Editing Platoon (section)

==Germany==
[[File:Germany-Army-Platoon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Platoon ("Zug" in German) of the German [[Bundeswehr]]]]
The [[German Army]] equivalent of the platoon is the '''''Zug''''' (same word as for ''train'', ''draught'', ''move'' or ''streak''), consisting of a ''Zugtrupp'' ("platoon troop" or platoon headquarters squad), of four to six men, and three squads (''Gruppen'') of eight to eleven men each. An ''Oberfeldwebel'' ("sergeant first class") is in charge of the ''Zugtrupp''. The ''Zugtrupp'' provides support for the platoon leader and acts as a reserve force (such as two additional snipers or an anti-tank weapon crew).

Three ''Züge'' make up a ''Kompanie'' ("company"). The first platoon, until 2013, used to be commanded by an ''Oberleutnant'' ("first lieutenant") or a ''Leutnant'' ("second lieutenant"), nowadays it is usually a ''Hauptmann'' ("captain"), who is also the ''Kompanie'''s second-in-command. The second ''Zug'' is led by an ''Oberleutnant'' or a ''Leutnant'', the third ''Zug'' is led by experienced NCOs, usually a ''Hauptfeldwebel'' ("master sergeant"). In the first platoon, the platoon leader's assistant is a ''Hauptfeldwebel''; in the second and third platoons, the assistant is an ''Oberfeldwebel''. Each squad is led by an ''Oberfeldwebel'', and its size corresponds to the typical passenger capacity of its squad vehicle (either wheeled or armored). Another of these vehicles is used for the ''Zugtrupp''. Sergeants of inferior rank act as assistant squad leaders in the other squads.

A ''[[Fallschirmjäger]]zug'' ("airborne infantry platoon") has [[special operations]] responsibilities and has command positions one rank higher than corresponding positions in a standard infantry platoon. A captain (''Hauptmann'') is the platoon leader, assisted by a first lieutenant and each squad has a second lieutenant or a master sergeant in charge, often supported by a long-service sergeant or skilled senior corporal.