The highest ranking officer in a platoon is which rank?

• A. Lieutenant
• B. Captain
• C. Major
• D. Sergeant

Answer: (A)

In a platoon, the person in charge is typically a lieutenant, who serves as the platoon leader. This junior commissioned officer plans, directs, and executes the platoon’s missions and is responsible for training and readiness of the soldiers under their command. The sergeant, while the senior noncommissioned officer, assists and leads soldiers on the ground but does not hold an officer rank. A captain generally commands a company, which consists of several platoons, while a major oversees a battalion or higher staff roles. Therefore, the lieutenant is the highest ranking officer you’d find commanding a single platoon.