High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 25 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer?the platoon leader or platoon commander, usually a lieutenant. He is usually assisted by a senior non-commissioned officer?the platoon sergeant.In some armies, platoon is used throughout the branches of the army.