What is the size of a squad and who commands it?

• A. 8-12 soldiers; Lieutenant
• B. 6-9 soldiers; Staff Sergeant
• C. 4-6 soldiers; Sergeant
• D. 10-12 soldiers; Captain

Answer: (B)

A squad is the Army’s basic infantry maneuver element and is led by a Staff Sergeant. It typically consists of about 6 to 9 soldiers, with two four-person fire teams making up the bulk of its strength. The Squad Leader—usually a Staff Sergeant—plans and directs the squad’s movements and fires, coordinating with the two Fire Team Leaders who command their own fire teams.

This is why the option with 6-9 soldiers led by a Staff Sergeant is the best fit: it aligns with how squads are organized on the ground, balancing leadership responsibility at the Staff Sergeant level with a practical team size for maneuver and fire discipline. The other options describe leaders who typically command larger units (a lieutenant commands a platoon, a captain a company) or imply squad sizes that don’t match standard infantry structure.