers and conditions from at least 1821, was abolished.

1939: Rifle Squads Reorganized

In 1939, under the Triangular Division organization plan, rifle squads were reorganized into 12-man units of three elements, reporting directly to the platoon commander. A PFC was assigned as assistant to the squad leader.

1940: Squad Command Weakness Corrected

In 1940, the command weakness of the large squad became obvious, leading to the addition of a second NCO to the squad. The position of "assistant to platoon commander" was re-designated as "platoon leader".

1941: Squad Leader Issued Submachine Gun

Around 1941, the squad leader was issued a submachine gun such as the MP 40. The machine gunner and his assistant were issued pistols, and the deputy squad leader and the riflemen were issued rifles.

1942: Army Restructuring

In 1942, the Army had a massive restructuring of its Tables of Organization & Equipment (TO&Es) and increased the rank of the squad leader and assistant squad leader to staff sergeant and sergeant, respectively.

1943: Platoon Leader Re-designated

In 1943 the position of "platoon leader" was re-designated as "platoon sergeant".

1948: Army Downsizes Rifle Squad

In 1948, the Army downsized the rifle squad to a nine-man organization, as post-war analysis showed that the 12-man squad was too large. The squad leader was called a sergeant, and the two scouts of the Able element and the Baker element's ammunition bearer were eliminated.

1948: Platoon Sergeant Rank Title Changed

In 1948, the rank title of the platoon sergeant changed from technical sergeant to sergeant first class (SFC).

1951: Pay Grades Reversed

In 1951, the pay grades were reversed, with master sergeant becoming E-7 and sergeant first class becoming E-6. The squad leader became a sergeant (E-5), and the assistant squad leader, a corporal (E-4).

1956: Army Reorganizes Under "Pentomic" Plan

In 1956, the Army began reorganizing into its "Pentomic" plan under the ROCID TO&Es. The rifle squad was reorganized into an eleven-man organization with a sergeant as squad leader and two five-man fire teams. The assistant squad leader position was eliminated.

1958: Addition of E-8 and E-9 Pay Grades

In 1958, with the addition of the E-8 and E-9 pay grades, the ranks of the squad and fire team leaders changed to staff sergeant and sergeant, respectively. The traditional sergeant and staff sergeant rank insignia were restored.

1963: Rifle Squad Reduced Under ROAD Structure

In 1963, under the ROAD structure, the rifle squad was reduced to a ten-man organization, retaining the two fire teams but eliminating the two scouts.

1968: Platoon Sergeant Rank Title Eliminated

In 1968, the separate rank title of platoon sergeant was eliminated, leaving SFC as the only E-7 rank.

2002: Brigadreglemente Armén Pansar-/Mekskyttepluton/-grupp 90

In 2002, Army Brigade Regulation Armor-/Mechanized Rifle Platoon/Squad 90 was released.

May 2018: USMC Squad Reduction Announced

On May 2018, it was announced that a USMC squad would be reduced to 12 Marines, with three fire teams of three Marines each with two new positions: an assistant squad leader and a squad systems operator.

2019: USMC Squad Structure Changed

In 2019, the USMC squad structure was changed to 15 men, assistant automatic riflemen were replaced with grenadiers, and anti mechanized infantry became a new addition to Marine fireteams. All M16A4 rifles and M4A1 carbines were to be replaced with the M27 infantry automatic rifle.