Which term describes a unit typically commanded by a lieutenant and consisting of two or more squads?

• A. Reconnaissance
• B. Platoon
• C. Attack by fire
• D. Block

Answer: (B)

A platoon is a military unit typically commanded by a lieutenant and made up of two or more squads. In common infantry organization, a squad contains roughly 9–12 soldiers, and several squads form a platoon, which is usually led by a lieutenant with a platoon sergeant as second-in-command. This places the platoon between the smaller squad level and the larger company level, and it is the level at which leadership and maneuver elements coordinate together.

The other terms refer to missions or different concepts rather than a unit size: reconnaissance describes a scouting mission or capability, attack by fire denotes a type of maneuver or tactic, and block is not a standard unit designation. So the description of a unit commanded by a lieutenant and consisting of two or more squads points to a platoon.